Kicked out of Islam

It almost made the blooper reel.

Right as Teddy* was stepping into the water, he slipped. In front of the entire church, his front leg went forward on the slick floor of the baptismal pool, and there was nearly a catastrophic spill. I reached forward to help him steady himself, but he caught himself on the edge of the pool, just in time to prevent a premature, accidental baptism! I gave him a reassuring look as he took half a moment to regain his composure. Nothing was going to stop him as he stepped forward boldly into this new life, with both its risks and its rewards. Whatever came next, it would come with Jesus.

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭6‬:‭4‬ ‭

It had been an interesting road that got us to this point. Teddy came from Iran to visit his elder sister who was a doctoral student at our local university. His elder sister had recently begun attending a local church. Not yet a Christian, she was curious about Jesus, and about the grace and love she heard about in the church. The women in the church welcomed her into community, and one of the elder ladies invited her to participate in a Bible study.

In one of those remarkable “coincidences” that we know are truly the coordinations of the Father Himself, I had been invited to speak that morning at her church

Teddy had been a Muslim, but was invited to attend church with his elder sister. In one of those remarkable “coincidences” that we know are truly the coordination of the Father Himself, I had been invited to speak that morning at her church. I spoke of the Father’s heart for those on the outside, and of His desire to welcome us to a seat at His table. Afterwards Teddy introduced Himself to me and asked to attend the Fellowship.

Initially he was very resistant to the truths of the Gospel. That we have sinned and are separated from God, and that there is a need for repentance and forgiveness is challenenging to those not ready to accept it. Nevertheless, the idea of a loving God who chooses to reveal Himself as a loving Father, ready to welcome us to a seat at his table was disarming to Teddy. Jesus as the Good King who would suffer for His people spoke to Teddy’s heart. Over the coming months, God began to reveal himself to Teddy. Finally, one evening, he called me. Through tears, he put his faith in Jesus, and committed his life to following the King of kings.

This is where things got complicated, however. Teddy is an Iranian citizen, here in the US temporarily on a tourist visa. In Iran, conversion from Islam is punishable by death. His sister, though interested in the things of the Lord, was not yet a believer and forbid Teddy from being baptized. A time of wrestling with his new faith, and the potential implication, not only for Teddy, but also for his family, ensued.

If, however, they have submitted to baptism, Muslims know that this person has made a permanent, irrevocable bond with the God of Christianity. Death is the only option.

Muslims, perhaps even more so than many Christians, rightly recognize the importance of baptism. If a person “converts,” they can also de-convert. Perhaps it was just a moment of madness that casued the person to convert from Islam? If they recant, they can be forgiven and welcomed back into the house of Islam. If, however, they have submitted to baptism, Muslims know that this person has made a permanent, irrevocable bond with the God of Christianity, Death is the only option.

If Teddy was baptized, he would be risking much. Moreover, Teddy’s elderly Father remained in Iran, and his sister was deeply concerned that if the Iranian government found out about the conversion/baptism, that there would be consequences for the Father, as well. I prayed with Teddy and offered counsel. During this time, I prayed for him often. He decided he wanted to be baptized, and then would back out. I gave space and didn’t pressure, trusting the Lord. After a few months, he scheduled a meeting with me. “I’m ready,” he said. I thanked God for the courage and the boldness I could sense from my new brother in Christ.

The congregation was made to understand the very private nature of this “public” profession of faith.

Baptism is meant to be a public profession of faith, but with our students and the very real risks they face, God allows a certain degree of interpretation for the idea of “public.” Teddy was baptized in front of the congregation of a very small local church that had been an important part of his journey to faith. Invited guests from the Fellowship were also there. No outsiders were present, and no recording was allowed. It was public, but it was also very controlled. The congregation was made to understand the very private nature of this “public” profession of faith.

As he stepped into the baptismal pool, he slipped and nearly fell. It was an awkward moment, but he quickly recovered. I was in tears as I had the privilege to baptize my new brother into the body of Christ. After the service, Teddy’s sister was laughing through tears as she said “When you slipped, I knew that was Mohammed, kicking you out of Islam!” We all had a good laugh. She also shared that it was in that moment that the Holy Spirit pierced her own soul, and in her heart she committed her life to Jesus right there in the pew, while I was baptizing her younger brother. Praise the Lord, two weeks later we had another baptism!

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Please pray for Teddy and his sister. Please also pray for our many Iranian students. God loves deeply the people of Iran, but the evil Islamic regime has a wicked hold on the country. The Fellowship has a unique relationship with Iran through our many Persian, Azeri, and Kurdish students who face the same challenges as Teddy. Please pray for them, and for us, that we may continue to be effective at reaching this beloved and vulnerable population.

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*Names and important details have been changed to protect the safety of those involved