Our local church (ERCC) Evangelical Reform Church of Christ in Akwanga conference often organized retreat for those people that are about to do baptism yearly or annually. But after attending two months baptism classes and must have passed through the interview by the church leaders or council, then they church took them for two days retreat at the nearby mountain. I was not among the people to be baptized because I have already did mine, just that some of us went with them to the mountain to witness their baptism in the last day.
The Pastor incharge of the church taught them about baptism, the purpose and significant about baptism. He also said they are about to be baptized, they should take it serious and make sure they walk in the path and according to what the Bible said and they should follow all the principles and instructions given to them during the two months training. He also encouraged them to be active in attending church daily and weekly activities to build their spiritual life and they will grow faster spiritually.
He called on mothers to be faithful and committed to their husbands and raising good and godly children in the knowledge of the word of God.
The children that are about to be baptized needs to be obedient to their parents and respect them. They should live a holy life and a life worthy of emulation in order to have a beautiful future. The Pastor said they should not take this baptism as a normal thing that the church used to do every year but took it very personal for their spiritual growth. He then prayed for them and baptized them one by one according to the church doctrine and principles.
I saw some mothers that were scared of the water or river, seeing water raising and falling got them scared. We had to hold them in their hands and take them to the water slowly to be baptized. It's a remarkable and good thing to see both parents and children doing baptism. It shows if all of them understand the purpose of the baptism and accepted Jesus Christ to be their personal Lord and savior indeed we will have a peaceful and happy family. Children will no longer give their parents headache and or become a bad luck to their parents by showing a bad and silly attitudes. The parents will be proud of their children because of the kind of lifestyle the children are living at home and in the society.
And also, the children will be happy for the kind of good and godly parents God has given them. They will follow the full steps of their parents and whatever the parents asked them to do they will do it gladly and without complaint. To have a peaceful and happy society, first start from having a peaceful home or family. When we have a peaceful family, our society will be peaceful and growth will take place. But when we have a horrible family, our society will be terrible and full with nuisance and there will be no growth in the society.
I remembered during our days of baptism, we did 3 months baptism training and attending classes, interviews and even present a short presentation on what your understanding of baptism is and it's significance to your life. I don't know if these people have done the same thing during their baptism classes. I was quite a stubborn person and pocket picker before I got baptized. I used to go out to football field without doing my house chores and come back home very late, my mother will complaint and even punished me yet I will still repeat it again and again. I was a pocket picker at home, I used to steal money from my daddy's clothes or mother's clothes and go out and buy junk and eat with it. This has been my habit before accepting Jesus and got baptized.
During our baptism time classes, the church leaders ask us what kind of bad habits we are ready to leave and let go of it since we are about to be baptized. Some of us answered even though it wasn't easy for me to stop it after been baptized. Especially stealing money from my father's clothes pocket. To stop going to football field didn't stressed me much, I stopped it easily and started doing my house chores at home regularly but stop stealing money hasn't been easy for me. I tried so hard to stop and eventually God has helped me and I stopped it along the line.
I became aware and consciously understood the effects of such bad behaviors and it's consequences that would affect and caused me in life if I didn't stop it. And apart from that, I understand Bible more and the significance of Jesus Christ dying on the cross for my sake. With all those understanding I make a decision to stop any bad behaviors and live a good life.
Therefore, if these people that got baptized understand the significance of this baptism and decided to live a righteous and faithful live, the family and society will become a better place to live.