by Warren Baldwin

A man is stumbling through the woods drunk when he comes upon a preacher baptizing people in the river. He proceeds to walk into the water and bumps into the preacher. The preacher turns and is almost overcome by the smell of alcohol, whereupon he asks the drunk, "Are you ready to find Jesus?" The drunk answers, "Yes, I am." So the preacher grabs him and dunks him. He pulls him up and asks the drunk, "Brother, have you found Jesus?"

The drunk replies, "No, I haven't found Jesus." The preacher, shocked at the answer, dunks him again for a little longer. He pulls him out and asks again, "Have you found Jesus, my brother?" The drunk again answers, "No, I haven't found Jesus."

By this time the preacher is at his wits' end and dunks the drunk again -- but this time holds him down for about 30 seconds. When he begins flailing and kicking, the preacher pulls him up. The preacher again asks the drunk, "Finally, my friend, have you found Jesus?" The drunk wipes his eyes and catches his breath and says to the preacher, "Are you sure this is where he fell in?"

Humor sometimes is more serious than it is funny.

I wonder how many people have been baptized based on someone else's decision or influence? I bet the number is pretty high, actually. A child or young teen is baptized because "everyone else is" at this age. A young man or woman is baptized because the person they are dating strongly encourages it. A person is baptized because he has heard a stirring lesson about baptism and is convinced that "If I am baptized Jesus will take away all of my problems."

Some people being baptized may be as willing as the drunk in the story. And they may not have any more understanding than he did, either.

The Bible teaches that baptism is a response of faith of someone seeking a relationship with God. Preceding baptism is the conviction that Jesus is the son of God, and that he came from the Father to reach out to people who are lost and struggling in this life. Jesus is the offer of God to enter a saving relationship with the Father.

Baptism says, "Yes, I believe, and I am ready to act on that belief." Several statements in the Bible indicate how important this decision is ... and not just this decision, but rather this DESIRE to enter into relationship with God. Baptism is to wash away sins. It is to clothe oneself with Christ. To be granted a clear conscience for having obeyed God. To become part of the family of God.

None of these aspects of baptism are insignificant. They are all important, which is why baptism deserves more attention and thought than the drunk being dipped against his will by an overly zealous preacher.

One writer described baptism as the believer's wedding ceremony. Just as the wedding ceremony and the "I do" statement seal the marital relationship, so baptism is like the sealing of a relationship with God. Neither the wedding ceremony nor baptism IS the relationship. They are merely the public demonstration of the commitment to another taking place in one's life. But that public demonstration is incredibly important.

Don't just stumble into baptism. Don't let someone else decide FOR you when the proper time is for you to enter this relationship with God. The "I do" statement of marriage, followed by the kiss, and the "I believe Jesus Christ is the son of God" statement, followed by baptism, are entry points into two very important relationships. They are both decisions and relationships to be made and entered into BY YOU when you are ready. Enter prayerfully. But, please, enter.