Baptism
24 02 2007After Jesus had risen, when he appeared to the 11 as they were eating, He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved…” (Mark 16:15-16)
The scriptures are filled with references to water immersion or Baptism, such as the passage from John 3:1-5 (NIV Version) below…
“Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.” In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.”
A quote I read the other day sums it up well:
“The work of the cross is God’s offer of life…
Baptism is our acceptance.”
So what are your thoughts on Baptism? Have you been baptized? What was your experience?
If you haven’t been baptized, are you considering it?
When I was baptized it was a wonderful thing! I wrote all the sins that I had committed down on a piece pf paper and in front of the whole congregation was this wooden cross up front. We all walked up individually and nailed our sins on this piece of paper to this cross and then went to be baptized. When they baptized me it was kind of funny because I not only fell back once but twice! I guess God wanted to bless me with a double portion! Boy, does he bless me daily more than I deserve!
I have no doubt that baptism is an essential experience for any would-be Christian. However, water baptism is only symbolic of the true baptism which is the one of the Holy Spirit.
Having said that, I have been baptised in water, and I cannot forbid anyone who believes they should be baptised in water to do so. In places like India where the predominant religion is different, baptism has a much higher cost and is symbolic of a life long commitment to Jesus.
I have met many people who have been baptised with water which did not display fruits of the spirit. Rather, many of them become quite self-righteous about the mode of baptism (dunking vs. sprinkling, etc.), the place of baptism (Jordan river, vs. a specific church) or the name that someone voiced when they were wet (name of Jesus vs. Father, Son and Holy Spirit).
In the article written at this site about “Baptism”, you have left out some verses which explained clearly what Jesus meant by “you must be born of water and of Spirit”. Jesus said, “That which is flesh is flesh and that which is spirit is spirit” One is a physical birth, the other is a spiritual one.
Nevertheless, if you want to be baptised in water, go ahead. I just can never demand that of anyone, because it is only symbolic of the real thing.
And I would have said something different to the quote. I would have said: The work of the cross is God’s offer of life… Giving everything we have to God is our acceptance.
I’d recommend doing a search on “baptism of the holy spirit”
the the experience is wonderful i was baptised back in 1984,here in mombasa kenya those days most upcoming churches resorted to taking their followers to the indian ocean beach,the priest and the elders would time the calm high tides to emerse people in the sea water,it was fun as the priests stand in water at their waist line,then a long que from the beach into the water and out with wet clothes
when i was dipped in and out i felt the newness of christ in my spirit which has strengthened me to date
Baptism - not required for salvation (”for it is by grace you have been saved and not by works lest any man should boast”) but it should be one of our 1st acts of obedience to Christ. To me it is identifying with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. It is dying to our old way of life and giving over our life to Him.
Baptism is the first step after accepting Jesus as our Lord & saviour.The person who is saved, experienced Salvation can only take water baptism.It means committing Ur self in His hand with pure conscience,Putting on Christ-let old tradional,religious & cultural attitude be put off.For instance a person from Hindu faily should count himself higher than his old caste,free from the bondage of religion,free from religious obligations & should stand out for Jesus,depending on Jesus for every thing rather than the world any more.S/he must know that a child of God is far superior to the world.Yet with humility & humble heart.Dying to self begins from +1 day.Next important issue is that it must be in the name of triune God,i.e. Father,Son & Holy spirit.Devil is at his best to pesude people to be baptised again in Jesus name & asy that salvation comes after baptism.BEWARE of the Wolves!
Contd-..one must die to old life first only than should a person be given baptism.Do not postpone it as a long process to slowly take place.Little leaven leavens the whole.Hindu ladies find difficult to remove red-spot from forehead,a small ring on nose & in ears-it belongs to the religion & its being ignored.This causes lukewarmness in life & observing faith secretly.
Next flaw observed in baptism is also the change of name as per the Pastor’s revelation.It was started by the british in India,to show their work :by adding an english/Bible name.Specially if the person’s name is of some hindu-god’s.This is man-made reformation & not biblical.God may give a new name,by prophecy or any Vision etc.Its rather better the identity is there & the person is preaching Christ.God does give a new name & it should only then be changed, otherwise we are trying to help God.
Alecia, I like the part about naming particular sins and putting them on the cross… that is a neat idea…
Fran, I agree that baptism is a symbal, of dying with Christ, so that the new person can come forth, and I believe that the fruits of the spirit, will come later, baptism, is primarily a command for new Christians… and they have not yet had time to develop fruit…..I believe that baptism in the spirit, comes later, once one has had a chance to learn and grow in the faith.
Fredrick, I agree that I too, felt new and clean and fresh… after baptism… I remember it fondly…and Alicia, the lake that we (my family and I) were baptised in… went dry…. afterward…we kinda speak of it as our sins being so many… that this caused it to happen… which of course, is not the truth.. but.. it is kinda funny…
David, I agree with you…that baptism is not necessary for salvation, but, symbolic of dying with Christ… to live the new life….
Timotheus, I disagree, that one should learn how to walk the walk, before baptism… to me it was a glorious event… one of which I was very proud to submit myself to…and it helped me to get started.. in the faith….
It is like a celebration to me… because I was very proud of my new found faith, In Christ…. still am… and it has been 22 years now…
To God be the Glory !!!!
I”m looking for 22 more….and I encourage anyone that is hesitating.. to take the plunge… you will never be sorry……
Hey, if we are going to live like Jesus we all need to be baptised, because He set the example for us to follow!
Leon, the problem I see with that kind of reasoning, is that we should also include getting circumcised and whatever other jewish rituals Jesus submitted to to fulfill the law and the prophets.
What would have Jesus wanted is clearly stated in the Bible. In obedience to Him i would like to be Baptised. At my Church it is not considered a priority however i personally would like to be Baptised to start over with my life surrendered to Christ. i have to wait till March but that’s okay i guess it is in His perfect timing.
Gayla Stahl, let me make it clear. Prior to baptism we are an infant in faith. There ought to be many flaws. But we have turned our back towards the path we were following.The great Commission “make disciples & baptise ” just means to lead them to follow Jesus instead of the old path & then baptised such a saved person.I could understand the communication gap of India & western culture.
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