SWANN’S SONG?

Neal Pollard

A man with one of the softest, kindest hearts I have ever known called me less than an hour ago, telling me he wanted to talk to me.  Honestly, I was not sure what was on his mind and I was curious.  I was not prepared for what he shared with me.

He told me that as he was driving Steve Higginbotham, one of our lectureship speakers, back to the Denver airport, he brought up the matter of baptism with Higginbotham.  He told him that he was only five or six when he was baptized and that the baptism was in the Southern Baptist Church.  What triggered the man’s concerns was a question Steve had answered during the Open Forum of the lectureship about when one should give consideration to being “baptized again.”  Steve answered the question marvelously.  That night, in his keynote lecture, Steve hit on the matter again during the course of his lesson.

But, our newest brother in Christ had been concerned about relying on what he had done as a small child in a denomination for some time.  What really first heightened his insecurity over that prior act was Dave Chamberlin’s Monday night class on “The Godhead.”  I knew from talking to Dave that he was teaching that class evangelistically, knowledgeable that this group had a non-Christian woman in it.  I am not sure Dave was aware of this man’s religious history.  But, Dave drove the point home about the essential nature of baptism throughout this class on God.

So many things have raced through my mind over the last few minutes.  First, I thought about the 1 Corinthians 3:6 principle.  Dave planted, Steve watered, and God gave the increase.  Second, I thought about the Luke 8:4-8 principle.  To this point, the other person of whom Dave was aware has not been immersed for the forgiveness of sins.  But, this man proved to be good ground upon which the seed, the Word of God, could be sown.  Third, I thought about the James 1:21 principle.  He laid aside anything that would have prevented his obedience and he showed great meekness in receiving the word implanted.  Consequently, it saved his soul.

I already knew that we just completed the greatest lectureship in which I have ever had a direct part.  But, the fruit of it continues to be borne.  It never gets old, dull, or boring to welcome someone new into the kingdom.  Thanks, Dave.  Thanks, Steve.  Thank you, too, Steve Swann.  We will not soon forget your humble obedience!