I was thinking this afternoon and I have probably been privileged to baptize over 100 people in my lifetime. The first person I baptized was in 1990 at Waimanalo Beach Park on the windward side of Oahu. Since that time, I have baptized in the Pacific Ocean, swimming pools, in the ocean near the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and even in baptistries. I have baptized children as young as four years old and adults as old as 81 years old, and most every age in between. I have baptized people who were brand new in their faith and others who have been Christians for a while, but never had been baptized. Each one has been a moving experience for me because each one represented someone close to me personally and someone who now has their name written in the Lambs Book of Life. The location has never mattered (Although it's tough to beat the Ednie's Pauko beach house). The only thing that has mattered is the heart of the person who is now following Jesus. Some of you reading this blog may even have been ones I have been privileged to baptize. My heart has been touched by each one.
But on Sunday, I was able to perform a baptism that touched me on a deeper level than any other. I had the incredible privilege of baptizing my seven year old son, Thaddeus. He gave his life to Christ when he was four but wasn't ready to be baptized until now. In the same breath, I was able to call him my "brother" in Christ and my "son". Even now, my eyes begin to tear up when I think about today. My Mom was able to be here from North Carolina to witness this great event. My mother-in-law, father-in-law, sister-in-law, her family and two friends from New Zealand. I took a moment to look at the congregation when I came into the baptistry and was overwhelmed by the love and support the Hillcrest church family, our family and friends have given in our walk of faith. Leah and her sister even sang a beautiful duet during the service and we had a cake afterwards to celebrate. What a glorious day today was.
Romans 6:4 tells us that we have been buried with Christ through baptism so that we too may live a new life. We baptize by immersion because that is how Jesus was baptized. We also dunk because that is the only way new Believers were baptized in the New Testament because the Greek word for baptism really means "to immerse in water". We also dunk because it is a beautiful picture of death, burial and resurrection, which is what happens when we come to Christ. I praise God that my son is now living for Jesus and has made public his faith in Jesus.
If you have given your life to Christ and not been baptized, this Sunday you may want to approach your pastor and tell him you are ready to take that step of faith. If you've not given your life to Christ, why not make that decision right now and invite Jesus to be your Lord and Savior. Your life will never be the same because He will give you eternal and abundant life. If you have given your life to Christ and been baptized, take a moment to reflect on the significance of that day. Maybe even take a moment to send a note of thanks to whoever was instrumental in you coming to Christ or being baptized. Just like we should always remember the day we were married, we should always cherish the day we were baptized. I thank God that I was not only there, but was the one who baptized my son. I think I'll end this blog because I want to sit back and soak in the beauty of this day!
AMEN!
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