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Original poster

I am being baptised this sunday and am really nervous

31 replies

MadameCheese · 13/05/2010 15:41

It's not the baptism itself but the giving of testimony, especially as there will be children present. There's some stuff in my past I'm ashamed of. Also I hate talking in front of people especially about myself ((cringes in the corner)). I know I shouldn't be anxious, has anyone been through the same? I should also point out that I'm not overly fond of water

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DutchOma · 13/05/2010 21:23

I have not been baptised by immersion myself but have witnessed many. People are always nervous of giving testimony, so cannot even finish reading what they have written and the minister needs to help them. That does not matter one little bit; what you need to concentrate on is that you are not doing this for yoruself but for the Lord Jesus Who loves you, Who has forgiven all your past that you are so ashamed of (no need to bring any of it up, children or no children).
All you need to know is that jesus died for you because He loves you (yes you) that much.
I hope you will have a real blessing on Sunday.

weegiemum · 14/05/2010 06:48

I was baptised by full immersion a few years ago.

I also didn't like the testimony bit much, I kept it short and sweet!

I was terrified that they wouldn't get me up again (I'm on the large side!).

It was an amazing experience - I came up out of the water sobbing with joy, no idea why, it just overwhelmed me.

Will be praying for you on Sunday and hope you have a fantastic day!

Katisha · 14/05/2010 08:03

It's not a confessional. You don't have to go into the details of your past. That is between you and God. (In my experience it's members of the church who are keen on the gory details because they feel it makes the whole thing more dramatic. That is not the point of the occasion. Keep it short!)

Original poster
MadameCheese · 14/05/2010 11:16

Thanks ladies, that's so lovely . I'm also 21 weeks pregnant so hope my DH and the pastor can get me back out quickly

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weegiemum · 14/05/2010 11:18

Oh that's nice if your dh is helping to baptise you!

When we were "done" (dh and I on the same day) it was the pastor and one of the "core leadership team". It was the CLs first ever baptisms and he still says he feels like we have a special relationship because of that - and we do too.

oxocube · 14/05/2010 11:27

MadameCheese, can I ask a little about why you decided to be baptised as an adult? Did you discover God later in your life or did something 'tell' you this was the right thing to do? Please ignore if I am being intrusive here .

A dear friend recently changed from her Catholic church to an Evangelical one (for want of a better name) and says it has changed her life. She loves the fact that no one judges anyone else, that the members of the church actively help others in need, that she finds it so uplifting. She has asked me a few times to go along but I've never felt it was the right time.

I'm sure Sunday will be a wonderful day.

2plus2more · 14/05/2010 11:32

What Katisha said! I was baptised at 16 and having been brought up in a Christian home and never having "rebelled" my testimony had no "gory bits"! I have heard plenty though and I had 1 friend in particular who had exactly the worries you had - fear of speaking in public, fear of saying too much in front of kids (inc her own), fear of being too heavy for the Pastor & elder to get her back up again etc... She actually wrote it out word for word and we went over it together before she did it so that she was confident in what she was saying. Is there someone you can do that with? Don't be tempted to go into too much detail - it's not necessary and to be honest it kind of takes the focus off God and onto you! I think that's the best thing I can say actually - remember that God is the focus, not you - if you remember that you'll not go far wrong! (oh and 5 mins is plenty of time to speak for - don't be thinking you need to do a mini-sermon!)

Really excited for you - it truly is a blessed experience! Weegiemum - I get the sobbing, I seem to sob at every baptism I witness, let alone my own!

ZZZenAgain · 14/05/2010 11:34

at what kind of church do you have to give a public testimony like that? Never heard of it before

2plus2more · 14/05/2010 11:47

I think a lot of Churches do it ZZZ - Baptist, Brethren, Non-Denom Evangelical etc...

ZZZenAgain · 14/05/2010 12:49

I see
Hope you feel comfortable with it on the day Madame Cheese and the ceremony is a pleasant one for you.

