should baptism be by immersion only?

[Orris]

I was always taught that the word baptise meant to go under water. That would mean completely under the water, whether that is in a river, pool, tank, or ocean doesn't matter. I was submerged under water when I was baptised. I guess we will find out who is right when we get to heaven. Some people will be there we might not have expected. Others we thought would be there won't be. Will it be because of the type of "baptism"? Jesus said to the thief on the cross next to Him "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise." Luke 23:43 NASV Was the thief baptised?

 

[OpenDoor]

And the difference is?

immersion is when you are in water and then water is poured on top of you.

submersion is when you are in water then go under the water.

if baptism is by immersion only, then submersion is not baptism.

submersion is not immersion

 

[OpenDoor]

The words themselves do not necessarily mean that the person administering the rite believes in the Trinity.

For example, both Jehovah's Witnesses and the Mormons use that formula. The reason, of course, is because, like Christians, they use the wording Christ commanded in the Gospel according to St. Matthew. However, since they do not believe in the dogma of the Blessed Trinity, then their baptisms, although utilizing the correct wording, are invalid because the Trinity isn't being invoked...because it cannot be invoked by those who reject It.

That is what OrthodoxyUSA is getting at. And he's absolutely 110% right.

I think the Jehovah's Witnesses baptize in Jesus name
you are right about the Mormons using the Trinity

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

...Jesus said to the thief on the cross next to Him "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise." Luke 23:43 NASV Was the thief baptised?

Yes, St. Dismas was baptized... That is to say, he participated in Christ's death, burial and resurrection. That's what baptism is...

It may well be that our baptism pales in comparison.

Forgive me...

 

[OpenDoor]

Then Peter said, "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have."
Acts 10:47

I always saw this verse as why we should baptize ASAP
Even if its by sprinkling

imagine if one of your neighbors came to your house and said "baptize me".
Would you do it if you did not have a pool, bathtub (shower only), trunk etc?

 

[PaladinValer]

St. Dismas was baptized by his own blood he shed.

 

[OpenDoor]

St. Dismas was baptized by his own blood he shed.

off topic
but how did anyone find out his name?

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

off topic
but how did anyone find out his name?

We have always known his name and we know more...

It's not scriptural, but that does not matter to us.

Do you remember the woman at the well? Her name is Photini.

Forgive me...

 

[OpenDoor]

We have always known his name and we know more...

It's not scriptural, but that does not matter to us.

Forgive me...

I know its not in scripture
but I'm not surprised that he had a name

How did the early Christians know it?
His friends, family, tombstone...

 

[PaladinValer]

I know its not in scripture
but I'm not surprised that he had a name

How did the early Christians know it?
His friends, family, tombstone...

Holy Tradition, as passed down from the Apostles themselves to their disciples.

 

[OpenDoor]

Holy Tradition, as passed down from the Apostles themselves to their disciples.

So one of the Apostles (or all of them) knew him?

 

[PaladinValer]

So one of the Apostles (or all of them) knew him?

Well, they followed Christ pretty often, so the chances are good.

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

I know its not in scripture
but I'm not surprised that he had a name

How did the early Christians know it?
His friends, family, tombstone...

St. James wrote about him.

Forgive me...

 

[katholikos]

I don't know if this ever came up on CF but
should baptism be by immersion only?

No.

 

[ThomasDa]

I don't know if this ever came up on CF but
should baptism be by immersion only?

That's like saying should baptism be by baptism.
Of course baptism should be by baptism.

 

[ThomasDa]

We have always known his name and we know more...

It's not scriptural, but that does not matter to us.

Do you remember the woman at the well? Her name is Photini.

Forgive me...

That's a troubling theme that runs through your posts.

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

That's a troubling theme that runs through your posts.

Is it?

There is more to know than just scripture.

Are you suggesting we should forget his name because it's not inscripture?

I'm not suggesting in any way that we should get rid of scripture.

Forgive me...

 

[ThomasDa]

Is it?

Yes it is. You have shown that you will use any source to claim anything whether biblical or not. Most offten not.

 

[PaladinValer]

The Trinity isn't directly and specifically mentioned in Scripture either.

That is why Tradition is as much Revelation as Scripture is.

After all, otherwise, Scripture isn't worth beans anyhow, since Scripture is a part of Tradition.

 

[PT Calvinist]

immersion only....

you call it legalism...I call it reverence of God.