Being Baptised

[JohnCpn]

Hi

I'v been trying to become baptised, but it going to take alot longer to get it done than I first thought. The Reverend that I am currently speaking to about this doesn't seem to be in any haste.

Is this normal?

I'm asking because for all i know i could be hit by a bus
tomorrow without having been baptised.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[snoochface]

If you are a Christian and have accepted Jesus into your heart and life, you CAN be hit by a bus tomorrow without being baptized and you will still go to heaven.

Baptism is not a requirement for salvation. It is something we do to publicly express our faith and our committment to God and to Jesus.

Remember that Jesus told the thief on the cross that TODAY he would be with him in paradise. The thief did not have time to get baptized. It was his faith that allowed him to be with Jesus in heaven.

This is likely why your pastor is not in any rush. Most churches that I am familiar with have baptisms on a planned schedule - for example, the last Sunday of the month. Some churches have a baptism class you must attend before your baptism, to make sure you understand what it is about and why you are doing it. That is how my church does it as well. It is not uncommon for a baptism to wait a few weeks, maybe even a month or two depending on how the church is set up.

 

[JohnCpn]

Thanks for your reply.

Didn't John the Baptist say that that you must be baptised to be saved?

 

[snoochface]

No. I know of no passages where John the Baptist says you must be baptised with water in order to receive salvation.

Matthew 3:11-12
11 "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

Mark 1:4
4 And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

John baptised with water, and preached about Jesus' baptism of the Holy Spirit. This is a spiritual baptism he is talking about, not a baptism with water. The baptism of the Holy Spirit that comes with accepting Jesus is what gives salvation and puts us into the "wheat" category instead of the "chaff" category.

Acts 10:44-48
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. 45 All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, 47 "Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?" 48 And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.

The people spoken about in this passage received the Holy Spirit first - which is only given once you receive Christ, which gives you salvation - and then they were baptised with water.

It is the spiritual baptism by the Holy Spirit that saves. The water baptism is symbolic and a public declaration of your decision.

We ARE supposed to be baptised, the same way we are supposed to turn away from sin, and we are supposed to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and we are supposed to love each other as ourselves - it is something God wants us to do, and we should obey. But it is not a requirement for salvation.

As I said before, Jesus told the thief that he would be with him in paradise. That could not happen unless the thief was saved, and he clearly did not have a chance to be baptised. He was saved by his faith, not by anything he did, such as being baptised.

 

[JohnCpn]

Thank you very much

 

[ATrueBeliever]

I am going to most likely be baptized this summer sometime btw thanks for those answers snooch, I was wondering the same thing as John
God Bless!

 

[AllTalkNoAction]

The word means to immerse or dip as a garment which is being dyed a different colour.
Bible descriptions show people getting into and coming out of water and there being "much water there", it symbolises burial. 1 Peter 3v20-21 relates baptism to the Flood which was NOT just a sprinkling !

Here are 4 questions people often ask, with the bible answers:-

Q - Who should get baptised ?

A - believers in Jesus Christ only:-
Acts 8:35: Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
:36: And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what hinders me to be baptized?
:37: And Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, you may
(see also Mark 16v16, Acts 2v37-38)



Q - Why bother ?

A - Jesus did it saying "Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becomes us to fulfil all righteousness" (Matt.3v15)
Showing that he was not relying on his natural abilities that he inherited from Adam through Mary, but on His Father who annointed Him with the Holy Spirit to reveal God's nature.

It shows that you choose to obey God rather than your own opinion of what seems right or feels right to you. It is a putting down, indeed, a burial of the natural man.
(see also Romans 6v3-4, Colossians 2v12).
God wants us to show that we have no confidence in our natural selves to be righteous, there is *anothert life*, so water baptism should go hand-in-hand with receiving the Holy Spirit - the new birth, evidenced by a new tongue (Acts 2v4m 1-v44-48, 19v1-6).

Getting baptised *with this understanding* will give you a "clear conscience" so that you can go forward without doubt or confusion.

"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:" (1 Peter 3v21, see also Mark 16v15, Acts 2v37-38)
so, water baptism doesn't give you power over "the flesh", ont the baptism i the Spirit gives that, but it does show you that you have nothing to offer God, except obedience to what he says you need to receive.

That's why the people in Acts 10 were commanded to be baptised *even though* they had received the Holy Spirit.


Q - does it matter who/what church baptises me ?

A - Yes ! Paul's first question to people seeking baptism was:-
"Unto what then were ye baptized?" (Acts 19v3)
These people hadn't been taught properly about receiving the Holy Spirit so Paul told them and re-baptised them and followed this with prayer for them to receive the Holy Spirit.
That's what it means to "baptise in the name of Jesus" / "in the name of
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit". (Matt. 28v19)
You are seeking to enter into the Family of God through Jesus death and by receiving the Holy Spirit.
We see here in Acts 19, as in earlier cases (Acts 10v44-48 -Gentiles and
Acts 2v4-Jews) that all knew precisely when they receive the Spirit !
- they speak in tongues - just like a voice was heard when Jesus was
anointed, or like a baby cries when it is born (see also Galatians 4v6, John 3v8).

