Baptism
Posted by: forthrightmag <forthrightmag@...>
http://www.forthright.net
Straight to the Cross
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Have a purpose for your baptism.
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COLUMN: Guest article
Baptism
by Warren Baldwin
A man is stumbling through the woods drunk when he
comes upon a preacher baptizing people in the
river. He proceeds to walk into the water and
bumps into the preacher. The preacher turns and is
almost overcome by the smell of alcohol, whereupon
he asks the drunk, "Are you ready to find Jesus?"
The drunk answers, "Yes, I am." So the preacher
grabs him and dunks him. He pulls him up and asks
the drunk, "Brother, have you found Jesus?"
The drunk replies, "No, I haven't found Jesus."
The preacher, shocked at the answer, dunks him
again for a little longer. He pulls him out and
asks again, "Have you found Jesus, my brother?"
The drunk again answers, "No, I haven't found
Jesus."
By this time the preacher is at his wits' end and
dunks the drunk again -- but this time holds him
down for about 30 seconds. When he begins flailing
and kicking, the preacher pulls him up. The
preacher again asks the drunk, "Finally, my
friend, have you found Jesus?" The drunk wipes his
eyes and catches his breath and says to the
preacher, "Are you sure this is where he fell in?"
Humor sometimes is more serious than it is funny.
I wonder how many people have been baptized based
on someone else's decision or influence? I bet the
number is pretty high, actually. A child or young
teen is baptized because "everyone else is" at
this age. A young man or woman is baptized because
the person they are dating strongly encourages it.
A person is baptized because he has heard a
stirring lesson about baptism and is convinced
that "If I am baptized Jesus will take away all of
my problems."
Some people being baptized may be as willing as
the drunk in the story. And they may not have any
more understanding than he did, either.
The Bible teaches that baptism is a response of
faith of someone seeking a relationship with God.
Preceding baptism is the conviction that Jesus is
the son of God, and that he came from the Father
to reach out to people who are lost and struggling
in this life. Jesus is the offer of God to enter a
saving relationship with the Father.
Baptism says, "Yes, I believe, and I am ready to
act on that belief." Several statements in the
Bible indicate how important this decision is ...
and not just this decision, but rather this DESIRE
to enter into relationship with God. Baptism is to
wash away sins. It is to clothe oneself with
Christ. To be granted a clear conscience for
having obeyed God. To become part of the family of
God.
None of these aspects of baptism are
insignificant. They are all important, which is
why baptism deserves more attention and thought
than the drunk being dipped against his will by an
overly zealous preacher.
One writer described baptism as the believer's
wedding ceremony. Just as the wedding ceremony and
the "I do" statement seal the marital
relationship, so baptism is like the sealing of a
relationship with God. Neither the wedding
ceremony nor baptism IS the relationship. They are
merely the public demonstration of the commitment
to another taking place in one's life. But that
public demonstration is incredibly important.
Don't just stumble into baptism. Don't let someone
else decide FOR you when the proper time is for
you to enter this relationship with God. The "I
do" statement of marriage, followed by the kiss,
and the "I believe Jesus Christ is the son of God"
statement, followed by baptism, are entry points
into two very important relationships. They are
both decisions and relationships to be made and
entered into BY YOU when you are ready. Enter
prayerfully. But, please, enter.
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