David M. Ramsey recalled the following words, as spoken by the Baptist preacher E. R. Carswell, before baptizing several candidates in the Rocky River, Anderson County, South Carolina.
“And then, closing the book, the preacher said something like this: ‘Our Lord must have walked some forty miles across the desert country to come down to the Jordan to be baptized by John in the river. Jesus, calm and silent and unrecognized, had been working in the carpenter’s shop in Nazareth, but now he leaves these duties to enter upon his vast labors as the World’s Redeemer. First he must be baptized in the Jordan. Here stands his baptism on the threshold of his life-work. It was a solemn hour and tender experience, for Jesus Himself said it was necessary for him to be baptized to fulfill all righteousness. I know not all the deep meaning of that utterance. By example and precept he has taught us that it is our duty to be baptized, and I think if we love him it should be pleasant to keep his commandments.”
Excerpted from Baptist Why and Why Not, pp. 399-400.
No comments:
Post a Comment