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[FLA865]

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[Hazelelponi]

Baptism isn't earned its a response to salvation.

As stated in 1 Peter 3:21 baptism is the answer of a clear conscious toward God.

It's a response - not something we earn through works. There is no works based salvation only Grace and our response to that Grace.

Some people if they were baptised before they knew what salvation meant should be re-baptised after they return to God (or come to God for the first time, rather) but most prodigals wouldn't actually need it.

You may like to speak to your Pastor, as he may think it's fine to do it again anyway..

 

[Serving Zion]

I have made a lot of sins and mistakes (nothing illegal) in the 15 or so years since I stopped believing. Now that I have been returning to faith and attending church again I am interested in the whole baptism process. I guess I am in the mindset that being baptized is something that needs to be earned or worked towards over a period of time, rather than to just do it because you found religion again. I may be looking at the whole thing wrong, but I want it so be meaningful. Almost like a graduation and a start to a new life.
I am curious as to how others view the subject compared to how I am seeing it.

In 1 Peter 3:21, St. Peter says that the way that baptism saves us, (although strictly speaking, baptism doesn't do the saving but the faith that it is central to), it is not that it washes away the filth of the flesh (so some people would think that they need to repent of all the filthy things about their flesh - the sin), but it is about the "pledge" of a clear conscience toward God. Another way this is expressed, is "circumcision of the heart" - and that means that we are not hiding anything from God. He knows all that we are, and we know that because He is holy, He can always expect something more from us. So, when we come to recognise that we are a sinner, and we stop fighting His conviction, that is enough for Him. When we do that, we lay down our life and we confess to Him - (something like the sinner's prayer). In that action, there is repentance - we have turned away from our old way of living. So we go forward with a clear conscience, knowing that He has accepted us and He will lead us from day to day. It is a change of heart so that we are no longer fighting against the knowledge of God, and that naturally brings about a change of lifestyle - it is not so much a decision to change who we are, in an effort to become someone that we naturally aren't.

 

[Serving Zion]

Also, consider this in Acts 2:37, when St. Peter said "this Jesus, whom you crucified is the one that God has made both Lord and Messiah!" - they were cut to the heart, and they began asking "what shall we do?". See how they had a change of heart, a complete 180 degree turn in the spirit. They were no longer fighting against the message of Jesus Christ, but they had been convicted and they then responded with contrition and remorse in order to know what they could do for God now. They didn't respond as if to say "then, how can we be saved now?". Another example is Acts 8:34-36, where the eunuch hears and receives the message. Although there isn't much context for us to know what that message was, we can be sure that it was enough that he would think baptism is a thing that would put him on a path of belonging to Jesus.. and there is a contrast between verses 29 and 39, where The Holy Spirit had caused Philip to assist the man, and then to leave him - there had been a change of spirit in him - a new life (John 3:8, John 15:3).

 

[FLA865]

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[tampasteve]

Personally I believe Baptism helps one in their walk, and if you believe you should go ahead. Here is what an article from the SBC says, with the understanding that SBC churches are independent and could differ:

Understanding Baptism
When is Baptism Properly Administered?

Using the Scripture as a guide, we find that the ordinance of baptism is properly observed when five issues are satisfactorily addressed:

1. The proper candidate. This would be someone who has already experienced the grace of God unto salvation and now desires to make that a matter of open confession (See Acts 8:36-38; 10:47-48).

2. The proper mode. This is clearly immersion. The word itself is a transliteration of the Greek word baptizo, which means to immerse or plunge into. This is the manner in which Christ was baptized (Matthew 3:16). It was the manner of the disciples' baptism (John 3:22-23). In fact, the picture of death, burial, and resurrection demands immersion (Romans 6:4).

3. The proper understanding. Baptism is a picture of our total identification with Christ in His atoning work and glorious resurrection. It is an expression of our belief that salvation is His work and, like His resurrected life, complete and eternal in nature. It does not affect or secure our salvation.

4. The proper authority. The ordinance of baptism is a public expression; it preaches a message. The message is one consistent with the beliefs of the church authorizing the baptism. Thus, in the understanding of church authority that unfolds for us in the New Testament, Peter could ask of the representatives of the Jerusalem church who apparently accompanied him to the house of Cornelius the Centurion, "Why should these not be baptized seeing they have received the Spirit as did we on the day of Pentecost?" (Acts 10:47-48). If a local church does not feel that a candidate's beliefs are in concert with its own, it should resolve that issue before granting participation. It is obvious in the Scripture that, in addition to the profession of the candidate, there is an obligation on the part of the church. Otherwise Paul was overstepping his bounds in his instructions to the Corinthian church (1 Corinthians 11).

