I hear of people who say they came to Jesus as a youngester and as they have grown they have a deeper relationship with the LORD.

 

Now they want to have it done again.

 

Jesus commands us to do it, he did it.

 

When does a person come into the relationship with God, as he is being immersed, when he prayed to the father, or when he/she repented?

 

Are your sins washed away from the Baptism?

 

Does sprinklin do the job?

 

You go to a Billy Graham event and come forward, but you don't get Baptized right then, on the way home, well you pass away, are you in heaven?

 

I know we have discussed this before, but we have so many new posters and they do a great job.

The greek word for Baptize is Baptizo, which denotes a full immersion in Water, therefor sprinkling is out imo.

 

You are free from sin when you accept Christ, Baptisim is more of a public showing of your faith.

 

Just my two cents.

I was talking with a co worker this week and it seems issues about baptism and divorce is what separates most denominations back here in the mountains.

 

I heard a preacher say one time that he had baptized one guy so many times that the crawdads knew his name.

 

Most people know the text to their side of the argument about baptism so I ususally go with how I felt in my heart. I accepted Christ while driving down the road on an August afternoon. I was at a crossroads in my life and Jesus was dealing with my heart. I made a public profession at church the following Sunday and was baptized the Sunday after that so that family and friends could attend. So it was probably about 13 days after I accepted Christ until I got baptized and I can say without any doubt in my mind had I passed during this time my soul would have been OK. My life had been changed Jesus was with me and nobody can convince me otherwise. :thumb:

Baptism has nothing to do with the future of your soul.

 

I am a big fan of immersion but I honestly don't care about the METHOD of baptism.

 

I will hold nothing against Catholics or Methodists that baptise babies but I just prefer a "baby dedication" service versus baby baptism.

I'm a member of the United Methodist Church. Now having said that baptism initiates us into Christ’s whole Church and not only into a denomination, United Methodists recognize all Christian baptisms and look upon baptism as something that should unite, rather than divide, Christians.

 

United Methodists may baptize by any of the modes used by Christians. Candidates or their parents have the choice of sprinkling, pouring, or immersion. Each mode brings out part of the rich and diverse symbolism given to baptism by the Bible. Each is a form of washing which symbolizes the washing away of sin (Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Hebrews 10:22; 1 Peter 3:21). Being totally buried in water and raised from it is also a powerful symbol of our burial and resurrection with Christ (Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12) and of being born anew of water and the Spirit (John 3:3-5; Titus 3:5). Pouring or sprinkling water upon the candidate’s head also signifies God’s pouring out of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:9-10; Luke 3:21-22; Acts 2:38; 19:1-7).

 

Persons of any age are suitable candidates for baptism because Christ’s body, the Church, is a great family that includes persons of all ages. On the day the Church was born, Peter preached: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children” (Acts 2:38-39). The New Testament repeatedly records that when a believer was baptized, the believer’s whole household was baptized (Acts 16:15, 33; 18:8; 1 Corinthians 1:16).

 

Nowhere does the New Testament record, or even suggest, that any Christian family delayed the baptism of their children until they could make their own profession of faith. Jesus’ words, “Let the little children come to me, do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs” (Mark 10:14b), tell us that our Lord has expressly given to little children a place among the people of God, which holy privilege must not be denied them.

 

Whatever further steps in faith and life the baptized may take, baptism is not administered to any person more than once, for while our baptismal vows are less than reliable, God’s promise to us in the sacrament is steadfast. Once baptized, we have been initiated into Christ’s body the Church and are members of Christ’s family.

 

Those baptized before they are old enough to take the vows for themselves make their personal profession of faith in a service called confirmation. Those who are able to take the vows for themselves at their baptism are not confirmed, for they have made their public profession of faith at baptism.

 

After confirmation, or after baptism when candidates take the vows for themselves, Christians are encouraged to reaffirm the Baptismal Covenant at significant moments. Individuals may make such a reaffirmation when transferring into a congregation, when renewing participation in the church after a time of lapse, or when taking further steps in their personal faith journey. Personally, I've always thought of Baptism as an outward sign of an inward change. I don't feel you have to be baptised to get to heaven...the thief on the cross beside Jesus wasn't baptised but he is in heaven(Luke 23: 42,43).

I hear of people who say they came to Jesus as a youngester and as they have grown they have a deeper relationship with the LORD.

 

Now they want to have it done again.

