By Karen O’Connor:
It’s never too late to be baptized, to celebrate faith in Jesus Christ and your commitment to following Him. You can be baptized anywhere . . . even in the Pacific Ocean!
On a recent Sunday afternoon my husband and I were finding God in baptism in the Pacific Ocean during our church’s annual Baptism at the Beach. We were baptized in the sea along with seventy-eight other people.
I had been baptized as an infant and my husband as a young boy. But this year we wanted to make a public display of our faith, and acknowledge God’s grace in our lives over the past thirty years we have been followers of Jesus Christ.
The water was cold, but I hardly noticed because I was so excited about this important step I had decided to take. As I went under the water, I buried my old life of sin. As I came up, I rejoiced in being cleansed and resurrected into a renewed life in Christ. It was quite an experience—one I won’t forget.
Baptism is not an obligation. It’s a privilege. And I am so grateful I acted on the prompting I felt in my spirit and had learned from the Bible.
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38 NIV Bible).
Our pastor then sent us off with the beautiful verses from Proverbs 3:5-6.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Finding God in baptism in the Pacific Ocean was a milestone in my life. I encourage anyone who wants to follow God and to lead a righteous and grace-filled life in Jesus Christ to take this step of faith.
Enjoy this informative YouTube video showing a married couple participating in an ocean Baptism together similar to the experience my husband and I shared.
©Karen O’Connor. Karen is an author, writing mentor, and frequent contributor to the Finding God Daily blog. Visit Karen on the web at www.karenoconnor.com, on Facebook as http://www.facebook.comkaren.p.oconnor or Twitter @karenoconnor
Karen, that is just exhilirating, imagining being baptized in the Pacific Ocean! What a wonderful testimony of faith. I was filled with the Holy Spirit and baptized at the age of 13 (on a cold January day in a non-heated baptistry .. brrrr), but what a life-changing experience!