I Will Surrender

One of the videos that is making the rounds on the web features the baptism of two boys. The minister baptizes the first, the congregation expresses its support and joy at his commitment, and the one baptizing looks toward the next candidate — who leaps into the baptistery, with the splash that you would expect.

We have to be impressed by the combination of surprise, understanding, composure and "what do I do next?" on the face of the minister.

It's a most serious event; so you would expect the surprise, and the quick consideration of "what do we do now?" It is an exciting event, so, if the leap was one of enthusiasm, you can understand that. (My opinion is that the right kind of enthusiasm is not what the young fellow had in mind). It would be a teaching opportunity, so you can appreciate the baptizer's composure.

You may remember with me the first Sunday that there was clapping at Worthington Christian Church when we celebrated a young man's baptism. It was started by his aunt, if I remember correctly; and my first thought was "oh, my. This is a serious occasion, accompanied by respectful smiles, followed by a gathering around the candidate after he comes from the dressing area. And usually we sing a glad song. Now this! What do we do?" But soon I realized that expressions of joy at the simple, but dramatic, demonstration of faith that baptism is, are most appropriate. Now, even I clap with enthusiasm.

Baptism dramatizes the leap of faith that a believer makes in accepting Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, crucified, buried, and raised from the grave. It is the expression of a surrender of self to Him as Lord. A leap into the baptistery is a bit too much of self and quite a bit too little of that expression of serious trust in Him.