Baptism.

[MentalSoliloquy]

I was baptised as an infant in a greek orthodox church... In recommiting to God as a non denominational Christian

Do I need to be baptised again?

 

[LiberatedChick]

As you've been baptised as an infant then I would say no...but I am Anglican and we do practise infant baptism. I think that some denominations believe infant baptism isn't valid and want folks to be baptised again. I'm not sure but I don't think that'd be the case in a non-denominational church.

 

[vinc]

Water-Baptism has to be taken meaningfully and seriously.

Water-Baptism simply is an Act of Obedience to Scripture. Its an outward show of his/her Faith. It is denoting the fact that one is dead to the world (while going under water) and now lives for Lord Jesus Christ alone (while coming out of the water). This is the meaning with which one has to take water-baptism. An infant is not able to take water-baptism understanding this truth.

The following scripture verses support this fact :-

Romans 6:3-4, "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

Ephesians 4:5, "One Lord, one faith, one baptism,"

Colossians 2:12, "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead."

1 Peter 3:12, "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ"

So, i sincerely urge you to pray and ask God whether He would want you to undergo a meaningful Water-Baptism as you understand it better now. A Man of God i know prayed for around 6 months regarding his water-baptism before God gave the signal. Some others have taken Water-Baptism as soon as they were born-again.

However, Water-Baptism in itself will not change you into a holy person. You ought to seek, pray and hunger for one more Baptism and that is Holy Spirit Baptism (or Baptism of the Holy Spirit or Being Filled with the Holy Spirit). One cannot live the Christian life as one should without recieving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

So, getting Born-Again truly in the spirit, taking a meaningful Water-Baptism, recieiving the genuine Baptism of the Holy Spirit and being rooted and grounded in the Word of God are the 4 essential steps to be taken by any human being for a good christian foundation.

So, i urge you to concentrate on these essential steps.

 

[DawnTillery]

My daughter was baptised as an infant at a Lutheran church, I did it because her grandma was insisting it be done. Now, that I understand baptism, I believe that when a baby gets baptised all the baby is doing is getting wet, just as with an adult that does not truly understand or truly WANT the baptism. I believe baptism is an obedient act of following christ and should occur when we are ready after we are saved. My daughter is getting baptised this summer and is ready to accept the baptism and understands it is an obedient act of following Jesus example that he left for us.

 

[chilehed]

The Catholic Church teaches that Baptism is not merely symbolic, but that it actually washes away the stain of original sin.

If you were baptised with the correct matter (flowing water) and form ("I baptise you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit"), then your baptism was valid and you need not be baptised again. Indeed, one can only be validly baptized once.

However, many non-Catholic denominations believe otherwise.

 

[chilibowl]

what does the Non-Dom. church say? If your attending that church now, then follow their "In house" rules.. There are not asking you to go against scripture are they?

 

[MentalSoliloquy]

I have not had the opportunity to ask them yet...

It's not a matter of me getting saved, I've always been a practicing Christian and studying the word. Its the fact that with study i've realized that I did not feel comfortable within my denomination.

 

[Sketcher]

I believe in adult baptism. Baptism is a step of obedience, first of all, and you didn't have a choice in the matter as a baby.

"and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also– not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ" - 1 Peter 3:21

A baby is not capable of making a pledge of a good concience. A baby doesn't even know what is happening. The internal commitment you have for God is what matters, and baptism is to reflect that. If you don't "mean" the baptism when you're getting baptised, all you're doing is getting wet.

 

[blue_lagoon]

My pastor thinks infant baptism is more for the parents. A pledge for them to raise the baby in a Christian household with Christian values.

I spoke to the associate pastor and he would like his daughter to be re-baptised when she's older and can make her own decision.

 

[LiberatedChick]

A pledge for them to raise the baby in a Christian household with Christian values.

This is one aspect of infant baptism in the Anglican church. Yes, it is the parents stating they will raise the child to follow Christ however, they also answer certain questions on behalf of the child.

Do you reject the devil and all rebellion against God?
Parents and godparents: I reject them.

Do you renounce the deceit and corruption of evil?
Parents and godparents: I renounce them.

Do you repent of the sins that separate us from God and neighbour?
Parents and godparents: I repent of them.

Do you turn to Christ as Saviour?
Parents and godparents: I turn to Christ.

Do you submit to Christ as Lord?
Parents and godparents: I submit to Christ.

Do you come to Christ, the way, the truth and the life?
Parents and godparents: I come to Christ.

