Baptism

Our church enjoyed a BBQ and Worship service at a park near our church Sunday afternoon and evening. The day was concluded with the baptizing of 8 brothers and sisters in Christ. The highlight of the day, for me, was watching my Pastor baptize his son. I'm getting teary-eyed thinking about it right now! My earthly father did not baptize me, he had not yet surrendered to the ministry when I became a Christian. He did, however baptize two of my sisters. I did not have the maturity to appreciate how intimate and tender such a moment can be to a family. What a privilege to baptize your own child; to help him/her share their testimony like that. Even if his son doesn't fully appreciate the significance of sharing that moment with his dad, he will one day.

Although I wasn't able to share that moment with my earthly father, my Heavenly Father baptized me with something even better than water. The Holy Spirit!

John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:5, NLT

And the Holy Spirit is God Himself, living in us, empowering us to do things we could never do on our own!

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8, NLT

The word translated as "power" here, is the Greek word transliterated as "dunamis." I remember my dad saying it is the same root word we get the word "dynamite" from. It means:

strength power, ability; inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth; power for performing miracles; moral power and excellence of soul; the power and influence which belong to riches and wealth; power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts.

We have power, through the Holy Spirit living in us, to do amazing things for God! We have power to live a morally excellent life! We have power to influence the world for His glory!

So, why aren't we exercising that power? I am as guilty of that whole, "We live in a lost, depraved world. Come, Jesus, come!" mentality as the next guy. I know sin will always be a factor until Jesus comes. I also know satan has a stronghold here. But that isn't the end of it. I just wonder what would happen if we actually believed what God's word says is true and acted accordingly. It's something to think about, but, more importantly, I hope it is something we would ACT upon.