Baptism--Which way is the right way?

[ncunigan85]

There are several types of baptisms performed and at different times of ones life. I as a Methodist was baptized as an infant using sprinkling. I am contemplating being rebaptized through full emersion. What are your thoughts on the different ways of baptism and is rebaptism necessary as an adult?

 

[micro]

How was Jesus baptised? Statement not question.

 

[nadroj1985]

There are several types of baptisms performed and at different times of ones life. I as a Methodist was baptized as an infant using sprinkling. I am contemplating being rebaptized through full emersion. What are your thoughts on the different ways of baptism and is rebaptism necessary as an adult?

I think you should get baptized again. From my view of it, it should be a choice you make, not one that your parents make. Baptism is a symbol of your faith, and you didn't have faith as an infant.

 

[Rechtgläubig]

Which way is the right way?

With water and in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

you didn't have faith as an infant.

Interesting that you know this.

 

[ncunigan85]

I agree with Rechtgläubig. I believe so far in my search that it is an internal commitment to Christ and the method is regardless as long as the intentions are those set forth by God.

 

[nadroj1985]

How in the world can someone have faith as an infant? I believe that faith is a choice that you make, and a very important one. I don't think an infant is capable of making a decision that is so important.

 

[Rechtgläubig]

I believe that faith is a choice that you make, and a very important one. I don't think an infant is capable of making a decision that is so important.

That right there is the reason you can't understand that a child can have Faith. Scripture teaches that human reason and logic are opposed to Faith not the cause of it. Faith is a gift of God not something we can choose to have. In fact I believe Faith would probably be easier to create in an infant then a grown adult.

We are also told over and over and over that the only way to Heaven is Faith in Christ. Heaven isn't closed to those below an age of reason is it?

 

[ncunigan85]

But if i have already been baptized and then made the choice to accept Jesus Christ as my personal savior do i have to reaffirm that faith--or is it already in stone and therefore no need to be rebatized? I guess it couldnt hurt either way, but i never have been faced with such a big dilema in my faith--being brought up in the church never allowed me to make my own choice or as some say "to be saved". Now i feel that i have to make these decisions as my own person.

 

[nadroj1985]

That right there is the reason you can't understand that a child can have Faith. Scripture teaches that human reason and logic are opposed to Faith not the cause of it. Faith is a gift of God not something we can choose to have. QUOTE]

I have to disagree here. I interpret the Bible as saying that we are saved by faith, and that we can choose to accept salvation or not. I see no way around the idea that faith is a choice.

 

[Rechtgläubig]

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast."

Not only are you turning Faith into a work (the act of deciding), but you are turning Baptism into a work as well. No boasting excludes everything. If you can't boast about your salvation, then you didn't make a better decision then a non-believer.



**edit (Ephesians 2:8-9)

 

[Chimera]

Baptism is not connected directly to faith, it is connected to the covenant God made with us. So if you get baptised, you are from then on part of the covenant between God and man, and all its promises. Baptism is therefore not evidence that you are saved, or even that you have true faith, it is merely a sign of belonging to the covenant and it's promises made therein.

Now in the OT, there was the Old covenant, where children were circumcised on about the eighth day after birth. This was to show that they was from then on part of the covenant, as decided by the parents (as ordered by God). Also, anyone that was 'added' to the covenant as a grown up also had to be circumcised.
Then, after Christ's resurrection, the Old covenant was replaced by the New covenant. See Heb 8. Also people were baptised with water as the sign that they from then on belong to the New covenant. One is therefore baptised as a baby if your parents want you to be part of the New covenant and its promises, or, if never baptised and you want to be part of the New covenant and it's promises (usually when repenting and believing), then you are baptised.
That is why the people in Acts and later, when they repented from sin and believed in Christ were baptised then, because they are part of the new covenant.

The Centurion who became a believer was baptised "with his entire family and servants". They were then all part of the covenant, though it was the Centurion who decided.

 

[nadroj1985]

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast."

Not only are you turning Faith into a work (the act of deciding), but you are turning Baptism into a work as well. No boasting excludes everything. If you can't boast about your salvation, then you didn't make a better decision then a non-believer.



**edit (Ephesians 2:8-9)

If faith is not a choice, then why are there atheists in the world. They choose not to have faith don't they? If they did not choose it, did God just decide not to give them the gift of faith? Of course not. Everyone must choose whether they accept God or not.

