When I was a baby, we attended a church where a new baby was “sprinkled” with water during a ceremony, signifying to those watching how the baby was now “dedicated” to the LORD.  In no way, form, or fashion did that “sprinkling” change my soul.  In fact, the only change that occurred was the presence of water on my forehead as the pastor “sprinkled” my forehead with a bit of moisture.

• That day, I got wet, but on that day, I was NOT CHANGED!
• That day, I was dedicated, but on that day, I was NOT SAVED!

The time during my fifteenth year of life when I GAVE MY HEART TO JESUS—WHEN I REPENTED of MY SINS—WHEN JESUS TOOK UP RESIDENCE IN MY HEART—that was the day when I WAS CHANGED, WHEN THROUGH JESUS, I WAS MADE NEW!

Then a few days or weeks later, I WAS IMMERSED IN THE BAPTISMAL WATERS & I TESTIFIED to the WATCHING CONGREGATION & I SHOUTED TO THE WORLD—I BELONG TO JESUS!

THANK GOD, I DO!

I remember a time when we attended a different house of worship, a place where we did not clap when a person was baptized.  Fast forward many years and see the church where I now attend.  There, we clap often, but the point is NOT “clapping OR not clapping.”

Rather the point is this:

WHEN we are gathered together at the house of worship, something occurs, causing us to:  Shout Hallelujah & Clap with intensity & Praise God for His Amazing Grace!

SALVATION & BAPTISM!

Many years ago, I went on a journey with a precious young teen and her good friend.  While traveling in the vehicle toward our destination, the conversation turned to one of “faith, salvation, & baptism.”  As I drove south, I answered questions about all three topics, proving that—God’s Business Can Be Accomplished—even while we are living our normal lives.

That particular day, one of the two girls was struggling with her baptism that had occurred earlier in her life (when she was younger, when she first gave her heart to Jesus).

She asked a question that went something like this:  Do you think I could be baptized—again?

I responded, “Yes, if you think you need to be baptized—again.  You should because BAPTISM is the “testifying” to those watching how YOU ARE NOW WALKING WITH JESUS!

It is a testimony that the old life has passed away & the new life has begun.

We continued to our holiday destination, enjoyed the sun-kissed days, played in the sand and water, and then returned home.  Not many days afterward, this young teen walked forward one Sunday to speak with our pastor, telling him she desired to be baptized.

• I was so proud of her courage.
• I was so humbled by her dedicated spirit.
• I was so honored to have been part of her conversation & decision to be BAPTIZED!
• I was so overcome by tears when a few Sundays later, I watched her be baptized—again!

I am sure you can imagine the “cheers & clapping & praises” that erupted from the congregation as this young lady came up out of the baptismal water.

When people make the decision to be BAPTIZED, they will invite their family and friends to attend the service, and they will often come.  There is something powerful about experiencing a person’s BAPTISM—it’s a Gospel—preaching event!  When a person is immersed under the water, he is TESTIFYING TO THE WORLD—

• That he is entering into a covenant relationship with God—that he is accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord!
• That he is now identifying how he belongs to the Father—that he is a child of God!
• That he will always remember—God is his Father!
• That he will keep—God’s Commandments!
• That he will serve as the hands and feet of his—Savior, Redeemer, & Lord!