For more stories like this directly in your inbox, sign up for Faithwire’s email newsletter.
Justin Bieber has been outspoken about his faith in the past year or so. In an interview with Complex he shed light on just how serious he is on the topic:
“I think that people, as soon as they start hearing me saying I’m a Christian, they’re like, ‘Whoa Justin, back up, take a step back.’ Also, I do not want to shove this down anyone’s throat. I just wanna honestly live like Jesus. Not be Jesus—I could never—I don’t want that to come across weird. He created a pretty awesome template of how to love people and how to be gracious and kind. If you believe it, he died for our sins. Sometimes when I don’t feel like doing something, but I know it’s right, I remember, I’m pretty sure Jesus didn’t feel like going to the cross and dying so that we don’t have to feel what we should have to feel. What Jesus did when he came to the cross was basically say, ‘You don’t have to feel any of that stuff.’ We could take out all of our insecurities, we could take away all of the hurt, all the pain, all the fear, all the trauma. That doesn’t need to be there. So all this healing that you’re trying to do, it’s unnecessary. We have the greatest healer of all and his name is Jesus Christ. And he really heals. This is it. It’s time that we all share our voice. Whatever you believe. Share it. I’m at a point where I’m not going to hold this in.”
WATCH: Justin Bieber Sings Worship Song Live in Paris
Bieber is being mentored by Carl Lentz, and since the media is obsessed with everything Bieber it’s been fascinating to watch the singer’s faith journey play out for the world to see.
One memorable moment was Bieber’s “emergency baptism” which took place in the middle of the night at NBA star Tyson Chandler’s house, in the bathtub.
According to a Super Soul Sunday, an OWN network show just released and a GQ article, Beiber called the spiritual leader asking to be baptized immediately, while he was having a difficult night.
The leader said of the experience, “It was probably one of the most special things I’ve been a part of.”
The “experience” included a 3 a.m. wake up call to Chandler after Lentz and Bieber had checked out four other previous locations, but they did not work out due to privacy concerns.
Chandler willingly offered up his apartment pool, which ended up being closed and then went to his second choice, his custom tub.
The story is reminiscent of Acts 8, when Philip preached the Gospel to an Ethiopian, who immediately wished to get baptized.
“Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing.”
We love it!