Faith Mini Story: Chapter II

Chapter II:
My Baptism: A public Declaration of my love for Christ


Jesus replied, “The truth is, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit….The Holy Spirit gives new life from heaven. ~ John 3:5, 6


While attending the Pentecostal church of my child hood I learned many things about being a “good” Christian. I learned the importance of witnessing to people while you are out and interacting with the world. Wither it was in the school yard, at work, and in my case even at home. I also quickly found my self interested in the (what seamed weird at the time,) gift of speaking in Tongues. Although I don't really think that I have ever really deeply experienced what it is like to speak in Tongues, I did understand what a personal spiritual experience it is to speak a language that only God can understand.
Perhaps the experience that brought me the most joy was the experiences of seeing people totally commit there lives to Christ by getting baptized. Every know and then the church announce that there was going to be a baptism and that anyone who was ready and wanted to experience this bond with Christ should sign up to learn more. I always wanted to but there was something inside of me holding me back like it was the Spirit of the Lord telling me “Just wait soon enough your day to fully publicly dedicate your life to me will come, But first there are somethings that will be in the way.” I didn't exactly understand why but I just tried to and did in some weird way. Even thought I never got baptized there I usually attended the baptisms to see the miracle of God blessing people with a renewed life and cleansed soul. They would “pop” out of the water with such joy with everyone shouting “Halleluiah” and “Praise God.” I loved it; it was a time of celebration and of remembering of the things that Jesus had done for us in order to save our lives and give light to a life after death by opening the gate for the forgiveness of our sins.

After the “church drop out” and the move to Washington, finding the new church and becoming much more on fire for God than I had ever been in my life I was coming closer and closer to the willingness to publicly show everyone “Look at me I'm a Christian, I love God, Jesus, and all of Him who dwells inside of me.” And I believe my very personal message to God was “Today I want you to see me in a new light, one who has been cleansed by this baptism and the crucifixion of your son Jesus Christ.” “ I am here for you to take me into your arms forever hold me close, free me from this world, For now I know and show you and all that is gathered that I truly love you with all my heart and that I will keep true to the power and distinct beauty of your name!”
Wow I thought after signing up for the baptism for I knew that it was time for me to publicly declare my love and devotion to Christ. I will finally be able to walk around and be confident in knowing where I stand with God and maybe the people in this weird world might recognize as well. I knew that the actual baptism its self was a huge thing for me and that I wanted every one I cared for to know that I was confessing my love for Jesus.
Everyone I loved though didn't necessarily care a great deal about this spiritual milestone that I was about to plant in my life. But I wanted them to know and it took me a while but finally after about a week of many “hints” I finally just told my family “You guys know I'm getting baptized and I want you to know it would mean a lot if you showed up to experience this with me.” Well…. Only my father ended up showing up but I think deep down he understood everything that my baptism stood for and that he wanted to see his son step out and declare his love for God.
Everyone who was getting baptized arrived about an hour before the ceremony started so that we could have some last minute time to ourselves to think about what we were doing. We shared with each other what our baptisms' meant to each of us and then we got to pray for the group. Right before the ceremonies started I looked around and didn't see any of my family sitting anywhere so I didn't know where to sit. Then at the last moment my father walked in and I felt somewhat whole knowing that family who cared was present. We took our seats, there was a bit of worship, and then those who were going to be baptized were called to the stage. We each introduced ourselves and gave a short testament to our beliefs and why we where getting baptized. Mine was a short talk about how I didn't grow up in a Christian home and how I started going to church on my own at a young age. I also wanted to glorify my father for showing up to support his son and I gave him much thanks for in stowing in me the fundamentals of how a morally right person should live their life. During this moment it was hard for me to hold back my emotions and I became teary eyed because I was proud to see him in a church.
When it was my turn for “the tank” I had previously decided that I wanted my youth pastor to baptize me and he got in the water and helped me down in after him. We stood there he said some words then in I went, making my public announcement of my passion to follow the Lord. When I came out of the water I felt healed, saved, and born again, I felt like I had set something right with the Lord and that he was pleased. I know that I felt a new inner peace and sense of responsibility. I now felt stronger than ever like I had to do my best to stand up for what I felt was right and just. Not only did I have to be a just person but I had to proudly boast and stand up for the Lord I worship.
My baptism means a lot of things to me I know most of all It was a time of celebration, a time to remember, and a time to glorify the Lord. I know that as I grow older I will look back on the day of my baptism and think about how it was such a sincere gift to God. As I look back on that day I get a smile on my face and a fire in my heart reminding me to always remember the Lord, give him thanks, and look to Him for answers which he always provides in do time.







“If anyone acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will openly acknowledge that person before my Father in heaven.” ~ Matthew 10:32