Baptism? How to be Baptized?

Sad to say , but the best you might do
is
do what the congregation you 'join' says to do.

(sad, because so many are so far away)

You don't need to be baptized again. We should only be baptized once- doing it again won't "do anything" that your initial baptism hadn't already.

newlyconverted101 said:

I’m a very newly converted Christian. So there is a lot I don’t know and am yet to learn, which is why I am hoping to learn more through this forum.

I was baptized as Catholic as a baby. But I never really practiced Catholocism growing up ever. Should I be baptised as a newly converted Christian? What should I do? Is there a process I should undergo with a priest? How exactly does one “seal the deal” or “officially” convert to Christianity?

Thank you
And God Bless

Click to expand...

God saved you when he baptized you. Just don't despise your baptism.

newlyconverted101 said:

I feel like a Baptism is necessary for me because I want to consciously renew my relationship with God from a conscious perspective. I want to live through the spiritual death and rebirth through the symbolism of being buried and reborn with Christ. I feel ready to rid myself of sin and to be reborn as a person to lives by God. I feel in my heart that a Baptism would be the right thing for me. Is this something that is allowed or typical within Christianity? A second/adult baptism?

Click to expand...

It is sometimes done, but there is no spiritual need for it. That said, there is a practical need for it if you want to join a church that requires credobaptism for membership.

newlyconverted101 said:

I’m a very newly converted Christian. So there is a lot I don’t know and am yet to learn, which is why I am hoping to learn more through this forum.

I was baptized as Catholic as a baby. But I never really practiced Catholocism growing up ever. Should I be baptised as a newly converted Christian? What should I do? Is there a process I should undergo with a priest? How exactly does one “seal the deal” or “officially” convert to Christianity?

Thank you
And God Bless

Click to expand...

I bet you get some diverse answers. I was baptized as a baby. I didn't start thinking about the Lord till I was about 20. I've never seriously considered getting baptized again.

newlyconverted101 said:

I feel like a Baptism is necessary for me because I want to consciously renew my relationship with God from a conscious perspective. I want to live through the spiritual death and rebirth through the symbolism of being buried and reborn with Christ. I feel ready to rid myself of sin and to be reborn as a person to lives by God. I feel in my heart that a Baptism would be the right thing for me. Is this something that is allowed or typical within Christianity? A second/adult baptism?

Click to expand...

Have you started attending a church yet? If not, you should.
Then talk to the pastor/priest about it. And tell what you just said here.

I was baptized as a child and I knew the same as you that I must be baptized with my own conscious understanding and decision to follow and obey the Lord.

There is no problem with being baptized for the first time as a follower of Christ. You were not baptized as a follower of Christ as a baby. You were commemorated. The fact that Christ said to make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit means that you must be a disciple to be baptized. And a disciple is one who has a conscious decision to believe and obey the Lord.

There are folks who are baptized as babies who fall away and never serve Christ. That baptism does not guarantee or mean anything. Baptism is the first step of OBEDIENCE of a believer. How could you have obeyed when it was your parents' decision? So it is only a commemoration. It is not obedience of that person.

Re-baptism is prohibited within Christianity. As the Nicene Creed states, "we believe in one baptism for the remission of sins".

You should speak with a priest about chrismation to continue in the Church.

St. Peter described that the baptism is not the thing that saves, but the way that it saves is as a depiction of how the ark saved Noah - that is to say that it is not about taking off the filthiness of the flesh (as a person might believe that they need to quit this and that), but it is a pledge of a good conscience toward God's expectation so that He can carry us safely through the turbulent waters - and this is where the real power of salvation is found in baptism: St. Paul writes that we are baptised with Christ into a death like His, so it means that if we have a good conscience toward God, He will be with us, in us and for us - and that is more about having the confidence to know it and proclaim it - that one cannot gain through thinking "I have to quit smoking" or whatever the filth of the flesh is. There will be some times when we learn new things about God's expectations that then requires us to repent, and it is an ultimatum at those times, but generally when a person is following Christ, the changes happen automatically as He continues to shape them into His likeness - we just become less of a smoker, less of a cusser, not interested in parties etc, because our spirit is becoming increasingly holy. So in that way, if you think baptism is a step toward that, then it has become a legalistic burden to you - you will not feel saved until you have done it, but then again, if you believe the baptism "seals the deal", then once you have done it then you can always rely upon that knowledge. I hope this has been useful to you, as others have too

newlyconverted101 said:

I feel like a Baptism is necessary for me because I want to consciously renew my relationship with God from a conscious perspective. I want to live through the spiritual death and rebirth through the symbolism of being buried and reborn with Christ. I feel ready to rid myself of sin and to be reborn as a person to lives by God. I feel in my heart that a Baptism would be the right thing for me. Is this something that is allowed or typical within Christianity? A second/adult baptism?

Click to expand...

Many churches have a rite for reaffirmation of baptismal vows. This lets you take responsibility for what your parents promised on your behalf.

newlyconverted101 said:

I’m a very newly converted Christian. So there is a lot I don’t know and am yet to learn, which is why I am hoping to learn more through this forum.

I was baptized as Catholic as a baby. But I never really practiced Catholocism growing up ever. Should I be baptised as a newly converted Christian? What should I do? Is there a process I should undergo with a priest? How exactly does one “seal the deal” or “officially” convert to Christianity?

Thank you
And God Bless

Click to expand...

