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What seems like not long ago, an auburn-haired child sat in the front of a church sanctuary. Anxiously, she looked on watching others who were making the same commitment that day—baptism. She was only eight years old, but she understood the meaning and sacredness of the step she was about to take. What she didn’t know was just how powerful the act of Christian baptism would be in her life.
For what felt like an eternity, the auburn-haired child waited her turn. During her session with the Pastor, he carefully outlined for all what would happen during the service. She was quite fond of the Pastor and listened intently at all she would need to do to prepare for her baptism. The Pastor explained that each would need to give a testimony as to their personal relationship with Jesus Christ and then walk to the baptismal font where each would be immersed as an old person and arise as new “putting on” Christ. She was very nervous about presenting her testimony.
The auburn-haired child was not nervous about what she would say, but more how she would find the right words. From a very young age, her Sunday School experiences were solid. She began learning Bible verses at a very young age and remembered the story of Jesus’ baptism begin told. She was eager this day to share her testimony of asking Jesus into her heart, including some favorite Bible verses she learned. However, there was one aspect of her testimony she wanted to share—a feeling that couldn’t be just explained with simple words. No, it needed to be expressed in a way that people hearing could be touched.
She approached the Pastor’s wife before the service and asked if she could sing rather than give a verbal testimony. The Pastor’s wife thought this would be fine and asked her what she would like to sing. The auburn-haired child knew what she wanted to sing but wasn’t sure if it was appropriate. She told the Pastor’s wife, and it was all set.
The auburn-haired child sat in the front of the church sanctuary. Finally hearing her name being called, she approached the chancel area eagerly. She didn’t feel as nervous anymore now about her testimony. The piano began to play the intro for “The Old Rugged Cross”. This was her favorite hymn. She closed her eyes as the words poured out not just from her mouth, but the depths of her soul.
Everything seemed to stand still around her as she closed her eyes and sang those words directly to Jesus. A feeling overcame her like she had never felt before. An inexplicable peace welled up inside her heart and a presence of the Holy Spirit seemed to envelope her--something she had never felt before. When she was finished, her eyes opened to something she hadn’t expected. There were people with tears in their eyes. She wasn’t really sure why.
The auburn-haired child approached the baptismal font and was assisted into the water by the Pastor and deacon. The last words that echoed in her head were, “I now baptize you in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost". The moment was here and upon entering the water, she felt as if something had been removed from her. It was almost as if things were happening in slow motion. She looked to one side and felt strange and upon arising out of the water somehow felt light, or new, or something…
As I reflect on this experience now thirty years later, it is strange the details I remember. After the baptismal service, I remember an older woman approaching me to tell me that my song was exactly what she needed to hear. My decision to change the testimony I had prepared to speak (and was nervous about) to a song that had been part of my young Christian life only for a short time was an act of simple, unquestioned obedience to Jesus.
That is exactly what Christian baptism is. It is an obedience that you don’t question. It is not something that is simply a requirement for your Christian journey. It is part of your commitment to a relationship with Jesus Christ in such a personal way. Each Christian’s baptism becomes uniquely part of oneself. For me, I was immersed in the moment, immersed with the Holy Spirit and immersed and melded to Jesus Christ forever.
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