The Beauty of Baptism

This past weekend I had the absolute honor and privilege of watching my husband get baptized and then turn around and baptize our two sons. It was such an amazing experience to watch my husband lead our family spiritually through baptism. It is my greatest wish in life that our children would give their hearts to Jesus and to live out a life that demonstrates that decision. Over the past few years all of our children have come to make the decision to give their hearts to the Lord. Harper made the decision to get baptized a couple of years ago, and the boys decided recently they wanted to as well.
We do not believe that baptism is what saves you, but a relationship with Jesus. Romans 3:3 tells us “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 6:23 continues on “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” And finally Romans 10:9 states “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” The Bible lays out salvation very simply for us. Confess and believe.
Baptism for us is an act of obedience. Jesus himself was baptized. He also commands us to do the same. To us, baptism is an outward expression of an inward faith. It’s celebrating the decision we have made to follow Jesus.
After my boys and Tim were baptized, there was a pair of teenagers. One of them baptized his friend. After they walked behind stage, they both stood there embracing each other crying. I hadn’t lost it up until that point, but that’s what did me in and the tears from my eyes started flowing. I have no idea what their story is, but it was evident God was moving and working in a mighty way in their lives. My kids got to witness this moment as well and as we left church that day, Owen told me that he wants to baptize his friends some day as well.
I have loved getting to watch my children grown in their faith and I look forward to what the future holds. I know God is starting a work in each of them and he’s got great plans. I pray that my children will continue to live a life that points others to Jesus and his saving grace and that they will never doubt how much God loves them.