A Jordan Baptism
November 20, 2015//
Topics to Dig Into
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| Lysa TerKeurst baptizes in the Jordan River |
After His baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the
heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and
settling on Him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son,
who brings me great joy.”
heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and
settling on Him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son,
who brings me great joy.”
Matthew 3:16-17 (NLT)
Among my beautiful Holy Land moments
are the baptisms in the Jordan River.
are the baptisms in the Jordan River.
In my tradition, babies are baptized
with a sprinkling of water and teens confirm this baptism. I was baptized along
with my siblings at about age 10 – old enough to believe in Jesus, but not old enough
to comprehend its significance. My confirmation classes several years later
focused more on church history and the meaning of religious symbols than on dedicating
myself to Christ. Neither baptism nor confirmation changed my heart or life.
with a sprinkling of water and teens confirm this baptism. I was baptized along
with my siblings at about age 10 – old enough to believe in Jesus, but not old enough
to comprehend its significance. My confirmation classes several years later
focused more on church history and the meaning of religious symbols than on dedicating
myself to Christ. Neither baptism nor confirmation changed my heart or life.
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| Holly’s Baptism |
Now that Jesus is the center of my life,
these traditions feel unsatisfying. I prefer the powerful symbolism of complete
immersion by a mature believer. Under the water we join Christ in death, dying
to our sinful life. We arise from the water a new creation, beginning a life
surrendered to Him.
these traditions feel unsatisfying. I prefer the powerful symbolism of complete
immersion by a mature believer. Under the water we join Christ in death, dying
to our sinful life. We arise from the water a new creation, beginning a life
surrendered to Him.
With His baptism, Jesus dedicated
Himself to the task ahead and began His ministry. Just putting my feet in the
water where Jesus was baptized was exciting, but witnessing adult believers
commit themselves to God in this special place was overwhelming.
Himself to the task ahead and began His ministry. Just putting my feet in the
water where Jesus was baptized was exciting, but witnessing adult believers
commit themselves to God in this special place was overwhelming.
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| The Jordan River |
Oh the unforgettable joy we
celebrated on the banks of the Jordan!
celebrated on the banks of the Jordan!
What is your baptism tradition?
If you experienced a believer’s baptism, would you share
your story?
your story?
#SeedsOfScripture #Israel
#P31HolyLand #JordanRiver #Baptism @LysaTerKeurst
#P31HolyLand #JordanRiver #Baptism @LysaTerKeurst
2 Comments
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Spend a few minutes to plant a quick Seed. Or stay longer and plant a whole garden.
How exciting to be baptized where Jesus was baptized. The first time I was baptize I did not know what I was doing and what it meant. I was at summer camp and thought I was going swimming with my clothes on. 3 months after Salvation I went through a 4 week course on the meaning of baptism, was baptized in a church baptismal, gave my testimony and knew beyond any shadow of a doubt that I was His.
I don't think my denomination would allow a second baptism. I wish there were some sort of rededication ceremony. Neither my baptism nor my confirmation were true believer events. I admire those who are baptized as adults, especially by immersion. It's so incredibly powerful!