 

Jesus commands us to do it, he did it.

 

When does a person come into the relationship with God, as he is being immersed, when he prayed to the father, or when he/she repented?

 

Are your sins washed away from the Baptism?

 

Does sprinklin do the job?

 

You go to a Billy Graham event and come forward, but you don't get Baptized right then, on the way home, well you pass away, are you in heaven?

I know we have discussed this before, but we have so many new posters and they do a great job.

 

The thief on the cross next to Jesus should answer this question: This day you will be with me in paradise

Great comebacks. Crawdads was really good. Girl, you sound like a preacher.

 

On the thief, Jesus saved him face to face and he was forgiven on the spot. Jesus hadn't died yet. Once he died and rose we had to go to the new Law.

While I thank and love my parents for baptizing me at 6 weeks into the Catholic faith, I at the age of 20, accepted Jesus and in doing that wanted and did get baptized again. I spent my teen years going from church to church trying to find what was missing. No offense to anyone, but the Catholic religion and I just never seen things in the same way. I wound up being baptized in a Baptist church and now attend the Disciples of Christ Christian church. I am in no way a scholar of the Bible, but know in my heart that if I as a christian put forth a life trying to live as Jesus would want me to, I will someday sit among my family/friends that have already left this earth, in the gates of heaven.

 

Persons of any age are suitable candidates for baptism because Christ’s body, the Church, is a great family that includes persons of all ages. On the day the Church was born, Peter preached: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children” (Acts 2:38-39). The New Testament repeatedly records that when a believer was baptized, the believer’s whole household was baptized (Acts 16:15, 33; 18:8; 1 Corinthians 1:16).

Nowhere does the New Testament record, or even suggest, that any Christian family delayed the baptism of their children until they could make their own profession of faith. Jesus’ words, “Let the little children come to me, do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs” (Mark 10:14b), tell us that our Lord has expressly given to little children a place among the people of God, which holy privilege must not be denied them.

 

Whatever further steps in faith and life the baptized may take, baptism is not administered to any person more than once, for while our baptismal vows are less than reliable, God’s promise to us in the sacrament is steadfast. Once baptized, we have been initiated into Christ’s body the Church and are members of Christ’s family.

 

Those baptized before they are old enough to take the vows for themselves make their personal profession of faith in a service called confirmation. Those who are able to take the vows for themselves at their baptism are not confirmed, for they have made their public profession of faith at baptism.

 

After confirmation, or after baptism when candidates take the vows for themselves, Christians are encouraged to reaffirm the Baptismal Covenant at significant moments. Individuals may make such a reaffirmation when transferring into a congregation, when renewing participation in the church after a time of lapse, or when taking further steps in their personal faith journey. Personally, I've always thought of Baptism as an outward sign of an inward change. I don't feel you have to be baptised to get to heaven...the thief on the cross beside Jesus wasn't baptised but he is in heaven(Luke 23: 42,43).

 

I have bolded 3 things that have intrigued me and would like to pose some questions on them for clarification.

 

Peter says Repent and be baptized. How can a 2 year old, a newborn, a toddler repent?

 

2nd bolded, on the flip side, is there any Scripture reference to a baby being baptized? Is there any Scripture reference to anyone one person making the decision to be baptized for another person? In other words, is it possible for one person to make this salvation choice for another?

 

3rd bolded, Paul poses the question of whose baptism that some had. They responded they had John the Baptist's baptism and he rebaptized them. Would that not support the case of rebaptism if they felt the 1st baptism was not what it was supposed to be?

 

4th question, on the confirmation, is there any Scripture reference to the idea of confirmation after a good period of time has passed from your baptism?

fp...I know the differences between the Catholic Church and the Baptist Church, there are many and I'm sure there will be another discussion soon, but what about the last two churches you mentioned. Difference between Disciples of Christ church and the Baptist Church.

 

What lead you to the Discicples Church, doctrine/person? What are some of the major differences between the two? I've studied different religions and know quite a bit about the DOC Church, but I'd like to hear your thoughts since you have attended both churches.

Alabama--I was led to the DOC from my brother. The preacher was more of a teacher then a "preacher". He went through the chapters of the bible, trying to explain it. He was actually a communications professor at a local college. This made more sense to me than being preached at. Although at the end of my teens/early twenties, I needed the "preaching". Both of the churches, baptist and DOC, utilized the King James version.

