BAPTISM LONG AGO
Centuries ago the circumstances of one's baptism would come on Easter eve at midnight. In the semidarkness, he or she would disrobe and descend into the waters to be immersed three times, in the name of the Father, then the Son, and finally the Holy Spirit. The newly baptized would then be anointed with oil and don a new garment of white and then return to the church to partake of communion for the first time. Perhaps the most crucial feature occurred before entering the water when he or she would turn to face the west and then clearly renounce, revile and literally spit at the devil. Then he or she would turn to face the east to confess total faith in and promise complete allegiance to Christ. This was considered a legally binding transference from one master to another. This would leave no question about whose servant they now were.