a holy dip
Pentecostals do the strangest things. Abbie got baptized at church yesterday. At the swimming pool. She was so excited. She wouldn’t tell us what she was going to say before she took the plunge. She wanted us to wait and hear for ourselves…
I remember when I was baptized. I actually think it happened three times in my life. Once when I was a baby (I assume). Once when I was just newly saved, at 16 years old. And once when I was 18. (I guess I was insecure in my relationship with Christ and felt I needed another dip) When I was 16 (the second one) was the most memorable to me. Amazing how certain things just stick out in your mind. I went to a large Wesleyan church. That was over 20 years ago. Yet, I can still remember the walk down the long hallway to the baptismal pool. A little nervous, a little excited. Thrilled to make a bold statement about my new life in Christ.
I will never forget as long as I live, the words Pastor Polston said when I rose out of the water. The same words he used for every person he baptized. Yet, it was a proclamation, a demand, a strong spiritual statement. Before I went down, he said “I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit” and then….“Rise to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus!”
Funny how those things stick out in your mind. Every time I witness a baptism, I pray silently and proclaim "Rise to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus!"
Abbie was filled with the Holy Spirit at church camp. She felt this was the next step in her walk with Christ. She too wanted to make a bold statement that she loves Jesus. I can't wait to see what God does in her life. It's all cool.
I remember when I was baptized. I actually think it happened three times in my life. Once when I was a baby (I assume). Once when I was just newly saved, at 16 years old. And once when I was 18. (I guess I was insecure in my relationship with Christ and felt I needed another dip) When I was 16 (the second one) was the most memorable to me. Amazing how certain things just stick out in your mind. I went to a large Wesleyan church. That was over 20 years ago. Yet, I can still remember the walk down the long hallway to the baptismal pool. A little nervous, a little excited. Thrilled to make a bold statement about my new life in Christ.
I will never forget as long as I live, the words Pastor Polston said when I rose out of the water. The same words he used for every person he baptized. Yet, it was a proclamation, a demand, a strong spiritual statement. Before I went down, he said “I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit” and then….“Rise to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus!”
Funny how those things stick out in your mind. Every time I witness a baptism, I pray silently and proclaim "Rise to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus!"
Abbie was filled with the Holy Spirit at church camp. She felt this was the next step in her walk with Christ. She too wanted to make a bold statement that she loves Jesus. I can't wait to see what God does in her life. It's all cool.
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