Baptism without immersion, should I go ahead?

[yeshuaslavejeff]

let God Baptize you Himself.

Off topic, actually, but very crucial, yes, since few ever have experience of this. Not to derail this thread, nor even for another thread;
rather for each one to look to the Creator in Heaven for truth, and keep looking to Him ...

 

[☦Marius☦]

However, again, they didn't do that all the time, not by any means. Again, they often acted independently and got instructions and direction directly from the Almighty.

Why are we to assume that this person or that group is really wise or really Biblical just because they set up a council or went to some Seminary? How can we tell? By being very, very familiar with the Bible and having a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit. Why are we told "You need that no man should teach you, but the Holy Spirit will teach you." And where does He most often teach us? Not from mortals but from the Bible.

Not any group. Only the direct successors to the apostles in apostolic councils. There was a reason the apostles set up the church the way they did.

Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

 

[☦Marius☦]

Amen.


There weren't any "Church councils" with the Apostles, as there was no such thing as a Church, which translated only means a body of believers, ie. ecclesia. They did consult with one another as can be seen in Acts 21. However, we also see them using their own minds and sometimes being directed personally and individually by the Almighty. Did Ananias have to get a council together to go to Paul, the mortal enemy of believers? Did Cornelius have to get permission or direction from a council or some human authority to seek Peter? Sometimes a gathering of believers can be very helpful. Proverbs tells us to seek wisdom. We are a gathering of believers here!

However, I think it helps to remember that none of the believers in the Bible had gone to Seminary. Also, the Scriptures say "You need that no man should teach you, but the Holy Spirit will teach you."

If people want to seek out those they feel have a lot of wisdom, fine. But too many times the "authorities" and "experts" are teaching things that are not really Biblical. Again, we all have our own minds and generally at least one Bible. The Bible is the ultimate authority, not any mortal, and we all need to know it well so that no mortal confuses us.

Well firstly I would say none of those are examples of doctrinal debates, but rather personal actions certain members took.

Secondly you say there was no established Church at that time. I disagree. Christ founded the Church not the apostles- and yes he founded a physical church.

Thirdly you have to take the context of "you need no man to teach you but the spirit"
If that is true in the way you are interpreting it, then why would Paul need to send a letter teaching them (as he is a man), and not let the Holy Spirit take care of the matter?

Paul was warning about following men with new teachings outside what was being given by the apostles and their followers. There was a big problem back in those times with people following guru like figures and heresy would soon follow. That is what Paul is referring to.

 

[LoricaLady]

Not any group. Only the direct successors to the apostles in apostolic councils. There was a reason the apostles set up the church the way they did.

Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

They didn't set up any Church. Again, the word "Church" is a Greek word translated from "ecclesia", which simply means a gathering of believers anywhere at any time, and is a word found in the O.T., also. Nowhere does the New Testament instruct any kind of hierarchy whatsoever. Paul, in fact said, not to follow Him but the Savior. That is all I have to say. I am not going to debate you on this as it is off topic from the OP. If you want the last word, have at it. I won't respond.

 

[Invalidusername]

I just realized that OP posted a question about whether he should be baptized or not by immersion and he got no real answer except a bunch of people arguing over whether immersion is scriptural or not. Kind of disappointing but I think debate is important. Much better than an echo chamber.

However I think one advice we all can agree on is that OP should look into the Bible and try to figure out on what baptism means and maybe find out what Greek words were used for it and how it was generally used in the culture back then.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

However I think one advice we all can agree on is that OP should look into the Bible and try to figure out on what baptism means and maybe find out what Greek words were used for it and how it was generally used in the culture back then.

Jesus gives better and more accurate and correct advice than this,
about how to learn the truth.

Remember little children vs scholars, basically, if this helps. (hopefully it does, for everyone seeking God and His Kingdom).

 

[LoricaLady]

One more comment on the topic of immersion and then i am exiting this string.

Romans 6:4 We therefore were buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life.

