Baptisms
Baptism is an act by which a believer
enters into the church universal. Christians are baptized today to follow
Jesus' example, and to show that they believe and obey him.
It
is a dramatic reminder of the Christian story which helps us affirm our
identity as God’s people.
The
act of baptism signifies that a person has identified themselves with the death
and resurrection of Christ.
Dying
with Christ indicates the death of their sinful state, which is signified by
being buried under the water in baptism by immersion. Being Raised with Christ indicates being born
into a new relationship with God, which is signified by being raised up out of
the water.
As
such, baptism is both a burial service of the old and a resurrection into new.
The
act of baptism enables the church to celebrate a new Christian to the faith. It is a dramatic reminder of the Christian
story which helps all Christians to affirm our identity as God’s people.