This year has been labelled a COVID-19 year, but for our Union it is the year of our youth—a special year for young people to lead the Church in evangelism work. They have been empowered to apply the “Farming Cycle” discipleship model and prepare for a harvest.
The reaping campaigns started in July, so every Saturday night I am on Facebook. What am I looking for? I love seeing posts of baptisms happening around our Union. I’m inspired just by looking at pictures of people being baptised.
Baptism represents uniting with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. This symbolism is filled with deep meaning. In baptism the eyes are closed and the breath is suspended as in death. Then comes burial in the water and resurrection from the watery grave to a new life in Christ. The eyes open and the believer begins breathing again—a likeness of resurrection.
The great difference between Christianity and every other religion is the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. These three acts make possible all that God desires to do for us. To keep these three vital acts alive in the minds of Christians until the end of time, the Lord instituted baptism by immersion as a memorial. There is no symbolism of death, burial and resurrection in the other forms of baptism. Only immersion fulfils the meaning.
So, every baptism, I am reminded of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection—the greatest act of love. Every baptism, I witness a miracle—someone has been reborn into a new life in Christ. I am witnessing someone who stood up in public to declare that Jesus is his/her Lord and Saviour. Every baptism, I see more people joining the army of God. I am excited about it. What are you excited about?
