Clap-Worthy

Usually, we clap just a little.  Clapping is welcome in Rabbit Creek Church; yet, for whatever reason, fewer do than do not - fewer, that is except on days when I, or another of our pastors, immerse a man, woman, teen, or child in the waters of baptism.  In those moments, people all over the worship center clap their hands together in expressions of celebration.  Baptism is a big deal.

Baptism is the outward sign of an inward change.  We immerse people - not in order to save them - but rather to join them in testifying to the fact that they chose to follow Jesus.  They confess their sin (sinfulness), call on the Savior, and profess, "Jesus is Lord!"  Surely that's worth a host of clapping.

In baptism, in addition to testifying to our inward change, we visually tell the story of Jesus' greatest gift - Himself. 

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Romans 6:4 (NIV)
We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

I have baptized people for nearly thirty years.  Not once have I left a person under the water.  That's not just because I have no desire to drown anyone.  It's because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the promise of the resurrection of all those who call upon His name and follow Him.

Romans 6:8 (NIV)
Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.

If you have not experienced baptism, I encourage you to do so.  I'm happy to talk with you about the details.  Let me hear from you.

#ordinarylives

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