Hi Sorin & Gary,
Interesting topic to me as I have gone through physical baptism twice.
First, I was baptized as a baby (from a <not overly zealous> catholic family). So my upbringing was: I was saved because I was baptized.
Second, (only 2 years ago) I was called into my church. (I thought) I accepted Jesus as my saviour, and the next step (according to my church) was to be baptized. I chose to be baptized because I thought it was what Jesus wanted me to do, I really wanted to feel like I was taking responsibility, because I knew it wasn't my choice when I was a baby, so how could that have saved me? I wanted it to be my conscious decision to follow the steps in the bible.
(by the way, I was baptized in a hot tub our church rented, and expected some kind of spiritual feeling when I was "immersed" under water, and was quite surprised when there was no special feeling....I think a lot of people make themselves believe there is something special from it because that would be what is expected).
My mom couldn't understand why I was being baptized again, she thought I was just some religious nut!
I suppose in a way she was right.
Because after only one year in the church, God showed me that my choice to be physically baptized was vanity, that only Jesus could baptize me with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.
Now, there's a renewing in my spirit that is from above, that is so special, it amazes me beyond words.
Baptism. Only from Jesus will it count.
In Love,
Marie