Baptism
At Mars Hill, we participate in a believer’s baptism to publicly identify ourselves with Jesus in his death and resurrection. This is a sacred and beautiful opportunity to declare, “I believe the best possible way to live is the way of Jesus, and I am committed to following Christ—daily dying to myself and allowing the resurrected Christ to live in and through me.”
Baptism is not a means of salvation; rather it is a beautiful picture of our union with Christ and our declaring that we join him as the New Exodus people who are living New Creation now.
This year’s Baptism Sunday occurred at the 9am + 11am Gatherings on May 22, 2011. Please join us in celebrating those who were baptized by reading a few of their stories below or view photos and listen to all the featured stories from Sundays Gatherings online now.
I Know Deep In My Bones
How has my life been changed by my relationship with Jesus? I think the better, for me anyways, is, “How has my life not changed as a result of my relationship with Jesus?” First and foremost, he is my rock, my fortress. I’ve been blessed to have Jesus instilled in me from a very young age, and it is so wonderful to know that God is love. He gives me strength and courage. He inspires me and comforts me. I just feel it is necessary at this stage in my life to publicly declare Christ as my savior. In just a couple of weeks, I’ll be graduating from high school and heading off to college in the fall. What a perfect time to declare my devotion to Jesus as he begins to unfold what lay before me. Because of my relationship with Jesus, I know deep in my bones that love wins.
You Saved Me
I knew you were real when you met me. On that night of fear, you saved me. You saved my family. And even though I have lived my life in such a way as to pretend I’m strong, I’m independent, I can manage on my own, you were/are/and will be always there, by my side showing me life in death, healing through brokenness, joy in sorrow. How can this be!? It’s you! And you alone are a great mystery. I have been captured by you and liberated at the same time. I love you Jesus and I cannot go another day without showing you and everyone else that I do, and I know you love me.
I want Jesus to be my forever friend
I want Jesus to be my forever friend because He will tell me the right thing to do. Also because he can do miracles and because he came from the dead. And because he died for my sins. And because he never yells. And because he forgives you easier than my parents. And because he was baptized. And because he lives in heaven. And because he made me to be me. Also he is nice. Also he made the world. And because his father is God, and because he is the only king.
Yesterday. Today.
My life without Christ was an every day losing battle. Each day my soul was beaten up by my job, my addictions, and negative people, and I felt completely alone to endure all of it. I felt no hope. I felt no happiness. With my relationship with Christ today, every day I win my battle with addiction. I am stronger and ready to face negative forces because I am not doing it alone and will never have to face or experience anything alone ever again. Today, everyday, I feel hope. Today, I am happy.
