What is the power of one baptism? The Holy Spirit used Yana’s decision to be baptized to touch the hearts of eight other people.
As a little girl, Yana knew she wanted to be baptized one day. At 13, she remembered her wish. “I’m going to be baptized!” she said.
So Yana started taking a six-month baptismal class at the Russian-speaking Seventh-day Adventist church that her family attended in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. She excitedly told others about her plans to give her heart to Jesus.
Olga, her 21-year-old adopted sister in Ukraine, heard the news and announced, “I want to be baptized too!” Olga began taking baptismal classes in Ukraine and made plans to travel to Prague to be baptized with Yana.
Yana was thrilled that Olga wanted to be baptized. Now one baptism would become two.
As the day of baptism drew near, Yana invited relatives and friends to come watch at the church. She also invited her 17 classmates from the only Adventist school in Prague.
“I am very excited about being baptized,” Yana said. “This is a big celebration, and I would be happy if you came.”
The school principal marveled at Yana’s excitement as she spoke with her classmates, many of whom belonged to other Christian denominations or didn’t go to church at all. Yana’s face was shining with joy.
Finally the big day arrived. Relatives and friends packed the church. Yana was so happy! When she came out of the water, she knew her dream had come true.
The pastor asked if anyone wanted to be baptized next time. Yana’s younger sister, Esther, immediately leapt to her feet and ran to the front of the church. Two teenage girls joined her.
Yana was thrilled. Now one baptism would become five baptisms.
Several of Yana’s classmates accepted her invitation to attend the baptism. After a little while, three of those classmates — two girls and one boy — decided that they also wanted to be baptized.
Yana was thrilled. Now one baptism would become eight.
But that wasn’t the end.
Yana has an older sister named Diana, who is 21 and a university student in Ukraine. Diana traveled to Prague to watch Yana’s baptism. Afterward she said, “You know, I also want to be baptized.”
A month later, Diana was baptized in Ukraine.
What is the power of one baptism? The Holy Spirit used Yana’s decision to be baptized to touch the hearts of eight other people. One baptism became nine baptisms.
“After I was baptized, other people also wanted to be baptized,” Yana said. “Praise God!”
