Emma is 6.
Last Sunday she got baptized in front of a congregation full of family, mentors, and peers.
She stood up there, braver than many twice (and beyond!) her age, and said that she wanted to get baptized "so that everyone would know that I trusted Jesus as my Savior." --her words.
We don't believe that baptism gets you into Heaven. It doesn't save you from your sin. Jesus does that--without any help from us. We just have to accept it.
We get baptized because Jesus told us to. When we are lowered into the water, it signifies that we identify with Christ's death and burial. And as we are raised back out of it, we are the symbol of His resurrection. (Yes, we believe He actually died and came back to life on the third day!)
Baptism was Emma's way of telling the rest of us that she wants to build a life on the principles of Jesus. I know I wasn't the only one inspired by this 6-year-old this week.
