Do you remember when you were baptized? I do. In fact, I remember both times. I know that sounds a little strange, but yes, I was baptized twice. The first time was by a methodist minister; a hand full of holy water was poured over my head as the minister and my family and friends prayed over me. It felt like a rite of passage; I was closing the door to my past and opening a new and exciting door into my future. As glorious as that moment was, it holds a faint memory in comparison to my second baptism -- this time by a baptist preacher.
I had been attending Southern Hills Baptist with my grandmother for the past few months and decided to transfer my membership to the baptist church. Before I could become a member, I was told that I would have to be baptized again, this time by a baptist preacher. Okay, I thought. Just another rite of passage, right? Sure, I will go through the motions -- the public profession of faith and all. I had no idea what I was in for.
The preacher standing in the baptismal with me was Brother Doug Melton. Brother Doug and I had fast become great friends over the past few months. He was and is a wonderful man of God. I was overjoyed that he had agreed to perform the baptism. Brother Doug helped me down into the water and walked me to the edge. He asked everyone in the congregation who was there in support of my baptism to please stand. Hundreds of people stood in my honor. He began explaining the importance of the baptism -- just as Jesus was laid in the grave, I will be laid in the water. And just as Jesus was raised from the dead, I will be raised from the water, cleansed and reborn into a new life with Christ. When I was lowered into the water and then raised for all to see, the room began to applaud and shout for joy! I had been saved for many years before my baptism, but at that moment I truly felt born again.
Martin Luther, the great Church Reformer, "attached great importance to his baptism. When the Devil assailed him, he would answer, 'I am baptized'" (Here I Stand, Roland Bainton, p.287). My baptism was many years ago now, but I can still recall those feelings like it was yesterday. Whenever I find myself struggling in my Christian walk, I remind myself of that glorious baptismal moment and I begin to pray for the Lord's guidance and strength.
What do you do to help you through difficult times?
Do you have a baptismal moment that you can recall and find strength in?
When times are tough, do you lean on God for understanding?
I'm Presbyterian,(infant baptism) but I do look to my baptism as an assurance of God's covenant promises. It's a tangible sign of a promise-keeping God - to me a promise-breaking sinner.
ReplyDeleteI liked your post and it reminded me to look to God's faithfulness. Thanks.
P.S.Don't know how familiar you are with PCA position - but please don't think I look to baptism as salvific.