I was baptized when I was a baby. I have the pictures and have god parents too. I grew up hearing there is one baptism and that is enough. I believed it too. Until everyone around me started telling me that…
“You should be baptized as an adult.”
“No where in the bible does it say anything about infant baptism”
“Baptism is a thing between you and the Lord”
I was very confused.
I was angry at other people telling me my baptism didnt mean anything if it was as a child. It meant something to me. I was “marked as Christ owned forever” as they say in the Episcopal church.
What about all the denominations throughout the world who do infant baptism? Are they all in trouble?
I prayed and searched for answers and I finally felt it in my spirit that its between me and God and no one’s opinions on the subject really mattered if you proclaim and stand by your baptism no one can make it null and void.
However, I did see the symbolism behind baptism and what it means when you make the choice as an adult.
In South Africa I heard a pastor say ” to be baptized is to make a public declaration of an inward transformation that has happened to you through the grace and power of the Holy Spirit.” That struck a cord with me.
One night after we had been in South Africa awhile I had a dream that the pastors we were working with baptized me in a pool. It felt right.
Then that Sunday, as I stood on stage singing in the worship band, I got lost in the message and the music. I had this overwhelming revelation that “I was transformed. I was different. I wasn’t the same person who came on the race. I am changed.” That picture of the pastors baptizing me came back to me and I couldn’t help but smile.
I had actually dreamed of being baptized in alot of the other countries, in waterfalls, oceans, streams etc.. much more beautiful places than a pool. But this time I realized it was the people around me that meant more than the places and my heart was ready.
I had to battle my pride in admitting that maybe it was right for me to be baptized as an adult since earlier I was adamant that my infant baptism was enough and that they were wrong to tell me otherwise. Even telling my team was hard but they were all excited for me.
I sought counsel from Jan, one of my pastors in South Africa. He told me to read the Word, the answers are there that I want to know. There are many kinds of baptism and that I should make the decision after reading the scripture. The Holy Spirit was moving and I knew this was what I wanted to do.
So on one of our last days we went to this lodge where there was hiking and swimming pools. I knew I wanted to get baptized today but was nervous. I hiked a large mountain with my friends and came back and told Jan I was ready.
So they gathered my team, Koinonia, and the other team, Refined Elegance, who was serving with us. There were others in attendance that made it that much more special. All the pastors throughout the district that I had met in South Africa were there for a conference. All the people who had welcomed us into their homes, churches; prayed with us and loved us like family were all there.
Two of my friends got in the frigid water and prayed over my life and Jan blessed me and baptized me. It was surreal. There was no fireworks or anything but some tears. My whole team ended up getting in the freezing cold pool and covered me in hugs and kisses. I’ll never forget that moment.
A moment of beautiful fellowship and love with my team, my family. They had gotten to witness the transformation of my heart and mind this past year and it meant so much to be welcomed into the “world” as a new creation with hugs and kisses.
But how quickly we forget that we are a new creation. After I returned home from the race. It was hard to hold on to that truth that I was different, when I felt like others couldn’t tell, because it had been an inward transformation.
But while driving home one day, I heard Carrie Underwoods song “Something in the water” It says …
So I followed that preacher man down to the river
And now I’m changed
And now I’m stronger
There must’ve been something in the water
Oh, there must’ve been something in the water
Well, I heard what he said and I went on my way
Didn’t think about it for a couple of days
Then it hit me like a lightning late one night
I was all out of hope and all out of fight
Couldn’t fight back the tears so I fell on my knees
Saying, “God, if you’re there come and rescue me.”
Felt love pouring down from above
Got washed in the water, washed in the blood
And now I’m changed
And now I’m stronger
I sobbed.
It reminded me that, although, I’m back in my old life,
I am changed.
I am not the same person I was last January.
I am a new creation.
I have a different perspective, a deeper love of our Father, a new found peace and joy that comes from the Father, Jesus.
I wanted to say thank you to my team and my ASquad. Yall helped me grow so much this year and were there through it all. The tears, fears, laughs, and freedom. I remember Geena telling me at Launch that God had told her I would walk in freedom. Through tears and fears I thought she had to be crazy. But God spoke clearly, I do feel free and I want to walk in that freedom that comes from truly loving and following God.
My prayer is to try to daily remember that I am a new creation, because it is very hard sometimes, and I find myself thinking I am my old self.
Lord, Jesus
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Amen.
Blessings,
Jennie
My team and Jan (not pictured our teammate Andie)
Baptism blessings from Sarah and Chelle
Hugs and kisses Love!!
