What is baptism all about?

[koolist]

I'm a new Christian that has found a light and a new way of life in Jesus Christ but i'm unsure about the baptism process and what it envolves. I know what it involves physical but at them moment i can't see beyond the splashy water bit!! I would like to find out what it is about in a spritual way. Is there anyone that can help??
Many thanks if you can!
Andrew

 

[Radagast]

I suggest you talk to someone at your church about it.

-- Radagast

 

[chilehed]

The Catholic teaching is that baptism is a more perfect sacrament that achieves the spiritual cleansing of sin that was merely symbolized by the ritual baths of the old covenant. Through the Sacrament of Baptism we are redeemed from slavery to sin, cleansed of it, brought into the family of God, and given the grace to live out our calling as heirs of Christ.

Here's a link that you may find helpful:
http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2.htm#art1

 

[snoochface]

And the non-Catholic viewpoint...

Baptism is not what saves you, it doesn't give you eternal life, and it doesn't cleanse you from your sins. It is a public expression of your desire to follow Jesus, and it is symbolic of the cleansing from your sins that you are given the moment you accept Jesus.

Some denominations believe babies should be baptised. Some believe you should not be baptized (okay, is it spelled with an "s" or a "z"??) until you are old enough to come to your own decision to accept Jesus. Some believe you get baptised with a sprinkle of water on the forehead. Some believe in full-immersion baptism in a pool or larger body of water. Some believe baptism is a necessary step, and some do not.

That's why I agree with Radagast that you speak to the pastor or elders at your church, so you can determine what they believe about baptism.

 

[Tenorvoice]

Baptisim is nothing more than the outward expression of an inward confession. You have confessed that you have trusted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and your first act of obidence (sp) to Him should be Baptisim. For in the Book of Acts it says that "...they were saved and then baptised, Saved and then baptised..."

Baptisim is just a symbol of you recognising yourself with the death, burial, and resurection of Jesus Christ.

You do not need it to be saved, for if that were the case then to the thief on the cross beside Jesus, His words would not have been true. For Jesus told him that the thief would be with Him in Pasadise that very day.

But why would you want to start you new walk with the Lord in disobedience?? I know that I would not have.

Phileo In Christ Jesus

Tenor

 

[helmikaarina]

According to Evancelical Lutheran cathecism God bestows his grace through his word and sacraments. Christ himself has instituted baptism. It is a sacrament as the word of God is joined to element (water). The sacraments are the visible signs of grace, which we can hold on to by faith. Baptismal water is ordinary clean water. Joined to the word of God, it is salvatory water as it washes us clean from
all sin. Baptism is administered in the name of the Triune God. Appealing to God’s name demonstrates that baptism is the work of God, which we do not have to earn.

In Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many
of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with
Christ. (Gal. 3:26-27)

And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you–not as a
removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good
conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. (1 Pet. 3:21)