New Lights

Yesterday was our third meeting in the village where 4 teams of Texans built shelters for 70 families and gave out building materials to many more. One hundred thirty villagers gathered for our first meeting (previous blog entry), about a hundred for the second meeting last Saturday, and about 70 yesterday. Declining numbers are typical and we use this to find those who sincerely want to follow Jesus. At the end of the first 2 meetings, I ask for a show of hands of those who were ready to commit their lives to Christ. At each meeting, at least half raised their hands.

But experience has taught us that there is a big difference between acknowledging Christ as Savior and trusting Him as Lord, between raising my hand for Him verses giving my life to Him. Belief in God is easy; Satan believes in God. But God reserves His Holy Spirit only for those who openly confess their need for Him and willingness to obey Him in whatever He asks. That’s what baptism is for.

So yesterday, after presenting the gospel from a different perspective, instead of asking for a show of hands, I explained baptism. In a Roman Catholic culture, baptism is a big deal. Baptized as babies, it’s how one is cleansed from original sin and brought into the Catholic Church. Of course, we explain how Jesus was baptized as a man, not a baby, to demonstrate obedience, not to wash away sin, since Jesus had no sin to wash away. Religion had nothing to do with His baptism, but had everything to do with showing obedience.

I explained that the ocean was just 20 feet away. Raising hands is easy, but being put under dirty water with all your clothes on and everyone watching was something else. Eight people indicated their willingness to prove their obedience. So, we walked down to the beach and waded out into the water where each one was baptized. Others seemed willing, but hesitated. So we offered to provide another opportunity next Saturday for those willing to prove their obedience.

Please pray: For the 8 who were baptized. Even before they were out of the water, some on the shore were making comments that these 8 were being disloyal to the Catholic Church. They will surely face verbal persecution and possibly some form of physical discrimination in the days ahead for their decision. As we warn every new believer, Satan will be ready with his attack as well, just as happened to Jesus after His baptism.

Please pray for those who were hesitant, that by next Saturday they will hesitate no longer. After next Saturday, we will gather those who were baptized and this will be the start of the first church in this village of several hundred families. Our Christian workers in the nearby city will begin training the new church to grow in their relationship with the Lord and to become ‘lights’ in a place that, until now, had no light.