The Distillery Church

Baptism at the Distillery

Baptism at the Distillery

They told me to just wear a t-shirt and a regular pair of pants and to show up early for the service that Sunday. I was unsure of what to expect. All I knew was that at some point in my first few weeks of hanging out with these people, they seemed to have this special something that is hard to describe. A friendship, but even more than that an overall concern for each other as well as other people — all of that and a connection with the God of my childhood, Jesus.

I wanted to be part of that. I wanted to be a member. I was not too aware of much else as I walked down the platform in front of around 300 people. My vision was focused on the opening in the floor of the platform that was usually covered by carpet, but this morning it was exposing a small water tank that could have been confused for a children’s swimming pool.

The Pastor was standing there hip-deep in the water facing me, dressed in a t-shirt and blue jeans. He was smiling as I approached. I walked down the stairs into the square pool and he said “How are you?” I could hear his voice overhead on the speakers since he was wearing a microphone.

“Okay”

The Pastor looked up at the crowd and said with a chuckle, “He said, ‘okay.’”

Suddenly I was aware of the circle of friends and family in the audience because they were laughing at me, but not in a mean way. It was in a loving sort of way that said to me how proud they were of me and my decision to be baptized.

The Pastor then said to me “John Martinez, have you made a decision to follow Jesus?”

“Yes sir,” I said.

“Tell me why you want to be baptized.”

I smiled at him and said, “Because I want to follow Jesus and be part of all that is going on here.”

The crowd was silent as the Pastor prepared by moving to my left side and turning so that he was facing the church. At this point my right side was turned towards the crowd as the Pastor put a hand on my shoulder.

“Then John, based on the commands of Jesus and your confession today, I now baptize you in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”

Then he leaned me backwards and I descended into the warm kiddy pool water. Silence. It was so quiet under that water. All I could hear were a few bubbles rushing to the surface. I remembered what they told me about how this part of baptism was a lot like the silence of the grave during the three days after Jesus was killed. I remember in those few moments feeling like all of the bad stuff about me was dying there in the water.

Going under the water was sort of like when he died, except for us it is our way of saying that we are dead to our own ways — ways that our different than what God would have for us. Likewise, coming out of the water was a lot like Jesus rising from the dead on that third day. We are now alive to what God wants for us. We have entered a new way of life that involves working together with God to love others and to do good.

I remember feeling like I was leaving behind past sins and other mean things that I had said and done. As I rose from the water that day I felt like a new man. I was only 16, so I wasn’t quite a man yet, but you get the picture. I felt like God was giving me a second chance to follow him and to be a part of his church. I will never forget that day back in 1982 in that church back in Texas.

The word “Baptism” has many meanings to many different churches, groups and organizations. At the Distillery, we use Baptism as a way of accomplishing 3 main things:

1. Symbolic Cleansing – To represent the death to our own ways and the new life in God that we are pursuing afterwards.

2. Membership – To signify that we are choosing to follow Jesus and are now members of the Kingdom of God that exists right now and lasts forever.

3. Obedience – To follow Jesus’ command in Matthew (28:19) where he tells His church to “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

What can I expect at my baptism?

Expect it to be very much like my baptism. One of the folks form our church will be standing in the water waiting for you to arrive. You should wear comfortable clothing that you are not worried about getting wet. As you get into the water be thinking about what you will say to the following question(s): “have you chosen to follow Jesus?” “What made you decide to follow Jesus?” “How long have you been following Jesus?” The pastor or friend baptizing you should tell you ahead of time the question they will ask.

Then, the pastor or friend might say “…based on your confession today and according to Jesus’ command I now baptize you in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” Then they will dunk you in the water in a way that won’t get water up your nose or make you feel scared. When you come out of the water, people will be very excited for you and so you may hear clapping and shouting. Don’t let that worry you, they are just very excited for you and support your decision to follow Jesus and be a part. Afterwards you are welcome to go and get dry clothes on that you have brought with you.

If you have any other questions about Baptism or any other matter at the Distillery feel free to talk to one of the pastors about it.