W
wheredaluv
Guest
Well seeing how it is seven years to the day since I've been baptized, I would like to tell you about how I struggled with this and about the baptism itself.
I was raised in a Christian home. At one time in our church we did not have Sunday/Wednesday evening classes for children so I had to sit with my parents. At every altar call my dad would ask me if I wanted to go to the altar to get saved, but I always resisted. One January night when I was 6, my mom was tucking me into bed and asked me if I wanted to get saved. That night I asked Jesus to come into my heart.
Ever since that time it was her desire to see me and my brother get baptized (as one should do after accepting Christ). Every time a baptismal service would be announced she would ask us if we wanted to get baptized, but we always resisted. There just something about being held under water by a 250 lb. man that made me apprehensive.
I remember there was a baptism to be held the week after Christmas. My mom told me it would be a nice birthday present for Jesus if I got baptized. There are many other times such as this when my mom would talk to me about getting baptized and I would always try to change the sudject. After many years of delaying obedience to baptism, my brother got baptized along with three of his friends. I remember it was the summer after 6th grade (6/28/92). He told my dad he was going to do it but didn't tell my mom. My dad told me if I decided to as well to not tell her, but to surprise her as I made my entrance into the water. Needless to say, I didn't get baptized that night.
Years went by as I delayed obedience to baptism. I saw many of my friends go through the baptismal waters. I saw many young children baptized and often thought if they could do it so could I. I even saw my aunt get dunked who is afraid of water. By the way, she was saved at a very young age as well and didn't get baptized until she was 30. As time went along, I became very active in my church first as a sound technician then as bass guitar player. I began to wonder what people might think about me if I did get baptized. This went on for a few more years.
I was sitting in class one Thursday in December during my freshman year in college when I felt the Holy Spirit tugging fiercly at my heart about getting baptized at the following Sunday's baptismal service. I began to break out in a cold sweat and was unable to move for quite awhile. I knew right then that this was something I had to do. As the days got closer my stomach was hurting so badly. Sunday rolled around and I was in a trance the whole day.
The morning service seemed to be extra special as the choir sang Christmas hymns and the church was decorated for the season. The rest of the day I layed around as the Holy Spirit was working in me.
That night I went to church I and sat there still waiting for the end of the service when I Pastor would call every one to be baptized to meet downstairs. I stood outside the room where the robes were for a few minutes. The next thing I knew I was in a restroom stall changing into a white robe. Our robes aren't see-thru by the way
. Also, the lady handing out robes and the pastor both thought I was already baptized. After every one was changed, we met to be shown what to do once we get in the water. I was the demo victim. We were then led upstairs to the baptistery and waited as Pastor went in to give a talk on baptism. There were eight of us to be baptized that night. First went some young children, a 70 year old woman, a 250lb. woman, and the best was saved for last-ME.
As I stepped into the WARM water, I felt my robe fill up with air and I could hear the church loud-mouth say "What's he doing in there?" I waded out, like a big marshmallow and met the pastor who was wearing fishing waders. I spotted my mother, whom I caught by surprise, and could see tears of joy rolling down her face as she was about to see her son do what she had prayed 13 years for. I was introduced to the congregation, although it was unnecessary, since I had gone there since birth and was known around the church. I was then asked the all important question. "-----, do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?" I reponded with a YES. I was then positioned to be immersed, held my nose with my right hand, and held onto the pastor with the other. "----, upon your profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, I baptize you, my brother, in the name of the Father, and ofthe Son, And of the Holy Spirit. Buried with Him in death." Down I went into the water, WAY down, burying my old self to sin. "Raised with Him in resurrection" after being raised from the watery grave of baptism. There I was, soaking wet, being applauded for my obedience and commitment!
I left the water and went back to change.
I felt new and refreshed after leaving the tank. If you have been saved and have yet to be baptized, I pray that you will at the next opportune time. Don't miss out on this blessing! Looking back, I wish I would have done it sooner.
God Bless
I was raised in a Christian home. At one time in our church we did not have Sunday/Wednesday evening classes for children so I had to sit with my parents. At every altar call my dad would ask me if I wanted to go to the altar to get saved, but I always resisted. One January night when I was 6, my mom was tucking me into bed and asked me if I wanted to get saved. That night I asked Jesus to come into my heart.
Ever since that time it was her desire to see me and my brother get baptized (as one should do after accepting Christ). Every time a baptismal service would be announced she would ask us if we wanted to get baptized, but we always resisted. There just something about being held under water by a 250 lb. man that made me apprehensive. I remember there was a baptism to be held the week after Christmas. My mom told me it would be a nice birthday present for Jesus if I got baptized. There are many other times such as this when my mom would talk to me about getting baptized and I would always try to change the sudject. After many years of delaying obedience to baptism, my brother got baptized along with three of his friends. I remember it was the summer after 6th grade (6/28/92). He told my dad he was going to do it but didn't tell my mom. My dad told me if I decided to as well to not tell her, but to surprise her as I made my entrance into the water. Needless to say, I didn't get baptized that night.
Years went by as I delayed obedience to baptism. I saw many of my friends go through the baptismal waters. I saw many young children baptized and often thought if they could do it so could I. I even saw my aunt get dunked who is afraid of water. By the way, she was saved at a very young age as well and didn't get baptized until she was 30. As time went along, I became very active in my church first as a sound technician then as bass guitar player. I began to wonder what people might think about me if I did get baptized. This went on for a few more years.
I was sitting in class one Thursday in December during my freshman year in college when I felt the Holy Spirit tugging fiercly at my heart about getting baptized at the following Sunday's baptismal service. I began to break out in a cold sweat and was unable to move for quite awhile. I knew right then that this was something I had to do. As the days got closer my stomach was hurting so badly. Sunday rolled around and I was in a trance the whole day.
The morning service seemed to be extra special as the choir sang Christmas hymns and the church was decorated for the season. The rest of the day I layed around as the Holy Spirit was working in me.
That night I went to church I and sat there still waiting for the end of the service when I Pastor would call every one to be baptized to meet downstairs. I stood outside the room where the robes were for a few minutes. The next thing I knew I was in a restroom stall changing into a white robe. Our robes aren't see-thru by the way
. Also, the lady handing out robes and the pastor both thought I was already baptized. After every one was changed, we met to be shown what to do once we get in the water. I was the demo victim. We were then led upstairs to the baptistery and waited as Pastor went in to give a talk on baptism. There were eight of us to be baptized that night. First went some young children, a 70 year old woman, a 250lb. woman, and the best was saved for last-ME. As I stepped into the WARM water, I felt my robe fill up with air and I could hear the church loud-mouth say "What's he doing in there?" I waded out, like a big marshmallow and met the pastor who was wearing fishing waders. I spotted my mother, whom I caught by surprise, and could see tears of joy rolling down her face as she was about to see her son do what she had prayed 13 years for. I was introduced to the congregation, although it was unnecessary, since I had gone there since birth and was known around the church. I was then asked the all important question. "-----, do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?" I reponded with a YES. I was then positioned to be immersed, held my nose with my right hand, and held onto the pastor with the other. "----, upon your profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, I baptize you, my brother, in the name of the Father, and ofthe Son, And of the Holy Spirit. Buried with Him in death." Down I went into the water, WAY down, burying my old self to sin. "Raised with Him in resurrection" after being raised from the watery grave of baptism. There I was, soaking wet, being applauded for my obedience and commitment!
I left the water and went back to change. I felt new and refreshed after leaving the tank. If you have been saved and have yet to be baptized, I pray that you will at the next opportune time. Don't miss out on this blessing! Looking back, I wish I would have done it sooner.
God Bless
Heavenly Father,
