Part of the baptismal covenant is a commitment to "stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things, and in all places . . . even unto death." The construction of this phrase appeals to me. We are to "stand" as witnesses: not sit, not kneel, not recline: stand! The selection of this word to be a part of this covenant is more than grammatical fortune. Most of the time when we deliver our witness of God and his work, especially to a hostile audience, we will be standing.