According to my church tradition (Lutheran), you do not have to be baptized again. In fact, you should not do so. You have not so much converted to a religion as rediscovered your faith. It didn't go anywhere, it just got a bit dusty.

If you have not undergone confirmation, that might be an appropriate rite for you. But it's not strictly necessary in many churches that practice it, even if it is normative.

As others said Baptism is only needed once, the other times are just getting wet. When me and my wife were confirmed we reaffirmed our baptismal vows

newlyconverted101 said:

I feel like a Baptism is necessary for me because I want to consciously renew my relationship with God from a conscious perspective.?

Click to expand...

You don't need to be baptized again in order to do that. As a matter of fact, you can't. Baptism is how we enter into God's Covenant, just as circumcision was how Jewish boys did the same. One wouldn't be "re-circumcised" in order to renew their covenant with God. You can't "enter God's Covenant" a second time. Again, the purpose of baptism isn't to renew our relationship- it's to establish it. Now, you can renew your baptismal promises, but that doesn't entail being re-baptized.

In order to renew my end of the Covenant with God, I go to Mass every week and partake of the Lord's Supper. Whenever I fall out of God's friendship, I have to confess my sins- not that He isn't already aware of my faults, but to have my sin forgiven in the manner that He sees fit. Only then, when I am in that state of grace, am I fit to renew the Covenant. I can't say to God, "I wish to renew our contract" when I am in the middle of violating the terms of it.

newlyconverted101 said:

I’m a very newly converted Christian. So there is a lot I don’t know and am yet to learn, which is why I am hoping to learn more through this forum.

I was baptized as Catholic as a baby. But I never really practiced Catholocism growing up ever. Should I be baptised as a newly converted Christian? What should I do? Is there a process I should undergo with a priest? How exactly does one “seal the deal” or “officially” convert to Christianity?

Thank you
And God Bless

Click to expand...

The answer depends on the branch of Christianity you affiliate with. If it is Catholic or Anglican or most of the older churches then NO. Once baptized, you are baptized. But if you are a Baptist, Pentecostal, or a church similar to that, they will talk to you as though your original baptism wasn't effective.

newlyconverted101 said:

I’m a very newly converted Christian. So there is a lot I don’t know and am yet to learn, which is why I am hoping to learn more through this forum.

I was baptized as Catholic as a baby. But I never really practiced Catholocism growing up ever. Should I be baptised as a newly converted Christian? What should I do? Is there a process I should undergo with a priest? How exactly does one “seal the deal” or “officially” convert to Christianity?

Thank you
And God Bless

Click to expand...

You have to baptize because:
1) When you were a baby you did not commit yourself to the Lord. (Choose him as your savior and commit to a life of obedience)
2) Baptism represents the death of the old man and the new birth.

Others here have good advice - depends on the denomination. I am a believer in adult baptism, but since you had this baptism as a child and are coming into the faith now, I would look into reaffirmation of baptism vows.

newlyconverted101 said:

I feel like a Baptism is necessary for me because I want to consciously renew my relationship with God from a conscious perspective. I want to live through the spiritual death and rebirth through the symbolism of being buried and reborn with Christ. I feel ready to rid myself of sin and to be reborn as a person to lives by God. I feel in my heart that a Baptism would be the right thing for me. Is this something that is allowed or typical within Christianity? A second/adult baptism?

Click to expand...

These verses may be helpful:

Acts 2.41-42.

The new birth is something distinct from baptism - a symbol for believers - ; the new birth is described by the Lord Jesus in John chapter 3.

newlyconverted101 said:

I’m a very newly converted Christian. So there is a lot I don’t know and am yet to learn, which is why I am hoping to learn more through this forum.

I was baptized as Catholic as a baby. But I never really practiced Catholocism growing up ever. Should I be baptised as a newly converted Christian? What should I do? Is there a process I should undergo with a priest? How exactly does one “seal the deal” or “officially” convert to Christianity?

Thank you
And God Bless

Click to expand...

Great! This is wonderful. <3

So, I am not Catholic, and here was what my Bible says....
Acts 16:30
He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household."

This is your salvation. Believe in the Lord Jesus as your savior, and you will be saved.

Salvation is of the Lord.... meaning, it's not about your actions. Do this, and sing a lullaby, and spin on one foot, facing the east, while holding this cookie with a cross on it.....

None of that. Believe. Believe that Jesus is alive, that he came here to bring everyone who repents of their sins, to salvation and Heaven. That's what you need to do to seal the deal.

And remember this when you have doubts, because you will have doubts. We all do. But we know that Jesus Christ, is our Lord, and we are saved through him.

Now let's talk about baptism. All I know is what the Bible says. The only places that talk about baptism are adults.

Baptism is the public expression that you are a Christian.
So that is what you should do. Baptism does not make you saved. Baptism is what you do to show everyone that you are saved.

My advice is this. Find a church. Doesn't matter how long it takes. Find a church that teaches from the Bible.

No, not all churches do unfortunately. Pray and ask G-d to help you in your search for a church. Expect to find some crazy churches. It's ok. Just go, sit and listen to some goofy people every Sunday, until you find a church with Bible believing Christians.

When you find that church, talk with someone in church leadership, and just tell them you wish to be baptized.

My church just has a baptism weekend, and I was so sad that the video wasn't available online. It was a great thing. Go and show everyone that you are no longer just another girl, but a daughter of the king. This is what you should do.