5. The proper life. Baptism is to be observed by individuals who portray an appreciation of grace and a willingness to adhere to the Scriptures. When the eunuch asked Philip if he could be baptized, Philip responded by clarifying the eunuch's confession of faith (Acts 8:36-37).

 

[maintenance man]

I am studying the bible again, attending church, praying. Yet there is still that huge weight of doubt that I cant seem to get rid of. I want the feeling gone but just cant figure out how.

I think we all have doubt. I know I do.

I like to look at these two verses:

“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Mark 8:34 (NIV)

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 (NIV)

If you feel you have been crucified with Christ and are ready to take up your cross and follow Him - you are ready to be baptized.

If not - you should open the Word of God - pray - seek guidance from your pastor.

 

[Hazelelponi]

I guess one of my biggest issues is that I want to erase all doubt before being baptized.
I turned away from faith around the age of 14-15. I think one of the main reasons was because it had no place in public schools. I went to hiding my faith to denying it to all out rejecting it. I turned to science and requiring physical proof of everything.
Now that I am 31 I am doing my best to return to believing again and I want my kid to grow up believing and having the experiences with the church that I had the first part of my life.
I am studying the bible again, attending church, praying. Yet there is still that huge weight of doubt that I cant seem to get rid of. I want the feeling gone but just cant figure out how.

The doubt is a matter of study and prayer.. the more you learn the more you understand and prayer gets God's attention sometimes as He helps with understanding.

I had to learn a lot before I finally came to actual belief and faith.. years worth. But I finally understood salvation, that light bulb finally came on, so to speak.

I suggest taking the time to learn, find a pastor or two you can understand well. Paul Washer or Charles Stanley are both very good pastors who have online video's and teachings out..

And your in-person church is essential to understanding.. tell your Pastor your floundering and having doubts, see what he will suggest for you. You have to be so very careful who you listen to online as there are a plethora of false doctrines.

So, speak to your Pastor.. take time to learn and resolve enough doubt that you can come to actual belief..

 

[Serving Zion]

I guess one of my biggest issues is that I want to erase all doubt before being baptized.
I turned away from faith around the age of 14-15. I think one of the main reasons was because it had no place in public schools. I went to hiding my faith to denying it to all out rejecting it. I turned to science and requiring physical proof of everything.
Now that I am 31 I am doing my best to return to believing again and I want my kid to grow up believing and having the experiences with the church that I had the first part of my life.
I am studying the bible again, attending church, praying. Yet there is still that huge weight of doubt that I cant seem to get rid of. I want the feeling gone but just cant figure out how.

It is hard to guess whether you have been baptised before or not, as the expression "turned away from the faith" can seem to suggest. I would be asking what made you be baptised in the first place, if that was the case, in order to understand the weight that it bears in your faith.

Otherwise if you are saying that you haven't been baptised and you see value in Christianity for your family, I am more inclined to say that it is enough to just begin the walk of faith. Jesus will lead you to know when the covenant is well timed for effect.

Look at how those examples in the book of Acts were acompanying and sealing a new realisation - a new reality, a new life with God.

This is why St. Peter emphasised that it is not the baptism that saves, by the removing of the filthiness, but it is a pledge of a clear conscience toward God, that nobody can deny henceforth, it is sealed by the public ceremonial "burial of the former self, raised in the new life of Christ".

That new life can't be manufactured, it is only God's work in you that will lead you to that place of new realisation (1 Corinthians 3:6).

But as with all things that grow, of course, the seeds need to be sown, the ground needs to be dug, the vine needs to be pruned .. so without being anxious, keep digging and trust Him to lead you in the faith, letting baptism be done when you can explain it's importance in your own expression.

This little booklet can give you some things to consider and some guidance on the way.

 

[eleos1954]

Baptism isn't earned its a response to salvation.

As stated in 1 Peter 3:21 baptism is the answer of a clear conscious toward God.

It's a response - not something we earn through works. There is no works based salvation only Grace and our response to that Grace.

Some people if they were baptised before they knew what salvation meant should be re-baptised after they return to God (or come to God for the first time, rather) but most prodigals wouldn't actually need it.

You may like to speak to your Pastor, as he may think it's fine to do it again anyway..

By baptism we confess our faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and testify of our death to sin and of our purpose to walk in newness of life. Thus we acknowledge Christ as Lord and Saviour, become His people, and are received as members by His church. Baptism is a symbol of our union with Christ, the forgiveness of our sins, and our reception of the Holy Spirit. It is by immersion in water and is contingent on an affirmation of faith in Jesus and evidence of repentance of sin. It follows instruction in the Holy Scriptures and acceptance of their teachings. Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 2:38, Acts 16:30-33, Acts 22:16, Romans. 6:1-6, Galatians 3:27, Colossians 2:12-13

Is it ok to get re-baptized, yes, if you feel called to do so ... then do so.

God Bless.