Although I've always been a Christian - I was brought up in a Christian family, and I've never really known any different - I have drifted and strayed from God, thinking that I could do things along; particularly in sixth form, and I didn't really live my life the way that I wanted to, or how any Christian tries to. Baptism for me was a reaffirmation of my vows and the church I go to in Aberystwyth (St Michael's or St Mike's as everyone calls it) performs a full immersion baptism, meaning that I was dunked in water and got very wet.
J-D, the curate of St. Mike's, invited the four of us up to the front where we had to answer the questions that meant we were confirming our faith towards God, and rejecting the devil. As another part of the baptism service, I was asked to give my testimony - about why I was choosing to get baptised.
Testimony (this is what I read out to everyone - although this is only really part of everything that happened to bring me to baptism stage; I shall write a post with my full testimony at some point):
"I was christened as a baby and then, when I was 13 I got confirmed. Since then, I've had ups and downs in my faith and relationship with God. Last year at university I didn't go to church but I felt distant from God, and had decided that I would go to church during my second year. In the summer, the death of my younger brother whilst my family and I were on holiday made me feel the need to go to church and become closer to God even more important. Although originally going to St. Paul's, the joining of CU (Christian Union) and meeting a special someone there made me come to St. Mike's, which has strengthened my faith and helped me grieve and because of this closer relationship with God, I've wanted to reaffirm my baptismal vows."
Reading my testimony out to the congregation of St. Mike's was difficult for me for two reasons. I hate public speaking anyway, and the fact I was having to tell everyone about the death of my brother was quite a challenge. I almost cried during it, but God had answered my prayer, and he was my strength; keeping me going and stopping me from breaking down. After reading my testimony, we all went over to the baptistry - a pool within the church that is filled with water, and I got baptised. The symbolism behind being lowered under the water is to show that our old life is dying, and when we are brought back up, it's to show that we've been born again in Christ, and are accepting our new lives with him. The idea of the water is also to symbolise that through Christ we have been washed clean of our sins; as when Jesus Christ died for us on the cross, he died so that are sins may be forgiven and that through him, believers may have eternal life.
It was a really good day, and I'm glad that I made the decision to get baptised and commit myself to Christ. Although this past week has been somewhat of a struggle - my emotions have been all over the place and I've just wanted to cry at everything - I know that God is always with me, and that He will never let me go it alone, even if I sometimes stray from Him - which I no doubt will.
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| Me in the pool with J-D and Katy who baptized me (apologies that the photo isn't very clear) |