During infant baptism the parents are answering those questions on behalf of the child. During an adult baptism the person being baptised would answer those for themself. Though when the child is old enough to answer for themselves and make their own decisions they can be confirmed. Confirmation is an adult statement of faith, it's not a second baptism because they've already been baptised. It is them showing they accept the baptism and are now taking on for themselves the vows that were made on their behalf.

Now I don't want to start a debate on whether infant baptism is valid or not. I'm trying to illustrate that in some denominations it can be more than just something for the parents. So maybe you should take a look at the baptism ceremony for the greek orthodox church to help you decide what you believe regarding your baptism.

 

[Jessica Lauren]

I did, so I'd say yes.

 

[arunma]

I was baptised as an infant in a greek orthodox church... In recommiting to God as a non denominational Christian

Do I need to be baptised again?

Here's my perspective as a Baptist.

"Do I need to be baptized again?" Well, I think you should be baptized, but I don't think your salvation is in any jeopardy if you aren't baptized as an adult. As a Baptist, I believe that the ordinance of baptism is meant to be a symbolism of one's obedient response to Christ's grace. But I don't believe that baptism is a prerequisite for salvation.

One other thing. If you were to be baptized as an adult, I wouldn't consider it a "rebaptism," because I don't believe that infant baptisms are valid. Again, this doesn't mean much, because I don't believe that unbaptized Christians are less Christian than baptized ones. But I do believe that all believers shold be baptized once, after a profession of faith.

So I guess my answer to your question is: if you think you ought to be baptized, then be baptized.

 

[blue_lagoon]

Indeed. The robber that was to the left of Jesus at his crucifiction(sp?) ... was never baptized, but professed his faith. And he's definitely in Heaven now.

 

[arunma]

Blue Lagoon, it's spelled "crucifixion." Normally I'm not a spelling nazi, but many godless atheists spell it "crucifiction" in order to mock Christianity.

Anyway, in regards to the robber, let me just argue the other side real quick. Catholics and a few other denominations say that the robber was "baptized by desire." They believe baptism by desire can occur when a person doesn't fully understand the Gospel, but desires to have a relationship with God anyway. They also believe in "baptism by blood," which is what happens when a martyr for Christianity dies before being baptized.

Of course, neither of those beliefs are in the Bible, which is why I as a Baptist don't believe them.

 

[asjs1206]

I think that Baptism is a choice only you can make as to whether you are ready to take that step. I was made to be baptized by my parents in a Baptist church when I was 12 years old and it meant nothing to me...I went along to keep peace in the house....
Then when I had my children I converted to Catholicism and had my children Baptized because that was the belief of the Catholic Church...
Since then I have left the Catholic faith and am joining a non-denominational church and have chosen to be Baptized again because I feel like that is what I need to do...but I think water baptism has to be a personal choice----I feel that water baptism as an infant is more for the parents also....

 

[KTskater]

I'm getting baptized next weekend. I felt I wanted to grow closer to God and take a step further in my faith. I'm glad I got to make the descsion, it makes it much more meaningful than if I was baptized when I couldn't even say the word "God". It makes it between me, God and Christ, no one else.

 

[arunma]

Hey Skater, glad to hear that you're getting water baptized!

Anyway, the basic idea of believer's baptism is that you choose to accept Christ, because it can't be forced upon you. Unfortunately, many Baptists force their children to be baptized. So that drains the meaning from the ordinance. Unfortunately, a forced adult baptism (well, by "adult" I mean a person age 10-15) is no better than a baby baptism.

 

[Endeavor]

Okay, now you guys really have me excited about this! I've been considering being baptised since I was saved a year ago. I am also one who had a Catholic baptism as an infant and let me tell ya, I don't remember a thing so I don't feel that I made a commitment to Jesus at that time. I'm going to ask about being baptised when I'm at church this Sunday!

 

[marciebaby]

I was baptized as an infant in the Presbyterian church, but when I accepted Christ at 16, I really felt a deep desire to be baptized again, as an adult. I wanted to make a statement to the world that I was ready to be a follower of Christ. I don't think that anything that draws you closer to God can be wrong-as my Roman Catholic friends protested my baptism. It was really a fantastic experience, and I'm so glad that I did it.
I also know many adults who are living just a beautiful Christian life who were baptized as infants-with no "believer's baptism". My mother is one of them! I think that God knows what's in our hearts. But I'd really encourage you to seek His will about this issue.

 

[arunma]

Endeavor, it's good to hear that you too are thinking about being baptized! I don't think you'll ever regret the decision.