What does Baptism mean to you (in your own words please)?

[Neogaia777]

?

God Bless!

 

[Neogaia777]

I am strongly considering being Baptized...

I wanted to collect some opinions on what it means to others...

Baptism to me means, that it is a symbol and a public declaration of what has already occured in your life, and that is being born again, which happens in spirit in your life, also acceptance of Jesus Christ as your personal lord and savior, and accepting his atoning sacrifice on the cross to pay in full our sins...

Baptism to me is also a symbol of repentance, which is what trips me up, because I have not fully repented, confessed and asked forgiveness for, but not fully repented for...

Am I ready for Baptism?

God Bless!

 

[kidwboro]

I am strongly considering being Baptized...

I wanted to collect some opinions on what it means to others...

Baptism to me means, that it is a symbol and a public declaration of what has already occured in your life, and that is being born again, which happens in spirit in your life, also acceptance of Jesus Christ as your personal lord and savior, and accepting his atoning sacrifice on the cross to pay in full our sins...

Baptism to me is also a symbol of repentance, which is what trips me up, because I have not fully repented, confessed and asked forgiveness for, but not fully repented for...

Am I ready for Baptism?

God Bless!

The one thing that finally convinced me to get baptized was the fact that Jesus himself got baptized.

 

[beaverpond]

I am strongly considering being Baptized...

I wanted to collect some opinions on what it means to others...

Baptism to me means, that it is a symbol and a public declaration of what has already occured in your life, and that is being born again, which happens in spirit in your life, also acceptance of Jesus Christ as your personal lord and savior, and accepting his atoning sacrifice on the cross to pay in full our sins...

Baptism to me is also a symbol of repentance, which is what trips me up, because I have not fully repented, confessed and asked forgiveness for, but not fully repented for...

Am I ready for Baptism?

God Bless!

Once you have said the sinners prayer, believed that Christ died and shed His blood for your sins, that He rose on the third day, you will have to talk to your Pastor as he will challenge your faith and make sure you are ready for baptism, nobody is going to remember every sin they have ever committed to confess, sometimes they come to you as you grow in Christ. As our Pastor was sharing recently, he had forgotten all about something he done as a kid and he went before the Lord decades after the event to ask for forgiveness. Accepting the Lord into your heart and starting your walk with Him is the first step, getting baptized is the second step, then becoming a member of your local church would be the third step, becoming an active member of the church where you start serving the Lord would be next. Some churches allow people to work in the church before becoming members, but most require baptism before helping in the church.

Our church has a presentation of what it means to be saved, it is called the Gospel Message Page. It starts off with The 5 Truths About The Wrath Of God and then at the bottom of the page is the Gospel Message
http://www.cornerstonegospelch.com/gospel-message.html

 

[Xalith]

I was considering baptism myself, but after emailing a local baptist church around here, they pretty much told me that when you get baptized at a church, you're expected to join that church, even though I said in my email that I work on many Sundays and wouldn't be able to attend church regularly which is why I've never joined one officially (other than the Church, as in Christ's Body which we are all a part of). I've never actually joined a congregation of people here on Earth, is what I mean because of my job, and such.

I was hoping to just get baptized and I could just continue in my usual worship and such on my own... but doesn't look like I can do that. Oh well. To me, the True Baptism, the one of the Holy Spirit, is the one that's the most important. Being Baptized by Water is more of a "declaration" that you're a Christian.

Well, if anybody wants to know, I'm a believer and I've accepted Christ. I surely don't have to be dunked in a pool of water just to prove it, nothing wrong with that, and I would certainly have it done someday if I could find some place to do it that didn't expect me to also join their congregation.

It isn't that I am against/avoiding baptism by water, it is more I need to find someone to do it.

 

[BryanW92]

I was considering baptism myself, but after emailing a local baptist church around here, they pretty much told me that when you get baptized at a church, you're expected to join that church, even though I said in my email that I work on many Sundays and wouldn't be able to attend church regularly which is why I've never joined one officially (other than the Church, as in Christ's Body which we are all a part of). I've never actually joined a congregation of people here on Earth, is what I mean because of my job, and such.

I was hoping to just get baptized and I could just continue in my usual worship and such on my own... but doesn't look like I can do that. Oh well. To me, the True Baptism, the one of the Holy Spirit, is the one that's the most important. Being Baptized by Water is more of a "declaration" that you're a Christian.