At this point in my life I am more into the learning/studying, although I have drifted from it again, I am in search of a new church again. Of course the human side of everyone has split our little church and the preacher has left. I didn't care for some of the things he did but I felt he was very knowledgeable. So the search is on again...

I have bolded 3 things that have intrigued me and would like to pose some questions on them for clarification.]

 

Peter says Repent and be baptized. How can a 2 year old, a newborn, a toddler repent?

Children and others who have not reached the developmental stage of making decisions for themselves are presented by parents and/or sponsors (godparents) who make the same profession of faith that a candidate would make and who promise to nurture the candidate(s), in their family and in the church family, so that they will come to accept God’s grace for themselves, to profess their faith openly, and to lead a Christian life. If there are sponsors or godparents, they should be selected carefully because they will help nurture the person to be baptized in the Christian faith. This role is not only an honor; it is a serious responsibility. Parents or sponsors (Godparents) should be members of Christ’s holy Church; and it is the duty of the pastor to instruct them concerning the significance of Holy Baptism, their responsibilities for the Christian training of the baptized child, and how these obligations may be fulfilled.

2nd bolded, on the flip side, is there any Scripture reference to a baby being baptized? Is there any Scripture reference to anyone one person making the decision to be baptized for another person? In other words, is it possible for one person to make this salvation choice for another?

While the New Testament contains no explicit mandate, there is ample evidence for the baptism of infants in Scripture (Acts 2:38-41, 16:15,33) and in early Christian doctrine and practice. Infant baptism rests firmly on the understanding that God prepares the way of faith before we request or even know that we need help (prevenient grace). The sacrament is a powerful expression of the reality that all persons come before God as no more than helpless infants, unable to do anything to save ourselves, dependent upon the grace of our loving God.

3rd bolded, Paul poses the question of whose baptism that some had. They responded they had John the Baptist's baptism and he rebaptized them. Would that not support the case of rebaptism if they felt the 1st baptism was not what it was supposed to be?

The scripture that you refer to Acts 19:1-6 was when Apollos had baptised the Ephesians, he(Apollo) had not received the Holy Spirit nor had he heard about it. So actually they had not been baptised. Ephesians 4:4-6 There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called to one hope when you were called-one Lord, one faith, one baptism: one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

4th question, on the confirmation, is there any Scripture reference to the idea of confirmation after a good period of time has passed from your baptism

Churches that practice infant baptism offer Confirmation because there's no way that an infant can make a public profession of faith in Christ. Confirmation then is the confirmation of one's baptism. It should be emphasized that confirmation is what the Holy Spirit does. Confirmation is a divine action, the work of the Spirit empowering a person “born through water and the Spirit” to “live as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.”“Let the little children come to me, do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs” (Mark 10:14b)

My wife was 8 when she accepted Jesus. Sings in the choir for over 30 years and taught SS for 35 or so. One son was 10 and the younger was 8. They have a great walk for Christ. It wouldn't bother me if they wanted to redo their baptism someday.

 

I could come into a time even for me where I might seek a deeper realtionship and feel called into service, so a redo of the Bpatism isn't necessary, but rededication of my commitment would.

Great comebacks. Crawdads was really good. Girl, you sound like a preacher.

On the thief, Jesus saved him face to face and he was forgiven on the spot. Jesus hadn't died yet. Once he died and rose we had to go to the new Law.

 

AL-No not a preacher...I am a Sunday School teacher. Thanks though for the compliment;)

kygirl

 

First I agree with AL, nice posts.

You posted this....

 

Churches that practice infant baptism offer Confirmation because there's no way that an infant can make a public profession of faith in Christ.

 

If they cannot make that public profession, what is the purpose of the baptism?

 

I am asking not to attack any church's stance but I really struggled with this issue as my kids were growing up. The 2nd happiest day in my life is a tie when my two children stood up and made this public profession and got baptized.

 

On this statement....

 

Children and others who have not reached the developmental stage of making decisions for themselves are presented by parents and/or sponsors (godparents) who make the same profession of faith that a candidate would make

 

I think you HOPE and PRAY AND WORRY that they would make that same profession but no way me as a parent can stand up there and look at my 6-month old baby and know what profession he is going to make when he is 8 or 9 or 10 or 18. I sure am going to work to see it happens the way I would like to see it happen, but I cannot know that. And being baptized is a personal decision between you and Christ, is it not?