Baptism

[heymikey80]

My church is very ... um cerebral ... about the way we went about deciding on how to deal with Baptism. One of the people who defends this view wrote a small pamphlet on the topic. So if nothing else, you'll learn some things about the history and Scriptural treatment of Baptism.

Baptism, by Francis Schaeffer

 

[jlcboi23]

I have witnessed some beautiful baptisms in a swimming pool, but the most amazing that I've ever witnessed happened two weekends ago when 200-plus people were baptized in the pacific ocean! Aw man, that was so SUPER!

The entire body submerged in water is the correct way to be baptized, and if this can be accomplished in a bathtub then that's fine too, but it has to be a tub big enough for the water to envelop the whole body in one dunk .

Good bless you,

The Guide

I agree...the body has to be emersed fully in water and make sure you are baptized in Jesus name.
See Acts 2:38

 

[visionary]

When you give your life to Him. You want to give it all. Pray about all the answers you were given and know in your heart that which is right between you and the Lord. Let not your hearts be troubled. God is more interested in your heart than the symbolism. Just as the thief on the cross was promised salvation without baptism and many were baptised in the spirit without water, so you are a believer...

 

[CShephard53]

baptizō
Thayer Definition:
1) to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk)
2) to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water, to wash one’s self, bathe
3) to overwhelm
Part of Speech: verb

Immersion, and I believe the reason is that it symbolizes being born again- death of old self, birth of new.

 

[ashleymarie1089]

so if you get baptized as a baby, it's not really a baptism? what is it? my mom calls it christening, but i always thought it was the same thing. i got water on my head and then was welcomed into the church. slfjdlsa confused!

 

[bornagain01]

Christening is a vow that your parents take to bring you up in the church. It has nothing to do with your salvation. Once you fully understand why Christ died for you and you accept His sacrifice and repent of your sins and turn from "your life" to a life that follows Christ you will want to show publicly what has happened to you inwardly.
It's simply a demonstration to show the world "you have decided to follow Jesus." If you ask Christ into your life and was killed before you were Baptized, it would not affect your Salvation.

 

[ashleymarie1089]

so when people are talking about baptism and christening, they're completely different things?
is a christening where they also pick the religion they want you christened under? or is that baptism?
sorry, i'm being a pain.

 

[LilLamb219]

so when people are talking about baptism and christening, they're completely different things?
is a christening where they also pick the religion they want you christened under? or is that baptism?
sorry, i'm being a pain.

No, baptism and christening are the same things and they both contain water and God's Word (thus bringing the benefits of the cross to that person).

 

[bornagain01]

As a child, I was christened in the Presbyterian church as an infant. I could make NO DECISIONS of my own concerning Salvation. At the age of 55, I discovered Christ for the first time in my life. To show the world of the change in my life, I was Baptized. It IS NOT the same thing. Do not be confused.

 

[heymikey80]

As a child, I was christened in the Presbyterian church as an infant. I could make NO DECISIONS of my own concerning Salvation. At the age of 55, I discovered Christ for the first time in my life. To show the world of the change in my life, I was Baptized. It IS NOT the same thing. Do not be confused.

This is not the place for debating and attacking. Pointedly bornagain01, either you caused your own life change by your decision, or God did it. It's what Presbyterianism says -- not that your decision isn't allowed, but that your secondary decision is caused by and dependent on God's primary decision to change you. That's why your decision for yourself doesn't save you. It requires God's work in you.

Welcome to the people of God. He's been working on you a long time I see.

 

[bornagain01]

God does not want any to perish. He did not create man for the purpose of sending him to Hell. God gives us all "free will" and the opportunity to make that choice. Nobody is left out of the loop unless they choose NOT to accept Christ as their personal savior.

 

[LilLamb219]

This is not the place for debating and attacking. Pointedly bornagain01, either you caused your own life change by your decision, or God did it. It's what Presbyterianism says -- not that your decision isn't allowed, but that your secondary decision is caused by and dependent on God's primary decision to change you. That's why your decision for yourself doesn't save you. It requires God's work in you.

Welcome to the people of God. He's been working on you a long time I see.

Great posting! God doesn't need our permission to save us

 

[Br0kenSunshyne]

This is interesting to me too, cause I personally am afraid of water. We'll see what happens.

 

[heymikey80]

This is interesting to me too, cause I personally am afraid of water. We'll see what happens.

It would be a good idea, if you're phobic, to get used to the steps "on dry land." Otherwise it's simply uncomfortable.

I was baptized by immersion. At the time I was joining a Baptist church.

Based on that ... if you're going to be immersed, make sure it's a pretty strong person and ask specifically for a chance to talk with him beforehand about your fears before signing up for it.

I can tell you, the procedure does require some strength to uphold you while they're holding your nose. They're likely going to tip you over backwards as is normal of revival-legacy churches. It's good to have someone experienced doing it.

It's really ironic to me how much this deviates from even the ancient immersive practice.

 

[Br0kenSunshyne]

ewwwwwwww *freaks out*

 

[heymikey80]

Heh, better to freak out online!

If you've ever been on those "group-building" courses, where they want you to entrust yourself to someone else while falling backwards, or jumping off a high place ... yeah, it can feel like that.

Which is not a bad experience, in and of itself. It's pretty relevant to what baptism is starting -- relying on Jesus Christ.

 

[Br0kenSunshyne]

LOL. Yay! I LOVE paranoia!!!!!

 

[savedbygracebre]

Many ways, they all vary, however the most important thing to remember is that baptism is "an outward sign of an inward change". Once Christ comes to live in you, He will bless anyway you signify your life with Him. It's not "how" you do it-it's "why" you do it.

 

[VincentBlack]

To be fair I would have to say that I prefer the full-submerging as it is scriptural. Although I would say that I don't think it hugely matters so long as it is not infant Baptism (christianings) as that is actually rooted in Babylon Idol Worship.