Forty-six new believers ‘take the plunge’ in Melbourne beach baptism

By Lauren Urtel
May 16, 2008

MELBOURNE (FBC)—Following a call to have “faith that obeys” 46 people were baptized in the ocean May 4 at Paradise Beach.

It was “a day most near to Pentecost in all my years of ministry,” said Larry Bazer, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Melbourne who performed the baptisms. “I know that 46 is not quite the 3,000 that were saved and baptized at Pentecost, but that 46 equals the number we baptized all last year.”

Over 500 family and friends gathered on the beach shouting and singing as Bazer introduced and baptized five people at a time. “It was a time of rejoicing and celebration as they publicly confessed Christ as their Savior and Lord,” said the pastor.

When the last group of five had been baptized a 70-year-old man, whose wife was a Christian and long-time church member, came forward. “There was a lot of praising the Lord, hugging, smiling and celebrating going on,” said Bazer. “Those present will not soon forget the experience.”

The May baptism was preceded by month of preparation as Bazer challenged the congregation to “Take the Faith Plunge” and preached from Matthew 28:19-20 calling the church to "A Faith that Obeys."

“We encouraged those who had personally trusted Christ but had never been publicly baptized to take that step of faith and obedience,” said Bazer. “Many who had been baptized as infants were challenged to follow the scripture plan of baptism following faith in Jesus.”

The church designated a sign-up room during the month instead of asking for those who had made decisions to walk down the aisle in front of the church.

“Many people think that baptism is not imperative but I think stressing the importance of it biblically and allowing persons to sign up privately made a difference,” said Bazer. “We stressed that baptism was a public profession of faith and the way that you showed you were committed to Christ.”