I have a question....

[rosemoss]

Please forgive me if this is in the wrong place and please direct me if I can find my answer somewhere else, this question has been in my mind for some time now and I'd like some help figuring it out.
My parents are Methodists, I was baptized as a baby in the Methodist church.
Sprinkled with water.
My husband and I became members of a Methodist church 2 yrs ago and at that time he was baptized and so were our 2 sons. Sprinkled with water.
A friend of mine and her husband attend a non-denominational church.
We were talking about baptism and to make a long conversation short, my friends husband said that at their church when they baptize people, they are fully dunked in water. I said I was sprinkled as a baby. He said that in order to make it to heaven the correct way to be baptized is fully dunked and the Methodist way doesn't count.
The conversation was actually a little bit more then that but thats the gist of it. I know how Jesus was baptized and my friends husband says that is how all people must be baptized.
I would just like to understand.

God Bless,

rosemoss

 

[desert_island_1]

Simply put, No. You do not need to be baptized in full immersion to be baptised. Although many churches do choose to do full immersion that is not the only option. My friend got sprinkled, I got immersed and my other friend just had the pastor dip his hand in the water and place it on her head. It is all personal preference.

 

[sinner/SAVED]

Baptism of any type is not a requirement of salvation.

In the words of Fredrick Beuchner: Which type (of baptism) matters about as much as whether you pray standing on your head or lying on your back.

 

[Qyöt27]

I've noticed that non-denominational churches are really a mixed bag. Some, particularly the ones coming from a Charismatic background, have a tendency to become legalistic (which likely includes immersion-only baptism). Others become way too liberal in an effort to please everyone in the congregation. I'm sure most are fine, but it seems that maybe there's a problem with that particular church, or maybe just with him, I don't know.

One thing I know, is that a few Protestant groups/individuals ('non-denominational' is still Protestant) look at Methodism very similarly to the way they look at Catholicism, Anglicanism, etc. My grandmother was told once that she was going to Hell because she was Methodist, because she was sprinkled (she told them she was immersed; the guy moved onto something else pretty quickly), and a few other things that are never mentioned in Scripture as a requirement for Salvation. There's not much else you can do but ignore those comments, as they are entirely unfounded.

 

[ClementofRome]

I always find this quotation from the Didache helpful:

"Now about baptism, baptize this way: after first uttering all of these things, baptize "into the name of the Father and of the son and of the holy Spirit" in running water. But if you do not have running water, baptize in other water. Now if you are not able to do so in cold water, do it in warm water. Now if you don't have either, pour water three times on the head..."

This is a document that is as early as mid 1st century, but most likely late 1st century....at any rate, the point seems to be BAPTIZE them for crying out loud....use whatever means is necessary. Even though I am UMC, and though my children were sprinkled, I would prefer immersion for older children and adults. Not that it is the necessary means, but it does seem appropriate. However, since I am throughly "covenant" in my theology, the sprinkling of infants is also "appropriate."

I have been sprinkled as a child and dunked as an adult....I hope one of them took!

...and DITTO to you sinner/Saved!

 

[Celticflower]

I had to chuckle when I read the OP becuase I seem to be living this problem. My husband insists on attending a non-denom church. My son was baptized there and my husband was immersed at a church when he was a young adult. My daughter and I were both baptized in the Methodist church (one poured, one sprinkled). We are not allowed to become members because we were not baptized right. When my daughter was confronted about her baptism a couple of years ago the other children had her near tears. I told her she had been baptized just fine--that her Dad and I were there, a minister was there and most importatntly, she and God were there. If she should decide she needs to be re-baptized to become a member of this congregation, I will swallow the huge lump that will form in my throat and witness it, because it will be her choice. Since it was a subject of prayer for me for quite a while and the answer seemed to be "don't bother" I will continue to be a non-member attendee.

(BTW--not too long ago we found out that this church actually ties salvation to baptism. That gave even my husband a moment's pause. Since I do not believe baptism is needed for salvation (or being joined with Christ as they often put it) I will pass on being baptized just to join the congregation)

 

[Strong in Him]

You are saved, have eternal life and will go to heaven by your confession of faith in Jesus, not by the volume of water you had poured on you, or by how much of your anatomy got wet!

I mean, supposing one of these ministers were visiting a non Christian who was dying and wanted to become a christian before they did so? Would he/she lead them to Christ, but tell them that it wouldn't be effective unless they could stagger off their sick bed and immerse themselves in a pool of water? I doubt it, (and to be honest if they did they'd be insensitive and wrong.)

