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Help, I want to get baptized!

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ViridianSoul

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I have a huge problem, and it is simply this: I belong to no church, nor have I ever found one that meshes with my personal belief system. I consider myself a Christian (because I believe in Jesus Christ's message and love God wholeheartedly) and a Deist (because I believe that God is evident in ALL creation throughout the universe, and easily discerned by applying one's brain and eyes to the matter).

My problem is that I want to get baptized. Firstly, I don't know where to go to get baptized, since I belong to no church. I also have no idea who can do it for me. Is it necessary that someone has to be an ordained minister (whatever that means) in order to baptize, or can anyone baptize me?

Answers would be greatly appreciated, if anyone has one for me! Thank you in advance!
 
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Publius

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The problem is that there are certain requirements to be baptised.

If you're a deist, then you're disqualified from baptism on that point alone.

You say you can't find a church because none of them "mesh with your personal belief system". There are many good, Bible believing churches out there. If none of them are suitable to you, then maybe the problem isn't with the churches, but with your personal belief system.

From what little you've described here, I couldn't baptise you.
 
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Radagast

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Publius said:
The problem is that there are certain requirements to be baptised.
Click to expand...

Indeed. To be baptised in the name of the Trinity -- the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19), you kind of need to believe in the Trinity.

Which I hope, ViridianSoul, you will come to do.
 
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Publius

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Radagast said:
Indeed. To be baptised in the name of the Trinity -- the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19), you kind of need to believe in the Trinity.

Which I hope, ViridianSoul, you will come to do.
Click to expand...

Yeah, and don't forget, baptism is a testimony of our having been crucified with Christ and raised with Him, and of the new nature we receive. How can you claim those things for yourself if you don't believe God interacts with us on a personal level, which deists do not?
 
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ViridianSoul

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I never said anywhere that I didn't believe in the Trinity at all. Do either of you know what a Deist actually is or believes in, or that there are more than one kind of Deist? I am clearly no athiest, Clockwork-God person. For me, Deism is simply using reason and understanding to realize that there clearly is and MUST BE a Creator...looking with your eyes and seeing and understanding Natural Law to know that he exists.


Note the above quoted scripture, especially the emboldened parts. Even GOD said that he is clearly perceived in the things that he's made. Why is it so very wrong of me that I can see this for myself?

I can see that this was the wrong place to ask such a question...
 
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Publius

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ViridianSou said:
I can see that this was the wrong place to ask such a question...
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In other words, you're mad because we didn't tell you what you wanted to hear.

If you're going to call yourself a deist, don't get mad at us if we assume you're using the commonly understood definition of deism.

If you're going to describe your experiences and your beliefs to us, don't get mad at us if we take what you say at face value.

Why do you want to be baptised?
 
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ViridianSoul

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No, the problem I had is that my words were not read in the post and the meanings of them were taken based on the commonly understood definition. I believe I defined my belief perfectly in parenthesis, and I left nothing out. Perhaps I ought to have clarified further to leave off any confusion on the part of others.

However, that being said, I want to be baptized because I believe that it is a confirmation of my dedication to love God and Jesus Christ's message.
 
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Publius

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If you use a word and you mean something other than what the word is understood to mean, then you need to find another word.

However, that being said, I want to be baptized because I believe that it is a confirmation of my dedication to love God and Jesus Christ's message.
Click to expand...

That's not what baptism is.

Jesus told us that we confirm our dedication and love for Christ by keeping His commandments, not by baptism.

Baptism is an illustration of our having been crucified with Christ and raised with Him and of the new nature we received upon regeneration.

Like I said, from what you're describing, I couldn't baptise you.
 
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TheDag

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i personally think every single denomination has baptism wrong. it is remarkable that baptists whose main difference between them and other denominations is the focus on getting baptism right actually get it wrong. You don't need anyone special to baptise you other than another christian. If it was me personally i would ask a few questions regarding your faith to make sure I'm satisfied your a believer. of course no denomination I'm aware of would accept this. With certain denominations if you don't do baptism a certain way then you would be excluded from various ministries in the church.

As to your beliefs not meshing with any denomination well so what? There is not one single denomination that my beliefs match up with. Not even the denomination that has only 11 doctrines! Although they are the closest and I do not attend that denomination anymore. The thing i would suggest is find a church you can be comfortable at. Know that some of your beliefs will ruffle some feathers and therefore be careful about what you discuss. The essential doctrines of christianity can be counted on one hand. When I am at churches where i know I have different beliefs I don't tend to discuss them except informally with friends who i know won't disown me or condemn me for having such views.
 
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TheDag

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Well perhaps you should check if you understand the words. A deist believes in a god through a method that is most certainly biblical. that is through the witness of creation. It seems that Viridian Soul believes in the trinity. it has been assumed she does not rather than asking. if people would justtop making assumptions and ask. Would it really have been difficult to ask what are your beliefs and what do you think of the trinity?
 
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Publius

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When someone describes themselves as a deist, I believe it's perfectly reasonable to assume that they hold to thebeliefs of deism.
 
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LOCO

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If you truly believe that Jesus is the Christ and our Lord and Saviour than you can be baptised.

Catholics usually are baptised by Priests but laity can also baptise in the event of an emergency.

I would encourage you to read the Doctrines of whichever congregation you are going to join and their history etc. so that you are making an informed decision.

Remember that no Christian is an island, we are called to break bread together.
 
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Publius

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LOCO said:
If you truly believe that Jesus is the Christ and our Lord and Saviour than you can be baptised.
Click to expand...

Biblically, there's quite a bit more to it than that.

Remember that no Christian is an island, we are called to break bread together.
Click to expand...

I see. So then, would I be welcome to take communion at a Catholic church?
 
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LOCO

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Publius said:
Biblically, there's quite a bit more to it than that.



I see. So then, would I be welcome to take communion at a Catholic church?
Click to expand...


For others there may be but not for Catholics.

If you don't believe in transubstantiation you cannot take the Eucharist. In order to receive it we are called to be in a state of grace which includes the Sacrament of Reconciliation. You should only take it if you believe in the Doctrines of the Catholic Church.

I would not want to take communion at a non-Catholic Church except from a Eastern Orthodox priest, if I was desperate and they allowed it. I view all other church doctrines as false as they lack authority. To be clear I am speaking for myself there not every Catholic.

When I say no Christian stands alone I mean they can go to their own church and find others of the same doctrinal beliefs whether it is Baptist or Methodist or Catholic. If they are practicing their faith alone, that is very difficult to continue on a long term basis.
 
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LOCO

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Publius said:
Well, I guess that explains all the "anathemas".
Click to expand...


Maybe, but this thread is not about that.

I believe the early Christians were baptised solely because they believed Jesus was the Christ and our Lord and Saviour who gave his life for us. Thats it, no extras or caveats.

Many were illiterate so placing conditions on their faith would not mean much to them, they saw him work miracles, they saw him rise from the dead, that was all they needed.

 
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Publius

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LOCO said:
Maybe, but this thread is not about that.

I believe the early Christians were baptised solely because they believed Jesus was the Christ and our Lord and Saviour who gave his life for us. Thats it, no extras or caveats.
Click to expand...

And I believe the Bible when it says that there are certain criteria to be met before baptism and I believe the Didache when it describes the early church as attempting to meet these criteria.
 
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LOCO

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Publius said:
And I believe the Bible when it says that there are certain criteria to be met before baptism and I believe the Didache when it describes the early church as attempting to meet these criteria.
Click to expand...


Really. I don't recall the Didache or the NT being around when the first Christians got baptised.
 
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