Baptism

[Marycita]

I've been thinking a lot about this for a while now...

I grew up Catholic, so I was baptized as a baby, but it's really been on my heart that I should be baptized...

My hang up is my family. And I know that it's not for them, so it shouldn't matter...Maybe I just need to get over it

But really, I don't know how they will take that. My dad is still bummed out that I never made my confirmation. He's constantly trying to get me to go to church with him again.

My mom was cleaning out some old stuff lately (the woman's a pack rat ) and she came across my baptism hanging thing my grandmother made me. And she asked me if I wanted to hang it in my room. my reaction was like "Why" (I know, snotty )....and she looked really disappointed and was like "I just thought it would be a nice way to remember your baptism."

But that's the thing - I don't remember my baptism - and I don't think of it as mine...I didn't tell my mom that though...

I don't know..I guess I'm just wondering if anyone has any thoughts...or similar experiences...

OR if you wanna talk about your baptism in general..that would be cool too

 

[Tink]

I think that if God is laying it on your heart to be baptized (and it seems like He is), then you should do it.

I was baptized at 10 years old because people at church told me I had to in order to avoid hell. It wasn't personal. It didn't make one bit of difference to me. I still lived like hell (literally) until I met Jesus as an adult in 2004. I got baptized again (and FOR REAL) in 2005 as a way to publicly and spiritually celebrate my salvation.

As a side note: I've never understood infant baptism anyhow. How can you baptize someone who hasn't yet made a decision to follow Christ? Baptism doesn't save, and people who are baptized as infants don't grow up to be more Christian than those who aren't, in my experience.

As for your family, maybe you could try explaining to them that you'd like to be "re"baptized as an adult in order to make your salvation steps more personal to you. If they don't understand that, I'd say it's their issue and not yours. Be obedient to God, Marycita, if that is what He is telling you to do.



You're awesome, chickadee.

 

[Tink]

PS. I think everyone who posts in this thread should have a pink font. <3

 

[Marycita]

I think that if God is laying it on your heart to be baptized (and it seems like He is), then you should do it.

I was baptized at 10 years old because people at church told me I had to in order to avoid hell. It wasn't personal. It didn't make one bit of difference to me. I still lived like hell (literally) until I met Jesus as an adult in 2004. I got baptized again (and FOR REAL) in 2005 as a way to publicly and spiritually celebrate my salvation.

That's awesome!

As a side note: I've never understood infant baptism anyhow. How can you baptize someone who hasn't yet made a decision to follow Christ? Baptism doesn't save, and people who are baptized as infants don't grow up to be more Christian than those who aren't, in my experience.

I used to not even think about it ..but now that I do...the more I think about it, the less sense it makes to me I'm with you on that one.

As for your family, maybe you could try explaining to them that you'd like to be "re"baptized as an adult in order to make your salvation steps more personal to you. If they don't understand that, I'd say it's their issue and not yours. Be obedient to God, Marycita, if that is what He is telling you to do.

I guess it just bothers me because I want SO badly for them to understand - and I would love for them to be there.

Ahhhh...obedience....thank you..needed that reminder...

You're awesome, chickadee.

Psha...you're awesomer

PS. I think everyone who posts in this thread should have a pink font. <3

I so concur!

 

[DougyP]

I've been thinking a lot about this for a while now...

I grew up Catholic, so I was baptized as a baby, but it's really been on my heart that I should be baptized...

Are you still Catholic?

 

[Marycita]

No, sir

 

[DougyP]

I was also baptized as an infant. But infant baptism is meaningless for the individual being baptized. It is a parents dedication to the church family and to God that they will raise their child according to scripture.
Adult baptism is a public display of salvation. It is someones way of telling his/her church family that they confess that they trust in Christ alone for Salvation.

If you admit that you are a sinner, believe Christ died as the ultimate sacrifice to forgive your sin, and that you confess Him to be Lord and King in your life; than you should be baptized in Christ so that all can know who you really are.

 

[DougyP]

No, sir

Are you a Christian?

 

[Tink]

That's awesome!
I used to not even think about it ..but now that I do...the more I think about it, the less sense it makes to me I'm with you on that one.

I guess it just bothers me because I want SO badly for them to understand - and I would love for them to be there.

Ahhhh...obedience....thank you..needed that reminder...

Psha...you're awesomer


I so concur!

If you wanna talk about it, ya know where to find me!

 

[Luther073082]

If you don't belive in infant baptism then you probably should to quiet your own feelings.

However I assure you that it makes no difference to God so long as you are baptised.

I was also baptized as an infant. But infant baptism is meaningless for the individual being baptized. It is a parents dedication to the church family and to God that they will raise their child according to scripture.
Adult baptism is a public display of salvation. It is someones way of telling his/her church family that they confess that they trust in Christ alone for Salvation.

I disagree, I was one month old when I was baptised and the baptism is very meaningful for me.

But then again I belive baptism has far more meaning then simpily a public affirmation of faith.

 

[Marycita]

Are you a Christian?

Yes sir

If you wanna talk about it, ya know where to find me!

Thank you!

 

[ido]

I was baptized in the Methodist church as an infant. We attended regularly until I was about 9, then stopped going at all. I began attending a different Methodist church when I was in HS and got invited to Youth.

