The Waters of Baptism

Last Sunday, we were totally blessed to watch our daughter, Rebekah, be baptised.  She had made the decision to be obedient to the call of baptism when they announced the upcoming baptism service in November.  We believe that baptism is a public confession of faith. We use full immersion in water to signify death to our old selves (being put under the water, or the "grave") and coming up into new life in Jesus. He has made us a new creation. Just as Jesus went to the grave after He died for our sins, then He was raised back up to life.  We do not believe baptism offers any salvation, that only comes through faith in Jesus, but we do this as a public declaration that we have believed in Jesus Christ for eternal salvation.

“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

Rebekah asked me and our youth pastor to speak on her behalf. That was hard for me. I almost lost it a couple times, but I did manage to keep the tears at bay. Well, only until I looked over at her a short while after she was baptised and she was positively glowing! I started to struggle very hard with the tears then.

My mom was able to come all the way out from Vancouver Island, British Columbia. It was so nice to have her here.

Here are some pictures from the service;

Pastor Matt challenging Rebekah to keep walking with the Lord. Larry helped with the dunking part. (And he was not as successful as me at keeping the tears away:)

I LOVE this picture! Look at how happy Rebekah is.

Afterward

We all had fun with my mom while she was here too;

It was a great weekend! One that we will always remember.