We are called to love God by being faithful to him and avoiding those who
"have the form of God, but deny the power thereof" (2 Tim.3v5)
Who "preach another Jesus" other than that which the apostles preached - one of new life and signs-following, not words-only (1 Cor. 2v4-5, 2 Cor 11v4)



Q - When should a believer get baptised ?

A - a.s.a.p.! The apostles never made people wait to do what God wants !:-
Acts 22:16: And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
(see also Acts 2v37-38, 10v44-48...)
Note: "calling on the name of The Lord" is praying to receive the Holy Spirit. Some people say that any believer who is baptised has already received the Spirit but the above scriptures show that they are sepatare events (see also Acts 8v12-18).


* * * *

You don't have to do it publicly, it's between you and God, not other people.
Neither is it some sort of vow to God that you will be a perfect christian !
- God says you won't, but he asks you to believe he can perfect you and your faith in him, like a child learning to walk.

 

[JohnCpn]

Thanks man!

 

[bfly]

Hi

I'v been trying to become baptised, but it going to take alot longer to get it done than I first thought. The Reverend that I am currently speaking to about this doesn't seem to be in any haste.

Is this normal?

I'm asking because for all i know i could be hit by a bus
tomorrow without having been baptised.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I agree totally with snoochface. When you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior and repented of your sins your were born again. Water baptism is important but it is for you to show the world you have accepted Jesus. Congratualtion on your new life in Christ. I know when you are baptised it will be like a fresh annointing come over you. May you continue to grow in the Lord. It is a wonderful way to spend your life. No turning back, no turning back. Praise God, you are a child of the Kings.

 

[MikeMcK]

Hi

I'v been trying to become baptised, but it going to take alot longer to get it done than I first thought. The Reverend that I am currently speaking to about this doesn't seem to be in any haste.

Is this normal?

Very few churches do it right away.

In my church, it's strongly suggested that you take a new believers' class that lasts six-eight weeks.

You're not required to, but it's better if you do.

I'm asking because for all i know i could be hit by a bus tomorrow without having been baptised.

All baptism is is a symbolic way to identify yourself with the church and to illustrate the new life that Christ has given you. Not being baptised doesn't have any bearing on what happens, should you be hit by a bus so don't worry about it (but, just to be safe, make sure you look both ways before crossing the street).

 

[Rowan]

Don't feel bad JohnCpn...I know people who are in great communion with God, and got baptized years after they have gotten saved (And I'm talking 10 years...)

Baptism isn't needed for salvation; we are not saved by works, but by grace. While, I'm not speaking against baptism, we must be sure that we never require it to be the condition that labels you a Christisn. It is a sign of obedience, respect, and public declaration...not a prerequisite for God's Kingdom.

 

[JohnCpn]

Brilliant news. Thanks

 

[AllTalkNoAction]

Brilliant news. Thanks

But is it true ?

It's certainly against what Jesus said:-
M't:28:19: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
:20: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

M'r:16:15: And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
:16: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

. . . and what his apostles commanded people seeking salvayion:-

Acts:2:37: Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
:38: Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
:39: For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Baptism is not a work to earn salvation as some have foolishly claimed, it is an admittance that there is nothing in you to believe in, it's a burial.

Jesus began by demanding to be baptised (to fulfil all righteousness), now we have people claiming to follow Jesus but not getting baptised !

1Cor:10:1: Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
:2: And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

Luke:7:30: But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.

 

[snoochface]

Not one person in this thread has "claimed to follow Jesus but not get baptized." In fact, everyone has said that you SHOULD get baptized out of obedience to God and to Jesus. But being baptized is NOT a requirement for salvation.

Your own verses in your post indicate this.

M'r:16:15: And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
:16: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

This does not say that if you believe and are baptized you will be saved, but if you do not believe and are not baptized you will be damned. This is because it is the belief that saves you, and the baptism that declares you. If we are ashamed of Jesus, he will not know us. We show we are not ashamed of Jesus by publicly declaring him as our savior.

Again no one has said that you should not be baptized. But there is no reason to claim that if you are not, you are not saved. If you feel this way, how do you explain Jesus' words to the thief on the cross?

 

[AllTalkNoAction]

. . . But being baptized is NOT a requirement for salvation.
Your own verses in your post indicate this.
This does not say that if you believe and are baptized you will be saved, but if you do not believe and are not baptized you will be damned.

M'r:16:16: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Why would Jesus bother to say get baptised when talking of being saved if it wasn't required ?

Why doesn't he mention "take communion", "use spiritual gifts", "help the poor" etc ?

