This is a short 5-minute Christian baptism ceremony. This ceremony emphasizes the symbolic nature of Christian baptism rather than any inherent power of the water itself. It highlights the belief that baptism represents an internal spiritual transformation already experienced by individuals who have accepted Jesus Christ. The ceremony features a personal testimony from Daniel, who recounts his journey from a superficial understanding of faith, driven by fear of hell, to a genuine conversion marked by repentance and a desire to live according to Christian teachings. His story illustrates the concept of salvation through grace and the subsequent desire to actively pursue a life of faith, using the analogy of the armor of God to describe his commitment.

This evening, if you haven't been before, we do baptisms here Sunday nights. And I'm reminded of 2 Corinthians 5:17. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come.

This water is not special in any way. It's water just like normal water. But it does represent something that has already taken place in the lives of the people who will step in here in a moment. These three young people have been made new. So God has changed their hearts and because of that we get to see it manifest in a changed life. That's what Jesus offers all of those who believe in him in faith. It's faith to see and to acknowledge his truth and then to walk in that truth. And tonight we have the privilege of hearing of that in the lives of three of our young people.

And I'd love to begin this evening by introducing you to Daniel.

Hello, my name is Daniel Williamson. I've always grown up in the church and I've always had an understanding of the right things. I knew to obey my parents, knew to obey my leaders, knew to read the Bible, but I never did it to be to be holy and righteous under God.

In small groups, I would show off my quote-unquote knowledge of God, but never actually committed to my own words. I was full of pride and arrogance, thinking I knew everything and I didn't need to bother about this Jesus thing. I just treated it like another school subject.

However, I was scared that if hell was real, I'd be in it. So, I prayed the prayer. So, I was saved, right? No. I had no assurance. I had nights when I would wake up in a cold sweat knowing I was still hellbound. So I would pray the prayer over and over again, hoping it would be enough and truly thinking it was.

In the summer of 2022, I went to Camp Region with a heart still selfish and filled with sin. But that camp gave me the exact opposite of what my heart wanted at the time. After listening to a sermon about true repentance, I thought of the severity of where my life was heading. As I was pondering the last song of the night, it started to play Rock of Ages.

I heard the lyrics which said,

"Not the labors of my hands can fulfill the law's demands. Would my zeal no respit no could my tears forever flow. All for sin could not atone. Thou must save and thou alone. Nothing in my hand I bring simply to the cross I cling. Naked come to thee. for dress, helpless look to thee for grace.

After hearing those words sung all around me, I cried out to my God to save me from utter despair. My sin was defeated by God's grace alone in Christ alone. My heart changed from fulfilling my flesh to striving and seeking after Jesus, wanting to become more like him every day.

I knew my Lord and Savior who shed his own blood was the ultimate payment for my sin that he had saved. with me. Ever since, I have wanted to know who my savior is more and more. I listen to sermons, read the scriptures to understand more of him. Unlike my past prayers of quote unquote salvation, my life has changed dramatically. I strive to live out my new life in Christ with the full armor of God.

The belt I use to seek the truth of the gospel in everyday life. The breastplate of righteousness makes me strive to be more like Christ. Shoes for the readiness to walk the path of the gospel. The shield of faith that has helped me to lean on God to extinguish the fearful darts of the devil. The helmet of salvation that reminds me of who my God is and to know he is my everlasting savior. Lastly, the sword of the spirit which I have used to guide me and direct my path to worship Christ my Lord.

Jesus Christ is the son of God sent down for us to be fully God and fully man to be the appreciation for our sins. This is the good news for me, a sinner, and I want to live the rest of my life telling others of God's great mercy and love enough to save me and all who believe.

Daniel, so many share your testimony beginning with fear. And I think if anyone acknowledges what hell is, nobody wants to go there. But that's not enough. Perfect love is able to cast out fear. And so, it's Jesus's love for you that's brought you to this place. It's my joy tonight to baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

❤️❤️❤️

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