One of the highlights of my year in 2021 is about to be repeated again this Sunday!
Last year, in the bright sunshine and tucked behind the hill out of the wind, about forty people gathered at Hataitai Beach to witness the baptisms of members of our City on a Hill whanau.
This Sunday at 1pm at the same beach we will be baptising four more of our brothers and sisters.
It is a precious joy to be able to experience the physical symbol of what God has done for us in Jesus as he has washed away our sins. That through dying with Christ we can be raised to new life in him!
At City on a Hill we talk often of our vision to multiply and mature followers of Jesus. Both multiplying and maturing are things that take place over time and it can be hard to see and appreciate the progress that God is making in people's lives.
Baptism acts like a line in the sand. A moment. A time where the invisible is made visible.
In Acts chapter 8 Phillip meets an Ethiopian by the side of the road and explains to him the good news about Jesus. The Ethiopian is convinced and it says,
'As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.'
I love the enthusiasm of the Ethiopian to be baptised and to fully embrace the good news about Jesus.
Will you join me on Sunday as we witness and share in the same invisible becoming visible?
Will you join me as we pray for those who are being baptised for the first time?
'Merciful God, enable those who are baptised in your name to live as the holy people whom you bound to yourself by promise. Grant that they may die to sin and rise again to righteousness. May your Holy Spirit work in them, that they may be yours forever; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.'
Grace & peace,
Andrew
eNews - 2nd December 2022