FIRST GLIMPSE: Four in the Morning...Somewhere in South Asia

Wraithlike, they slip from their homes in the dead of night. Making their way quietly down backroads and byways, South Asian Free Will Baptists meet other believers at remote streams or ponds to baptize new converts under cover of darkness. And not just one stream or one pond. Recently, ten men and women from the same congregation were baptized simultaneously in three different locations.

Why?

Why engage in covert activities that sound like something from a spy movie? The idea of midnight baptisms sounds almost ludicrous to us Americans who worship comfortably and publicly on the day, time, and location of our choosing without fear, threat, or danger.

Kenneth Eagleton, director of global partnerships for IM, Inc., reminds us accepting and proclaiming Christ is not so safe and easy in many locations. “Baptism has become a very risky activity in South Asia,” he writes. “Often, baptism breaks anti-conversion laws meant to prohibit forced conversions. Not only do converts face official repercussions, but they also risk being rejected, even beaten by their families as a direct result of accepting Christ.”

Yikes! Midnight baptisms, it is.

Yet, when I recently watched a video made during one of these baptism services, I couldn’t help but smile at the irrepressible joy. As each new convert emerged from beneath the waters, shouts of “Hallelujah!” and “Amen!” could be heard echoing from the shoreline as precaution gave way to praise and fear was trampled by faith.

I don’t know about you, but I feel deep conviction when I hear stories of these and other believers around the world who (literally) risk their lives to follow Christ and share the gospel. Where do they find the courage and strength to face physical and emotional threats? And how can we stand firm in our own culture as it becomes more hostile to the faith?

The Apostle Paul addressed these questions directly in 2 Timothy 1:8-12. Writing from prison, he gave his young pastoral protégé four instructions for living faithfully through suffering.

• Don’t be ashamed of the gospel message or the suffering that may result from sharing the message (verse 8a).
  

• Instead, embrace suffering for the sake of the gospel (verse 8b) through the power of God who gives us the strength we need.
  

• Understand the gospel message of life overwhelms the power of death, and it is our calling as Christians to share this good news (verses 9-10).
  

• Lean into the One who saved you, and who will keep what you “have committed unto him against that day” (verses 11-12).
  

I hope we never have to resort to dead-of-night baptisms in our nation. May we never squander the religious freedom we enjoy and share the gospel openly, without apology, and with anyone who will listen. Maybe that will lead to some much-needed midday baptisms.

About the Columnist: Eric K. Thomsen is managing editor of ONE Magazine.