“En nombre de Padre, de Hijo, y de espiritu santo.”
The waters stirred as the dark haired gentleman followed the pastor into the baptismal pool. The pastor introduced himself and this gentleman to the congregation. Hundreds of eyes rested on these two as they readied to represent Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. “This man comes to us tonight to be baptized.” Those were the last words I understood.
The pastor then spoke beautiful Spanish as fluid as the water in which he stood. The words were engaging but made no sense to me. I followed as closely as possible listening for chunks of words I understood comparing them to the words I knew and expected at a baptism.
Then I heard them. The most beautiful words. The names of our Lord. I recognized them. “En nombre de Padre, de Hijo, y de espiritu santo.” In the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. SWOOSH! He laid back in the watery grave but swiftly raised again in newness of life.
Something about not understanding the words but understanding the heart of what was said made me full of emotion. I saw a peek of heaven. How people from all over the world will meet and praise our Heavenly Father each in their native tongue but in ONE accord. Jesus transcends language. He transcends race. He transcends religion. He is the I AM. He is GOD.
Oh, thank you Father for being the Almighty. Thank you for being the God of everything and everyone. You are the Alpha and Omega. You are the I AM. I praise you “en nombre de Padre, de Hijo, y de espiritu santo.” Amen.
I was moved just reading about this! Thanks for sharing this peek of heaven with us. Simply beautiful!
Oh Carol! That could have been my baptism! My grandfather was a country pastor who spoke Spanish with a Texas twang and baptized me (his very last) right after a Mexican man; he forgot to flip the switch in his head back to English. It was precious…for the same words you mention.
That was beautiful!
I felt the same way the first time I heard Selah’s redition of We Will Understand It Better By and By. It was partially a recording of their grandfather in the Congo years ago with the natives singing in their native tongue and then cut to a studio recorded version, but also in their native tongue.
I was overwhelmed by the concept of the church…we are one, no matter what language we speak or where we live. When we are praising God, it’s all one tongue!
Xandra
Carol,
Spanish just happens to be my favourite language..so beautiful! Do you remember this verse in Rev.7:9-10?
“After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and they were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
This is the most magnificent scene I can ever imagine and what is so awesome is that I, Sita, am in that crowd! And you too, Carol! And we are praising Him! Oh wow! I am in Scripture!
Thank you for reminding me of this!
Love, Sita
(btw–sorry for the double comment in the Jedi post..I thought my first comment did not go through for some reason)
Wow… it sounds like such a special time and experience. I had chills as I read your words.
I’ve got goosebumps!
Praise be al Padre, el Hijo y el Espiritu Santo! I should have been the first to comment, since you mentioned at my post that you thought of me! I am touched! I am blessed! And though 7 have excellent comments before me, I see that as God’s number! So, SALVACION es el mejor regalo de Dios! Hermosa y limpia por Jesucristo! Gracias, tenemos un(a)oveja nuevo(a)Thank you Carol for sharing Baptism in the light of the Holy Spirit, who transforms all language barriers and cultures (someday) in the heavens, WE ARE ONE!In Christ Jesus from Mexico …Peggy
It was a beautiful sight wasn’t it! The best though was watching the kids on the risers when they realized he was speaking in Spanish…they got SO excited…
what a night!
That was such a touching sight, wasn’t it?! What a blessing to be a part of it.