A video produced by Sports Spectrum features a handful of Christian NFL and MLB players and player’s wives explaining the significance of baptism.
“I want my water baptism to lead to a conversation to people who need to know outwardly what’s happened to me inwardly.” New Orleans Saint’s linebacker Demario Davis says.
Matthew Slater, wide receiver for the New England Patriots, says baptism should be significant to Christ-followers because one of the first things Jesus did was have John the Baptist baptize him.
Kyle Gibson, pitcher for the Minnesota Twins, says baptism is something we’re called to do as believers. It’s also an act that declares, “Hey, you guys know that I’m a Christian, but I just want to publically do this because it’s something that we’re called to do.”
Iris Ramirez, wife of former NFL player Manny Ramirez, says baptism is the “next step of obedience” after you have decided to follow God.
Former MLB player Lance Berkman says baptism is “a public demonstration of allegiance to Jesus.” Essentially, being baptized is a way of saying, “I am identifying now with Christ. I’m dying to my old self and I’m rising to walk in the newness of life.”
Todd Peterson, a former kicker in the NFL, says baptism is a “public expression.” “It’s standing before a body of believers and saying ‘Look, God changed my life. I was dead, and now I’m alive. Would you help me walk in a manner worthy of God’s call on my life? And, oh by the way, I’d love to help you.”
Kelly Davis, wife of the Carolina Panther’s Thomas Davis says “Literally, when you go in the water to get baptized, you are raised. It’s like you feel that new life and everything feels different.”
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright admits he “didn’t inherit the kingdom of God” by getting baptized. Instead, he considers his baptism was an act of letting go and telling the world “I am a child of God.”
“It’s an outward, public display that ‘I no longer belong to the world; I belong to Jesus Christ,” Damario Davis concludes.
Well said, all.