Why does he specifically mention baptism (and similarly in other passages in Acts) ?

If someone said, "put on a life-jacket and inflate it and you will not drown", only a foolish person would say "I'll just put it on".

. . .If you feel this way, how do you explain Jesus' words to the thief on the cross?

This was before the New Covenant began. God is NOW expecting people to accept that a new life is given so they need to end the old existence "in the flesh".

Beware the thief’s gospel

Many people are taught to doubt the need for water & Spirit baptisms because of Luke's account of the conversation between Jesus and a crucified thief in (Luke 23:40-44)

Taken in isolation, one could agree, but of course we mustn't do that, otherwise you can make the bible say anything so it becomes useless !

People assume that "paradise" means heaven, and therefore the thief was sincere in his comments. Matthew and Mark's account of this dialogue both say that *both* of the thieves were speaking mockingly to Jesus:-

“He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.” (Matthew 27:43-44)

“Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him. And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.”
(Mark 15:32-33)

. . . did they both *miss* the point that one thief repented and had a great revelation of Jesus coming with a kingdom ? (meanwhile his own disciples were in sorrow and fear, they didn't understand)

If the thief was sincere, it would have been a comfort to Jesus at this time, but what of the prophecy:-
Psalm 69:20-21: Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found NONE. They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

So what does Jesus' reply in Luke mean ?
The word "paradise" is used figuratively for heaven elsewhere, but literally it means garden, where Jesus was buried that day; Mary later thought he was the gardener (John 19v41, 20v15).

 

[snoochface]

Wow. Well, your interpretation of the Bible and mine appear to be quite... different. I suppose on this one we will just have to agree to disagree.

 

[Sketcher]

"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." - Ephesians 2:8-9

Therefore doing something "in order to be saved" on top of that is a gospel of fear (what Paul preached against in Galatians). We are saved by a gospel of faith. You get baptised BECAUSE you believe and it is to show the world that you are saved. The physical act won't do anything for you, it is the pledge of a good consience towards God that has value.

"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

Therefore baptism of the heart is what is critical. Remember that the Holy Spirit comes upon belief, not necesarily water immersion.

"While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, 'Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.' So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days." - Acts 10:44-48

So get baptised, but get baptised for the right reason. Get baptised because Jesus saved you, not in order to be saved.

 

[Silly]

Very few churches do it right away.

In my church, it's strongly suggested that you take a new believers' class that lasts six-eight weeks.

You're not required to, but it's better if you do.



All baptism is is a symbolic way to identify yourself with the church and to illustrate the new life that Christ has given you. Not being baptised doesn't have any bearing on what happens, should you be hit by a bus so don't worry about it (but, just to be safe, make sure you look both ways before crossing the street).

I feel like I was being pushed into getting baptized at the church I was attending.......And I did get baptized, but I wish I could have attended a new christians class, or a baptism class first. I got baptized, and it was a sad moment for me because I had no clue what I was doing, or why I was doing it....Sad. So, please take your time, and appreciate the church/pastors mentoring you first. You will regret it if u just get baptized to get baptized. I did......

 

[MikeMcK]

I feel like I was being pushed into getting baptized at the church I was attending.......And I did get baptized, but I wish I could have attended a new christians class, or a baptism class first. I got baptized, and it was a sad moment for me because I had no clue what I was doing, or why I was doing it....Sad. So, please take your time, and appreciate the church/pastors mentoring you first. You will regret it if u just get baptized to get baptized. I did......

Right. That's exactly why we push the new believers' class before baptism the way we do. It's very informal the teacher is a great guy (I teach it) and it will really will make your baptism experience more fulfilling and meaningful.

I don't think anybody should be pushed into baptism, the way you say you were.

It should be a way for a new believer to identify with the local body of believers and to express his relationship with Christ. I think when people push new believers into it, even though they may have only the best of intentions, what they're really doing is trivializing it and I think they also put more pressure on the baptizee than they need at that point.

Sorry that happened to you.

 

[AllTalkNoAction]

Remember that the Holy Spirit comes upon belief, not necesarily water immersion.

Just cos u say you believe doesn't mean you have received the Holy Spirit !

M'r:16:16: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved

NOT "he that believes is saves, then gets baptised"

People call themselves or other people “christians”, but how can they make this judgement ?
God says:- “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it ?” (Jeremiah 17v9)
... therefore he *must* bare independent witness, the apostles certainly waited for this:-
“God, which knows the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us” (Acts 15v8 referring to the speaking in tongues with Gentile and Jew in Acts 10 & 2).

Get baptised because Jesus saved you, not in order to be saved.

Ac:8:15: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
(so they hadn't received salvation yet)

Ac:8:16: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

- so they were baptised before they received salvation


Ac:19:5: When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
:6: And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them

So Paul baptised them before they received the Holy Spirit.