Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Christian Baptism (10/18/07)
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TITLE: COVERED | Previous Challenge Entry
By Marcia Kresge
10/18/07 -
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“Baptism service tonight. Those being baptized, please arrive at 5:30.”
That old familiar flutter in my stomach was back. I’d faced the same question for years now- was I “covered?”
Every time a church had a baptism service planned, I struggled with the uncertainty of whether my method of baptism was “complete.” You see, as a babe in arms, I was baptized in a church that practiced infant baptism. Then, as a young teen I wanted to show my own decision to follow Christ through baptism; but again, I attended a church that practiced baptism by sprinkling. Now, as an adult I faced the rather embarrassing situation of being in churches that only immersed, and not having the “seal of approval” on my two previous acts of baptism.
The question was always the same- did God recognize the sincerity of my heart in my believer’s “sprinkling” baptism as a teen, or should I be baptized one more time- kind of a sacred “third time is a charm” thing?
To be baptized in a church service seemed anti-climatic to me, since I had stated my commitment to Christ years before in front of my church family. But I sincerely wanted the Lord’s approval in this.
My answer came as we looked forward to our annual beach vacation. I felt the desire well up inside me once more to have the experience of being baptized by immersion. I told my husband that I was going to ask my brother-in-law if he would baptize me that week, he being an ordained pastor. We chose July fourth as the day.
Together with our two daughters, my husband and I, and my sister and brother-in-law met on the beach in the morning hours while the ocean was still relatively calm. The atmosphere was sweet as we stood huddled together in a holy moment. My brother-in-law asked me to give a testimony of my decision to follow Christ and my walk with Him over the years that followed. Then he, my husband, and I all walked into the ocean.
As we took our places in the water, my brother-in-law began, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit….” But before he had a chance to finish the thought, a huge wave came up over me, washing me from head to toe. I nearly burst with joy, because I finally knew that “I was covered,” not by the hand of man, but by God Himself. And that was the best baptism of all!
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Well done.