Quick Question...

[Tink]

In 1987, at age 10, I was saved and baptized. I then proceeded to be a "pretend" Christian until about four or five months ago when I received the Holy Spirit for the first time. That is when I really gained salvation through Jesus Christ. Here's my question: Since I was only ten at the time of my baptism and didn't really understand what I was doing...do you think that it would be appropriate for me to be baptized now that I'm aware of what baptism is about? If so, how do I go about talking it over with my pastor? Obviously the Lord has been gently nudging me toward it, but I wonder if it's a common practice? Sorry...what started out as a quick question has turned into an interview. Thanks in advance for everyone's help.

In Christ,
Tink

 

[carine]

I have actually been baptised twice myself a long story but the first time I didnt really understand what I was doing and it was done on the insistance of a Pastor but I didnt become a proper christian at this time so when I did become what I consider a proper christian and did love the Lord I was baptised again and this to me was a really really special time whereas the first time meant nothing to me and i didnt understand what I was doing.
I guess many would say that theres only a need to be baptised once but I personally think it is ok for you to be baptised again although others may not agree.

 

[Tink]

Thanks, Carine!

I'm glad you had such a positive experience with it.

In Christ,
Tink

 

[gsmithcat]

I'd definately go for it! I also was baptized twice (with many years between the baptisms (not like twice in a row)).

I don't know how to go about talking it over with your pastor except to tell him what you just told us. Tell him that you've come an understanding about salvation through Christ that you didn't have when you were ten years old, and that you feel that God wants you to be baptized again. I would expect most pastors to jive with that.

p.s. Congratz!

 

[jenptcfan]

You said you were saved and baptized at age 10. Do you mean that you weren't really saved? In my view, if you're really saved and then are baptized out of obedience to God, then it's a valid baptism....but you said that you didn't know what baptism meant, so I wonder if you mean that you didn't really get saved then either.

I have a feeling that you and I have different doctrinal persuasions though, so I'm probably not the best one to be giving you advice. You might try one of the forums specific to your beliefs.

As far as my denomination goes, we do have people who think they were saved as youngsters and are baptized, and then realize later in life that they weren't saved as a child and get saved for real. In those instances, it's common for us to baptize them again.

And of course if you feel God nudging you toward it, you should follow his leading!

 

[2Timothy2]

If you were truly saved back then, then you received the Holy Spirit as a seal on your salvation. However, our faith, through which we are saved by God's grace, will produce good works after we are saved. If this was not the case for you, then you probably weren't really saved, and now, yes baptism is proper. But I see nothing wrong with a second swim. Professing your faith in Christ publically is a beautiful thing. And if I haven't said this before, welcome to the family, sis. None of us deserve to be here, but, hey, that's Grace! Praise His Name.

 

[LionOfJudah]

flat out i am against it. you where baptized when you where 10, so far you have yet to indicated that it was from parents or pastoral pushing so that must mean you choose to. either way you look at it, you did accept Christ then and you where saved. Now there is a difference in being baptized and realizing and living in Christ. For me i was baptized when i was 9 (my choice ) and i did not truely comprehend what i was getting my self into until i was 16. does that mean for those 7 years i was not saved? no. it just means i was an infant, i knew i needed God, i just did not fully comprehend why.

when you are baptized you are baptized for the forgiveness of your sins, and acknowledging Christs death to attone for your sins. Now if you where to be "re" baptized you are saying that the first time wasnt real and you are needing to re-crucify Jesus so that you can be saved. i could be wrong, but if the first sacrifice wasnt good enough, why would the 2nd be any better?

No if you want to do anything, you should make a public confession and "re" dedicate your life. even though that is totally wrong too. really all you have to do is realize you where an infant and now you have become an adult, you are no longer feeding on the milk, it is time for you to eat real food and get to the meat of the sciptures.

Just my 2cents worth.

 

[the_man]

What if it is to re-affirm salvation? Like when people renew their wedding vows? It's not that the first time didn't count, it's just that they want to renew them, remind themselves. I don't think there is anything wrong with that.

 

[KeilCoppes]

Tink - this may help a bit (though obviously there are those who disagree, perhaps even including yourself).

Baptism is the sign of the covenant in the new testament era just as circumcision was the sign of the covenant in old testament times. The thing that makes baptism or circumcision effective is not the physical act, but the work of God (as per Romans). Just as those who were circumcised and came to later faith were not recircumcised (just not a good thing to repeat), so it is with baptism. It's not your heart that makes the baptism effective, but God's work, although your heart should of course be right. Were you baptised in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? If so, and you are a believer, God has put His stamp on you. It's God's stamp on your heart that makes the all the difference. Although we are required to be obedient on the outside, in the end the flesh profits nothing. It's not our works but God's that is effective.

