As I'm listening to a sermon about baptism on the radio right now, I'm recalling a conversation I had with my Dad a few years ago when I was trying out different churches and was sharing with him about my disagreements with the pastor of the church I was attending regarding baptism. My Dad promptly stated, "The thief on the cross was not baptized, and yet Jesus told him, 'Today you will be with me in paradise.'" My Dad said that baptism was not what saved him.

It's what’s in the heart that saves. Jesus stated to us that how we treat others is how we will be judged.

In my opinion, baptism is a public declaration that is more of a display to others than a direct connection with God. However, it's what's in the heart and has meaning to the individual that matters.

When I was married to a man who was raised Catholic, I had been open minded and accepting of our belief differences, until we had our first child. He and his parents thought our daughter should be baptized right away, equating baptism with her salvation. I completely disagreed. I had not been raised that way by my parents nor my home church. Baptism was instituted by John and was the baptism of adults who were deciding to turn away from sin and turn their lives to the Lord—it was not the baptism of babies, it was not parents making decisions for their children about their lives nor their salvation. I have strong opinions regarding baptism based on my upbringing, my many strong in the faith influences over the years, and my own in-depth studying of the Bible. Even so, I also believe it's important to respect the beliefs of those who differ. So to appease my husband and his parents, each of our daughters were baptized when they were one.

I will always recall my Dad's response about baptism. His words were wise. It's what's in the heart that saves.

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