Dan Fuphe

Dan Fuphe

From the scriptural point of view being baptised is a symbolic act of restoring the relationship between man and God that was tarnished in the Garden of Eden.

Reference is made to the word "baptism" more than 100 times in the New Testament, but some churches find it difficult to baptise children.

Before a baptism ceremony yesterday for 20 children, ranging in age from one month to 17 years, Father Louis Lungelo Magwanishe of the St Albans Anglican Church in Sgodiphola, Daveyton, Ekurhuleni, aligned himself with the practice by reading Acts 16: 26-37: "Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that . all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose.

"The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, 'Don't harm yourself! We are all here!'," he said.

Magwanishe said the jailer took Paul and Silas to his house where he washed their wounds.

"Then immediately he and all his household were baptised."

Father Magwanishe urged parents, grandparents and godparents to baptise children brought up in a Christian environment.

To further endorse the practice, Magwanishe quoted St Luke 18: 15-17.

"People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When his disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus said: Let the children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."