BAPTISM - WAY BACK THEN, THEN, AND NOW

. . . AND NOW

Going back on this quick journey, the River Jordan by the year 2000 had become somewhat commercialized with a portion of the river diverted into a very large pond adjacent to a large gift/souvenir shop. In this enlarged area of the river are located three baptism areas, one of them for the handicapped. Up to the time of the present turmoil between the Israelis and Palestinians, each of the three areas was apparently in constant use, waiting lines not being considered unusual. The following photo was taken of a portion of this man-made pond beside the River Jordan.

One of the three baptismal areas at the river Jordan. This appears to be a Catholic service as the main the robe was placing his Jordan River wet hand on the forehead of those gathered. A bit later, Reggie White, a National football League renown defensive end with the Green Bay Packers at retirement, was seen just a bit later perched on the rail that appears on the right side of the photo. (photo by Kim Rose and Carol Rose during a trip to Isreal in early 2000)

As a complete aside, but to show how quickly matters become history, the Reggie White mentioned here, in 2000 held the National Football League record for quarterback sacks with an amazing 198. On Sunday, December 7, 2003 (Pearl Harbor Day), Washington Redskins defensive end Bruce Smith surpassed White when he made his 199th quarterback sack. Records can last many years, but positive answers to the two questions will last eternally.

It is over three years after the following photos were taken in October, 2000, but no big changes have occurred as of December, 2003. So come along on a pictorial stroll around Scottsdale Road and Indian School Road.

Or, better yet, on the way home from our church some Sunday, go north on Scottsdale Road, turn right on Indian School Road, and turn right again into the Bank One parking lot (the bank is closed on Sunday). Stroll about and look around. That brick square taking up much of the corner area on the bank side (southeast corner) of Indian School Road and Scottsdale Road is where Rev. Vanderhoof was baptized and baptized others. And it was there that Fred Mathis and Manuel Wellington were baptized. The next photo is the “baptismal box” used by Reverends Gordon, Pope, Vanderhoof and all the other early pastors of church as it appeared in October, 2000

Look diagonally across the intersection from the bricked baptismal box. That building is where Earl’s Market used to be. The owner was Earl Shipp, a member of First Baptist since 1919 with only a short break along the line.

Now, look across Indian School, over there, just a little to your right. See that little statue. That’s one of Winfield Scott and it is located on the approximate site of his original home in Scottsdale.

OK, now turn a bit and look a little more to the right. See the drive-thru teller building? That is where the original First Baptist Church of Scottsdale building stood from 1918 until 1957 when services began on the present Osborn Road campus.

Sometime, when you are driving on east on McDowell Road and pass through its intersection with Miller Road (presently there is a Church’s Chicken fast-food on the northwest corner), start glancing to your left (but watch where you are driving!). There’s Indian Bend Wash in which is now planted a skate park, and there is a Fry’s shopping center, and back there is one of the K-Marts that is still around, and now, here is Hayden Road. Eyes back on the road. Well, somewhere along that little stretch there was a county well which fed an irrigation ditch (which no longer exists) which housed The Old Swimming Hole, which hosted FBCS baptisms for many years, some 70 to 80 years ago.

Before or after attending church, take a short walk back in the Sunday School classes area and go into Currie Hall. There, along the back, is the stage on top of which is the baptistery used from 1962 to 1975. Sorry, we haven’t gotten around to taking a picture of it yet.

From October 1975, First Baptist Church services have been held in our present sanctuary. Now the baptistery is on the right as you look at the stage area in keeping with the “modern” thinking that baptisms be indoors. Here, on March 17, 2002, the Kelley family, Kirby, Kim, Emily, and Matthew were baptized after each hearing the questions from Pastor Brouwer: "Do you believe that Jesus died for your sins?" and "Have you accepted this gift from God and invited Him into your heart?"