Now what is more like burial, and lying in the tomb like Messiah, sprinkling or pouring water on someone, or immersion through Mikveh? Rhetorical Q. Blessings and bye.

 

[All4Christ]

Back to the OP - I don’t think you need rebaptism, but that’s my personal opinion. That said, you will need to be baptized by churches that believe specifically in believers baptism and believe that it is ok to be baptized more than once. I personally believe in immersion baptism, though you already have been baptized with immersion. I also believe that is what Scripture teaches and what the early church practiced. At this point, I would follow what you are comfortable with after you read scripture, learn about baptism, etc. It is also good to know and accept the beliefs of the Church you are being baptized in, since baptism is also an entrance into the church.

Hope that helps. Blessings to you.

 

[frater_domus]

Back to the OP - I don’t think you need rebaptism, but that’s my personal opinion. That said, you will need to be baptized by churches that believe specifically in believers baptism and believe that it is ok to be baptized more than once. I personally believe in immersion baptism, though you already have been baptized with immersion. I also believe that is what Scripture teaches and what the early church practiced. At this point, I would follow what you are comfortable with after you read scripture, learn about baptism, etc. It is also good to know and accept the beliefs of the Church you are being baptized in, since baptism is also an entrance into the church.

Hope that helps. Blessings to you.

The issue with my infant baptism is that it means nothing to me. It was not done out of faith of my parents, but rather because of social norm. I also know that it was mere sprinkling. No proof of that exists either, so in my eyes, it might as well have never happened. The pastor is aware of this and is fine with it.
As for immersion part, I will talk about it with the pastor. There is little else I can do about it right now.

 

[All4Christ]

The issue with my infant baptism is that it means nothing to me. It was not done out of faith of my parents, but rather because of social norm. I also know that it was mere sprinkling. No proof of that exists either, so in my eyes, it might as well have never happened. The pastor is aware of this and is fine with it.
As for immersion part, I will talk about it with the pastor. There is little else I can do about it right now.

As someone who is Orthodox, I have never heard of sprinkling in any canonical Orthodox Church. It is against our beliefs of the baptismal formula prescribed by the early church. It sounds like your mind is made up, so further advice from me is likely irrelevant. Either way, I’ll stand by what I said. Good luck with everything.

ETA: Sprinkling is allowed in emergencies when an infant or adult baptismal candidate is about to die, in which case anyone in the Church can baptize them. After that, if the infant or adult survives, there is a chrismation service to finish it. It is a last case resort, though, when nothing else can be done.

 

[frater_domus]

As someone who is Orthodox, I have never heard of sprinkling in any canonical Orthodox Church. It is against our beliefs of the baptismal formula prescribed by the early church. It sounds like your mind is made up, so further advice from me is likely irrelevant. Either way, I’ll stand by what I said. Good luck with everything.

ETA: Sprinkling is allowed in emergencies when an infant or adult baptismal candidate is about to die, in which case anyone in the Church can baptize them. After that, if the infant or adult survives, there is a chrismation service to finish it. It is a last case resort, though, when nothing else can be done.

Well, seeing as I spent the first year or so in ER, maybe that was the case

Either way, I will consider this when talking to the pastor. Thanks

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

There is very much more, very much more important, you can "do".
Before I say more, do you have any idea what is the most important you can do ?

As for immersion part, I will talk about it with the pastor. There is little else I can do about it right now.

 

[frater_domus]

There is very much more, very much more important, you can "do".
Before I say more, do you have any idea what is the most important you can do ?

Pray about it, obviously.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Pray about it, obviously.