Original poster
MadameCheese · 14/05/2010 14:12

Not at all oxocube, thank you for asking . I became a Christian when I was 23, after leaving uni. I must admit my walk with Jesus since then has been very up and down (on my part). I see baptism as a demonstration of my willingness of renewed obedience to God, true repentance and a public demonstration of this to my church family, hence the testimony. Jesus has truly changed my life but I need to follow him more than I have been and I believe (for me) this is a new beginning. Believer's baptism is very different to infant baptism (which I had as a baby), as it is my decision to repent for my sin (and rightly so). My DH would probably explain it better than me .

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oxocube · 14/05/2010 14:42

MadameCheese, thank you very much for sharing that. Your church sounds very similar to that of my friend. She says one of the things she loves most about it is that nearly everyone there has gone through 'a journey' of some description - many of the congregation have struggled with faith or have overcome problems such as addiction etc. Even the pastor battled with drug problems in the past. She sees this as proof that God loves and forgives all sins if we ask him and we truly want to change.

I hope you have a wonderful baptism and manage to get rid of the nerves. Oh and good luck with the rest of your pregnancy.

Original poster
MadameCheese · 14/05/2010 14:43

Thank you oxocube that's really kind xxx

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MrsCadwallader · 14/05/2010 16:05

MadameCheese - I was baptised as an adult too, but as part of a 'job lot' at a CofE service and wasn't required to give a testimonial. With hindsight, though, it would have been really nice to do.

I've since been to other adult baptisms where testimonials were given and, while the people giving them were obviously nervous and emotional, watching them is wonderful, and very emotional too. It's like when you've been married for X number of years, then go to a wedding, and, hearing the vows anew, remember why you made them and why they are still so important and so true. Watching others' baptisms and hearing their testimonials is like being baptised all over again!

So please, do try not to be nervous or intimidated by the experience, and remember that for each of those watching and listening to you, it's like the first time all over again, and they will go away as refreshed and renewed by the experience as you will, and will be rooting for you all the way!

Do have a wonderful day - and God Bless!

Original poster
MadameCheese · 14/05/2010 19:15

Thank you! Also my church family is so lovely

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Original poster
MadameCheese · 16/05/2010 14:34

Thank you everyone for your kind wishes and prayers, it was a great experience and so many of my church family were so positive about our testimonies.

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oxocube · 16/05/2010 14:53

Glad it was wonderful. I was talking to the friend I mentioned above about your thread (even though she is not a Mumsnetter) and she confided that she is planning to be baptised in a few weeks - she has told no one outside the church as her friends and family are a bit re her recent conversion from traditional Catholic to the non-denominational Evangelist church. But she tells me she finally feels Jesus in her and has never felt more at peace.

Am so happy for you that it was a positive and uplifting experience

Original poster
MadameCheese · 16/05/2010 14:57

Good for your friend oxo

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MrsCadwallader · 16/05/2010 15:09

Brilliant! I was wondering how you'd got on. Glad you enjoyed it

DutchOma · 16/05/2010 17:47

I was wondering too and so glad it all went well.

weegiemum · 17/05/2010 08:07

MadamCheese - so glad to hear it went well for you. Praying it is Onward and Upward in your life with and In God from now on!

DutchOma · 17/05/2010 08:22

But be aware that Satan won't like your new status. Don't be surprised if everything in your life goes wrong this week. It won't last because Satan cannot stand against Jesus and you are utterly safe with Him.
I'll continue to pray for you.

Original poster
MadameCheese · 17/05/2010 13:55

Cheering words DutchOma , thanks everyone!

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oxocube · 31/05/2010 13:54

MadameCheese, I just wanted to share that my friend was baptised yesterday. I went along with my daughter to the service and it was so beautiful. I cried when she gave her testimony which was simple, honest and from her heart. I am a believer although not a regular church goer. However, I did feel something touch me yesterday. I left the church and the pool feeling different, happier. I find it very difficult to explain as I certainly don't feel ready to undergo a religious conversion, nor do I feel in any way 'good' enough to call myself a true Christian.

But something happened yesterday. My friend claims God works in mysterious ways

Katisha · 31/05/2010 13:57

Actually it's knowing that you are not "good" that is pretty much the way to being a true Christian!