 

[Knight]

"Baptism - Which way is the right way?"

Well, first you get a big tank of water. Then you dunk the prospective Christian for a 50 count. If they survive they're saved.



Forgive the dry humor but I couldn't help it.

Anyway, as to the method of baptism I believe that it is properly done through imersion. However, that is my opinion. A case could be made for any of the methods. The issue is the faith of the person not the method used in baptism.

 

[Crazy Liz]

I have to disagree here. I interpret the Bible as saying that we are saved by faith, and that we can choose to accept salvation or not. I see no way around the idea that faith is a choice.

What did Jesus say about this?

Luke 18:17**Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

 

[Bayhawks83]

infant baptism is one of the most outrageous things. i dont think its supported anywhere in the bible, catholics for centuries didnt baptize infants.

 

[Cary.Melvin]

infant baptism is one of the most outrageous things. i dont think its supported anywhere in the bible, catholics for centuries didnt baptize infants.

Can you find anywhere in the Bible that forbids infant Baptism? I can't. I say Gods graces are for babies too. There will be plenty of time for him or her to publicly affim their faith later on. I don't see how this hurts anything.

 

[Matrona]

i dont think its supported anywhere in the bible, catholics for centuries didnt baptize infants.

The Bible tells of entire households being baptized--some of those had to include infants and small children.

Also, one of the early church councils came together over this issue--not to decide whether or not infants should be baptized, but whether babies should be baptized after eight days like they had with circumcising Jewish baby boys, or if they could baptize sooner. They decided baptism should be done sooner and that eight days is not necessary.

I am Orthodox and we baptize infants. We do this for babies born in Orthodox families, to allow them to experience the sacraments from as early as possible. The seal of the Holy Spirit (Chrismation) and Holy Communion are also given to Orthodox babies. This is in anticipation of the conscious faith they will have as adults. Besides, Jesus didn't tell the children to be like the adults, He told the adults to allow the children to come to Him, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven!

 

[nadroj1985]

Maybe Catholics are viewing baptism differently than I am. I see it as a symbol of your decision of faith. In that case, I don't understand the reasoning behind baptizing infants. However, I don't particularly see anything wrong with it either.

 

[Rechtgläubig]

If faith is not a choice, then why are there atheists in the world. They choose not to have faith don't they? If they did not choose it, did God just decide not to give them the gift of faith? Of course not. Everyone must choose whether they accept God or not.

The conclusions you draw make sense and are logical, but they are not based on scripture. It is man's nature to reject God. Man is by nature sinful - Paul admits, “I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature” (Rom. 7:18). There is no fear of God, no true love of God, no trust in God, no willingness to serve God, because there is "nothing good". Colossians 3:5 tells us what kinds of things "belong" to our earthly nature. Furthermore the unsaved are "darkened in their understanding" of spiritual matters (Ephesians 4:17-18), they are "foolish" to the unbeliever (1 Cor. 2:14), the minds of the unsaved are set on sinful things (Rom 8:5), they are against the Spirit (Gal. 5:17), and natural man is “hostile to God”, “alienated from God”, “unable to please God”, “does not submit to God’s Law”, and is an enemy of God (Romans 8:7+8) (Col. 1:21). The unbeliever can't "choose" to believe in Christ, he can only resist and reject God.

(Ephesians 2:4+5)“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.”
Salvation is credited to the Grace of God alone, not partially, but fully, totally, and completely. When are we saved? We are saved when we have Faith (believe). How do we gain faith? “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ."

Scripture again and again rejects the idea that man has the ability to choose to have Faith and gives full credit to God alone.

(John 6:44)"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.”

(1 Corinthians 2:12)“We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.”

(1 Corinthians 12:3)“Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.”

(Philippians 1:29)“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him”

(Ephesians 2:8-9)"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast."

Anyone who thinks they assisted in conversion could say, “I chose to believe and he didn’t” in response to a question regarding the difference between the saved and unsaved. Paul says: no, “God’s Grace saved you. You can’t boast because you played no active part in it. Your faith is a gift from God.” The true answer would simply be, “I believe and he doesn’t.” Conversion is the work of the Holy Spirit not man.

 

[Rechtgläubig]

catholics for centuries didnt baptize infants.

I would be interesting to see you support this. All the historical information I have seen shows the early church did baptize infants.