ENRICH PENTECOSTAL ∷ LEADERSHIP ENRICH LEADERSHIP CELEBRATING WATER BAPTISMS IN THE PAOC
“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit” (John 3:8)
“Upon your profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, I baptize you now, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Water baptism is one of two ordinances that we cherish as Pentecostals. A few months ago, I found my baptism certificate from January 25, 2004, and I reminisced about that special moment in my life—where I was baptized, who baptized me and what I felt before and after my baptism. As a pastor who has baptized many people over the years, I now understand how great a privilege it is to participate in this sacred activity. Over the last year, I have heard from various pastors and seen through social media that our churches are experiencing a spike in water baptisms. This is a key indicator of the spiritual health of our Fellowship. My own district collaborated with local churches to introduce the “Raised to Life Campaign” to be intentional about water baptism. As the theologically, spiritually and missionally vital people God has called us to be, we need to create a church culture where we invite people to be water baptized intentionally and often.
I have noticed that a lack of discipleship has resulted in delayed water baptism. We have made it optional instead of a priority, maybe because there is no “saving” element to it. We must encourage water baptism as the next step for a person who has committed their life to Christ. The act is symbolic of being dead to sin and becoming alive in Christ (Romans 6:4). As I connect with people, I have noticed that newer Christians are eager to get baptized. Older Christians often have various excuses as to why now is not the opportune time. Biblically, it was normative for Christians to come to saving faith in Christ and be baptized immediately after. Acts 8:35-36 provides us with a discipleship case study. Philip started by evangelizing in Acts 8:35, “Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.” Philip continued by baptizing him in Acts 8:36, “As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” According to this scenario, there is no time like the present! Have we complicated something that is a matter of simple obedience?
A few months ago, I led my church through an eight-week series on the Book of Ezekiel. Near the end, I preached a message on “The River of Life” based on Ezekiel 47, touching on three types of water: deep water, fresh water and living water. We had already planned to baptize 12 people that morning during our two services. During the week, I shared with my pastoral team that I felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to do something I had never done before—spontaneous baptisms. Making an invitation for spontaneous baptisms would require a step of faith, and we would need to have enough shirts and purchase additional shorts and towels in advance. With my team’s logistical support, after preaching, I boldly invited those who had not yet been baptized to respond. What happened next amazed us! Nine people chose to be baptized spontaneously that morning between our two services. The congregation was ecstatic, and the atmosphere was celebratory as each person shared their testimony publicly and experienced another spiritual milestone in their journey with Christ. Several commented that they had not taken this step previously because they could always talk themselves out of being baptized. In this case, the Word followed by immediate application gave them no time to over-analyze this act of simple obedience. I am reminded of the words penned by the Sons of Korah in Psalm 42:7, “Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.” What does this mean? I believe the deep things of God are calling out to the depths of our souls.
As you consider your church’s story when it comes to water baptism, I want to encourage you to establish meaningful rhythms in your church life but also to interrupt those rhythms with Spirit-led spontaneity. Trust the efficacy of God’s Word to move people forward in their discipleship journey instead of using force, guilt or manipulation. Exercise the gift of faith and prepare to be surprised. Simplify and streamline your discipleship process. Celebrate with other churches when they baptize a few or many.
You may remember in early 2023 the release of a movie called Jesus Revolution. It depicted and retold the story of Lonnie Frisbee and Chuck Smith, two individuals who were key figures in the spiritual awakening called the “Jesus Movement” that took place in California in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The movement was marked by thousands of water baptisms in Pirates Cove. If history is any indicator, the water baptisms that we are witnessing signal a spiritual awakening that is taking place within our very own Fellowship, not only in one location but across the nation of Canada. You and your church participate and contribute every time you baptize someone in water!
