| Thinking of getting baptised? |
| Wednesday 1st August 2007, 11:51 am |
  As we've mentioned recently at The Reach, we're looking at having a special service for those youth that want to get baptised later this term but if that's too soon for you then we will make another opportunity for you.It does sound like a number of you are currently thinking about baptism so no doubt there's heaps of questions and thoughts going through you're mind like, "why should I bother getting baptised?", "am I too young to get baptised now?" or "is it the right time for me?" The best thing for you to do is to talk to your small group leader or any of the leaders you feel comfortable with. Some of the youth at The Reach have already been baptised (e.g. Jo and Donald Burnett got baptised last year) so you could talk to them too about their experience and why they did it. If though you would rather just think through things first, I've put some of my thoughts in this article. If you've got any other questions or want me to expand on something, just click on Dr Gav and you can ask it annonymously. Click on "read the rest" to see my questions and answers. I will update the below as I receive more questions/thoughts. Question: What is baptism? Practically speaking, the act of baptism involves being 'dunked' under water and declaring to those present your commitment to God and reasons for getting baptised. In terms of what it signifies though... 1) Baptism is about publicly telling your friends, peers, family and general society that you want to follow God all your life, that you are committed to his ways and want to turn from the ways of your past. 2) Baptism is about declaring to God your full commitment to him and saying to Satan and his evil powers that he has no right to your life 3) The water of baptism symbolises the new beginning and washing away of your old self as you go under and come back up from the water. 4) Baptism signifies God's truth of Jesus' death and resurrection: Death - “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 (NIV) Resurrection - “We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection.” Romans 6:4-5 (NIV) Question: Why should I get baptised? 1) Obedience: It is a step of the Christian walk that Jesus has commanded us to take. Jesus said: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19) 2) Desire to make your line in the sand: You've decided that you want everyone to know of your Christian faith and commitment 3) Because you want to go full on and receive the blessing of being one of Jesus disciples: Like in marriage, making a lifelong commitment involves sacrifice but it also allows the relationship to become much deeper and more meaningful. As your relationship grows with God and as you spend time going full on together, the impact God has on your life becomes more and more and your true purpose unfolds. Question: What happens when I get choose to get baptised Practically speaking, there's a few things that happen. 1) A leader will talk with you about this step that you are wanting to take, why you are wanting to do it and that you are sure that you know what it involves. 2) You will decide with the youth pastor when/where/how you want to get baptised (e.g. as part of The Reach, at church, in someone's swimming pool, at the beach) 3) At your baptism, you will be invited to share your story and your faith with those present. Then you will be asked to formally state your faith in Jesus Christ as your Saviour (sort of like wedding vows) before being baptised in water. Question: What can I expect from being baptised? 1) Taking this step helps you to know that you are following in Jesus’ ways and are on the path Jesus is calling you to and walking beside you on. 2) It will provide you with a stake in the ground which you and others can look back to when you feel lost or for encouragement. 3) Your testimony will have an impact particularly on your friends and family and your peers. They will also know for sure now where you stand and what you believe in. This can often lead to them looking for guidance down the track when they find themselves asking similar questions. 4) Like with marriage, you can expect the first few years to take a lot of work. It involves giving God quality time, compromising on what you want versus God’s will for you, trusting for and looking to God to meet your daily needs, walking through life together and sharing your emotions, fears, excitement, day to day feelings etc. Like with marriage too though you can expect it to get easier, it will become more natural and you will grow in your faith, in confidence, in maturity and you will find your desires becoming more and more aligned. 5) You may find that this will be the time your faith feels most attacked, where your doubts come back to the surface. Some even find that some of their non-Christian friends push them away although the opposite can happen too. It takes hard work to push through this but that is where the blessings lay and you don’t have to go through it alone. |
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