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Christians: Baptism
- Thread starter sunsplash
- Start date
Katzpur
Not your average Mormon
I believe that baptism is an essential ordinance. To me, it is the means by which we enter into a covenant relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ. Since a covenant is an agreement involving two parties, it seems only reasonable that the person entering into the covenant be able to do so of his own free will and choice. Secondly, it should be preceded by faith in Jesus Christ and repentence for one's sins. This is something that obviously involves a personal commitment and the ability to want to make a fresh start. It's not someone a person can do for someone else.What do you feel is the necessity of baptism? Why do some believe a parents choice/promise/proclamation to baptize a child is invalid and the choice must only be made for youself?
Thanks
~ sunsplash
A spiritual seeker on a quest with questions
I think that Christians should be baptized as Jesus was. It is a symbolic gesture of the death of our old lives and our rebirth of our new lives. I personally believe in full immersion, but I am not prepared to judge other Christians who sprinkle, etc. I believe that a person needs to make his/her own decision. Babies do not need to baptized, in my view and it should be done only when a child/adult can make this decision for him or herself.
Kathryn
It was on fire when I laid down on it.
I believe that Christians should follow the examples in the New Testament, and in many of those examples entire families were baptised together. Therefore I believe that baptism is appropriate either as a personal choice OR as the parents choose.
I believe that baptism is mandated and if at all possible a Christian should be baptised. As for immersion vs sprinkling, I don't think there's any difference since baptism is SYMBOLIC of cleansing and the symbolism in both forms is the same.
I believe that baptism is mandated and if at all possible a Christian should be baptised. As for immersion vs sprinkling, I don't think there's any difference since baptism is SYMBOLIC of cleansing and the symbolism in both forms is the same.
fallingblood
Agnostic Theist
I was baptized when I was older, and it was more of a personal choice. However, looking at the origins of the practice, I have found that it was not, most likely, how it was when Jesus was baptized.
For Jesus, when he was being baptized by John, it was in regards to the imminent apocalypse. It was in order to purify oneself in order to be accepted into the Kingdom of God. It was a different meaning then we have today.
Now though, I personally believe that it must be a choice. But there is support for both sides.
For Jesus, when he was being baptized by John, it was in regards to the imminent apocalypse. It was in order to purify oneself in order to be accepted into the Kingdom of God. It was a different meaning then we have today.
Now though, I personally believe that it must be a choice. But there is support for both sides.
fallingblood
Agnostic Theist
It varies between denominations. I grew up in an evangelical church. For them, baptism was not necessary. It was a symbolic outpour of faith. It was a personal decision, but was not necessary.
The Lutheran faith (now I can not speak for it all, as there are various forms), they believed that one must be baptized.
So it does depend on the denomination. There are some evangelical churches that state that one must be baptized as well. So even within denominations, there are variants.
Katzpur
Not your average Mormon
Mormons consider it necessary. but you know us... We're so legalistic.
sunsplash
Freckled
Mormons consider it necessary. but you know us... We're so legalistic.
Neccessary for what, exactly? To be a "Christian?" To be allowed into Heaven? I'm still confused...
~ sunsplash
A spiritual seeker on a quest with questions
Katzpur
Not your average Mormon
Neither. According to our belief, a Christian is any person who acknowledges Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Savior sent to earth by God to redeem mankind. We are essentially universalists with respect to the salvation of the human race. That means that a person doesn't even need to believe in Christ in order to be allowed to enter Heaven. As I've mentioned numerous times on this forum, we probably have the biggest Heaven and the littlest Hell of any Christian denomination in the world today. Our understanding of Heaven, however, is that it is made up of varying "degrees of glory." To reach the highest of these degrees of glory (aka "kingdoms" within Heaven), certain ordinances are required, among them baptism.
Rainbow Mage
Lib Democrat/Agnostic/Epicurean-ish/Buddhist-ish
Regarding baptism, it's the traditional Christian initiation, as well as a sacrament. Infant Baptism, I can answer this one, I was Eastern Orthodox. Babies are baptized so they can be initiated as Christians, as I mentioned before, with the promise of the parents to continue the child in the faith. The grace of the sacrament is conferred on the infant by merrit of the parents making the Baptismal covenant. Remember, traditional Christianity views Baptism and sacraments very differently then Protestants. Sacraments are essential to the faith.
Thesavorofpan
Is not going to save you.
What do you feel is the necessity of baptism? Why do some believe a parents choice/promise/proclamation to baptize a child is invalid and the choice must only be made for youself?
Thanks
~ sunsplash
A spiritual seeker on a quest with questions
Yes Baptism is very important
Mathew 28:20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father, and of the son, and of the Holy Ghost
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is Baptized shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be dammed
John 3:1-5 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, how can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the spirit , he cannot enter into the kingdom of God