A Moving and Memorable Baptism

I have a handful of water, ready to baptize Stephanie in her wheelchair.

The baptism last Sunday was everything it ought to be: a public witness to Jesus, and a joyful time. It had the added excitement of a love story.

I baptized a young couple newly engaged. They had been going steady for some time before either one of them were Christian. She became a believer first. Part of her conversion involved breaking up with her boyfriend. She accepted that marrying an unbeliever was not going to be pleasing to the Lord. Her boyfriend is Jewish, and understandably not open to converting. But he loved her and wanted to marry her. She witnessed to him. We prayed for him. It was hard, because she and I both knew he could just "convert" in order to please her. But what would that accomplish? She didn't want a marriage at all costs, and especially a marriage to someone without Jesus.

Just as he was ready last August to come out and say he believed that Jesus is the Messiah, his father suddenly died. That sent him into a tailspin, especially as he considered where his father was now, if the New Testament were true. He withdrew from us and his girlfriend for a time. All we could do was pray.

In the end, he worked through the difficulties and came out believing in Jesus as his Lord and Savior. He told his mother of his decision. She went ballistic. He stood his ground and did not flinch at the explosion his announcement caused, but kept explaining his conversion till he was done.

So last Sunday I baptized this couple, newly engaged to be married. They have the support of not only the church as a whole, but also our Jewish believing element, who understand the ramifications baptism and marriage will have on the Jewish side of the family.

The other two being baptized were a teenaged daughter of one of the church families, and Stephanie, the woman with advanced Parkinson's disease. The teenager's father assisted me in her baptism. I sprinkled Stephanie in her wheelchair with a little pool water.

The viewing area of the pool was standing room only, jam-packed with relatives, friends, and guests. I was able to meet the engaged woman's family, and Stephanie's mother and sister. Many commented on how good it all was, so simple and Biblical.

It's better to have two men baptizing so there is a good chance people who go down will also come up again smoothly. The men I would normally ask were all busy or unavailable. I eventually asked Gavin Steyn, a newcomer to our fellowship from South Africa, to help me in the water. He did a great job. It made him feel more a part of the church.

May the Lord give us another good baptism in His time.