Well, if anybody wants to know, I'm a believer and I've accepted Christ. I surely don't have to be dunked in a pool of water just to prove it, nothing wrong with that, and I would certainly have it done someday if I could find some place to do it that didn't expect me to also join their congregation.

It isn't that I am against/avoiding baptism by water, it is more I need to find someone to do it.

I work on some Sundays too. Never stopped me from joining a church. There are churches that do regular activities on Wednesday night, Sunday morning, and Sunday evening. If you can hit one of those a week, you will be a more regular attendee than most American Christians!

 

[beaverpond]

We have some people who are members who work on Sunday Morning and attend on Sunday Evening, Tuesday Evening, Wednesday Evening...on some any or all of these evenings. Get tied into the right church with the same belief system you have and everything should be good.

But like what Jesus did for us on the cross and the sacrifice he did for us, are you willing to step up and make the sacrifice for whatever church you get baptized in and join with. What are you willing to do for your local church as a member.

I guess you need to ask yourself this question. Are you getting baptized out of desire to become closer to our Lord or something that is done out of tradition? Are you doing this with your heart and feeling led by the Lord as your next step in your walk with the Lord? If you are not ready to join a church or have not found a church, then maybe you are not ready yet. Remember back in Jesus' day, they would go from town to town, city to city, countryside to countryside and sharing the word...much like our missionaries of today and if you are looking to be baptized to go out and spread the word of God, but first want to go to a Christian University, then that is a different story....but you still need to find a church. Fellowship is very important, you can learn a lot from others and they can learn from you.

 

[ranyhyn]

Baptism to me is an outward expression of an inward change. Once you've accepted Jesus, have repented of your sins then you wish to make a public declaration of that change. That's where baptism comes in. It's a way for you to make a public declaration that you've been saved through faith in Jesus Christ.

I was considering baptism myself, but after emailing a local baptist church around here, they pretty much told me that when you get baptized at a church, you're expected to join that church

This is why so many people have problems with churches / denominations at times. It has to do with all of the "legalistic" junk that is expected of members. A local church should not be concerned with gaining a new member for their own flock .. they should be rejoicing in the fact that the church of Christ has gained another member. Some churches also have real strict rules on who can and cannot take communion. Our church has "open" communion which means that anyone who is present can take communion. Other churches will only allow members of the church to take communion. But that's a whole different subject...

And to say that you've "repented of your sins" doesn't mean that you necessarily remember every little thing you've done wrong. You're turning away from a sinful lifestyle and you're asking Jesus to forgive you and for the Holy Spirit to work in you to reveal to you the things you need to repent of and the things you need forgiveness for. Sanctification is a process... it doesn't happen all at once.

 

[beaverpond]

One other issue with some churches is that you are not allowed to partake of communion unless you have been baptized. Some don't require membership, just faithful attendance and proof of an outward and an inward walk with our Lord.

 

[Neogaia777]

I have trouble going to church or regularly attending any social activity or gathering, Due to mental problems, I have my good days and bad days, on a bad day, I can't attend church, I hope I can someone who will baptize me who understands this...

 

[beaverpond]

I know people with mental health issues who attend church when they can as often as they can, they have good days and bad days, but they make it their personal choice to attend because they know that once they get out of the morning service they usually feel better the rest of the day.

At one time I used to have some of these issues and still do on some days. I find that just showing up at the church and spending time in prayer at church changes my attitude the rest of the day and we live almost 10 miles from church. When I am not fit to drive because I am having epileptic trouble that day I will turn on my music file that are all old time hymns and keep it low and start to pray. It gives me peace of mind and a change of heart if I am in a foul mood. Now this may not work for everybody, but I am learning that if I stop going to church because of a bad day, then I am letting Satan win and that is not a good thing.

Just my two cents

 

[BryanW92]

I have trouble going to church or regularly attending any social activity or gathering, Due to mental problems, I have my good days and bad days, on a bad day, I can't attend church, I hope I can someone who will baptize me who understands this...

I would run away from any church that doesn't understand that. Fortunately, I've never encountered on like that. Have you actually asked and been told that they won't baptize you unless you can guarantee 100% attendance?

