Baptism or no Baptism???

Question

I would kind of like to know the different views of baptism. I have my personal view of it, but am really interested in other beliefs.

Answer 1

Because of original sin, we are born without grace in our souls, so there is no way for us to have fellowship with God. Jesus became man to bring us into union with his Father. He said no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is first born of "water and the Spirit" (John 3:5)—this refers to baptism.

Through baptism we are born again, but this time on a spiritual level instead of a physical level. We are washed in the bath of rebirth (Titus 3:5). We are baptized into Christ’s death and therefore share in his Resurrection (Rom. 6:3–7).

Baptism cleanses us of sins and brings the Holy Spirit and his grace into our souls (Acts 2:38, 22:16). And the apostle Peter is perhaps the most blunt of all: "Baptism now saves you" (1 Pet. 3:21). Baptism is the gateway into the Church

God Bless You

Answer 2

Catholic, Lutheran and similar believe that the act by baptism (sprinkling is ok) is very necessary in order for the child to be recieved into Heaven - like a pre-requisite. My older brother only lived 7 minutes, so the Catholic hospital immediately baptised him. I grew up believing that was 100% accurate view.

But then, I began to question it, when, since life begins at conception, why are the priests/pastors not running to people's homes and baptising babies that die and do not live full term, and accidently are a miscarriage (even being flushed down the toilet and gone before the mother realized what had occurred). I don't find any wringing of hands over this, any sermons or suggestions to women to save the fetus and call the priest or pastor to quickly baptise the child.

And what of abortions? Along that same line, too, I would think.

Then I quit the Lutheran church and am an active member of a Holy Spirit based Christian Church from out of California (Calvery Chapel). They are driven by the Bible as 100% accurate, truthful, and the living word of God. Their stance is that baptism is NOT a requirement into Heaven. Instead, there is a time when a child reaches spiritual growth and maturity and the child becomes responsible for partaking of Baptism as a Public Display / Witness of becoming and accepting Christ Jesus into their life. Then, they do the full immersion into the water publicly among their congregation. They do not believe (just like the Baptist Christians) that the baby is condemmed to Hell like the Lutheran & Catholic's do, if the child is not sprinkled or immersed in water.

I still struggle with the loss of my brother, and the destiny of his soul, but I do believe that God just can't condemn babies who have no decision making skills about their souls. I have to believe that even if my brother had NOT been baptised, he would have still been waiting to greet me in Heaven when I die.

012907 3:30

Answer 3

Baptism, in my religion, is a symbolic ritual representing the rebirth of the mind and spirit. We (Daemonolaters) will do a baptism on a child for the benefit of the parents, but official baptisms can't take place until a person is 18 because we believe Baptism must be something a person chooses.

Answer 4

I believe that full water baptism as an adult (or an older child) is an act of obedience. Even Jesus was baptized as an adult. It is an outward act of your inner submission to put off the old and live for your new life as a Christian. I also believe in baptism of the holy spirit, which many feel is manifested in the utterances of other tongues (speaking in tongues). I prefer to call this a prayer language. You aren't really getting something NEW in the baptism of the holy spirit, you are simply releasing the holy spirit to work through you. Anyone who has invited Jesus to be their personal Lord and savior has the holy spirit in them. The baptism of the Holy Spirit, is simply allowing the holy spirit access to work through you. As for baptism for babies, there's nothing wrong with it, but since the baby didn't make their own decision to be baptized, it's more for the parents sake instead of the child's.

Answer 5

Why do you need an answer to this question from others?

You know the correct answer for "yourself".

You owe it to yourself to take control of your life, to do the right thing for you, and now for "your family".

You need to "know what you want to know." NOT "kind of like to know." Work towards not being so passive when it comes to what you want out of this life of yours.

This is "YOUR" life, now what are "YOU" going to do with it?!

Listen to your gut instinct, it won't lie to you. If it doesn't feel right to you, then it's not for you. No matter who's parents or who's church or who's religion... it is not more important, then what you think and feel, or the child.

If it is a ceremony of birth you want then create something. ANYTHING you feel. Don't be shy. If you want to throw a get together where you have a celebratory dinner, with a Grand Toast to the birth of your baby... then Cheers! You need God parents?, then, choose, ask, announce, and toast... it's that simple! You set the rules, you make up the plans, you create new traditions. Especially if ethinicity is the case or different religions are involved within the families. Then, it is especially important to implement a plan so they can join together as a non-religious ceremony, but rather a celebratory ceremony for a mutually loved child that has been brought into all of your lives, and into this world, and leave everyone's religious beliefs away from the table. Make it about the child you all share the love for, and all will have their own chance to teach this child something new later when "the child" is old enough to want to listen and know more.

You don't need a church, or holy water to bless a child into the world or to get into heaven. Nor do you need permission. Take hold of your life. And if holy water is for you. Then so be it! Amen

Answer 6

Acts 19:1-8

Shows that there are 2 types of Baptisms. The Baptism of John and the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.

I am not saying that in order to be saved you have to be baptized (the thief on the cross wasn't - and Jesus promised that he would be in paradise with Him). However, water baptism was commanded by God (Baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit) is a physical act of your old man being buried with Christ and resurrecting with Christ having a new nature. On the other hand the Baptism of the Holy Ghost which is first talked about in Acts 1, is a must in order to have power. If this was something that was done at the moment of salvation then why did Jesus command His disciples to go wait on the promise of the Father in Jerusalem? Being Baptized in the Holy Spirit/Ghost gives you power to do what God called you to do, and the evidence of being Baptized or Filled in the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues. The kingdom of God is not in word but in Power.....

Answer 7

The word “baptize” comes from the Greek ba·pti´zein, meaning “to dip, to plunge.” (A Greek-English Lexicon, by Liddell and Scott) Christian water baptism is an outward symbol that the one being baptized has made a complete, unreserved, and unconditional dedication through Jesus Christ to do the will of Jehovah God. The Scriptures also refer to John’s baptism, baptism with holy spirit, and baptism with fire, among others.

Answer 8

I've seen alot of answers quoting immersion, do you really think it means immersion in some kind of holy water? Or maybe you should immerse yourself in the ways of Jesus Christ. Baptism is a controversial subject but it will definitly not do any good if you can't love your neighbor as yourself. If you look at homeless people as though they are not really people. Or turn a deaf ear to a friend, or enemy, who is in need. It's all about love people if you don't have love, real love, then baptism doesn't matter. Love Wins......

Answer 9

I had this problem 26 years ago baptism was important to me being RC.but my wife is Protestant so we couldn't decide which religion so we compromised and said, well we wait until there old enough to decide for themselves and when the time came not one of them (4) was remotely interested and positively against think its the sign of the times now, I don't agree but the worlds theres now.

Answer 10

Jesus, when asked what we must do to be saved, responded, "no-one can enter the kingdom unless he is reborn of water and the spirit", an obvious reference to the waters of Baptism and the coming of the Holy Spirit through that sacrament. This has been the teaching of the Christian Church from the beginning. Most manmade churches have reduced this sacred sacrament of God to a mere human gesture. But that modern tradition of men is far removed from what Jesus taught, and what His own Church has always believed.
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