Baptism

Baptism: To wash, dip or immerse in water. Baptism demonstrates death to self and sin and an emergence as a new creation to live in Christ's kingdom. Acts 2:36-41; Romans 6:1-14; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 4:4-6.

Last Wednesday, while driving home from church I asked Matt and Rachel the question that I had been wanting to ask both of them recently. Should have been done sooner and preferably at home with more time for discussion, but I finally remembered. Water baptism was taking place Sunday evening and the youth pastor would be baptizing some of the youth. Were they wanting to get baptized yet? (Josh choose to be baptized on his own about a year ago). Right away they both said, "NO! I don't want to have to get up on stage and say anything!"..."besides", Matt adds, "it doesn't say that you HAVE to be baptized to go to Heaven."

I try to explain to them that Pastor would accomodate them and make it short and simple. John interjected, "don't push them."

So, end of story. So I thought.

When we got home from our Sunday afternoon outing, the phone rang. It was Matt calling from church. He had stayed for human video practice. He said that he wanted me to bring a pair of shorts, a plain shirt and towel. He was getting baptized!

Last night around 6pm or so, Matthew Jacob was baptized. I was so proud of him. And he answered the questions just fine.

Before we left the church Rachel told us that she would be baptized at the next baptism.