Day 25 - Be Water Baptized

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Matthew 28:19

Baptism has been described in many ways, but I like the words best of a young boy in our church, "It's showing that I'm on God's Team."

This Sunday (1/31) is our first water baptism service in our new building.  I don't know how many are being baptized, but I know there are quite a few.  It's an exciting time as testimony after testimony is told of how Christ saved each life and changed them into who they are becoming.

I am reminded of the day I was water-baptized.  I had been a Christian for just a few short months.  The pastor had announced that there would be a water baptism service following at the River for those interested.  Anyone who had made a profession of faith could be baptized.  I felt this was a necessary next-step in my walk with God.  I hadn't come prepared to be water baptized other than a heart willing to heed the call to be baptized.

It was the end of October in Potsdam, NY and it was cold outside.  It didn't matter.  I went into the water with my jeans and sweater to be baptized.  (After, I had to walk just over a mile home in soaking wet clothes).  But I remember the feeling that I participated in something so much bigger than I.  I had gone through the same motions that even Christ Himself participated in.  I wasn't being initiated into a faith or a denomination, I was publicly identifying myself with Christ.

Just yesterday, I spoke with our Crossroads group (grades 5-7) about being water baptized.  Many of them had already been baptized, one was going to be baptized this Sunday and another was to be baptized this summer by her grandfather.  It's great knowing that these students understand and have been faithful to fulfill this call in their life.

I take today's DARE to continue to share with others the importance of being water baptized.