Spontaneous Baptisms

Spontaneous baptisms. I've never heard that term before. You must admit that it's pretty cool and makes you want to find out more about it. I was able to experience it on Sunday. Or observe it at the least. And it moved me.

John 5:4 - After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain time (season) into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had.

I'm not sure about an angel stirring a pool but I do know that my heart was moved. Maybe even parts of my heart healed. A congregation unapologetically challenged to step out of the boat. To step out of their comfort zones. And to walk on the water. For those who had never been baptized, to make the step that day.

Pastor Steven Furtick talked about how God can be a bully. I couldn't agree more. He will pursue your heart like no other! He will put you in positions and ordain a time for things to happen. And in those times, the decision is ours to do something. He challenged those who had never been baptized to seize the day. Not to wait.

Every excuse someone might have for not being baptized was addressed. So the enemy had no seeds of doubt to plant and people had no reason to put it off. Clothes to change into were provided down to socks and underwear (and even maxi pads!) . You name it, it was covered. I thought, "That's pretty cool." And then the invitation to be baptized came. And many, many people responded.

Then Miriam and I wept. I thank God for just being able to observe people's decisions to receive salvation and be baptized that day. A couple sitting next to us went together. We saw a young boy grab the hand of his grandfather to walk with him. We saw young and old. From all backgrounds. And it was refreshing.

So a pool may not have been stirred by angels, but my heart was stirred by spontaneous baptisms.