Do Christians really get baptized during the winter?

[Hestha]

If you live in a temperate region of the globe, closer to the poles than to the equator, you would probably experience a cooler climate than if you live closer to the tropics. So, let's suppose a church only holds baptisms to be performed during the winter in the middle of a near-freezing lake. How many Christians would bravely walk into the near-frozen lake and become baptized? Do churches really disregard the temperature, or do they really take into account of the temperature to prevent extreme cases of hypothermia and death? How can Christians be baptized in an area that is often covered with snow and ice for most of the days in the year? What do Christians do with the wet clothes? Do you have to have a set of dry clothes after baptism in order to change into them and don on a coat during that time of year? Can't you do baptism indoors? Is doing baptism indoors scriptural?

 

[Cappadocious]

Hestha,

Many churches, like the Church of Russia and Ukraine, baptize in the winter in frozen rivers. Many people do this, and some even seek out that time so that the experience will leave a lasting memory.

But they do not *only* hold baptisms during the winter. It is a traditional time to perform them, but it is not the only time. The most ancient time for baptisms is Easter, in the Spring. Of course, baptism may be done at any time.

After baptism you have a set of dry clothes. These are normally white to re-present the resurrection body, as in the Book of Revelation.

You can do a baptism indoors or anywhere. There is nothing in the Gospels or the Epistles that says you can't baptize indoors. An early Jewish Christian manual from the late 1st/early 2nd century for converts has these instructions:

"Concerning baptism, baptise thus: Having first rehearsed all these things, 'baptise, in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,' in running water; but if thou hast no running water, baptise in other water, and if thou canst not in cold, then in warm. But if thou hast neither, pour water three times on the head 'in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit."

 

[Catherineanne]

If you live in a temperate region of the globe, closer to the poles than to the equator, you would probably experience a cooler climate than if you live closer to the tropics. So, let's suppose a church only holds baptisms to be performed during the winter in the middle of a near-freezing lake. How many Christians would bravely walk into the near-frozen lake and become baptized? Do churches really disregard the temperature, or do they really take into account of the temperature to prevent extreme cases of hypothermia and death? How can Christians be baptized in an area that is often covered with snow and ice for most of the days in the year? What do Christians do with the wet clothes? Do you have to have a set of dry clothes after baptism in order to change into them and don on a coat during that time of year? Can't you do baptism indoors? Is doing baptism indoors scriptural?

I assume you are speaking of full immersion baptism? Yes, that can happen anywhere there is enough water and someone willing to be immersed in it and someone else able to Baptise them; summer or winter.

You go into the river or pool in one set of clothes, come out, get wrapped in a towel and then go and get changed into dry clothes; easy enough.

However, there is also such a thing as sprinkling, which happens indoors, does not involve full immersion, and avoids the risk of pneumonia. For obvious reasons it is the preferred method in most churches in the UK. Some do risk full immersion, but they are clearly hardier souls than the rest of us.

 

[Willie T]

I'm still sitting here marveling that a question like this one was even asked........ but more amazed that it was actually answered.

 

[jehoiakim]

I have to second Willie here. Most churches that baptize have baptismal pools in the front of the church, baptisms out side pretty much only take place when the weather is fair or relatively fair. In an ancient christian document written in the 1st or 2nd century the tradition of the apostles state that it was preferable that the water be running water and cool/cold. but I hardly expect it would be done in freezing conditions, and it is an ancient document most modern Christians have never heard of....out of curiosity what would cause you to ask this question did you hear of some strange experience that spawned a question?

 

[Hestha]

I have to second Willie here. Most churches that baptize have baptismal pools in the front of the church, baptisms out side pretty much only take place when the weather is fair or relatively fair. In an ancient christian document written in the 1st or 2nd century the tradition of the apostles state that it was preferable that the water be running water and cool/cold. but I hardly expect it would be done in freezing conditions, and it is an ancient document most modern Christians have never heard of....out of curiosity what would cause you to ask this question did you hear of some strange experience that spawned a question?

I have no idea. I think I was wondering whether Christians would be smart enough to detect a change in weather to prevent cases of hypothermia during baptism.

 

[jehoiakim]

so are you saying you think Christians are dumb? I wasn't sure how serious you were being or if it was meant more lightheartedly.

I guess you are thinking if the Polar bear club does it? er something like that?

 

[Hestha]

so are you saying you think Christians are dumb? I wasn't sure how serious you were being or if it was meant more lightheartedly.

I guess you are thinking if the Polar bear club does it? er something like that?

Take it lightheartedly.

 

[Dre99]

I've never seen a water baptism take place outside, only indoors. Even in summertime. And it's not required for salvation.

 

[GenetoJean]

The church I went to in my youth had an indoor Baptismal but it also had a trail to a creek behind the church that had a dug out spot for once a year Easter Baptisms.

 

[food4thought]

No offense, Hestha, but this is the reason that i stopped responding to your posts long ago... you seem to think Christians and Christianity are dumb, and have absolutely no interest in becoming a Christian yourself no matter how valid the answers we give.

 

[brittany111]

If you live in a temperate region of the globe, closer to the poles than to the equator, you would probably experience a cooler climate than if you live closer to the tropics. So, let's suppose a church only holds baptisms to be performed during the winter in the middle of a near-freezing lake. How many Christians would bravely walk into the near-frozen lake and become baptized? Do churches really disregard the temperature, or do they really take into account of the temperature to prevent extreme cases of hypothermia and death? How can Christians be baptized in an area that is often covered with snow and ice for most of the days in the year? What do Christians do with the wet clothes? Do you have to have a set of dry clothes after baptism in order to change into them and don on a coat during that time of year? Can't you do baptism indoors? Is doing baptism indoors scriptural?

The majority of the churches I have been to have had indoor baptisms and some of those even had heated water. I have also been to churches that didn't have an indoor baptism, but instead we went to the house next door and used the swimming pool. We've done baptisms in winter, spring, summer etc... Easter is the traditional time, but not always done then. Yes we bring a change of clothes to church and change out of the wet clothes after baptism. The time of year or source of water are not as important. The important part is that the baptism is done.