We moved my Sr. year and I was invited to a Baptist church by the pastor's daughter (who was my age and became one of my best friends that year). We talked about my faith and what I believed, etc. and I was right on the cusp of truly understanding my faith and what it meant to me. So, I decided that I wanted to be baptized again to symbolically represent my final understand and whole acceptance of what it meant to be and live like a Christian. I pretty much felt the same way you did about my infant baptism.

My dad was upset - my mother was beside herself. I told them both very plainly that they had stopped helping me form my spiritual life many years before...and that if they wanted more "input" in my relationship with God, then they should have found a way to actively continue to lay the foundation of my faith (I was a very outspoken teenager )

They couldn't stop me from doing it and it is still a bone of contention between us to this day. But, I don't feel badly for it, b/c I did what felt right to me.

Fast forward to children of my own. The oldest mancub was not baptized as an infant (I was back attending the Methodist church of my childhood years at that point). But, once the youngest mancub was on his way, I was feeling very strongly about having both boys baptized. Ironic, yes? I've come to the conclusion that some people see dedication as a way to pronounce that you will raise your child up in the faith and others see infant baptism as the way to do that. I can't really explain *why* I felt so strongly about it...maybe I should blame pregnancy hormones. lol

But, if they come to me some day and tell me that they want to be baptized again so that it is a meaningful experience to them in their spiritual walk, I will support that choice.

 

[CrusaderKing]

I have no memories of my baptism because I was baptized as an infant.

 

[DougyP]

Yes sir

If I may make a suggestion? If your dad wants you to go to Church, you should go to Church with him. He may be more open to go see your baptism or even go to Church with you. Impress him with some bible knowledge.
The best way to reach out to your dad is not to shut him off from you. Be open to what he says. He may be more open to you.

 

[Marycita]

Val - I so admire you being able to be open with your parents about that. Thank you

I have no memories of my baptism because I was baptized as an infant.

Does it ever bother you?

If I may make a suggestion? If your dad wants you to go to Church, you should go to Church with him. He may be more open to go see your baptism or even go to Church with you. Impress him with some bible knowledge.
The best way to reach out to your dad is not to shut him off from you. Be open to what he says. He may be more open to you.

I'm actually really close to my dad and we have many many talks about God and the Bible etc...he just can't understand why I don't like Catholicism. He has told me recently that I'm getting more "out there" with my beliefs.

And honestly - I can't go to church with him - I just don't get anything out of it.

 

[CrusaderKing]

Does it ever bother you?

It doesn't bother me one bit. I'm baptized, so I don't see a reason to be bothered about when it happened.

 

[trentlogain2]

If you don't belive in infant baptism then you probably should to quiet your own feelings.

However I assure you that it makes no difference to God so long as you are baptised.



I disagree, I was one month old when I was baptised and the baptism is very meaningful for me.

But then again I belive baptism has far more meaning then simpily a public affirmation of faith.

tell me luther, are you like CoC folks and the like who believe that a person must be baptized by water to get to heaven?

 

[ceh85]

I was brought up Catholic too and 'did' all the main sacraments you do when you're growing up - baptism, first communion, confirmation. I had no choice in the matter though, and neither did most other people I knew so in a way it was kind of pointless. I don't think I'm ready to be baptized yet but one day I probably will be.

Doug, that is interesting what you said about not shutting your dad out, and I agree, but I'm not sure going to Mass is the best way to do that. I actually did go to Catholic Mass on Christmas Day but only because I couldn't get to my normal church. My dad knew I wanted to be at any kind of service rather than none, and I liked going with him, but I think if I started doing that more regularly he'd just think I was undecided about leaving the Catholic church.

 

[ido]

Mary, thanks for the compliment. I could tell you some stories that probably border on disrespecting my parents, but they were things said/done in the name of standing my "spiritual ground" with them, so to speak. My parents and I have butted heads on faith since I was 15 (their beliefs and practices - or lack thereof - are vastly different from mine), so if you ever want to PM me about my situation, I will be happy to explain it further or answer questions you might have about ways I have possibly handled things you are up against in your situation.

 

[Marycita]

It doesn't bother me one bit. I'm baptized, so I don't see a reason to be bothered about when it happened.

Cool beans for you

I was brought up Catholic too and 'did' all the main sacraments you do when you're growing up - baptism, first communion, confirmation. I had no choice in the matter though, and neither did most other people I knew so in a way it was kind of pointless. I don't think I'm ready to be baptized yet but one day I probably will be.

Doug, that is interesting what you said about not shutting your dad out, and I agree, but I'm not sure going to Mass is the best way to do that. I actually did go to Catholic Mass on Christmas Day but only because I couldn't get to my normal church. My dad knew I wanted to be at any kind of service rather than none, and I liked going with him, but I think if I started doing that more regularly he'd just think I was undecided about leaving the Catholic church.

I agree with you there - if I started going with my dad again, that would give him like false hope that I was going to practice Catholicism again...

Mary, thanks for the compliment. I could tell you some stories that probably border on disrespecting my parents, but they were things said/done in the name of standing my "spiritual ground" with them, so to speak. My parents and I have butted heads on faith since I was 15 (their beliefs and practices - or lack thereof - are vastly different from mine), so if you ever want to PM me about my situation, I will be happy to explain it further or answer questions you might have about ways I have possibly handled things you are up against in your situation.

Oh thank you! I might just do that