 

[mikedsjr]

Baptism is not just water dunking like the Symbolist make it out to. It is God's saving work within the Baptism waters in the name of the Father,Son & HS to save you. If one rejects baptism, one rejects Christ. This is not to say salvation isn't by faith, but one is rejecting the saving faith by rejecting baptism. If one isn't rejecting baptism but dies beforehand, this isn't nullifying his faith. And just because someone believes baptism is symbolic and is baptized doesn't negate the saving work due to his ignorance.

 

[com7fy8]

I am strongly considering being Baptized...

I wanted to collect some opinions on what it means to others...

Before we get into what baptism means for us personally, I consider what John the Baptist says >

"that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water." (in John 1:31)

So, in general baptism can be used to make Jesus known to people. You say >

Baptism to me means, that it is a symbol and a public declaration of what has already occured in your life, and that is being born again, which happens in spirit in your life, also acceptance of Jesus Christ as your personal lord and savior, and accepting his atoning sacrifice on the cross to pay in full our sins...

And you can be confessing how Jesus Christ is the Lord of all. And we need to submit to Him so He is our Lord in us and our lives. But this takes correction, which continues all our lives, according to what I read in Hebrews 12:4-11.

So, you say >

Baptism to me is also a symbol of repentance, which is what trips me up, because I have not fully repented, confessed and asked forgiveness for, but not fully repented for...

Well, I understand that our Father's correction goes on and on and on for our whole lives. But we make progress, especially with attention to how we are with God and pleasing Him and how we are relating in love with people. So, things we need to repent of are not "only" the no-no pleasure things and losing our temper and those more "obvious" things. But in learning how to relate with God and share with people, we discover things about how we need correction for relating in love while submitting to God.

Am I ready for Baptism?

God Bless!

If you can bless I would say take your blessing public by confessing Jesus before people(Matthew 10:32, Luke 12:8) by being baptized. Likely, a really Christian leader will want to talk with you to make sure you are ready. So, pray and be ready to be humble

I think you need to be sharing with Christian people, so they can help you and you can feed on their example. So, possibly you need to first get connected with people who are good for you, like this, and with their help find out who you should trust to baptize you.

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

Lord Jesus was baptized. If we are to imitate Him, then, we should follow His example. His command to His disciples was to baptize. So, baptism is more than symbolic. When John the Baptist said he needed to be baptized by Jesus, Jesus responded .
Matthew 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

I like the way the Amplifide Bible translates it.

Matthew 3:15 But Jesus replied to him, g]">[g]Permit it just now; for this is the fitting way for [both of] us to fulfill all righteousness [that is, to h]">[h]perform completely whatever is right]. Then he permitted Him.

 

[com7fy8]

So - - we should not think we are too superior to be baptized.

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

So - - we should not think we are too superior to be baptized.

I think it is more that we should not think baptism does not matter, which a lot of people claim citing the thief on the cross.

 

[mikedsjr]

There are a few key notes to make about Baptism by John the Baptist. His baptism was not the same as the baptism into Christ. John was, in a sense, a Old Testament Prophet. You can even see as John is in prison that he appears to question if Jesus is who he says he was, maybe out of what he thought Jesus was supposed to do in his mind.

Citing the thief on the cross is still prior to Christ's resurrection. The Baptism the church gives is a baptism into Christ's death, burial and resurrection for our sins, which had not happened yet. Everything prior is before the beginning of the church.

Those refusing to get baptized is not presenting themselves to God as desiring true faith. As Acts 2:38 says, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

 

[Neogaia777]

I would run away from any church that doesn't understand that. Fortunately, I've never encountered on like that. Have you actually asked and been told that they won't baptize you unless you can guarantee 100% attendance?

I haven't gone that far yet...?

Would they say "No." or at the very least would they want to question me, to make sure I was certain I was ready for Baptism, or not, and should I "run" from every church that seeks to do that, (want's to question me first) (to see if I was up to their "legal" set of "standards" or laws, but who is qualified to judge for such a task as this, screening everybody before Baptism?

What type of questions should be considered in the asking if, or as to, whether or not, someone is ready for Baptism or not?

God Bless!

 

[Neogaia777]

Thank you all for your responses and replies, I will try to get to each one, may richly, In Jesus Christ's Holy name,

God Bless You All!