Why was I Baptised?

By David    25th April 2001    0 responses
Part of the series

One of the highlights of my life was when I was baptised at Eld Lane Baptist Church in Colchester on January 14th 2001. Although I had known Jesus for ten years, I had never been baptised.

I grew up in China, and, whilst I am now studying in England, still regard China as my home. Growing up in China, it seemed inevitable that the people of my generation would witness at first hand a great change in our nation. China was undergoing a lot of changes – the end of the command economy of socialism in the 1970s; the increasingly developing market-oriented socialism in the 1980s; and the confused socialism of the 1990s. The turning point was in 1989.

Many of you will no doubt have heard of the Tiananmen Square demonstration of the 4th June 1989, which saw the deaths of many people. Things went horribly wrong, and what happened was totally unexpected. I was studying law at college at the time, and took part in what I regarded as a peaceful demonstration for democracy. I had never dreamt that we would be suppressed with real bullets by the so-called People’s Liberation Army. You might understand the shock and disappointment I had at that particular time.

Fortunately, I was shortly afterwards introduced to the good news about the Lord God. When I spoke to people at a church, I discovered that God might be the saviour of this world. He seemed to present me with the truth that I had been demonstrating for in Tiananmen Square. However, when considering the issue of baptism, I was very worried about my safety. With the exception of the 3-self churches and their membership, the other churches and the believers are regarded as being “underground” – that is to say we have no legal identity if we are not members of the churches controlled by the government. When a person publicly announces that they are a Christian, it is viewed as speaking out against the government. I had to think very carefully, and tried to keep these thoughts out of my mind. I will freely admit that I was very scared about declaring my Christian faith.

I knew, though, that I could have a good relationship with God personally, in a secret way. But the more I got to know Jesus Christ, and the truth of our salvation, and the more I engaged in the daily life of a Christian, the harder I found it to stay quiet. This was especially the case when I witnessed at first hand the miracles he conducted in my life, and also those in the lives of others. I could not help giving him my sincere thanks, and dreamt of being able to lead my life so that others could witness the dedication I had to Christ.

Then a great miracle was worked in my life – the Lord God arranged for me the opportunity to study in the UK. Since arriving in England, I have been so blessed. I have been able to enjoy true freedom of worship, but also the boundless love and encouragement of Jesus Christ through his English servants. I therefore decided that it was the proper time for me to make the most important decision of my life – I decided to be baptised.

Though I am very unsure of my future, I at least know one thing: no matter what kind of hardship or difficulty I may have to encounter, with God’s love and strength, he will always make a way for me. I pray that God will keep me in his holy presence faithfully, and humbly, forever.

May God our father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

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