Believers baptism

[jayebrownlee]

I am part of the church of Scotland which is a presbyterian church (for those who don't know). Tonight I asked my pastor if he would baptise me as a believer even thoguh I was baptised as a child. I was told that the Church of Scotland dissaproves so stringly of this practice that even thoguh my pastor doesn't mind he would lose his job if he did it. Does anyone know of any scriptural reasons that the CofS might hold this view point?

Your sister in Him

Jay

 

[MikeMcK]

I don't know. We're commanded to do it in scripture. There are only two ordinances of the church: baptism and the Lord's Supper.

I don't know why they won't do it but it's in direct disobedience to the word of God.

I would find a good baptist church and ask if they would do it. Invite friends and people from your church.

I've never known a baptist preacher who would turn down a chance to get wet.

 

[Foundthelight]

The position of the Presbyterian Church is found in Calvin's "Defense of Infant Baptism". An internet search will turn up several copies.

Basically, Calvin says that infant baptism is the new covenant version of circumcision. In saying this he ignores the fact that baptism for repentence of sin was common prior to the advent of Christ. This baptism required an adult recognition of the need to repent and represented the washing away of sin. Christ encouraged the continuation of this practice, sending forth the disciples to witness and baptise. John said that one would follow him who would Baptise with the Holy Spirit.

You should read Calvin's position, read the Bible, and let the Spirit guide you.

I was baptised as an infant in the Presbyterian Church. The Holy Spirit moved me to be re-baptised as an adult.

I agree with MikeMcK. Find a Baptist Church and talk to the Pastor.

 

[Philip]

The verse usually cited is

Ephesians 4:5
one Lord, one faith, one baptism;

Why do you want to be re-baptized? Do you think the first one was not good enough?

 

[Foundthelight]

Mk 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

Mk 1:9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
Mk 1:10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:

Mk 1:11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Why did our Lord, the sinless one, choose to be baptised? He did not need to repent. He had no sins which needed remission. He was holy from birth.

He chose to be baptised to humble Himself and show his submission to the Father. Who was well pleased.

Throughout the New Testament there are stories of adults finding the Lord and being baptised. Nowhere is this act described as a replacement for circumcision. (Correct me if I am wrong, Please). Certainly our Lord did not say so. There is a tenuous argument for infant baptism when whole housholds are baptised, but no real proof that this occurred.

The evidence is that baptism is to be a public act of faith, contrition, submission, and repentence. This act is undertaken by a person old enough to understand what it means.

While infant baptism does no harm, I believe, based on the Bible, that it does no real good.

 

[jayebrownlee]

I want ot be bapitised again not because the first one was not good enough but because I want to make those vows for myself and make that public declaration for myself, I wish to do as Jesus did, and msot importantly I believe it is God's will.

Jay

 

[Philip]

I want ot be bapitised again not because the first one was not good enough but because I want to make those vows for myself and make that public declaration for myself, I wish to do as Jesus did, and msot importantly I believe it is God's will.

Certainly, you can make this declaration without being re-baptized.

 

[Lynn73]

FWIW, I've been baptized twice. When I was baptized the first time, I did it because I was the age when everyone else did it and you couldn't take communion in my church until you were baptized. I did believe in God and Jesus but didn't realize until many many years later when I was truly born again and saved that I hadn't really been saved the first time I did it. I'd heard the scripture "he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" so I though true belief in the heart is supposed to come first, then baptizm. I felt the need to be baptized again and don't think there's anything wrong with. Especially if a person realized they weren't truly saved the first time. My .02

 

[Philip]

Would you be baptized a third time?

 

[jayebrownlee]

If I believed it were Gods will

Jay

 

[Lynn73]

I don't think I'd be baptized a third time, I see no need for it.

 

[SonWorshipper]

Would you be baptized a third time?

I have been baptized three times, what is wrong with that?

 

[SonWorshipper]

One kind and one time are two different things, I don't believe that ONE Baptism means only one time.

My first was as an infant which I had no say in, but was for rather a dedication to the L-rd like in a christening.
The second was at the age of accountabilty with believe in My L-rd but only of the head sort, not heart.

The third was to do this as one that was Born Again of the Spirit, and thus outwardly showing teshuvah, a turning away from sin, as well as a ritual cleansing to make covenant with my congregation.