7500 Baptized at Huntington Beach In ‘Largest Synchronized Baptism in History’
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — On Saturday, more than 7,500 individuals were baptized along the shores of Huntington Beach in a historic event dubbed “Baptize California.” Attracting over 30,000 attendees, organizers hailed it as the “largest water baptism in American history”
Organized by Oceans Church under the leadership of Pastor Mark Francey, the event united nearly 300 congregations, including prominent churches like Saddleback Church, Sandals Church, Zoe Church, Restoration Life Church, and Higher Visions Church. Described as a precursor to the upcoming “Baptize America” this summer on June 8, Baptize California aimed to bring together diverse Christian communities. The event, according to organizers, “unites local churches under a part of theology we can all agree on, which is the public profession of faith through water baptism.”
The primary gathering took place at Huntington Beach, where participants of all ages were baptized in the Pacific Ocean or in dunking tanks set up on the sand. Beyond the main site, dozens of regional baptisms occurred across California, with many pre-registering and others choosing to participate spontaneously. The event also featured worship and prayer sessions led by Bethel Music and Kari Jobe.
Despite the claim of being the largest baptism event in U.S. history, the organizers’ own website claimed more than 12,000 baptisms at last year’s Baptize California event, suggesting not everyone is on the same page with the historicty of the occasion.
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The pictures show a child being baptized – was she aware of her sin, repented of it and trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of sin ? Or did her parents just say “here honey, go under the water and be like Jesus”…?
Was the Gospel actually even preached here ?
Were the adults just caught up in the emotion of the moment ? Or was there authentic grieving and sorrow over sin, repentance of it, trusting in Christ alone for forgiveness according to Scripture, and striving to live to please God ?
Taking baptism casually does more than cheapen our Lord’s baptism – it deludes and misleads those who have not been saved and regenerated into thinking that they really are. Nothing could be more unloving than assuring someone of salvation when there’s been no repentance and regeneration.
Baptists actually baptizing is quite shocking. DD’s comment is a case in point. Baptists carp about the particulars of people’s baptisms and k’vetch about them. Yet Baptists don’t even actually believe in baptism and are unlikely to be baptized themselves, in proportion to how much they k’vetch about others’ baptisms.
“Baptists don’t even actually believe in baptism and are unlikely to be baptized themselves…”.
Very very ignorant statement.
We don’t believe that baptism will save – but we do believe what the Bible says about identifying publicly with the Lord’s death and resurrection.
We also believe that if one hasn’t been truly saved and regenerated, that their baptism not only mocks the Lord but also deludes them into thinking they are saved.
Christians who aren’t baptized should do so obedience to Scripture (Matthew 28:18, Acts 2:38, Romans 6:1, Col. 2:12) – not to be saved, but to follow in obedience.
Well, if anybody needs Jesus its California. Hopefully this helps and California becomes less gay, and less Papist.
Does depravity have borders? The entire world needs Jesus. This phony baptism stunt helps no one.
If anyone needs Jesus, it’s those who think that they already have Him, yet hates others in their heart.