Australia: Delegates descend on Bendigo for baptism

[1gemstone]

    

 

Micah Frahmien from Portland is baptised by Steve Marshall at the District Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses at the Bendigo Stadium. (Picture: JIM ALDERSEY) 

 

 

 SEVEN Victorians were welcomed to the Jehovah’s Witness family on Saturday.

 

Caleb Fulbrook, Liam Aucutt, Micah Frahmien, Rebecca Khouri, Jessica Sacco, Maddison Roberts and Vinitha Palaniveloo were all baptised, by full body immersion, in front of nearly 3000 people.

The baptism was part of the three-day convention.

Convention overseer and Golden Square man Brian Coakley said the full body immersion baptism symbolised the volunteer’s dedication to Jehovah god.

“When Jesus was on earth he got baptised and it symbolised him doing his father’s work so we do the same thing,” he said.

“These individuals have volunteered and made that decision.

“They have spent a lot of time determining that’s what they want to do in their life.

“They want to serve Jehovah god.”

People travelled from Albury-Wodonga, Portland and Swan Hill for the convention.

The Bendigo convention was one of 23 to be held across Australia.

This year’s theme was, “God’s Word is Truth.”

“This is a convention we have one each year,” Mr Coakley said.

“What we do is we have a set program and there is bible discussions that can go for 10 minutes or an hour and each of those are designed to discuss a bible topic.

“The topics could be to do with family life, getting along with other people or human relations.

“It discusses all different topics but mainly to help us to understand how the bible is so practical in our life today.”

Mr Coakley said Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in the bible.

“In this day and age is there are so many ideas, so many books and philosophies about what the best way of doing things,” he said.

“For us as Jehovah’s Witnesses we believe the bible is the most practical and up to date guide.”

Mr Coakley said the Bible was what Jehovah’s Witnesses looked to when they needed to make decisions about the future.

The event was held at the Bendigo Stadium with several talks, interviews, demonstrations and plays held across the weekend.

Day three of the convention finishes on Sunday.

Article written by Kristen Alebakis on Bendigo Advertiser

http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/1776702/delegates-descend-on-bendigo-for-baptism/?cs=79