The Ripple Effect of Baptism
Why get baptized? It does not save you. It could be embarrassing to have everyone looking at you. What if a pastor makes you talk in front of other people??
Seems like something you could kick down the road. Right?
Sure. But you shouldn’t.
In the past month or so, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing or being a part of eight baptisms connected to our church. Each of these baptisms was a result of the ripples of faith made by people before, and these baptisms will go on to create new ripples of faith.
Klay Dodd was baptized out at his family’s pond. He is the fourth of four siblings all to be baptized. While there were other factors (such as a school snow day) that played into Klay’s decision, the acts of faith that rippled through his family before were certainly a strong precursor to his baptism.
Daniel Stahl, one of our worship team members, was baptized on July 13. In all the time I have known him, Daniel has consistently engaged in opportunities that have grown his faith. Serving on the worship team, digging into Bible reading plans, faithful friendships, and now baptism. And earlier this year, Daniel’s sister was baptized in one of our worship services. Again, that was not the only factor in his decision to get baptized, but it did serve as a clear example and created opportunities for growth conversations.
On the afternoon of July 13, I got to be a part of a baptism service at the State Training School where six students were baptized in a tank out on the lawn. Each student was asked a question before they went under the water, and each one said something similar: They wanted to walk a new path with Jesus, rather than the path that got them sent to the training school. Their baptism does not guarantee they will make the right decisions in the future, or that their lives will not be marked by consequences of their actions. BUT, this act of faith before chaplains, staff, family, and other students will serve as a deep reminder of their commitment to Christ and the better path offered by walking in faith.
Baptism acts as a symbolic fulcrum upon which we pivot out of the ‘death’ of an old way of life and into a ‘birth’ of a new way of life in Christ. Identifying with Jesus’s death and resurrection as we go down and back out of the water, and being cleaned of our sins. This becomes a monument in our own lives and, by the grace of God, often serves as a ripple that intersects with other lives of faith.
One of the ripples that has already been created by these baptisms is some simple conversations I have had with my children. They went with me to see Klay get baptized, they watched me get to baptize Daniel, and of course I shared some stories of the training school baptisms. My children are not quite ready to be baptized, but they asked questions. Made observations. The ripples of faith from these baptisms have already washed over my kids.
So if you have not been baptized as a believer, I think you should. Reach out to me, or Bryce, or Terry. We would love to talk with you about this step of faith that has ripple effects for generations to come.