> So. If you've been baptized, what was it like? When was it (i.e. as a baby so you don't remember or by choice when you were older)? How do you feel it has changed your relationship with God?


Baptism was a completely exhilirating experience. It changed my life in a profound way, particularly because baptism is what puts us into Christ and gives us "new life". I was quite a bit younger than I am today--nine-years-old, to be specific--but I fully realized the import of what I was doing. I felt as if a weight had been lifted from me, and in fact it had. Sin is a terribly heavy burden and baptism, a symbol of Christ's death, is what takes that away. Well, not the physical act of baptism, but "the answer of a good conscience toward God". It changed my relationship with God profoundly. Basically, I realized that my sin(and it took realizing that it was my OWN PERSONAL SIN SPECIFICALLY)was what made it necessary for Jesus to become my sin sacrifice. When that fully hit me I realized that, as much as I loved God and as much as God loved me, I could never be justified before Him without obedience to his will. Baptism, being the commandment of Jesus "to be saved", was my next logical step. I can't say I'm totally different. I can't even say I act mostly different. But I've "put on Christ" and I try to "walk in the light" so now the "blood of Jesus Christ cleanses [me] from all sin". I know I've quoted a lot of scripture, but since it's a biblical matter, I took that as an appropriate occassion. If you want the references for any of that I'll be glad to give them to you.

Shan-Galatians 2:20 is a good one too-dar