Being Baptized

We learned in the process of becoming a member that you had to be baptized by submersion in this church to officially become a member.  There are other criteria to do, but one of the 6 or 7 areas is being baptized.  Tony was baptized as a baby in the Catholic church with sprinkling of water on the head.  I remember having the same sprinkling done for me, I think, when I was young in the Methodist Church and then when I was about 8 or 9 in a Baptist Church by submersion.  Then I was confirmed in 8th grade in the Methodist Church.  I enjoyed going to Church on Sundays for Sunday School, going to many mission/church camps, but I know that I believed in God, but he wasn't number 1 for me.  We also realized that by being baptized in this new church, that it would be during service in front of everyone.  We were both amazed, but ultimately, we were okay with it.  This church does something every year called D-Day which means Decision Day.  A chance for you to decide on various things you've been praying on or trying to make a decision.  When talking to my friend at Church, I asked her when Tony and I should get baptized and she said, 'what about D-Day' and honestly, it just felt right.  It was a couple weeks away and seemed almost appropriate. Tony agreed and when the Associate Pastor called to confirm a date of baptism, I told him D-Day and he was thrilled.  We haven't exclaimed it to the world that we are getting baptized and we do feel that it should be more of a private thing...but to those who we have let know about our new church and even about us being baptized, we did send them an invite for come support us and for lunch after wards.  We realize that religion is such a controversial subject and honestly, some people don't even want to talk about it.  Others, they are set in their ways and if you don't feel the same way they do, it is hard for them to be supportive. The issue that seems to be prevalent is that Tony is Catholic and was baptized as a baby by sprinkling of water.  However, according to the bible, a true baptism is by submersion into water.  I do believe this and I do see the metaphoric meaning behind it.  All of us on earth are sinners and we are dead, but when we take Christ into our hearts, we become alive again.  A baptism via submersion is an outward signification of a rebirth into a life of Christ.  When you go under the water, you are dead, but when you come out of the water...you are reborn and you are now truly alive.  There is word to be done to be a true Christian, but this is the beginning of the beginning. Now, this is how I see it and honestly I got chills writing it.  I know that some of Tony's family may not agree with his decision to get baptized because they say 'well, he already is baptized', but I want to say 'but what Church has he been going to' 'what Church do you go to' 'do you practice being Catholic?' 'has Tony gone to Church since he was in high school' and there is so much more that comes to my mind.  Am I being a bit defensive...certainly...should I give them grace....probably.  But it is so hard because religion is so controversial. I was baptized, I think twice.  One by sprinkling and one by submersion. That doesn't mean I'm a Christian.  Yes, I have prayed almost every day of my life, but that doesn't mean I am a Christian either.  When they say in the bible that you take off your old clothes and put on your new clothes daily when you become a true believer and follower of Christ, I believe it. Tony and I both think about that almost every day now.  When we want to lash out at someone cutting us off in traffic or something doesn't go our way...we think 'put off our old clothes' meaning put off your old ways of buying into sin and 'put on your new clothes' of seeing things through the eyes of God and giving grace or having patience, etc.  Just imagine if we all did that, the world would be a happier place. My point is that the decision for Tony to do this is 100% his own free will.  I have not made him feel obligated to attend church, to buy the bible he intently researched and couldn't wait to arrive, to attend the starting class, to be baptized...honestly, he got me through some of my issues. I was almost not sure how to feel and he comforted me by having his own faith that this feels right.  We have been a bit lost and now we want to be found.  We have an amazing life already, but we know we are truly blessed by God for all of these things.  Now it is time to embrace our true calling to live a life of Christ. Not when we pick and choose, but every day, all day. To be better at husband and wife. To be better parents. To be better works. To be better children. To serve God and give talents freely. To really believe that he is #1. To strive for righteousness all the rest of our days. I'm ready, how about you? So this Sunday, we are set for baptism. I'm scared, excited, and ready!