Will B. Getting Baptized

About six months or so after moving to Olney, I toured and attended many churches. I felt a real connection to Southside Baptist church. Not that there was anything wrong with the other churches or pastors around Olney, but I have always felt more comfortable in a smaller church with a pastor who is a biblical preacher. I grew up going to traditional Southern Baptist churches that had pastors who preached fire and brimstone and you would definitely not fall asleep during one of those sermons.

I was baptized when I was about thirteen, just a young whipper snapper. At the time I did it because it was expected. I had no idea of the meaning or the powerful history of baptism. In fact, I was a member of a church without knowing much of anything about what is expected of a member. I did these things because as a child I was always put on a bus every Sunday and shipped off to what I can only described as some sort of Sunday torture session. Back then Southern Baptist Preachers and Deacons were notoriously heavy handed on discipline. All in all, it was not too terrible. But still I had no idea of the meanings behind the rituals and customs I was a part of.

It is through baptism that we formally make our commitment to permanently turn from our sin and surrender our lives to  God.

“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized  in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’” (Acts 2:38)

Added to this, I personally feel that when I joined the church, these friends and fellow church members become a family that I will spend eternity with once in heaven. As well as becoming my brothers and sisters.

When I take the Baptism in the coming weeks, I will know in my heart why I am partaking in this ritual. I will arise from the water a new being living behind my old ways and committing my self to God and receive the Holy Spirit. I am sure I will still make many mistakes and sin along the way after the Baptism but I am openly professing my love for Jesus Christ and telling those that witness that I am committing my self to God which is very important to me as a newly recommitted Christian.

This is Will B. saying its not to late to be baptized for the right reasons.