In football terms a handoff is when the quarterback hands the ball to the running back. In spiritual terms it is when one person starts an evangelistic study with a prospect but later “hands it” to another to finish. This is the case with Peter in Etas. Team member Aaron Baker began a study with Peter a few months ago but when he went back to the States to report I “took the ball.”

Peter has sat in on one on one evangelistic studies over the past few months as well as attending worship on Sunday mornings and coming to some of the Wednesday night training studies being taught for the brethren. He has shown the desire and commitment but lacked the knowledge (Rom 10:2). The studies being given were helping but he wasn’t quite “getting it” yet. He knew that his past lifestyle was wrong and that he needed to continue to live right in God’s sight. But still he thought that he was saved despite the fact that he hadn’t fully obeyed what the Bible says to become a Christian.

I began to study baptism with Peter one day, after many other lessons to prepare him for this topic. As it turns out, his previous baptism was anything but biblical. He revealed that he was “forced” to be baptized like many, many other people I have spoken with here in Vanuatu. Being forced is not with violence or physical force, but as in Peter’s case, a man from New Zealand came and preached in Etas, and after, the Ni-Vanuatu leaders of the 7th Day Adventist denomination talked forcefully that you need to be baptized and you need to do it now or you will be lost. A few of the people listening may genuinely feel like it’s the right thing but the majority will just go because someone i.e. a pastor, is telling them it is the right thing to do. Others don’t want to but they are ashamed if they don’t get up and go with the rest of the people. So many are “baptized” but none are saved. This is very common in Vanuatu culture because people are conditioned to follow leaders. If the person has a religious title then the pull is even stronger.

Peter went along with the crowd not ever knowing what he was doing. The lesson which I taught helped him to understand the true purpose of baptism; to be saved Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21; for forgiveness of sins Acts 2:38, 22:16; To enter the Lord’s church 1 Cor 12:13, Acts 2:41,47; and to receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit Acts 2:38. When comparing the Bible’s purpose i.e. as stated above against man’s purpose i.e. to force people into a denomination, Peter’s choice was clear. He desired to make things right with the Lord. We spent about thirty minutes talking about “counting the cost” because Jesus wants everyone to carefully consider this most important decision. Peter was ready.

We loaded up the truck and drove to the river where one of his soon to be brothers in Christ named Tom baptized him into Christ. It is mind-boggling how this small and simple act of faith can result in so much. But knowing that God is working His power at baptism (Col 2:12) is enough to explain what happens. To God be the glory for His great saving power and for the Peters of the world who take hold of it.

Peter joins his wife Salome and friend Morgan who have already put on Christ. They will make a great addition to the congregation in Etas. Please pray for Peter and all of the brethren in Etas. Amen.

MO