Baptism

[sk8brdkd]

Today at my church, we had over 80 people get baptized -- it was amazing to hear the stories and what not.

At first, i thought i wanted to email one of the pastors at my church about this but, decided against it for now.

I've been a christian for almost 12 years now. I have never gotten baptized yet and, inwardly, i honestly just don't feel the need to do so.

Why do churches place such a heavy emphasis on baptism? I mean, baptism doesn't making you saved. I know that I am saved w/o bein baptized and I know baptism is a way to publicly announce your faith but, I've already publicly announced my faith many times both to christians and non christians, but, what's the point in baptism?

The pastors at my church were so excited to hear that 80 people signed up to be baptized. I say, ok, whoopee, good for them -- In the past, i had even prayed about baptism for myself but, never got any answers or what not, so, i just let that part go. Yes, it is nice to hear how God is working in people's lives -- it's interesting but, I am not so sure I'd want to share my testimony in front of 300-500 people at my church most of whom i don't know. I just shared my testimony on this forum in the testimonies area -- my testimony n the way i became a christian was very very difficult n i really wouldn't want to share that w/ so many people. That's 1 of the other things that's keeping me away from bein baptized but, the fact that i don't feel the need for it, is also there.

Now, i don't think this has to do w/ baptism, however, over the past few days, my heart just doesn't feel w/ God -- i feel like my heart is running away from him, however, my prayers are running towards him -- does that make Any sense?!? i don't feel as near to God as i should be -- i feel like i'm almost going back to where i was before i became a christian n i'm feeling lost/separated a bit, but, i haven't moved anywhere. My prayers are solid n consistent n i usually pray about other people over myself bc to me, others matter more then myself. But, why have i been feeling this way? i feel so distant and just feel like i'm goin thru a rough patch. I just don't kno what to do.

 

[1watchman]

We are either for God or against Him, He said. Baptism is showing forth our desire to stand with Jesus Christ against the unbelieving world. If we are not willing to do that, we dishonor Him. It is important to take a stand, and if we don't want to honor Him in the way that He has told us, then we can't expect the peace, joy, and blessings of God (though one might be a real believer and trying to follow some of the teachings of Christ). That is my view of baptism.

 

[BFine]

John Piper says it better than I can.

What Baptism portrays (excerpt):

1. The old unbelieving, rebellious "I" has been crucified with Christ. This is what your baptism meant and means. 2. Baptism portrays our newness of life in Christ.

Romans 6:
Verse 4: "We have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life." Nobody stays under the water of baptism. We come up out of the water. After death comes new life. The old "I" of unbelief and rebellion died when I was united to Christ through faith. But the instant the old "I" died a new "I" was given life - a new spiritual person was, as it were, raised from the dead.
The most crucial commentary on this truth is Colossians 2:12. Paul says, "Having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead." Notice: We are raised up with Christ just like Romans 6:4 says we walk in newness of life. And there is the working of God who raised him from the dead just like Romans 6:4 says that Christ was raised through the glory of the Father. And this happens through faith in the working of God who raised Jesus from the dead.
So Colossians 2:12 makes explicit what Romans 6:4 leaves implicit - that baptism expresses our faith in the working of God to raise Jesus from the dead. We believe that Christ is alive from the grave and reigning today at the Father's right hand in heaven from which he will come again in power and glory. And that faith in God's working - God's glory as Paul calls it - is how we share in the newness of life that Christ has in himself.

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This is what it means to be a Christian - to live in the reality of what our baptism portrays: day by day we look away from ourselves to God and say, "Because of Christ, your Son, I come to you. In him I belong to you. I am at home with you. He is my only hope of acceptance with you. I receive that acceptance anew every day. My hope is based on his death for me and my death in him. My life in him is a life of faith in you, Father. Because of him I trust your working in me and for me. The same power and glory that you used to raise him from the dead you will use to help me.


*By John Piper-- for more: desiringGod.org

 

[gideon123]

churches vary depending upon how much emphasis they place on the act of baptism. it becomes a controversial issue within Christianity - probably much more so than it should be.

some of the original disciples were baptised by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. What did Christ say to them later? "John baptised you with water, but I will baptise you with the Holy Spirit!". Which baptism do you believe is more important ?

Gideon123

 

[lauraviv]

Now, i don't think this has to do w/ baptism, however, over the past few days, my heart just doesn't feel w/ God -- i feel like my heart is running away from him, however, my prayers are running towards him -- does that make Any sense?!?

Yes it makes alot of sense! I often feel the same way and call it "spiritually bipolar." As we walk closer and closer in Christ, we begin to feel the "shadow of the cross." Meaning we sometimes will feel the shear joy and peace of being with Christ, but we will also find ourselves in uncomfortable places too. We may begin to question whether something that has been part of our lives for some time is really what God wants for us, and that questioning brings about the possibility of change. Change can be scary.

I would not consider it unusual to feel one minute that we are completely devoted to Christ and the next minute that it would be easier to give it up and go back to the way we were before we found Christ.

Also, bear in mind that evil does not want us to get closer to God or to act on His will. That can contribute to feelings of separation from God and doubt about our actions as well.

The key, I think, is to pray for discernment and ask God what he is calling us to do. Then, as best we can, act! The more often and frequently we act on our calling, the easier it becomes, and the less "spiritually bipolar" we feel.

Finally, I would not disconnect your hesitation about baptism and this idea of your heart not feeling with God even though you feel your prayers are. Everything is related.