Baptism by immersion in my pool!

[TCat]

My co-worker recently joined my church. She and her parents had stopped attending church years ago after some trouble in their church caused a major rift.

She has not yet been baptised and wants to be immersed. The other night I praying about it and the thought came to me. My pool is warm enough to swim in now, how about a baptism at my house!

Since they have no extended family the church is now their family. This girl knows several people from choir and Bible classes. He dad has become active in mens Bible study and knows many people too. What about a baptism and celebration afterward in my backyard.

Most of us have never been able to witness an immersion baptism or be a part of celebrating an adult baptism beyond sitting in the pews and reciting a few words as a congregation. I think it's a terrific idea, what do you guys think?

 

[dinkime]

i would talk to the pastor, but it sure sounds fun!

 

[DaSeminarian]

My co-worker recently joined my church. She and her parents had stopped attending church years ago after some trouble in their church caused a major rift.

She has not yet been baptised and wants to be immersed. The other night I praying about it and the thought came to me. My pool is warm enough to swim in now, how about a baptism at my house!

Since they have no extended family the church is now their family. This girl knows several people from choir and Bible classes. He dad has become active in mens Bible study and knows many people too. What about a baptism and celebration afterward in my backyard.

Most of us have never been able to witness an immersion baptism or be a part of celebrating an adult baptism beyond sitting in the pews and reciting a few words as a congregation. I think it's a terrific idea, what do you guys think?

What does the Pastor think of it?

If he doesn't have a problem with it I say ok.

 

[synger]

My Pastor would love it. He has said that if he could, he'd have an immersion tub in the church. He's also said that if he could, he'd only offer common cup in Communion. *chuckles*

Definitely talk to the pastor and see what he thinks. I've seen (and participated) in immersion baptisms, and it can be extremely powerful.

 

[DaRev]

What are we, Lutherans or Baptists?

Why wouldn't your friend want to be Baptized in the Church? It's a Sacrament not a party!

 

[dinkime]

it is a sacrament, but it is also a celebration of a new soul!

 

[C.F.W. Walther]

I think it's a great idea. Just watch out for Baby Ruths floating in the pool.

 

[Jim47]

As long as the motivation is right there is nothing wrong with, but at the same time I have to side with Rev. Why not in church where all your new found family will be present. The church becomes ones family and we all pray for one another and support each other when needed.

This could be compared to not going to church and having meetings in your own home, which is also O'k, buts till not with a family of believers being served by a trained and ordained misinster.

I have to say in the church is better, much better. It is a celebration, one which we should hold in The Lord's house.

 

[Mary of Bethany]

So I take it Lutheran parishes don't have the facilities for a baptism by immersion? I never thought about that for some reason - so all Lutheran baptisms are by sprinkling, or pouring?

Thanks for educating me.

Mary

 

[DaRev]

I think it's a great idea. Just watch out for Baby Ruths floating in the pool.

"Spaulding, No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

So I take it Lutheran parishes don't have the facilities for a baptism by immersion? I never thought about that for some reason - so all Lutheran baptisms are by sprinkling, or pouring?

Thanks for educating me.

The method of baptism is not mandated by Scripture. But because there are those who dictate that it MUST be by immersion or else it's not valid, Lutherans do not normally baptize by such means.

It is the work of God that both forgives sins by the regenerative washing and rebirth, and also is the means by which a person becomes a member of the body of Christ, thus should be performed in the Church before God and not in the midst of a pool party.

 

[Confess]

Well, if its good for one sacrament, then why not the other?

Have the Lord's Supper after the Baptism.

 

[Confess]

All Lutherans teach that it is not the amount of water, rather they teach that it is the water combined with God's Word.

Baptism is not our act, but God's. God is doing the work in the midst of the water and word. He is forgiving the sins, He is adopting the person into His kingdom.

For this reason, the amount of water is irrelavant.

 

[Confess]

Motivations are lead by sin not the Word of God.

We all are motivated to do this and that. We stand with the Word for direction rather then our sinful flesh.

 

[DaRev]

Well, if its good for one sacrament, then why not the other?

Have the Lord's Supper after the Baptism.

Oh yeah... why not set up the altar on the diving board and have "swim by" communion.

 

[Mary of Bethany]

"Spaulding, No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"



The method of baptism is not mandated by Scripture. But because there are those who dictate that it MUST be by immersion or else it's not valid, Lutherans do not normally baptize by such means.

It is the work of God that both forgives sins by the regenerative washing and rebirth, and also is the means by which a person becomes a member of the body of Christ, thus should be performed in the Church before God and not in the midst of a pool party.

Thanks for the answer. I've been a member of churches that saw it both ways (Baptist, Anglican, Orthodox), but I never really thought about the Lutheran view of it. Thanks again.

Mary

 

[Confess]

Oh yeah... why not set up the altar on the diving board and have "swim by" communion.

Now your getting into the swing of things!

You can have the whole service with everyone in their swim suits (men can still wear their neck-ties for those who prefer the more formal look).

The pastor can be in front with black swim trunks and his white collar.

It would be a hooot!!!

 

[DaRev]

Now your getting into the swing of things!

You can have the whole service with everyone in their swim suits (men can still wear their neck-ties for those who prefer the more formal look).

The pastor can be in front with black swim trunks and his white collar.

It would be a hooot!!!

I... I... I think I'm going to be sick...

 

[Confess]

I... I... I think I'm going to be sick...

LOL!!!!



Just not in the pool .... please.

 

[DaRev]

Just not in the pool .... please.

If I do, will it keep this nonsense from happening?

 

[Confess]

If I do, will it keep this nonsense from happening?

What nonsense?

Most of Christianity practice a lower view of Baptism as if it were not a Sacrament. For some reason they can't imagine the Lord's Supper anywhere but in the church, but they do baptize in bath-tubes, swimming pools or whatever exotic place they can think of because this is more of an "event" then a sacrament.

The issue at hand is not so much the location, but the reverance and understanding of what is behind the act of baptism.

Doing it outside the church is a huge distraction and does give a false witness of what we preach, teach and believe concerning the sacrament.

To many, they don't care about things like that, even many pastors wouldn't care.

But they should. We all should care about what practice says to the world and to each other. Our practice should reflect what we teach and confess.

While we do confess that the amount of water doesn't matter, we also do confess that we do not practice what the Baptists practice, nor do we believe what they believe and we should not confuse anyone because what God does in this sacrament is the most awesome thing besides the incarnation/crucifixion/resurrection.