In April 2025 our Thirst session formed part of our build up to Baptism Sunday. We began the session by watching this video which talked us through 7 key points linked to baptism.
What, why, when?
After watching the video, we looked at three main questions:
1. What is Baptism?
2. Why do we get Baptised?
3. How will our lives be different after we’ve been Baptised?
What is Baptism?
One of the initial things that we reflected upon, was the fact that there is very little in society which had stood the test of time. So much has changed, even in the relatively short-time since our childhood. But church is a great place to find things which ‘anchor you’ and give you a great sense of personal belonging, even within a global Christian movement; and Baptism is one of them.
However, being Baptized isn’t what brings you salvation and a place in Heaven – that only comes about thanks to God’s grace, once you have turned your life to Him.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
Baptism is an outward expression of that inward decision. You decide to follow Jesus, and then express that commitment to the world through Baptism. Pictured are Lydia and Audrey who were baptised at SVC back in 2022.
Why get Baptized?
Because we are commanded to, in Jesus’ final words to His disciples:
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Matt 28:19
Of course, Jesus himself was baptised at the start of His ministry, so if it’s good enough for Him, it has to be good enough for us.
How will our lives look different once we’ve been baptised?
We spent some time looking at Paul’s transformation after meeting the Risen Jesus on the road to Damascus. We saw how three days after confessing his faith in the Messiah, he ‘got up’ and was baptised as an outward expression of his decision.
And how did Paul’s life change on publicly professing his trust in Jesus?:
“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
When he gave his life to Jesus, Paul chose to follow him no matter where it led. Paul chose to let Christ live through him. As must we.
That was a very quick overview of some of the key points we looked at during the session. You can flick through the Powerpoint images below and maybe reflect on some of the questions that we discussed on the night.
It would be great to see you at the May Thirst, which will be held on Tuesday 6 May at 7.15pm.
Sutton Village Church 