What about the thief on the cross?

 

[WesleyJohn]

.

 

[rosemoss]

Thank you all very much for your input, I appreciate it.
You know when you know something deep down but still have that little inkling of not really knowing if you're right or not?????
Well, friends, you've helped me SQUASH THAT BUG!!

Thanks again!
God Bless,

rosemoss

ps, If anyone else has feelings concerning this topic, please feel free to keep adding opinions.

 

[desert_island_1]

Thank you all very much for your input, I appreciate it.
You know when you know something deep down but still have that little inkling of not really knowing if you're right or not?????
Well, friends, you've helped me SQUASH THAT BUG!!

Thanks again!
God Bless,

rosemoss

ps, If anyone else has feelings concerning this topic, please feel free to keep adding opinions.

You are very welcome.

 

[ClementofRome]

One of our Nazarene General Leaders (probably a GS, but I don't remember), said something like: "We hold that all believers should have some water by some means."

A breath of fresh air and the voice of wisdom. I appreciate that quote WJ!

 

[Diane_Windsor]

And did they even attempt to provide you with a Scripture reference?

I didn't think so.

Then I wouldn't concern myself with their opinion.

Diane

 

[Dad Sr]

I have been sprinkled as a child and dunked as an adult....I hope one of them took!

Excellent answer as usual. W/ your parents and your background - I'm sure
BOTH of them took......

I heard a story/illustration a few years ago that adds to CofR's response:

At an old country church one Sunday morning, after good singing, strong preaching, and God's Spirit moving in young mans heart, Salvation came !!!!
And the young man was saved !!!!!

After the service the whole congregation was going across the street to the river so the young man could be baptised. He was so excited that he forgot
to look before crossing the street and was killed by an 18 wheeler.

Alas, some legalist whould say "he did not get baptised, he must have gone to
hell"

Others would say "Praise God he got Saved by the Grace of God before he crossed the street. He is with the Father right now, God saved him just in time."

Mark Lowry said "It doesn't matter if you were sprinkled or dunked, if you don't know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior you just got wet !!!!"

Study the Bible, good question

Dad Sr

 

[ClementofRome]

Good story Dad Sr.

We know one thing for certain, the thief on the cross that was with Jesus in paradise the same day....was not baptized!

 

[rosemoss]

I want to thank everyone for helping me out, I think I knew the answer deep down but as a fairly new Christian, I like to hear other peoples views. Thank You and God Bless!

rosemoss

 

[herev]

I always find this quotation from the Didache helpful:

"Now about baptism, baptize this way: after first uttering all of these things, baptize "into the name of the Father and of the son and of the holy Spirit" in running water. But if you do not have running water, baptize in other water. Now if you are not able to do so in cold water, do it in warm water. Now if you don't have either, pour water three times on the head..."

This is a document that is as early as mid 1st century, but most likely late 1st century....at any rate, the point seems to be BAPTIZE them for crying out loud....use whatever means is necessary. Even though I am UMC, and though my children were sprinkled, I would prefer immersion for older children and adults. Not that it is the necessary means, but it does seem appropriate. However, since I am throughly "covenant" in my theology, the sprinkling of infants is also "appropriate."

I have been sprinkled as a child and dunked as an adult....I hope one of them took!

...and DITTO to you sinner/Saved!

as usual, amen and amen, good points--all of them. Thanks Mark (and by the way, since we UM's believe baptism is an act of God and not of man, surely you know that there is no doubt that both of them "took").

 

[ClementofRome]

as usual, amen and amen, good points--all of them. Thanks Mark (and by the way, since we UM's believe baptism is an act of God and not of man, surely you know that there is no doubt that both of them "took").

Thank you herev....good to see you back brother!

 

[herev]

Thank you herev....good to see you back brother!

it's good to be back

 

[Islander]

Jesus talked about there is a baptism of water and a baptism with fire (the Holy Spirit). We need the Holy Spirit to get into Heaven not to be dunked in water.

Actually a Biblical baptism, and the Didache agrees with this, involves being dunked three times in a flowing stream of water with a prayer said with each dunk. I wander if the legalistic congregation does this?

A Baptist once told me a joke about the son of a Baptist minister marrying a Methodist. The Baptist pastor wouldn't allow the marriage because she wasn't properly baptised. The son asked if it was alright if being baptised in the river if she only goes ankle deep distance into the river since didn't swim. The pastor said no. What if she goes knee deep? The pastor said no she needs go far enough to get the top of her head wet. The son responded, "See you just proved my point, she's already got her wet in baptism. No need to do it again."