Seven soldiers from the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division were baptized in a makeshift baptismal created in the bucket of a tractor.
A Facebook post from the brigade showed the tractor bucket lined with a plastic sheet folded to contain water and adorned with a black cross.
The post also shared several pictures of the soldiers being baptized.
“Chaplains from across our brigade made it happen yesterday when seven of our Soldiers wanted to be baptized,” the brigade posted.
“With no chapel or equipment to facilitate, our chaplains came together and created a makeshift tub at the National Training Center/Fort Irwin and got the job done. A fine example of Lancers being experts at their chosen field craft!”
The now viral post has since garnered more than 27,000 likes, over 3,800 comments and an astonishing 94,000 shares.
“Well done good and faithful servants!! What a blessing to see God’s presence in our military family. Welcome to the family of God, soldiers!” one commenter wrote.
“Thank you, Chaplains, for thinking outside the box and to be able to baptize our soldiers. To God be the Glory,” another wrote.
In Matthew 28:19-20, following Jesus’ resurrection, He commanded His eleven disciples, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
And in Acts 2:38, after Peter gave a sermon causing 3,000 to repent of their sins, Peter exhorted them, “‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”
Now, as Christians have done for 2,000 years, these soldiers have followed Christ’s command to be baptized and sought the forgiveness of their sins.
Congratulations, soldiers.
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Photos from 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.
