I love attending or officiating at baptism services when people who have accepted Christ as their Savior show that they are a new creation. Jesus’ command to baptize is as fresh now as when He first spoke the words. Water baptism demonstrates what has happened to a person: the old life is buried in the water; the new life emerges. It is a declaration that the old has passed away and the new truly has arrived.
As I write these words, I am excited because this coming Sunday I will be baptizing a good friend. Born a Jew in New York and now in his 70s, Mike has found and accepted Jesus Christ as his Messiah. He has fallen in love with Jesus and wants everyone to know it. When he called me several weeks ago to ask me about baptizing him, I was in tears. Sunday will be a special moment for Mike and me, and for a congregation who will celebrate with us.
If you have not made a decision to live your life for Christ, if you have not read His words to you in the Bible, if you have never been baptized, perhaps now is the time!