Acts 16:33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized.

This verse has been at the foundation of my policy of not waiting to baptize someone when they make a profession of faith, but the situation bears close examination. In the first place, the jailer had a strong sense of crisis. Someone who is actively considering suicide is not playing around! In the second place, there had been a supernatural manifestation, in this case an earthquake that had freed all the prisoners. In the third place, there was an awareness of personal guilt/sin, because the jailer had treated Paul and Silas harshly. These three things combined to make the jailer very open to life-changing commitment. However, his whole household was included in this. Some of them were doubtless weaker in some areas of motivation than the jailer was, but they had all felt the earthquake and seen the results, and they heard the Gospel presentation along with the jailer. Also, Paul and Silas had gained considerable spiritual authority, so to speak, by their response to their suffering. Their attitude and actions as they were mistreated probably made quite an impression on all who saw what was going on. All of this generated a group dynamic that swept everyone into the kingdom of God and made baptism very appropriate.

From my failure to consider all the conditions surrounding this particular story of baptism, I have been overly hasty in baptizing some people. In particular, I have failed to confirm awareness of sin and repentance. That is particularly important in Japan, where shame is more in people’s awareness than sin is. I need to be very careful to explain personal sin and get acknowledgment and expression of repentance, at least, before I baptize someone. At the same time, I must not fall into the trap of thinking anyone’s salvation is my doing, in any way. That would certainly produce false converts at best! Likewise, I have some shining examples of people whose baptism was certainly not premature, including the youngest person I have ever baptized. Even at 5 years old, she had a clear knowledge of sin and her Savior, and her life since then has certainly born that out. I need to be very sensitive to the Holy Spirit, not throwing my mind out the window but not depending on formulas, either. In particular, I must not baptize people to gain numbers or otherwise stroke my ego. That does no good for anyone!

Father, thank You for this reminder. There are several people who seem close to making a commitment, and I would certainly like to see the baptistry busy this year, but I’ve got to be sensitive and obedient to You. Help me not rush to baptize anyone, but also not hold back when You say to go ahead. Help me trust Your Spirit to teach and guide them, but also be faithful in teaching and discipling them myself, so that together we may grow strong in Christ, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!