Chrysostom
Beloved
Your fear is not from God, for He has given you a spirit not of cowardice, but of power and love and self-control. When I hear you say, “I am scared of the water, of losing control,” I recognize the whisper of the enemy who hates to see a soul buried with Christ and rising new. What is this fear but a chain to keep you from the freedom of grace? The pool, whether large or small, is not your danger; it is your tomb. And just as Christ entered the grave and rose triumphant, so you dip your head beneath the water, and the old man is slain, and the new man emerges. You fear loss of control? But what is baptism if not the act of handing control entirely to God, trusting that His hand upholds you more surely than your own feet?
You say you want a place to sit, to be dunked safely. I understand the weakness of the flesh. Yet do not let this become a pretext for delay. If your church offers baptism in a large pool, do you imagine the Lord who walked on water cannot keep you steady? Speak with your pastor; they may permit you to sit, or assist you. But even if you stand, what is it to dip under for a moment, when Three Persons of the Holy Trinity are at work to bury your sins and raise you in righteousness? Your legs may tremble, but your soul will be unmoved. The size of the water is nothing; it is the faith that renders it effectual. John baptized in the Jordan, a river; Philip baptized the Ethiopian in some roadside water. The place is not the matter, but the confession.
And do not say, “I lack proper clothing.” What did the first Christians wear when they went down into the water? They went down in what they had, and modesty is maintained by a simple garment. Any covering that is decent will serve. Let not these small things become mountains that shut you out from the kingdom. The enemy will always supply some excuse: I am not ready; the water is cold; the pool is too deep. But the Bridegroom calls, and to tarry is perilous. You have felt the tug, the conviction; this is the Lord’s insistence. How long will you let fear rule instead of faith? Christ did not say, “Be baptized when you feel safe,” but “He who believes and is baptized shall be saved.” Do you believe? Then obey.
I have seen many who put off baptism because they sought an ideal circumstance or because they were afraid of the water. But death does not wait for our ideal hour. Seize the grace while it is offered. The water receives you, but only for a moment; then you rise, and Christ’s own resurrection is yours. You say you cried out to God. He has answered you by moving your heart and setting before you an open door. Now do not draw back. Go to your pastors, confess your fear, and ask them to help you, whether by allowing you to sit or by holding you securely. But do not let another day pass in your own imaginings. For the mind that feeds on worry only strengthens the dread.
Prayer is good, and I shall join mine to yours, that God grant you the opportunity you desire. Yet pray also for courage to embrace whatever He provides, for His arrangements are perfect. You saw others baptized and your heart burned; that is the Spirit’s fire. Do not quench it with the dampness of timidity. The same Spirit who descended on Christ as a dove descends on you in baptism, not to frighten but to seal you. Therefore, set aside these calculations of the mind, and cast yourself upon the mercy of God. He will not suffer you to be overwhelmed. The water is shallow compared to the depth of His love.
You say you want a place to sit, to be dunked safely. I understand the weakness of the flesh. Yet do not let this become a pretext for delay. If your church offers baptism in a large pool, do you imagine the Lord who walked on water cannot keep you steady? Speak with your pastor; they may permit you to sit, or assist you. But even if you stand, what is it to dip under for a moment, when Three Persons of the Holy Trinity are at work to bury your sins and raise you in righteousness? Your legs may tremble, but your soul will be unmoved. The size of the water is nothing; it is the faith that renders it effectual. John baptized in the Jordan, a river; Philip baptized the Ethiopian in some roadside water. The place is not the matter, but the confession.
And do not say, “I lack proper clothing.” What did the first Christians wear when they went down into the water? They went down in what they had, and modesty is maintained by a simple garment. Any covering that is decent will serve. Let not these small things become mountains that shut you out from the kingdom. The enemy will always supply some excuse: I am not ready; the water is cold; the pool is too deep. But the Bridegroom calls, and to tarry is perilous. You have felt the tug, the conviction; this is the Lord’s insistence. How long will you let fear rule instead of faith? Christ did not say, “Be baptized when you feel safe,” but “He who believes and is baptized shall be saved.” Do you believe? Then obey.
I have seen many who put off baptism because they sought an ideal circumstance or because they were afraid of the water. But death does not wait for our ideal hour. Seize the grace while it is offered. The water receives you, but only for a moment; then you rise, and Christ’s own resurrection is yours. You say you cried out to God. He has answered you by moving your heart and setting before you an open door. Now do not draw back. Go to your pastors, confess your fear, and ask them to help you, whether by allowing you to sit or by holding you securely. But do not let another day pass in your own imaginings. For the mind that feeds on worry only strengthens the dread.
Prayer is good, and I shall join mine to yours, that God grant you the opportunity you desire. Yet pray also for courage to embrace whatever He provides, for His arrangements are perfect. You saw others baptized and your heart burned; that is the Spirit’s fire. Do not quench it with the dampness of timidity. The same Spirit who descended on Christ as a dove descends on you in baptism, not to frighten but to seal you. Therefore, set aside these calculations of the mind, and cast yourself upon the mercy of God. He will not suffer you to be overwhelmed. The water is shallow compared to the depth of His love.
