by Valerie J Routhieaux

Created on: May 23, 2009   Last Updated: May 24, 2009

Baptism: An Outward Expression of an Inward Commitment

I read the top two articles in this debate. I have my opinions about both of them. One thing I can easily determine from both articles is that neither of the writers are Christians.

Should a child choose to be baptized? The simple answer is yes, but for none of the reasons given in either of the articles I had the privilege to read.

I grew up in a denomination where I was baptized at two weeks old. I lived my childhood in that denomination. I went to church every Sunday, and when I was old enough for school, I went to a parochial school. Did I fault my parents for sending me to a school that allowed me the privilege to know my Lord Jesus Christ? Did I fault my parents for baptizing me as an infant? Did I fault my parents for taking me to church every Sunday? No.

I didn't know I wasn't a Christian until I was in my twenties. I still went to church and Sunday School every Sunday, not because I had to but because I wanted to. But one day I was confronted with the possibility I wasn't a Christian. I found out there was a lot more to being a Christian than going to church every Sunday, knowing some really great Bible verses I learned in school, praying at every meal, and being baptized as an infant.

Being a Christian is having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It's wanting to spend time with Him every waking moment. It's talking to Him no matter where you are. It's being with other believers, getting encouragement through something as simple as a hug or smile. It's knowing that you know that you know that you know everything is going to be all right because God has the solution already worked out. All we have to do is trust and believe.

When I became a Born Again Christian, the first thing I wanted to do was be baptized. Baptism is an outward expression of an inward commitment. For me it was more than obeying Jesus command to be baptized it was saying yes to doing His will every day of my life for as long as I live. Will I succeed in that? No. There have been many times when I wanted to do God's will my way. When I realized His way was better, I asked His forgiveness and got back on track with Him.

I no longer belong to a denominational church, but I do belong to a Christian church. What do I mean by that? I mean the church I belong to teaches the Bible as the inspired infallible word of God. I don't look at my rights as dictated by a government,

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