We have reached a place in our social and public discourse where I feel it is necessary to defend the Truth of our Christian faith. There is so much false theology, mockery, and ridicule of our faith, that it is hard to be heard above the cacophony of divisive voices. So, when an article came to my attention, entitled LGBTQIAAP2SN + Gay Sex Pride Cult Members undergo Sacrilegious 'De-Baptism' Ritual, I felt it was time to take a personal stand.
Let me start by saying that we all have been given free will by our Creator. And whatever one chooses regarding their sexual preference; or how (and if) they choose to worship or believe in God; and what their worldview is with respect to our responsibilities as human beings is all up to the individual. They have a choice. BUT, it is also my opinion that those decisions will have a profound effect on how we are rewarded in this life and the next.
The point of the article that I have alluded to is that those who gathered at a booth at the Lansing, Michigan LGBT Pride festival, engaged in a mock "de-baptism" ritual, designed to free them from what they felt was "forced" programming by the Church. A brief explanation of their grievances regarding Baptism is that many of the attendees were baptized as children without "informed spiritual consent", and they entwined that belief with their support for gender ideology under the banner of "Freedom of Expression".
The ritual of de-baptism, or un-baptism, is conducted with an unplugged hairdryer (labeled "reason") pointed at the person's head, while someone declares, "I dry [the] water from your head [that] you never consented to. Let guilt evaporate, and shame fall away. You are one. You are whole. You belong". One person described her de-baptism as "a moment of release and healing, writing, 'Dry, whole, and finally, by my own choice' ".
But here's an additional piece of information you need to know ... the article also mentions that these ritual ceremonies of de-baptizing have also become common among satanist groups. And Satan loves nothing more than to mock God and the institution of religion. Sadly, there is enough conflict and incongruity among the world's different forms of religion to cause anyone seeking true faith to question the various rituals and traditions. That being said, I brought this article to your attention as an opportunity to share the importance of Baptism in the Christian faith; it's spiritual purpose; and to reveal Jesus's teachings about it.
Historically speaking, Baptism has always signified a cleansing. And its important that we recognize that it did not begin with Christians. For years before Christ, the Jews had used baptism in ritual [and physical] cleansing ceremonies of Gentile converts. John the Baptist took baptism a step further and applied it to the Jews themselves. John came, making way for the Messiah, so he called for a baptism of repentance -- demonstrating a recognition of one's sin, a desire for spiritual cleansing, and a commitment to follow God's law [in anticipation of the Messiah's arrival]. With John's baptism, a person repented of their sin[s] and was ready to place his faith in Jesus Christ, who would soon be revealed as the Messiah. No wonder Satan and his followers are promoting a ritual of de-baptism and mocking the cleansing attributes of repentance that comes with dying to your sins and rising in Christ!
That is what is so beautiful about the Biblical recounting of John baptizing Jesus. It's a pivotal moment that models righteousness for us as believers. It also expresses the importance of discipleship and obedience. Jesus didn't treat it as an option when it came to following Him. And I've come to see it as the symbol of a new life; my declaration to the dark forces in the spiritual realms that I have chosen a side in the cosmic war in the heavens. Furthermore, it highlights that baptism is not just a physical act, but a spiritual transformation that takes place through the Holy Spirit.
Another reason that I see as Satan's efforts to mock Baptism is that Jesus emphasized how much it played an indispensable role in making disciples. It is a symbol of our new life in Christ when we declare our faith in Him, our allegiance to the Kingdom, and our obedience to His command to Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. Satan doesn't want us making new disciples for Christ, nor teaching them His ways.
I can imagine that Satan was none too pleased to hear Jesus point to John's baptism as a precuror to His own ministry, saying, John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Obedient followers of Christ, baptized with the Holy Spirit, [who would provide wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and the fear/reverence of the Lord] would result in some formidable opponents in both the physical and spiritual realms that Satan hoped to own.
At this point, I want to make a statement that is part of my own personal belief system, and I believe the Bible backs it up ... I do not believe that Baptism is a requirement for receiving the free gift of Salvation through your faith in Jesus Christ. Rather it is an expression of your deep abiding faith in Christ and what He has done for you on the Cross. Additionally, it is an act that symbolizes repentance and commitment to our faith. As we are immersed in the water of baptism, we publically identify with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection [as we come up out of the water]. Satan and his demonic followers have no question about who we belong to!!
One other point I'd like to make is in regards to who can baptize new believers. The modern Church often gets rigid in their denominational rules and rituals. Many declare that only an ordained pastor should be allowed to baptize. I disagree. As mentioned above, Jesus, Himself, tells His disciples to go and make more disciples, teaching them to baptize in His Name, and teaching them everything Jesus commanded. His disciples were ordinary common people and numbered far more than the twelve whose names we know. If baptism is for the purpose of spiritual rebirth, receiving the Holy Spirit, and declaring your commitment in faith to Jesus, it is God, the Lord and the Holy Spirit who will do the spiritual work in a person's life. They need someone on earth to be their hands to help new believers carry out this important part of their faith journey. Why limit the number of baptized people? Again, I'm sure Satan loves it when we, in the Church buildings, get in our own way.
And that brings me to my conclusion on this post ... it deeply saddens me to see the inroads that Satan has been able to make within the atheist, satanist, and rebellious [translated as denying Christ] LGBTQ+ communities. I pray that the Lord will be revealed to them so that they know Him personally and see the value in making a commitment to Him, whether they ever decide to be formally baptized or not. [However, I think that once they commit themselves to Chrsit, there will be a longing to identify with Him through baptism]. Jesus created them and He loves them, just as He loves me. But unless they come to repentance, they will never know the unfathomable depth of that Love. Satan only offers death and destruction. May they soon be confronted with that truth and turn towards the One who desires to wash away the pain and ugliness in their lives. The path He offers is easy and full of Light. Take that first step and He will meet you, I promise.
Romans 6:3-4. Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
