Baptisms at Igreja Batista Viva
A few weeks ago we had a baptism service for 4 new believers at Igreja Batista Viva. This is always an exciting time for us and the church. I am including a testimony below that I have previously shared. It is from Grace a member of IBV.
I began to attend Igreja Batista Viva in May of 2006 and soon I accepted Jesus as my Savior. I felt in my heart the desire to be baptized and join the church. I approached my pastor, but I was taken aback when he told me that I needed to make some changes in my life. He told me that I had to let go of the anger in my heart. I must forgive and live in peace with those I was angry with. He also said that I had to be officially married, or no longer live with my boyfriend Márcio. The first issue seemed difficult, but the second issue seemed nearly impossible to correct.
Márcio is a non-believer and during the previous year he had asked me several times to marry him. Each time I had answered him "No". How would I tell him that now I wanted to get married? When I think back on this day I think it was kind of funny. We were talking and I just asked him “Márcio, will you marry me?” and he immediately said “Yes”.
After a few seconds he asked me “Why?” I told him that I now wanted to marry him and I wanted to get baptized. “Oh! Just because of the church?” he said. I told him no, that it was also because I loved him. He agreed to marry me. I was baptized on Dec. 23rd, 2006, and we were married on Jan. 5th, 2007. On this day I cannot say which one of us was happiest. My husband Márcio has not yet accepted Christ, but I pray this day will come!
I am sharing this testimony again because Márcio recently accepted Christ. Below is a picture of his baptism.
What a wonderful testimony of the grace and providence of God. This family has been radically transformed. Márcio is growing in grace and knowledge and has a hunger for God's word. He is quickly becoming involved in serving at the church. We praise the Lord for this miracle.
To see more of the baptism pictures click here. Also I will be sharing another testimony in the days ahead.
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