There is a swirl of theological controversy on the internet right now concerning baptism. Two sides are feeling through the implications of their theology. This post, however, will not address any of those issues. In fact this will be quite brief. Merely some of the story of my baptism and why I get so darn excited when people are getting baptized. Why am I doing this today? Well in about four hours, our church is going to head over to Upper Mystic Lake and baptize some folks that have come to faith this year.
I came to faith in the Fall of 1998, as Jesus called me to faith. I remember it vividly. Sitting on top of a mountain in Arkansas, late at night, I can still tell you about how the breeze was blowing gently the moment I knew something had changed. The moment that Jesus became my hope as I realized the bankruptcy of my sin.
Fast forward three years.
I had been attending Community Bible Church in Russellville, AR for about a year and a half. They were going to be baptizing new believers one Sunday evening. One of my friends was on slate to be immersed, so at the last minute I decided to attend. I had not been baptized, even though I was a believer. Regardless, I headed out to the lake. I should point out that, at this point, I had zero framework for baptism. I had no idea where to even put baptism theologically. Was it necessary? I had no idea. Sprinkle or dunk? I had no idea.
So I get out to the lake and see these other people being baptized. Mike and Roy were out in the water, working together as people went underwater and then emerged new, clean, and confessedly Christian. I was drawn. I'm sure it will sound silly to some, but it's moments like these that make it easy for me to believe in God's Sovereignty in a practical manner. When I say I was drawn, I mean that I showed up at the lake reluctantly to watch a friend be baptized, but when Mike asked if there was anyone else present that wanted to be baptized, I made my way to the water in a very single-minded manner. I was going to be baptized and I had nothing to do with it. I spoke with Mike and Roy as we walked out in the water, Mike asking about my faith, confirming that I was a believer. Then it happened. I was baptized. Public confession of my faith in Christ. This moment I do not forget.
So I've been baptized. I'm not sure that all that were there that day will remember, but I do. It was an amazing moment. A moment that I did not realize was so important until it happened. And now I get baptism. I've not had any seminary classes that really discuss it much to this point, so it has nothing to do with that. But I've had a wretched heart that rebelled against God with everything it had. And I've had that wretched heart changed by the grace of God. I am, at best, a work in progress, and I've got no issue in telling you that. But now I get baptism. It means something. It means alot as people who were once opposed to God become identified as people of God through this sacrament. People redeemed by the grace of God. I'm thrilled for all the folks who are being baptized today. I can't wait!
