Local Church Excited About Baptismal Celebration This Week.

A highly anticipated baptismal service will occur at Green Pastures Church, Ballymena, next Sunday at 6.30 pm. The baptismal service is one of the most popular events on the church calendar because it celebrates a step of obedience from Christians who have come to faith in Jesus Christ. In the same way that Jesus was baptised while He was on the earth, Christians follow Him through the waters. 

Commented Stacy Shiels, "The baptismal night is always eagerly awaited at Green Pastures, and this one is no exception. People flock to see their loved ones being baptised. After a word about the importance of Water Baptism – New Testament Style – converts, new and older, decide to enter the waters and identify with their Saviour. As a fellowship, we wish each person who has agreed to obey the Lord and honour the vital ordinance of Baptism well."

Around fifteen converts have already signed up for this month's baptismal celebration, but according to the evening organisers, that figure could end up much higher before the next Lord's Day.

When Christians are baptised, they are submerged under water to identify with the death and burial of Jesus Christ and raised out of the water to identify with His resurrection. In scripture, baptism is viewed more as a command than an option.

Jesus said in the book of John, "Truly I say to you, unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God" (John 3:5) and again in the book of Matthew, the Lord Jesus stated "Therefore go and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19). The Apostle Peter said: "Repent and be baptised every one of you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38.)

The word baptize in Greek is translated as "baptise" in the New Testaments, meaning to "dip" or "immerse". Baptism is an outward sign of an inner work. It's proof Christians have died in the flesh and become alive in the spirit. It's the evidence of spiritual rebirth by the quickening of regeneration by the Holy Spirit, having been washed in the blood of Jesus Christ. Baptism is for those whom the precious blood of Jesus has redeemed.

The church invites anyone interested in getting baptised to attend a one-night water baptism course on Wednesday, October 18th, from 7 pm to 8 pm, before next Sunday's baptismal celebration.

Commented Stacy Shiels. "The course will help us understand why Jesus set this example and why Christians are blessed and strengthened by being baptised by total immersion. It is an essential step in a person's faith journey, so we approach it with purpose and diligence."

Although many current members and their families will be in attendance next Sunday, everyone is welcome to attend and hear more about the ordinance of Christian baptism.