My baptism took
place the day after my thirteenth birthday, in a large Pentecostal church. It occurred
during a regular Sunday morning service in the font with warm water. Though young,
I had made a strong commitment to living my life as a Christian and believed baptism
to be the logical step. I had grown up in a Christian family, and while
believing that I was ‘saved’ (would go to heaven), I never had a clear
conversion experience such as I often heard about and saw during church
services. I did feel some uncertainty about missing this step and felt that
baptism would cover it.
The
actual experience was very special for me. Afterwards I felt joy and elation.
At my request, the song “Oh Lord, You’re Beautiful” by Keith Green was sung.
Oh
Lord, You're beautiful
Your
face is all I seek
For
when Your eyes are on this child
Your
grace abounds to me
Oh
Lord, please light the fire
That
once burned bright and clean
Replace
the lamp of my first love
That
burns with holy fear
Did your baptism feel inevitable, or
were you on a more crooked path? Is there a logical step before you now, or
does the next step look surprising? Seek God’s guidance for the next step.
Reflection by Liesl Richter, South Yarra Community Baptist Church, 23 January 2016.
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