Just a week ago, my girlfriend just got baptised and confirmed by the church. She has been a Christian for 2 years and through this baptism service, she has made publically declared her faith. I would like to pose questions to those who are reading this. For those who were baptised, what was your feeling after baptism? As you turn around to face the congregation of the church who supported you through their applause, how did you feel? As for myself, I felt happy and joyful whenever people receive their baptism.
It can be described by the feeling of ushering a new born into the community of saints. Christians are people in the same community. Paul has said that we form many parts of the body of Christ. Some of us may be at the head, arms, legs and so on so forth. If one part refuses to function, the whole community suffers.
Listen to the words of God in Luke 15:3-7
"Then Jesus told them this parable: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbours together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."
I see an underlying question. Why should I rejoice for him and not for me? That has happened to you already, it should happen for the others as yourself. Would you want that person to experience the same joy as you had many years ago? This is not thinking for yourself but for others.
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