You have taught and urged obedience to the Gospel. How do you react if, despite your best effort, your student proves unresponsive? It may be natural to feel rejected, even discouraged and tempted to quit. Remember, this is not about you. Don’t take a negative result personally (1 Samuel 8:7; Luke 10:16). You are a seed-sower. Even in good soil, seeds germinate at different rates. For your part, continue to care. But many more lost are waiting, so go on to sow more seed, giving others Gospel opportunities also (Mark 1:38; 6:11).
If you urge a student to obey the Gospel, be ready for a positive response. Know where to go for sufficient water (John 3:23). Have towels and dry clothing on hand, especially in winter. Try to gather Christians to be at the baptism for praise to God and encouragement to His new child. Say a few words about baptism’s meaning in the Gospel (Romans 6:1-4). Ask the believer who is to be baptized to confess his faith in Christ as the Son of God (Romans 10:9-10). With the believer standing or sitting in the water, you may say something like this: “You have confessed your faith in Jesus. You are ready to surrender your life to Him. Therefore, I now baptize you into the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, for the forgiveness of your sins.” Then dip the believer under the water, holding him firmly enough to help him immediately to rise again. Share the baptized person’s joy. After drying, have the new child of God join the gathered encouragers for prayers and songs, even celebrating with hospitality (Acts 16:15, 34). Going forward, make sure this baby in Christ receives continuing care, teaching and opportunities for involvement with the local congregation.