New Christians get soaked

Some churches have special tanks constructed under their floors for this, others use a nearby river or, if on the coast, the sea.

As the Ver does not quite flow through the New Greens Estate, Christ Church use a large inflatable pool in their grounds.

In a baptism service for young people and adults (as opposed to babies) the visible sign that someone has had their life turned right round and become a Christian is to be dunked under water.

Two people hold you on either side as you stand in waist-deep water and take you backwards until you are right under. Then, if they remember, they pull you back up again.

Of course you get rather wet in the process but the whole congregation surrounds the pool and cheers you on.

This isn’t just a quaint idea but an act full of meaning.

Christians say that they have died to their old life and been buried (going under). They have then been raised to new, eternal life in Christ (pulled back up again).

Baptism is a powerful sign for someone who has become a Christian and a clear identification with Jesus’ death and resurrection.

It demonstrates a complete restart in life. Jesus once described this as though you were born a second time.

Baptism shows everyone that you have experienced this and now want to live for Jesus Christ.

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