Baptism Service - 33Live Recap, June 25th at 33 live

July 1, 2008 No comments

Baptism Service - 33Live Recap, June 25th

Speaker: Christopher Hopper [Written by Beth Walrath]

As a Christian there are four things we must do to get things right with God. Sometimes we make those steps harder than they are, but if we rely on Him, they are simple tasks. The first thing we must do is believe and put our faith in Him. Ephesians 2:8-10 says: “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s master- piece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

Secondly, we must repent of our sins. Repentance isn’t just confessing our sins; it is a change of mind. Acts 17: 30-31: “God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. 31 For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.”

Next we must confess Jesus as Lord and Savior to someone. If we have passion for something, then we usually tell the whole world about it. Why not have that passion for the One who died for our sins. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.

Finally, get baptized. Baptism is becoming a new person in Christ. It a way of wiping our inner slate clean. Romans 12:1-2 says: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

It has been said before that if you’re not baptized then you will go to Hell. If your heart is right with God, then not being dunked in water won’t stop you from getting into heaven. If you feel in your heart that you will see Jesus when you die, then you have nothing to worry about. However, if the opportunity is given to you and God tells you it is time, and then by all means - get baptized!

1 Peter 3:21 reads: “…and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

I don’t know how to put it into words. Those of you, who know me, know I hate being the center of attention. But tonight, I actually enjoyed it. Because in reality it wasn’t me people were watching. It was Jesus. I got baptized tonight. I finally had the opportunity and thank God it happened now. His timing is so perfect. He knew that it would happen this way. I can’t describe the feeling, it was just - wow. I was really excited to get into the water. As I stood there with Christopher, I just let the sprit of Jesus talk to me. Some of it was through Christopher and some of it was personal. Jesus kept telling me it was going to be ok, and Christopher’s word from Jesus for me was about overcoming obstacles. When I went under, I wasn’t sure what I would feel, but I just felt a huge weight being shedded. I left it in the water, and I still have a sensation in the heart that I can’t describe. It is an amazing feeling and I pray that if you don’t know what I am talking about, you will soon.

Because each person is unique, each experience is different. Even the word God has for us is different, but it is always what we need to hear. It amazes me that for the 15 or so people that were baptized, Jesus was there with each one of us and He was also with those in the room, speaking to them as well. He speaks to you too, everyday. Are you listening?