-In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted…
–2 Timothy 3:12
-Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?”
–Acts 8:36
-When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized, too.
–Luke 3:21
I remember the water was really cold. They’d told us that morning that the heater in the pool wasn’t working. I almost laughed out loud. “Fine by me,” I mumbled, “I don’t want this to be comfortable.”
It certainly hadn’t been up to that point…
His fork clattered onto the table. “What?!”
“I’m getting baptized. This Sunday.”
“Why didn’t you say anything? You went ahead and did this behind my back?”
“This wasn’t hidden. I said at Bible study that I felt convicted to get baptized, that it’s the next step I need to take as a follower of Jesus. On the way home you told me you weren’t interested in doing it, so I went to the classes alone. You also made it clear you weren’t interested in even talking about it.”
(and, I added silently, I wasn’t interested in having the discussion we’re having right now…)
“I should’ve been involved in this decision!”
“No, this is a decision everyone has to make on their own. You made yours; I made mine.”
“Well, I’m not coming. I won’t be there!”
“Okay. Just so you know, I already invited Bill. He said he’s in. We’re going to breakfast at the diner after.”
SCREEECH! Full stop. His mouth flapped open and shut, no noise, like a dumbfounded fish.
I had forced his hand. He was NEVER going to look bad in front of Bill, the leader of the aforementioned Bible study. But I’d pay later. Silent treatment, snide remarks, a reminder of my “duplicity.”
And I thought, “So be it.”
Baptism has been an act of rebellion from the beginning.
No one was rolling up with a big support crew to meet John the Baptist, and odds are there was at least one “disgruntled” loved one back at home. Maybe two…
“Repentance of sin through baptism? No priest? No sacrifice? You’re just going to jump in the water?!”
“Yes, I am,” they said.
Then later, “What?! You’re going to publicly speak the name of Jesus, identify his death and burial and resurrection as truth, and declare Him your Savior and Lord of your life?”
“Yes, I am,” said those in the early church.
“Yes, I am,” said Shelbo.
I stepped into the…gasp! holy moley!…water, then began to give my testimony, never once glancing at my notecard, because my heart and the Spirit had taken over. I honestly don’t recall much of what I said, until the conclusion, the moment my head snapped back, and I finally looked out at the sea of faces. My legs were shaking, from fear and chill, but my voice rang out steady and clear over the sanctuary…
“I stand here today and proclaim that I am a red-blooded, unapologetic, barefoot-in-the-water Jesus freak!!!!”
“Upon your confession of faith, I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…”
An eruption of applause, whoops and cheers.
I’d anticipated that my baptism would feel a lot like the day I came to Christ.
Nope.
It was so. much. more!
A comparison that comes to mind is an engagement versus a wedding. The engagement establishes the commitment…
The wedding completes it.
The final piece…the pledge, the promise, the vows…officially witnessed in a community.
Two weeks ago, this fortunate girl was part of a celebration marking the union of two dear friends. The ceremony, the banquet, the dance, the whole event was infused with deep connection…and joy. See, although we didn’t all know each other, we were bound together by our love for Mike and Lisa, and the shared experience of their love for us.
We weren’t strangers; we were family.
It’s the same bond we have, when we gather as a body of believers. A bond of love…
His love.
Every time I attend a baptism service, I pack extra tissues. Still, I’m a hot mess the entire time, especially at the end…when the shouting and clapping reaches a crescendo, moving beyond those on the stage, and those in the congregation…
to heaven.
That sound becomes a song, praising the unfailing Love, the Victory, the Triumph…
of Jesus.
(Psalm 22:25) From You comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear You I will fulfill my vows.