From the Chaplain

Recently two of our GSG students have been baptised; Samuel Jackson in Year Eleven and Robbie Fergie in Year Five.  After Jesus rose from the dead and before He went back to heaven, He told his disciples, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19. This Christian baptism is the means by which a person makes a public declaration of faith.

The person may be asked to say the Apostles Creed which has statements such as:

• I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
• I believe Jesus, the Son of God, was crucified, died, buried and descended to hell.
• I believe on the third day Jesus rose from the dead, ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God. 
• I believe in the Holy Spirit, forgiveness of sins and life everlasting.

When you are baptised, you are visually preaching the gospel and confessing your faith without using any words.  When you first stand in the water you symbolise Jesus on the cross.  When lowered into the water, this is Jesus being laid down and buried in the tomb.  Then raised out of the water, this symbolises Jesus being risen from the dead. You are saying, ‘I died with Jesus Christ, I was buried with Him and now I am raised with Christ to a brand-new life.’

I spoke to Samuel and Robbie about their decision to be baptised.

Samuel:

“I go to ABC Youth Group on Friday nights and at the start of last term there was a sermon about why we should be baptised (Matthew 28:19-20). I thought about it for most of that term, asked other people about the decision and finally decided to be baptised. I don’t believe that being baptised saves me, but it reminds me that I need to keep God in my mind, let him stay and be the most important part of my life.’’ 

Robbie:

“I wanted to get baptised to share with people that I am a Christian.  I want people to know Jesus is real and when you know this you should become baptised.”

Mrs Naomi Cooper | Chaplain