baptism

Something amazing just happened this evening. A young man (I'll call him Mfalme since I did not ask permission to use his real name) our family met just a few months ago just got baptized in Lake Ontario. It was dark, windy, raining, cold and the water numbed my feet within seconds, but it was awesome!

I had the privilege along with another brother to take part in the baptism. I am grateful for that because it was not too long ago I was complaining that I did not know of any new believers. Everyone I knew had been a Christian for a while and it was bothering me. Being a part of Mfalme's proclamation of faith on the deserted beach was an answer to prayer. God is good.

Earlier today when Mfalme and I were talking he told me about a discussion he had with a pastor a day or so before. The pastor had asked him when he had decided to get baptized. Mfalme answered, "I have not decided to get baptized" and left it at that. Everyone present was left with the impression that he did not want to be baptized.

Later that evening one of the people present said, "You don't have to get baptized if you don't want to, there's no pressure" and Mfalme answered, "But I do want to get baptized!" Of course this person was confused. "But you just told the pastor that you had not decided to get baptized," to which Mfalme answered, "It was not my decision. As soon as it was made clear to me by the Holy Spirit that I needed to be baptized I knew it was time to do it. There was no decision on my part, as there was nothing for me to decide! It's what God wanted."

I am encouraged by this man's faith, as it is based on obedience to the Lord. It is clear to me in talking with him these last few weeks that he is keen on walking in obedience and that he understands that he is not serving Christ for his own well being but for the sake of giving his life to God as a sacrifice.

I talk to too many brothers and sisters who choose a fellowship based on the quality of the youth program or how enjoyable the Sunday sermon is. I hear a lot of our culture's consumer mentality when I talk to fellow believers. What I don't hear much of is discussion of laying our lives down for Christ and his kingdom. I certainly don't see it in action here. We have a lot of churches in Rochester, but not a whole lot of savor.

We have plenty of great programs, wonderful buildings, excellent teaching, modern equipment, rocking worship, busy sunday schools and friendly greeters. And those things are fine, I guess. But there has to be more. Where is the power of God being demonstrated to the city of Rochester? Where are believers offering up holy lives to God as their spiritual worship?

Look, don't get me wrong. I am not saying I am some great example. I try, but most of the time I get it wrong. I am asking because I am convinced that to do this well, it has to happen in community, as the body of our Lord, not just some holy Joe out on his own. It takes a group of people saying, like my brother Mfalme, "there was nothing for me to decide!"

Mfalme was obedient to his Father today. It did not take a member vote, special classes, fund raiser or leadership training. It did not need any special facilities, ordinations, order of service or pastoral covering. He just obeyed the Holy Spirit and the community, as small as it was, supported him. What a great example of how simple it is to follow Jesus. I want this for every day of my life. Who else feels this way? I know you are out there.