9 Apr 2026, 14:35Funke Osae-Brown; edited by SM CommunicationsEdinburgh, City of Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Baptism Service in Edinburgh Welcomes Seven New Members
Affirming their commitment to Christ, seven individuals were baptised at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Edinburgh.
Seven individuals publicly declared their faith through baptism on Sabbath, 28 March, at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Edinburgh, marking a significant moment of spiritual commitment and renewal for both the candidates and the church community.
Delivering the sermonette, Scottish Mission President, Pastor Jimmy Botha, described baptism as “a different kind of burial,” contrasting it with traditional burial in the earth. He explained that baptism symbolises a spiritual burial through water, representing new life in Christ. Referencing John 16:7–8, he emphasised the role of the Holy Spirit in convicting hearts and guiding individuals toward this decision.
“It is a day of commitment for those baptised and for the church as well,” Pastor Botha said. “They are joining a community, and our role is to pray for them, disciple them, and encourage them.” He urged the congregation to foster a supportive environment where the newly baptised can grow and thrive in their faith.
Addressing the candidates directly, he described the occasion as a new beginning. “Never forget what Jesus has done for you. There will be joyful days and there will be challenging days, and you may question your faith, but your hope is not in yourself or your strength—it is in Christ, who is faithful to uphold you until the end,” he encouraged.
Following these words of encouragement, local church pastor, Pastor Fitzroy Morris, invited the congregation to formally accept the candidates into membership of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The motion was warmly affirmed by the church.
Among those baptised were Grace Joseph and John Wabura, a married couple who shared their personal reflections on the significance of the moment. Grace described the experience as “emotional,” speaking with joy about her decision to follow Christ and to live a life marked by love and humility. John, meanwhile, reflected on a journey that had been “over a year in the making,” expressing gratitude for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in bringing him to this moment.
Another candidate, Cedrick Sibanda, described the day as life-changing, seeing it as a defining moment that, because of his young age, would influence his choices and enable him to live the rest of his life in service to God.
The service concluded with a renewed call for collective responsibility within the church to nurture and support the spiritual journeys of its newest members.
Affirming their commitment to Christ, seven individuals were baptised at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Edinburgh.
Seven individuals publicly declared their faith through baptism on Sabbath, 28 March, at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Edinburgh, marking a significant moment of spiritual commitment and renewal for both the candidates and the church community.
Delivering the sermonette, Scottish Mission President, Pastor Jimmy Botha, described baptism as “a different kind of burial,” contrasting it with traditional burial in the earth. He explained that baptism symbolises a spiritual burial through water, representing new life in Christ. Referencing John 16:7–8, he emphasised the role of the Holy Spirit in convicting hearts and guiding individuals toward this decision.
“It is a day of commitment for those baptised and for the church as well,” Pastor Botha said. “They are joining a community, and our role is to pray for them, disciple them, and encourage them.” He urged the congregation to foster a supportive environment where the newly baptised can grow and thrive in their faith.
Addressing the candidates directly, he described the occasion as a new beginning. “Never forget what Jesus has done for you. There will be joyful days and there will be challenging days, and you may question your faith, but your hope is not in yourself or your strength—it is in Christ, who is faithful to uphold you until the end,” he encouraged.
Following these words of encouragement, local church pastor, Pastor Fitzroy Morris, invited the congregation to formally accept the candidates into membership of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The motion was warmly affirmed by the church.
Among those baptised were Grace Joseph and John Wabura, a married couple who shared their personal reflections on the significance of the moment. Grace described the experience as “emotional,” speaking with joy about her decision to follow Christ and to live a life marked by love and humility. John, meanwhile, reflected on a journey that had been “over a year in the making,” expressing gratitude for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in bringing him to this moment.
Another candidate, Cedrick Sibanda, described the day as life-changing, seeing it as a defining moment that, because of his young age, would influence his choices and enable him to live the rest of his life in service to God.
The service concluded with a renewed call for collective responsibility within the church to nurture and support the spiritual journeys of its newest members.
