It’s been revealed that TV survivalist Bear Grylls baptised Russell Brand in the River Thames near the actor and comedian’s Henley-on-Thames home late last month.
Russell Brand shared across multiple social media platforms: “I got baptised, and it was an incredible, profound experience.” He later posted a photo of the baptism with the words: “Me, Bear Grylls, The River Thames and of course, The Holy Spirit,” adding: “The ceremony itself was incredible. I want to thank Bear Grylls and my mate Joe, the two men that stood either side of me and flanked me for the baptism itself.”
The 48-year-old father of three with millions of followers on social media platforms followed up with another post: “Week one as a Christian has been amazing,”
Russell Brand became friends with the openly Christian adventurer through their television work and last year joined him on a journey across the Scottish Hebrides for the reality TV series Running Wild with Bear Grylls. There’s speculation the survival expert has been mentoring and discipling the actor in the faith.
The former SAS soldier told the Daily Mail: “Faith and spiritual moments in our lives are really personal, but it is a privilege to stand beside anyone when they express a humble need for forgiveness and strength from above. Friendships when we go through tough times are worth so much.’
The actor said he had been attending a church where they do Alpha courses which mentor new Christians and those keen to learn more about the faith. Bear Grylls has been heavily involved in the promotion of Alpha through his close friendship with the founder of the courses Reverend Nicky Gumbel from London’s hugely popular Holy Trinity Brompton church. Alpha courses are claimed to have led 29 million people to give their hearts to Jesus.
The Daily Mail writes: “Some Christians are sceptical about Russell Brand’s motivation behind his turn to the faith who have seen it as a publicity stunt. Others have welcomed him with open arms.
Christian Headlines reports that his spiritual transformation followed a series of historic allegations that emerged last year about his inappropriate and abusive behaviour dating back to the peak of his movie career from 2006 to 2013. He denied the allegations, but they seem to have prompted his interest in Christianity. As of last December, he had read several Christian books, including C.S. Lewis’s The Problem of Pain and Mere Christianity which he said helped him prioritise his relationship with God.
The actor described his baptism as follows:
“Many aspects of it were very intimate and personal. The truth is this: as a person who has, in the past, always been disappointed with their inability to find the kind of tranquility and peace and even transcendence that I’ve always felt I’ve been looking for … something occurred in the process of baptism that was incredible; overwhelming, I felt changed. Transitioned. I feel as if some new resource within me has switched on.”
“This is new to me, and it’s a joy to me. And I know that I’m not expected to be perfect. And I know that that’s not something I’ll be able to deliver. To those of you that have embraced me, I’m so grateful. I can’t tell you how happy I feel and how relieved I feel but as you know, my resources are coming from somewhere else and someone else now. I love you so much. I already feel incredibly blessed, relieved, nourished, held. It’s been an incredible experience. I’m so grateful to be surrendered in Christ. See you all soon,” he concluded.
The Christian Post reports the actor expressed appreciation for the many messages of support he has received about the latest step in his faith journey while also acknowledging that he understands the cynicism of those who questioned his conversion a year after the allegations against him were first raised. “Even some of the cynicism I understand, because some people will just see me as a celebrity,” he admitted.
Director of the UK’s Sanctuary Foundation Dr Krish Kandiah writes in Premier Christianity: “Only time will tell whether this is just a fad. Only God knows if there has been an authentic change of heart. Meanwhile his quest for fulfilment probably mirrors that of many around us and, as such, his testimony may encourage others to look into the Christian faith also.”
“As I pray for Russell Brand, I am drawn to the story of the woman at the well. Here was someone who could not walk down the street without people judging and criticising, who had spent their life trying to quench their thirst for spiritual fulfilment with things that could never provide it. Perhaps she, too, was accused of turning to Christianity as just another desperate attempt to find peace and fulfilment.”
“We are told that many of the Samaritans in the town where she lived believed in Jesus because of the woman’s testimony. I pray that many people will listen to Brand’s testimony and make a decision for themselves — not whether he is the real deal, but whether Jesus is the real deal.”
Image: Screenshot – Facebook – Russell Brand
