This week’s service is all about baptism. Three church friends are being baptised as believers, and we look forward to a great celebration in worship on Sunday. You might like to remember your own baptism. What did it mean to you then? What does it mean to you now?

Some sincerely look back to their infant baptism and fully accept that they have indeed been baptised. As Baptists, we respect those who respect their own infant baptism, and don’t try to persuade them to enter the magnificent baptistry at Hearsall.

But in our tradition, we like to completely immerse those who are making a free choice to follow Jesus. In this way, the Christian consciously and deliberately identifies with the death and resurrection of Christ. The ceremony is so powerful because a person has made their own decision to be a disciple of Jesus. They’ll remember the feeling of being plunged under the water for all their lives. They’ll recall with joy that first breath as they emerge into the air. The old life is as good as dead! The new, resurrection life of Christ has been embraced.

You can download a copy of my Message on this link.

With very warm wishes

Rev.David Sutcliffe.