Baptisim is a material, worldly practice. Why is that a factor in getting to heaven if it has nothing to do with spiritual practice. And if you say it washes away our original sin than see my first sentance. Something of this world like water cannot wash away our sin. I'm curious.
2006-10-18 17:12:10 · 22 answers · asked by anonymous 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Since some of you are saying that God commanded it. Why? Being baptized is nothing more than taking a dunk in a river or lake.
2006-10-18 17:19:20 · update #1
Not trying to disrespect. Just trying to get the truth.
2006-10-18 17:19:59 · update #2
it doesn't.
that's just prejudiced, arrogant, religious propaganda.
2006-10-18 17:14:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
If you take a look at all the rules for washing that the Jews had (and still have), you will understand that water itself is very important symbol, refreshing inside, cleansing outside. Looking at examples, even with Pontius Pilate, who was pagan and non-Jew, he "washed his hands" of the guilt of condemning Christ to death. The symbolic meaning of everything around us is magnified when you don't have a lot of technology, and you are subject to the whims of the elements. Floods devastated the land, "cleansing" it at the same time (as in the story of "Noah's Ark")
To come to the temple defiled was a very big no-no, and washing the feet when you came into someone's home was a natural custom.
To cleanse oneself entirely, body and soul, water became the symbol for acceptance before God. You just don't go to the temple all stinky. The same for your interior life. You want to somehow cleanse that too before going to the temple. Baptism, as practiced by John the Baptist brought a whole new level and meaning to cleanliness.
2006-10-18 18:50:36 · answer #2 · answered by Shinigami 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess the answer to this question all depends on what denomination you are. Baptism does not wash away your sins...baptism is just a way of showing obedience to God. Salvation is the key. By asking Jesus into your heart and asking Him to forgive you of your sins and repenting daily is the only way into Heaven. I know many people will disagree with me, But this is what i was taught and this is what i believe. Try reading the Book of Romans. I suggest getting a good concordance and just getting into his word.
2006-10-18 17:20:40 · answer #3 · answered by Jewls 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Baptism is a sign and a seal of what Christ has done for us, a covenant that God has made with His people (and infants are NO LESS part of that covenant, as in OT circumcision!). Yes, it's a worldly practice if you believe it's something you do for God. However, if you believe it's something YOU do for God, then all bets are off, and you're right, just a worldly practice.
2006-10-18 18:10:38 · answer #4 · answered by ccrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus was Baptized. It is the outward declaration of obedience to God... or the choosing of obedience to God. It is not for the world precisely, though it is a declaration for the world to see. It is a personal commitment, or vow, made between God and Christian in the presence of God's people, the Church, who witness the declaration, or vow.
If being Baptized is nothing more than being dunked, do not do it. It s a commitment to God... a vow... and Holy unto God as it depicts the choice one makes for God. Our entire relationship with God hinges on the choice, freely made.
2006-10-18 17:19:38 · answer #5 · answered by reformed 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Baptism is the spritual cleansing and act of giving yourself to God. It is a way of showing that you will do your best to do the right things in your life. You are giving away the old you and showing the world that you are starting anew.
It is the same concept of why we bathe every day (i hope ;-) ).
You wash away your sins of the past and continue on a journey of enlightenment.
It is supposed to be the beginning of your journey through life to be a good person, dedicated to obeying God's word.
2006-10-18 17:17:57 · answer #6 · answered by rvogelpohl2001 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In essence you are right, it does not serve a practical purpose. It is a symbolic, public declaration of your belief. It is a ritual and people in many cultures do love ritual. I was baptized and am not putting it down at all. I did it to express my love of Jesus. The baptism did not save me, but it was a declaration that I had accepted His grace. You could use your argument about any other ritual, holiday, or whatever but the fact remains that as a group, human beings like ritual and symbolism.
2006-10-18 17:17:19 · answer #7 · answered by z 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is a factor since Jesus himself commanded us to be baptized of water. Later, the apostles would echo the same command.
"Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38)
"Baptism... now saves you" (1 Pet. 3:21).
The use of materials for super-natural effect is not surprising since Jesus himself, in John 9, cured a blind man by anointing him of His saliva mixed with mud and commanding the man to "wash in the pool of Siloam".
Adam himself was made out of mud. But was it really necessary for God to use mud otherwise He can't make man? Obviously not, but He certainly can choose how things are to be done. And in the case of baptism, He chose water as the material to wash away our sins.
2006-10-18 20:43:47 · answer #8 · answered by Romeo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Then why does the Bible tell us to be baptized for the forgiveness of our sins? And why does the Bible tell us that no-one can enter the Kingdom of God without being "born of water and the Spirit", an obvious reference to the waters of baptism?
2006-10-18 17:16:23 · answer #9 · answered by PaulCyp 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's a factor in getting into heaven to catholics (note that not all branches of christianity practise baptism), because the church says it is. since the church says this, people are reassured by it and readily practise baptism.
it doesn't really matter if an individual personally does not believe in the necessity of baptism for entrance into heaven.
why worry about heaven yet though? concern yourself with making your life worthwhile and rewarding while you're living, and then concern yourself with your afterlife when you get there. doesn't that make the most sense?
2006-10-19 00:41:48 · answer #10 · answered by wildcat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a means of convincing a person that he is helped spiritually to cleanse his mind/soul of shame ,fear.,or guilt . Water is a powerful cleanser and is used in many forms of helping to heal the body, clean your food ,clothes and other things. Baptisim is no garantee that you will go anywhere it just a means of allowing you to be set free so you can grow.
2006-10-18 17:22:11 · answer #11 · answered by beaudrycharles@sbcglobal.net 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