Yes,
"specifically" as well, I reckon you do and know....
and
since it is the Father's Kingdom, and His Son Whose Name we are immersed in,
and His Plan,
and His Instructions since before the Creation of the world and before all life on earth,
and
(hint)
HE KNOWS ! HE really , really KNOWS (perfectly)
and it is HIS GOOD PLEASURE
to REVEAL HIS Salvation and everything about Salvation in this life and concerning the life to come (all , as Jesus Praised Him for openly and out loud before/in front of the Apostles and disciples) ,

and SINCE the apostles LEARNED WHO JESUS IS (THE MESSIAH)
from (not from man nor from the flesh nor from the Scripture (though always in line with all Scripture and in Perfect Harmony, completely) )
but from the FATHER IN HEAVEN by revelation (no longer "after the flesh, but after the spirit" they knew experientially Jesus Messiah) ,

so also, if we come to the THRONE OF YAHWEH as little children trusting Him,
He gladly reveals to us the Understanding of His Word, clearly and perfectly with no defect, with no mis-interpretation, with no mistake..... (yes, even in spite of our 'flesh')

which the world (and the worldly?) cannot know nor see nor comprehend,

confirmed always by all His Word, and Spirit, and pure righteousness, perfect peace and overflowing continual daily JOY in JESUS, all as one whole completely with no lack (Psalm 23, et al) .....

 

[gideon123]

The Christian denominations have massacred 'baptism'. It has been kicked around so much ... it is barely recognizable as a sacred issue nowadays. That is what we do so often with the Word of God. We kick it around like a football, and then we scream out ... "Hey look at me, I scored a goal!"

???

Your baptism is about your commitment to Christ, and about being washed by the Holy Spirit. Please hold onto those essentials ... this is what counts.

Blessings!!

 

[corinth77777]

If you are a Baptist and you don't know that, shame on you.

So so you could start here (Acts 8:36):And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

Yes I am of the Baptist....And do not know...Shame on me....Now, where in that passage in Acts does it say YOU should be Baptized in water. It says the EUNUCH ASKED? Why did He ASKED that? What was He thinking?

 

[Micah888]

Yes I am of the Baptist....And do not know...Shame on me....Now, where in that passage in Acts does it say YOU should be Baptized in water. It says the EUNUCH ASKED? Why did He ASKED that? What was He thinking?

When Philip shared the Gospel with the eunuch, he no doubt mentioned exactly what baptism was, and how necessary it was for anyone who believed the Gospel. John the Baptist was baptizing in the river Jordan, and that incident of Christ being baptized by him may also have been presented, since that is when John said to the who Jewish nation "Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world". The eunuch had been reading Isaiah 53, where Christ is presented as the Lamb who opened not His mouth. In any event, the eunuch was fully aware of Christ's commandment to be baptized.

 

[corinth77777]

When Philip shared the Gospel with the eunuch, he no doubt mentioned exactly what baptism was, and how necessary it was for anyone who believed the Gospel. John the Baptist was baptizing in the river Jordan, and that incident of Christ being baptized by him may also have been presented, since that is when John said to the who Jewish nation "Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world". The eunuch had been reading Isaiah 53, where Christ is presented as the Lamb who opened not His mouth. In any event, the eunuch was fully aware of Christ's commandment to be baptized.

Give a direct quote of where it says Philip told Him all about Baptism, "since there is no doubt." yes, John Baptized in water even before Jesus was crucified. Was it not of Jewish Law? And why couldn't a Gentile have known about the rituals of the Jews? What evidence shows He was fully aware of a commandment to be water Baptised "because Christ Commanded"?

 

[frater_domus]

The Christian denominations have massacred 'baptism'. It has been kicked around so much ... it is barely recognizable as a sacred issue nowadays. That is what we do so often with the Word of God. We kick it around like a football, and then we scream out ... "Hey look at me, I scored a goal!"

???

Your baptism is about your commitment to Christ, and about being washed by the Holy Spirit. Please hold onto those essentials ... this is what counts.

Blessings!!

Baptism with Spirit is different though, is it? Did not John say that he would baptise with water, but the one who would come after (Jesus) would baptise with the Holy Ghost?

 

[Micah888]

What evidence shows He was fully aware of a commandment to be water Baptised "because Christ Commanded"?

The fact that he was baptized and went on his way rejoicing is sufficient evidence. Fortunately he did not face a phony investigation into this matter.