"I now baptize myself..."

I. Love. Baptism.

When I was 11 years old (I think!), I was baptized.  (I’m not entirely sure about my age—but I am crystal clear about the event.)  I’ll never forget it.

I went to the front of the church one Sunday morning because the Lord had been stirring in my heart and it occurred to me to go talk to the minister at the end of the service. I’m not sure I had ever seen someone do that before, but I knew it was right. 

I filled out an information card and was told I would be baptized. Come to think of it, I’m not sure I had ever seen anyone baptized!

Not knowing what to expect, I practiced baptizing myself in the bathtub at home. I would try to hold my breath as long as possible because—who knows if the minister is going to “say a few words” while I was under?? I had to be ready. ((Smile!))

Our church had one of those baptismal tanks that was behind the choir loft and had a mural of the Jordan River on the back wall. I had stared at it many times—but now I was in the water!  The minister made his pronouncement of my dedication and lowered me backwards into the water and brought me back up again. 

The sensation I had when I came up out of the water was as if I were absolutely new. I didn’t discuss it with anyone but kept it to myself.  I marveled at this clean feeling—as if my heart had been wiped blank.  It was astounding and is one of my most treasured memories.

I’ve seen baptisms in ponds, lakes, swimming pools, tubs, rivers as well as in tanks in a church building. Every time, I celebrate with the new believer and pray he or she knows the presence of God in that moment.

Whenever I have heard teachings on baptism, it is compared to the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.  This is such a powerful truth for us! Baptism is certainly a symbolic act of our identification with the redemptive work of Christ and is an act of obedience for new believers.  

Romans 6: 4-5  We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we will certainly also be united with Him in a resurrection like His.

I Peter 3: 21 says baptism is also "the pledge of a clear conscience toward God."

I feel like baptism is also a picture of that curious phrase Jesus used of being “born again”.

John 3: 3-5 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.”

Don’t you love Nicodemus? I can be such a literal thinker, too. I totally ‘get’ him. I am so glad he asked that question!

Being lowered in the baptism water could be like entering again into a water-filled womb. We come up out of the water—out of the womb water—and breathe in our new life. 

                                                        Born.  Again. 

Baptism is such a testimony of how Jesus delivered us out of darkness and raised us up in His power to start a new life. We start again as innocent babies in the Lord and grow as we spend time with the Father, absorb the nutrition of His Word and are led by His Spirit. 

What a glorious, fantastic new beginning – the gift of Life – that offers us everything because it cost Him everything.

Please share about your experience of following the Lord with the act of baptism!

Love,

Marcie Elliott-Smith