This service saw the baptism of Jaidah Maunder and it was wonderful to see so many of her family and friends in church to welcome her into the community of faith.
Baptism is one of the symbols we can use to help us understand the concept of being crucified with Christ as it is a powerful metaphor of being ‘drowned’ in order that we might be reborn of water and the spirit.
One of the consequences of this is that we are cut off from our former need to keep rules in order to be made right with God. The ‘I’ that is crucified is our ego and Paul states this very clearly when he writes ‘it is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, I am no longer driven to impress God’ (Galatians 3:20 The Message). As it is only in Christ that we can be a child of God.
This is beautifully illustrated in Jaidah who was adopted by Matthew and Bea earlier this year. She didn’t have to do anything to become part of their family, they chose her and love and care for her irrespective of what she has done.
You can hear the full talk here Galatians 2_15-21
