1. The Pastor's Son
Steve was in a dilemna. He knew for sure that he had not yet repented of his sins truly from his heart to take water baptism, but the pressure on him from family and church was tremendous. He was 18 now and was in this Bible believing Church since he was a child. His father was the pastor of the Church where the congregation averaged 200 every Sunday.His father was a dynamic preacher and committed to Christ and his kingdom. His mother was devout too and he had heard from her many times how she fasted and prayed that he may take water baptism. He disliked hearing that and would evade her questions saying that there was still time.
He had given many excuses and postponed the event, but his father was adamant now that he be baptized before the new year began, which was only a couple of months away. His father's ire was more so because the associate pastor's children who were younger than his son had already been baptized. It was like an insult to him, that being the pastor, his 18 year old son had not yet been baptized.
The year inched away to it's end and so did Steve's father's patience. He was unduly quiet lately and Steve knew that it was not a good sign. The turmoil in his heart increased each day. His Bible reading was erratic, his prayers minimal and worship was limited to his work on the key board each Sunday and a couple of songs at family prayer each night. He did not feel guilty inside him and seeing movies on TV with the ever available dish channels was his passion. No one knew of this part of his life though because he was discreet and did it in the privacy of his room using head phones so that no sound leaked out.
Finally the last week of the year arrived. A baptism ceremony had been scheduled for a few converts who were passionate about Jesus. His father's ever increasing silent, stern glances pierced his heart mercilessly and he decided to put an end to the matter. He informed his mother about his decision of taking the baptism. She was overjoyed and his father heaved a sigh of relief when she broke the news to him. The baptism was scheduled at 8.30 am, last Sunday of the year. There would be the 1st communion for the newly baptized.
Steve had witnessed many baptisms. All he had to do was nod and answer in the affirmative when the pastor asked the questions and he had memorized a couple of sentences as testimony. Nothing to worry about. The fasting prayers in the church commenced. Steve was there allright, but his thoughts were on the block-buster movie to be aired that night on Channel X.
The night prior to the baptism, Steve sat late into the night watching his favourite action movies, with his headphones in place. The baptism went on as scheduled. Steve had fooled everyone, except one ......God Almighty, his Creator.
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