“As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?’ And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.” Acts 8:36-39 (NIV)
When I served as pastor of First Baptist Church of Folsom, Louisiana, during my seminary days I had the wonderful experience of creek baptisms. Every July 4th week we would have a special worship service at Pittman’s Creek. Even though we had a heated baptistry in our worship center, many believers chose to be baptized in the freezing cold water at the creek. Those were memorable baptisms.
Have you been properly baptized by immersion following your conversion? If not, why not? What is keeping you from identifying with Christ through baptism?
The Ethiopian eunuch was passionate about following in believer’s baptism. His life had been radically transformed by the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Now, he wanted to identify with Christ through baptism. He chose a creek baptism!
If you have already followed the Lord in believer’s baptism, spend some time reflecting on that spiritual marker in your life. Thank God for allowing you to identify with Jesus through baptism.
If you have not been baptized, would you be willing to schedule your baptism within the next few days. Make it right! Give God your best! Jesus went all the way for you. Would you be willing to go the next step with Him and identify with Him through believer’s baptism?
Pursuing God,
Stephen Trammell
Pastor of Leadership and Pastoral Care