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photo by @LifeRefresh

A few weeks back I noticed an announcement at church about baptism. Let’s be honest, 90% of the  church announcements displayed I am on my phone either checking twitter or my Espn app. Don’t ask why, you do the same thing.

We all know church news and announcements are  transitional fillers. No one could possibly remember a church news announcements when they only watch it 1x every 7 days. Why do we remember Budweiser ads? Simple, they are replayed religiously every single day, during every single show men watch.

On this particular Sunday a baptism announcement caught my attention. I thought long and hard and remembered that I really hadn’t been baptized since I “believed”. Well, I kinda had but I was like 7 years old and I didn’t think I really knew what the heck baptism was. I think I was more excited there was going to be a pool inside church and thought it would be pretty cool to go “swimming” aka baptized during church.

I am also the preachers son at the church I attend and squirmed at the idea of going in front of everyone and getting dunked during a church service. I am a very low key, don’t try and notice me kinda person and having my face on the jumbo tron at church is the last thing I imagine concerning baptism.

Before I forget. I nearly was baptized in the Jordan River in 2008 by Benny Hinn but decided against it for a few reasons. First, I couldn’t go through with wearing these Abu Dhabi white robes they give you.

Plus, I personally watched 2,000 adults stand in a ridiculously long line in the hot sun. This was not a baptism. This was a new ride at Six Flags. This was more like cattle aimlessly walking to their deaths. I was hoping for the white dove to rest on my shoulder but I was most certain all the doves in the area were flying for freedom.

So, needless to say, as much as I would have liked to say Benny Hinn baptized me, He did not. I did assist many of these Holy Land seekers to dry towels, cameras and help up the stone steps back to reality. Don’t get me wrong, I would have loved for Benny Hinn to dunk me in the Jordan River but like I said before, too much hype and you can find me exit stage left.

Today was my day. I had decided a few days ago to ask my dad to baptize me. My father in law was also going to be with us and it appeared the stars had aligned. The location was perfect, water temperature just right and it was low key. It also didn’t hurt that I had my father and father in law (who are both clergy) to handle the Biblical logistics. The moment was set.

I’ll let the pictures tell the rest of the story. Here are a few scriptures to get you thinking about baptism if you haven’t yet. If you are unsure, seriously read through what the Bible says. There are very few commands that are repeated and are in such close relation to following Christ.

Matthew 3:6
And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.

Mark 16:16
Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned

Luke 3:3
Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven

Acts 2:38
Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:41
Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.

Acts 8:12
But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized.

Acts 9:18
Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized.

Acts 10:48
So he gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterward Cornelius asked him to stay with them for several days.

Acts 16:33
Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized.

Acts 18:8
Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, and everyone in his household believed in the Lord. Many others in Corinth also heard Paul, became believers, and were baptized.

Acts 22:16
What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.’

photo by @LifeRefresh

photo by @LifeRefresh

photo by @LifeRefresh

photo by @LifeRefresh

photo by @LifeRefresh

photo by @LifeRefresh

photo by @LifeRefresh

photo by @LifeRefresh

photo by @LifeRefresh

photo by @LifeRefresh

photo by @LifeRefresh

photo by @LifeRefresh

photo by @LifeRefresh

photo by @LIfeRefresh

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