Baptisms and Transfers – 18 May 2025

We baptised and welcomed three new members at our 18 May service — Ryan Sen Rajagopal, Bernecia Low and Chloe Lee. Members of GBC had voted to receive them and three others — Maria Alejandra Acre, Mario Luis Sivila and Thaddeus Lee — by transfer at the Members’ Meeting on 11 May.

Pastor Thian Chye reminded us of the significance of the Lord’s Supper. Like the Lord’s Supper, baptism is instituted by Jesus for all believers who have repented of their sins and believe in Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. Baptism itself does not save, but is a declaration of faith in the saving work of Christ and is in obedience to the Lord’s commands. As Colossians 2:12 teaches us, we are buried with Christ in the waters of baptism and are raised to new life in Christ too.

Through their sharing, these new members helped us to see what following God in obedience can look like in the lives of people. What a joy it was for us to hear of how God has drawn them to Himself and saved them.

Ryan first attended church out of curiosity but as he heard the gospel preached, God used it to convict him of his sins and need for a Saviour. He shared his desire to obey God:

I chose to follow Jesus when I accepted Him as my Lord and Savior, recognizing that my sin had separated me from God and that I stood guilty before a holy and just Judge. I couldn’t save myself, but in His mercy, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, who lived the perfect life I couldn’t live and died the death I deserved. On the cross, He paid the price for my sin and satisfied God's wrath. Through repentance and faith, I’ve received forgiveness, not because of anything I’ve done, but by His grace alone. In Christ, I’ve found peace, purpose, and a restored relationship with God. I now live for Him, knowing He is the way, the truth, and the life, and that He will never leave me.

Bernecia shared how she grew up in a Christian family and has attended church since she was young. She shared how God used various circumstances to draw her to Himself and grew her faith:

My faith in God grew when I went abroad in 2023. I remember feeling overwhelmed with fear and homesickness. As I cried out to God, He reminded me that He was by my side. He knew my anxiety and sadness, and He loved me. In His love, He sent His only Son Jesus Christ to die for my sins and through Christ’s death and resurrection, I am free. To be pursued, known and loved by the Creator has given me so much freedom and joy; and I am blessed to be able to bear testimony to His relentless love.

Finally, Chloe testified to God’s goodness and kindness in her life:

In the darkest time of my life, I was met with the goodness and kindness of God. I don’t celebrate my sins that led me here, but I most assuredly celebrate the grace that met me in my sin and the grace that pursued me even when I didn’t know I needed saving. It was because of my sins that I experienced the depth of God’s mercy and grace for me. And because of my sins, I now cling more to Jesus. He bore the punishment I deserved by suffering and sacrificing Himself on the cross to appease the wrath of God that my sins had caused, so that I can have a restored relationship with Him.

Our new members (from left to right), Chloe, Bernecia, Maria, Mario and Ryan.

At the end of the service, the our new members — both by baptism and transfer — were presented to and welcomed by the congregation. GBC members also warmly welcomed them and got to know them after the service. It was also encouraging as those who were baptised also invited friends and family members to witness their baptism.

Members, if you’d like a copy of the testimonies or wish to stay connected with other members, you may request a copy of our Members’ Directory from the church office, either in person, or by writing to info@gracebaptistchurch.sg.

If God has used these baptisms and transfers to prompt you to find out more about membership at GBC, you can also write to us at info@gracebaptistchurch.sg. Our next membership class will be on 13 September 2025.

If you are interested to find out more about this God that they speak about, feel free to reach out to our pastors, elders or your care group leaders! We'd love to chat and share more.