Water Baptism I

April 20, 2014

Easter Sunday, the day Christ resurrected, the witness of HIS unconditional love for us.  Baptism is a declaration that our hearts says “yes” to Christ.  On this wonderful day, a record-breaking of 48 brothers and sisters were baptized into the family of God with over 100 brothers and sisters to support in unity.  God blessed us with a wonderful weather that isn’t burning hot nor raining.

After the opening prayer was a powerful time of Praise and Worship.  Pastor Gavin explained that Jesus was baptized too and from the time of the Old Testament, baptism already have the symbolic meaning of leaving ‘Egypt’, meaning ‘the world’ heading for the ‘Promised Land’, meaning eternal life of abundance, walking through the wilderness experiencing God.  Today, brothers and sisters who have accepted Christ and publicly acknowledging HIM, promising to follow God for the rest of their lives.

He explained that they will be asked two questions to reaffirm their faith and action.  One is whether they have received Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord? And other is whether they will still choose to follow Christ if faced with challenges and persecution. . If they confirm, they will immerse into the water, burying with Jesus, declaring death to old self then rise with Christ as a new creation, leaving all pains and worries behind.

After explaining, brothers and sisters who will be baptized are invited to stand that the whole congregation can lay hands to pray and bless them. Certificates were presented to them before going into the water.  Praise and worship team continued to lead the congregation to praise the Lord during the baptism.  Brothers and sisters were presented with flowers and gifts from their units and family as an encouragement.

From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, the Lord’s name is to be praised.  It is great to be in the family of God, blessed not only with a new eternal life but life in abundance.