BAPTISM

Last Sunday my seven year old granddaughter, Olivia Grace Ellington, was baptized. The baptismal service was at 4 p.m. at North Point Community Church (www.northpoint.org), where her family attends and are members.North Point is unusual to say the least. In November 1995 Andy Stanley cast the vision for a new church. He said, "Atlanta does not need another church. What Atlanta does need is a safe environment where the unchurched can come and hear the life-changing truth that Jesus Christ cares for them and died for their sin."

Currently, North Point Ministries has over 17,000 adults participating in worship at three campuses each Sunday. In addition, over 5,000 children meet in small groups while their parents attend worship.

The baptismal service cranked up with lively music led by a rock band. Flashing colored lights and huge video screens complemented the scene. All of the twenty baptismal candidates at this service were between the ages of six to fourteen.

Just before each candidate was baptized the video screen showed their testimony in their own words of how they became a Christian, why they wanted to be baptized, and their favorite Bible story or verse.

Wow! It was impressive to see and hear the truth flow from the mouths of these kids! I am reminded of the words recorded in Matthew’s account of the Good News of Christ.

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me.” (Matthew 18:1-5)

But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He had done, and the children who were shouting in the temple, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they became indignant and said to Him, "Do You hear what these children are saying?" And Jesus said to them, "Yes; have you never read, `OUT OF THE MOUTH OF INFANTS AND NURSING BABIES YOU HAVE PREPARED PRAISE FOR YOURSELF'?" (Matthew 21:15-16)

After all the new believers were baptized they came on the stage. Parents and family and friends were invited to scatter over the stage with their newly baptized child and have prayer with them.

Then everyone was invited to a great hall that was decorated with colorful balloons. There was a gift bag for each child. Family and friends could sit at the tables and enjoy cake and punch.

Olivia had her little friends and some grown up neighbors present, as well as her relatives. Her grandparents and great-grandmother from Texas even came for the event. All in all it was a wonderful and joyful celebration of new life!