BAPTISM
Prayer group students taught that we should take baptism. Bible says, "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved;..."(Mark 16: 16). Omar longed to obey the word of God. Mytheen felt the same. Both took baptism in Ceylon Pentecostal Mission faith-home at Mahabub Palayam. When they went home for holidays, they told mom about it and shetoo wanted to take baptism. After they returned to colleges, she searched in the Bible as to what it says about baptism. Pastor Stephen, Margaret and June said, "Sister! You have to take baptism only in the name of Jesus". Mom said, "Jesus said, Go you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you (Matthew 28: 19, 20)... how is it you are telling that we should take baptism in the name of Jesus?". They explained, "God is one...He revealed himself as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost...So it is not three different persons, it is one person. During old testament times we see God as Father. During new testament times the same God came down as Son, Jesus Christ, in this world. After he rose again and went to heaven, the same God came down upon believers as Holy Ghost. That one God's name is Jesus Christ. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit all refer to none but Jesus Christ. Father, Son and Holy Spirit are not names....just like....head of the family is a husband as well as dad in the home... and in the working place he is an officer. Husband, dad, and officer are not names....they are titles for the same one person. His name may be John or Matthew. In the same way Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not names....His name is Jesus. Since disciples had this revelation they preached ...repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2: 38). Thus they gave baptism in the name of Jesus...healed the sick in the name of Jesus....further Bible says....neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name (Jesus) under heaven given among men, hereby we must be saved (Acts 4: 12), so you have to take baptism only in the name of Jesus". Mom replied, "OK! I'll think about this and pray". For several months she discussed with Christians for hours and searched in the Bible as to which name we should take baptism. When children came back from college for holidays she continued her search. Pastor Paulraj from United Pentecostal Church at Periyakulam preached the same doctrine. One day mom asked, "Do you mean to say that Father, Son, and Holy Ghost refer only to Jesus Christ?" They explained, "When Isaiah prophesied about the birth of Jesus Christ, he said.....for unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Here the Bible foretells Jesus Christ as God and Father. Furthermore when Jesus was born Mary was conceived by the Holy Spirit. The disciples understood great truth that Father, Son, and Holy Ghost represented only Jesus Christ and so they gave baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. So if you take baptism in the name of Jesus....it means you have taken baptism in the name of Father, Son and Holy Ghost".
For many months mom and children debated on this subject. Children said, "Mom...there are lots of verses to prove what pastor Stephen says and nobody can deny it. At the same time its important to take baptism in the name of Father, Son and Holy Ghost". Mom said, "Yes...sometimes its very hard to understand about the trinity of God. We also don't know why disciples gave baptism in the name of Jesus, instead of what actually Jesus asked them to do. It's God's secret. When we don't understand this, let's do what Jesus asked us to do and let's take baptism in the name of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost". Because of doctrinal difference, mom decided to take baptism at Madurai CPM church.
When mom prayed as to when and how to go and take baptism, Jesus prophesied saying, "Whenever you go, baptism will be ready for you". Mom happily praised God with grateful heart. She started planning as to when to go to Madurai, because it is hard to go to Madurai without dad's knowledge. She prayed about it for a long time. Finally she came up with an idea. She waited for school holidays. During holidays she wrote to dad that she would like to visit him with children. Dad gave permission to do so. He also wrote that they should start on Sunday afternoon from Vadugapatti and reach Madurai inter city bus terminal around 5 o'clock in the evening to meet him and from there he would take them to Thiruvadavur. She along with children set out early in the morning around 4 o'clock from Vadugapatti and reached Omar's place in student's residence. They went together to CPM church at Mahabub Palayam. After morning service was over, they notified pastor that they wanted to take baptism. Pastor Koshy concerned that Shahjahan was too young to be baptized. Because they baptized only those who had salvation experience and understood doctrines of the Bible. One lady servant of God told, "Pastor! Shahjahan is studying S.S.L.C, he is saved and baptized by the Holy Spirit....so we can give baptism". Pastor agreed to baptize him. At once mom, Fathima, and Shahjahan took baptism in the name of Father, Son and Holy Ghost. After spending there some time, they returned to Omar's place and Fathima went straight to Meenakshi Amman college. Evening around 4 o'clock mom went with children to Madurai inter city bus terminal and waited for her husband. Omar didn't go with mom. When dad came to bus terminal around 5 o'clock he was surprised as well as doubted to see them already waiting for him. He asked mom, "How did you come so early?" Mom said, "I came in the morning to see Omar". He thought that something must have happened, but didn't probe anything further. They proceeded to Thiruvadavur. She praised God for enabling her to take baptism. After staying for few days at Thiruvadavur she returned with children to Vadugapatti. In Vadugapatti poverty increased from day to day; mom's faith grew abundantly.