Talks

What an amazing explanation on why Baptism still matters today!
Baptism is one of the sacraments.
They are sacred rites or signs instituted by Jesus Christ that are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace. Sacraments were called “mysteries” of the church.
And don’t we all love the wonderful testimonies of the 4 people getting baptised?

Whether News is Good is dependent on who you are. For example for some, the fact that they get up only twice in the night is good news, but that might not be true for others.
The Good News (or Gospel) Bob talked about is Good News for EVERYBODY.

The story is all about Jesus. It doesn’t end with Him dying: Death could not hold Him, He rose!
Why is this good for you?

It is a story of hope, redemption and restoration
It is a testimony of sacrificial love and companionship
It is inviting us into a relationship
It is for all people
No matter where you come from, or what your past looks like, Jesus says: I love you!

Baptism is celebrating Jesus and declaring our faith, knowing that we are part of a story that goes beyond all circumstances as described in Colossians 2:11-15 and John 3:16-18.
Saying Yes to Jesus has eternal consequences!
Now let us shine our light because our lives are the biggest reflectors of His love.

What a wonderful Sunday morning! 

We celebrate the day of Pentecost – the birthday of the church!
Michael and Lola dedicate baby Jonathan to God.  And we pray together for him and the family! And…
We baptise Liz and Phil as they share a small part of their story!

Matt also gives us 4 reasons why we baptise people:
Why baptism?
1) Because Jesus says to baptise in Matthew 28.
Our mission is to help people find and follow Jesus, so we want to do everything Jesus tells us to do
2) Because Baptism is a Symbol
It is a symbol of what is happening spiritually:
• Death to Life, Romans 6:3-4 It represents the new spiritual life we have in Jesus. Our spirit is born again, we have new life, hope and a future in Jesus
• It’s spiritual cleansing. Our sins are being washed away. Acts 22:16
3) Because Baptism is a declaration
Being baptised is a brave and bold step. It is a statement before God and the world that the old ways are left behind and that there is an intention to live for and follow Jesus.
4) Because Baptism is an Encounter
Some people experience it as being filled afresh with love and joy, being freed from strongholds, some people feel emotional and some don’t. It’s a sense of heaven meeting earth.
When should we be baptised? As soon as you know that you want to follow Jesus!
Find the full service on Facebook:https://fb.watch/uJiexfncRR/

After three very honest freedom stories, Gill reminds to us why we believe baptism is an important part of our journey as a follower of Jesus.

The word “baptism” means “immersion”. It is not just the physical act of being immersed in water but we are also immersed in God, and God immersed in us as well.
The act of being immersed in water represents what has taken place in the cleansing of our old sinful life and the declaration that we are “all in” with God.  In baptism we’re saying that we’re yielding to God, that we’re letting go of everything that could hold us back from God’s best for us.

However God also immerses us: He heals and He seals. As the water surrounds physically, so God surrounds us. Baptism doesn’t mean that we are perfect from that moment onwards, we still make mistakes and sin, but we’re declaring our intention to live the way that God intended.  We will always still need all the Love and Grace He gives out freely. It is not adult baptism, but “believers baptism”: Which means that we believe the criteria for being baptised is less about age, but more about when we’re able to understand the steps we’re taking.

Harrison’s shares his story, with great vulnerability, before making his public declaration of faith.