 In this section you will find links to various documents created for internal use by Legacy Youth Congregation. Other documents will be added to this page as they become available. The respective authors retain copyright of these documents, but you may freely use anything here, as long as you do not re-publish it any way and give appropriate credit to the original author. Scripture on these pages is taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society. |
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Baptism - Pete Hillman Check out our latest Baptism pics here! Walking round the green  The Native Americans have a saying about not being critical of another until you have walked a mile in their moccasins. In other words, it is not until you have put yourself into the shoes of another person that you can begin to understand things. Why these two examples? Well, because they are a way of approaching the depths of the mystery contained within the act of baptism. Baptism is not primarily about a public declaration of faith, there are plenty of more effective ways that we could do that these days. Perhaps we could wear special clothes or even get a tattoo. No, baptism is more than a badge to say that you are a member of the Christian club!  Baptism is about our identification with Jesus. Of course there is lots of symbolism attached to the action and we see resonances of death and resurrection, cleansing, birth and death and so on. But it is more than merely a symbol as well. The word that the Church has used to describe this and other actions with special meaning is a sacrament. As Christians the bit that we do, the getting into the water, is the enacting of a physical prayer. Instead of our prayer just being words it becomes an action too. But this prayer is only one half of what is going on. The other, much more important part is what God does in response to our prayer. As with much else in the Christian faith we must guard against making baptism primarily about what we do. In our lives the vast majority of our walk with God is a response to Him and to what he does. Baptism is no exception. And this is why, when I hear people say “oh, I’m not ready for baptism” or “I don’t think it’s the right time” or even “I haven’t heard God call me to be baptised” I what to tear what’s left of my hair out! Whilst I accept the need for someone to have committed themselves to following Jesus the huge danger in all these statements is that it all comes back to you, as if baptism was ever about you! Jesus taught that we must believe, repent and be baptised and the big news is, he hasn’t changed his mind.  Just as when we eat bread and drink wine in communion we believe that Jesus draws near to us and meets with us in a special way so too in baptism are we drawn near to Jesus by the Spirit. So near in fact that we are identified with Him so that when God our Father looks on us He sees the Son or daughter with whom He is well pleased. Just as in communion the Spirit takes us to that table in an upper room 2000 years ago to share that last supper and then on to the foot of the cross where the bread of life is broken for us, his blood outpoured. So too, when every individual stands in the water, for us it is the river Jordan where two cousins, John and Jesus, stand and the Spirit descends the seal of a loving Father’s approval for an obedient and beloved child. You see in baptism we enter into Jesus own baptism identifying ourselves with him forever. The words we often use at the invitation to communion can be equally applied to baptism with a little tweaking and are addressed to every single believer, however weak or strong you feel as you face the decision, should I be baptised? Come to these waters of baptism, not because you must, but because you may. Come to testify, not that you are righteous, but that you love your Lord Jesus Christ and desire to be his true disciple. Come not because you are strong but because you are weak. Not because you have any claim on the Grace of God but because in your frailty and sin you stand in constant need of His mercy and help. Come not to express an opinion but to seek His presence and pray for his Spirit. Come to these waters of baptism. Amen. |