As many of you likely know, I was due to be baptised as a Christian this morning at the Baptist church I have been attending since just after I disassociated from the Jehovahs Witnesses. Well, I did the deed at just after 11:30 this morning, when I stepped into a batism pool for the second time in my life, almost 46 years after the first time I did it.
I can't really remember how I felt when I was baptised as a JW, it is so long ago, I was only 14 at the time, but I remember that my parents were very proud of me at the time. This time, I remember it all. We opened the Service with "Amazing Grace", which is one of my favourites, and I noticed that my friends Trev and Linda were joining in the singing, somewhat to my surprise, especially Trev, there may be hope for him yet! After a prayer, there was a short discourse from the guest speaker, who spoke about the importance of having a Christian faith nowadays, and a couple of testimonies from young church members. After another hymn "Come To The Saviour, Make No Delay", and a prayer, I stepped into a baptism pool for the second time in my life, this time much more aware of the commitment I was making. The meeting chairman made a few brief remarks which I couldn't really hear as I was changing back into my clothes in the back room, and the service ended with the hymn "Baptised Into Thy Name Most Holy".
I am so happy today, because now I feel that I am doing what God really wants me to do, and worshipping Him in the way He wants to be worshipped. After all those years of attending the Kingdom Hall, I have found services at the Baptist Church so joyful and uplifting in comparison. The congregation there are genuinely loving and genuinely friendly, they don't base their feelings towards others on how many meetings they attend, they are just happy to see people when they are there. Linda and even Trev, who hasn't been to a Church in years apart from weddings and funerals, noticed how different the atmosphere is there compared to JW meetings, though they have no plans to come again as yet. I was sort of happy as a JW for most of the time, but looking back there was always that fear that I imagine most Witnesses have of offending Jehovah somehow, without even realising it, and missing out on the new system. Now I have found the true path to God, I have no such fear, just joy at having finally found my way after all those years of being on the wrong road. I feel so liberated these days, as I finally experience true Christian freedom. After almost 60 years in the darkness, I am finally walking in the light.
love
Marion