It is rather odd that we dunk people in a tank of water, unless there is more to it than dunking people in water. We believe Jesus Christ is the Lord. He told us to make disciples and to baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. And, He said that we are to teach His followers to observe all the things that He commanded. So, we baptize because Jesus told us to, and because of what it means. To be baptized in water is a symbol of our immersion into life with the Triune God. If we are one with Him then we should look like Him. If we bear His image, we should reflect His image, and that requires a knowledge of what that image looks like. Teaching what Christ commanded is not complicated but sometimes it is hard to do. It requires humility, love and a commitment to the glory of God. One could say that baptism is a disciple’s public commitment to continued obedience to Christ. It is also a time for celebration. Think of it, believers are a part of the family of God! Forever! Moving from death to life, from darkness to light, from bound to free and from orphan to dearly loved child should be celebrated. We intend to observe baptism and celebrate new life this coming Sunday, it’s not odd—it is beautiful. To God be the glory; as it was in the beginning, is now, and evermore will be.