Baptism! What do you think?

[termyt]

Some excellent discourse in this thread. Some not so spectacular, but, on the whole, a very nice job - on both sides of the argument.

We seem, as a culture, to be a tad too hung up on the minimum requirements that we need to perform in order to be able to wear some label. It's like saying "this person wasn't baptized so he isn’t a Christian” in the same fashion as “this person didn’t pay his dues so he’s no longer a member of the club.”

This may seem a tad argumentative, but I think it is important for us to understand that being a Christian is not about completing a list of sacraments before you die so you can go to heaven. Being a Christian is not about going to heaven at all. It is devoting yourself wholly – in body, mind, and spirit – to God. If your focus is “do I need this to go to heaven?” then your focus is misplaced. We need to focus on God’s plan for this life and the next life will take care of itself. We are not called to do the minimum requirement to get to heaven when we die. We are called to do our very best to bring a piece of heaven down here to Earth while we live – to be a source of hope and joy in this very dark and weary world. This hope can only come from Jesus Christ.

It is true that there will be people in heaven who were never baptized and, even more so, there will be people baptized that do not enter the gates of pearl. Neither of these are reasons to be or not be baptized. We are baptized because we were commanded to be. After all, if we love Jesus, we will keep His commandments. Not because He “said so” and not because failure to do so will land us in hell. We follow His commandments because we love Him and we acknowledge that God knows better than we do what is best for us.

So. My answer to whether you should be baptized is this question: What is holding you back?

1) Because it is not required for salvation? OK, true enough – it is your faith in Jesus Christ that saves you and not anything you do. However, faith that does not spur you to action is worthless and far below the level of faith required for salvation.

2) Because you aren’t sure it’s the right thing to do? This is a good reason to abstain from baptism. You should be baptized/confirmed when you feel it is the right time. If you aren’t sure though, you need to figure it out. Don’t be content to spend the rest of your life in a state of “I’m not sure.” Read the scriptures. Talk to friends and loved ones. Pray. When you decide you want to follow Christ with all your being, you will know what you must do.

3) Because there’s no real reason to be? I just can not find any evidence to support this claim. I apologize if this offends anyone. If you have evidence, please share it with me – whether it is a link to a website, a book, or some scripture. I love every opportunity to learn and grow in the Spirit but all of my study and pondering leads me to believe that baptism is both worthwhile and necessary. To me, it does not matter whether you are sprinkled, dunked, or drenched as an adult, child, or infant (so long as a willing confirmation takes place when you are wise enough to make the decision for yourself), but be baptized.

[kat-su-chan]

[quote="Okami (post: 1188497)"]I am actually ashamed of my baptism, as when I did it, four other people (two being friends and another my stepbrother) also got baptized. I wasn't fully serious about the commitment I was making, and I did it purely because I didn't want my stepbrother 'taking the glory'. And looking upon it, that's why I struggle sometimes with doubt over whether or not I have the Spirit living within me.
And it wasn't a week later I was back into lustful sin, because I had never even thought to confess of it. It was just one dirty secret in this new life after another.

But I always look back and remember that yes, I have been baptized. Fully immersed in the cleansing waters. And when I'm struggling one way or another, sometimes I'll close my eyes and remember what it felt like to be "dunked" by Richard (My former youth pastor...boy, he was a big man) and the situation will eventually turn out better

Not really sure what I'm tying to add here, but I certainly agree with others...study the Scriptures. That's my biggest regret before being baptized]

You know you can always recommit, and re-baptize. ^^ (much love)

[kat-su-chan]

[quote="termyt (post: 1188500)"]
So. My answer to whether you should be baptized is this question: What is holding you back?

1) Because it is not required for salvation? OK, true enough – it is your faith in Jesus Christ that saves you and not anything you do. However, faith that does not spur you to action is worthless and far below the level of faith required for salvation.

2) Because you aren’t sure it’s the right thing to do? This is a good reason to abstain from baptism. You should be baptized/confirmed when you feel it is the right time. If you aren’t sure though, you need to figure it out. Don’t be content to spend the rest of your life in a state of “I’m not sure.â€

[Okami]

You know you can always recommit, and re-baptize. ^^ (much love)

It's just that I'm not sure how my church would view that. Not that I really care...but once is enough for me, even if it wasn't true at the time, its meaning is true today.

[Tyrel]

It's just that I'm not sure how my church would view that. Not that I really care...but once is enough for me, even if it wasn't true at the time, its meaning is true today.

Well, if I recall correctly, Billy Graham got Baptized twice.

In my testimony I made sure to tell the Church explicitely that none of this was about them at all, it was between me and God. Everyone had to pick a verse, and most verses were about love, and fluff, and baptism. I made a point to choose my saving passage Isaiah 9:6-7.

My point is that your Church should help you do what you feel called to do, and not hinder you to that extent.

With that said, I'm not saying you should or should not get re-baptized, I'm simply responding to the fact that you seem to come off as though you are hindered from doing what you would like to because of your church.

[AsianBlossom]

I don't think you can get baptized twice, as the mark is on your soul already...the first one would count.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Well if the first time wasn't really a true attempt, I would assume a second "real" baptism wouldn't hurt. XD

Of course, since we're all different denominations, I suppose that could be the reason why for all the different mindsets and beliefs.

[Stephen]

This seems like a good place to stop this thread.