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 Remember
an article in our June ‘70 issue headed, “Go, and Sin No
More”? (Surely you cherish every word we have
written!!?) It was the true story of a west-coast preacher’s
work among “hippie” type young people. And now we have
another story about that same preacher.
Following
a sermon in a small mid-western community, a man wished to be
baptized. The candidate, preacher and a few others drove through
the night to a small park that bordered a river where they hoped
to assist the man in his obedience. But the park, and the
entrance to the water, were cluttered with young people —
radios blaring, “party” in full progress.
After
some hesitancy, the preacher approached the revelers and pled
his case. He told them that he had taught a man to love the
Lord, and to want to change his life and give himself to the
service of the Lord. The man had repented of his past; and now
wanted to obey the Lord in baptism, “for the remission of
sins.” He said that he knew they had the prior right to the
public park, but that there was no other access to the water
immediately available, and would they consent to a brief quiet
recess in their party, and allow him to baptize the man into
Christ?
Something
about the earnest plea — the
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man — or the message — or what is
more likely, the scriptural combination of the two — got
through to the young people. They quickly stopped the party, and
asked if they might be witnesses of this (to them) most unusual
event.
Several
cars turned, so that their lights were upon the water; and all
were quiet and respectful as the preacher and the believing
penitent “went down both into the water. . . and he baptized
him.” (Acts 8:30-39) When they were come up out of the water
the young people crowded about, wanting to know more about this
“death, burial, and resurrection to a new life.” Did the
Bible really teach it like that? Why did not the traditional
churches of which they knew — and had rejected — teach such
things? How could they learn these matters? Some gave their
names and addresses, and said they would welcome a visit from
the preacher, and further teaching.
This
generation is wholly sensual, and uninterested in spiritual
things? Impossible to reach a bunch of “neckers”? Only
politics and the social gospel are relevant? Hmmm! ! Has it
ever occurred to you that you and I may be the
material ones — who lack the faith and courage necessary to “tell
it like it is” today??
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