"Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptised?" Acts 8:36
It was a sunny, but chilly day in November. The pigeons and tourists watched in confusion as two people walked into the ice cold fountains of Trafalgar Square to take part in something very holy. It had to be quick though, before security came.
Baptism is an ancient tradition that even Jesus took part in. What it means entirely, no one can fully explain, yet people have been doing it for thousands of years. As Christians, we believe this act identifies us with the death and burial of Christ, but something way beyond mere symbolism takes place when you add H2O to your faith.
Over the years, the baptismal waters has been given many additive rituals and rules that may confuse people who want to take part. "How old should I be?...How much water do you need exactly?...Does it count if I don't remember it?...I was only 3 months old after all."
The baptism illustrated above was as simple as you can get. One day after church, Brian asked if he could be baptised. He showed the genuine fruit of someone who loves God, so I told him I know a good place down the street. His friends form work came down to be there with us all. We went through some Scripture, prayed together, then splash...he came up a different man. We all celebrated together as he shivered with joy. I will never forget that day.
Today Brian lives and studies in South Africa, continuing to seek the amazing will of God for his life. He has since been on a couple missionary journeys in Africa and knows there are many other adventures ahead. His impact on a baby church called Freedomhouse is still felt today.
Does baptism have something to do with it? I'm sure of it.
Who's next?
Brandon and Pamela
www.freedomhouse.org.uk
PS: Join us this Sunday as we celebrate a Special Group Baptism at Freedomhouse Church. It will be indoors with much warmer water this time around. Bring a towel and some spare clothes if you would like to take part. As the excited Ethiopian declared in Acts 8, "What's stopping me?"
PSS: I won't be using the "choke hold manueaver" used on poor Brian in the picture ;)
Baptism is an ancient tradition that even Jesus took part in. What it means entirely, no one can fully explain, yet people have been doing it for thousands of years. As Christians, we believe this act identifies us with the death and burial of Christ, but something way beyond mere symbolism takes place when you add H2O to your faith.
Over the years, the baptismal waters has been given many additive rituals and rules that may confuse people who want to take part. "How old should I be?...How much water do you need exactly?...Does it count if I don't remember it?...I was only 3 months old after all."
The baptism illustrated above was as simple as you can get. One day after church, Brian asked if he could be baptised. He showed the genuine fruit of someone who loves God, so I told him I know a good place down the street. His friends form work came down to be there with us all. We went through some Scripture, prayed together, then splash...he came up a different man. We all celebrated together as he shivered with joy. I will never forget that day.
Today Brian lives and studies in South Africa, continuing to seek the amazing will of God for his life. He has since been on a couple missionary journeys in Africa and knows there are many other adventures ahead. His impact on a baby church called Freedomhouse is still felt today.
Does baptism have something to do with it? I'm sure of it.
Who's next?
Brandon and Pamela
www.freedomhouse.org.uk
PS: Join us this Sunday as we celebrate a Special Group Baptism at Freedomhouse Church. It will be indoors with much warmer water this time around. Bring a towel and some spare clothes if you would like to take part. As the excited Ethiopian declared in Acts 8, "What's stopping me?"
PSS: I won't be using the "choke hold manueaver" used on poor Brian in the picture ;)
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