If you want to reaffirm your faith, go for it. But that's something that should happen every Lord's day in worship and every morning when you wake to another day He's given you. Many blessings. :^)


(as an FYI, I was dedicated as an infant and later baptized as a child. When I came to maturity in the faith there was no need to rebaptize the outside - the inside had already been baptized).

 

[Tink]

...you where baptized when you where 10, so far you have yet to indicated that it was from parents or pastoral pushing so that must mean you choose to. either way you look at it, you did accept Christ then and you where saved. ...i could be wrong, but if the first sacrifice wasnt good enough, why would the 2nd be any better?

I believed in God when I was 10, but I did not understand what Jesus' death on the cross meant. I guess I couldn't wrap my mind around it at all. As for being pushed...I was urged by my grandmother to be baptized and they way she made it sound, I couldn't reach Heaven without it. At ten, that scared me. :shrug:

God's sacrifice is plenty. I just didn't know if I should be baptized to show that now I know that it was more than enough! That I understand that without Jesus, I can't see God's face. Without God, I am nothing. While I haven't always realized that, I do now.

Thank you for your input. I like to see things from more than one side.

In Christ,
Tink

 

[Tink]

If you were truly saved back then, then you received the Holy Spirit as a seal on your salvation. However, our faith, through which we are saved by God's grace, will produce good works after we are saved. If this was not the case for you, then you probably weren't really saved, and now, yes baptism is proper. But I see nothing wrong with a second swim. Professing your faith in Christ publically is a beautiful thing. And if I haven't said this before, welcome to the family, sis. None of us deserve to be here, but, hey, that's Grace! Praise His Name.

I wasn't. I didn't know that Christ paid my debt. I just wanted to go to Heaven! :/

I'm glad I'm done with that now.

In Christ,
Tink

 

[Tink]

Tink - this may help a bit (though obviously there are those who disagree, perhaps even including yourself).

Baptism is the sign of the covenant in the new testament era just as circumcision was the sign of the covenant in old testament times. The thing that makes baptism or circumcision effective is not the physical act, but the work of God (as per Romans). Just as those who were circumcised and came to later faith were not recircumcised (just not a good thing to repeat), so it is with baptism. It's not your heart that makes the baptism effective, but God's work, although your heart should of course be right. Were you baptised in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? If so, and you are a believer, God has put His stamp on you. It's God's stamp on your heart that makes the all the difference. Although we are required to be obedient on the outside, in the end the flesh profits nothing. It's not our works but God's that is effective.

If you want to reaffirm your faith, go for it. But that's something that should happen every Lord's day in worship and every morning when you wake to another day He's given you. Many blessings. :^)


(as an FYI, I was dedicated as an infant and later baptized as a child. When I came to maturity in the faith there was no need to rebaptize the outside - the inside had already been baptized).

So, would you agree that since I wasn't truly saved back then...as I couldn't understand it all...that I could be baptized again?

In Christ,
Tink

 

[2Timothy2]

I wasn't. I didn't know that Christ paid my debt. I just wanted to go to Heaven! :/

I'm glad I'm done with that now.

In Christ,
Tink

So are all of your brothers and sisters and the angels.

 

[Tink]

I have a feeling that you and I have different doctrinal persuasions though, so I'm probably not the best one to be giving you advice. You might try one of the forums specific to your beliefs.As far as my denomination goes, we do have people who think they were saved as youngsters and are baptized, and then realize later in life that they weren't saved as a child and get saved for real. In those instances, it's common for us to baptize them again.And of course if you feel God nudging you toward it, you should follow his leading!

Surprise! I was raised Baptist.

Thanks for your response!

In Christ,
Tink

 

[Tink]

So are all of your brothers and sisters and the angels.

PS Thanks for the welcome! I'm glad to be a part of the family!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In Christ,
Tink

 

[Spicy McHaggis]

I'd go for it. Be baptized again now that it means something to you.

Off topic but...

My baptism, I was 23 (I think). It was in Bottom Bay Barbados. The site was like a postcard. White sand, blue water, cliffs, palm trees, etc.

When we got there the next day for the actual service there were 5 foot waves. Basically, they'd yell the baptism stuff as fast and loud as they could, then just let go and mini tidal wave would knock you over and you wash up on the shore 20 feet away.

So yeah, mine was very memorable to me. Plus, if I died, I'd go straight to Heaven because I didn't have a chance to sin yet!