how baptism should affect our lifestyle and behaviour
2007-05-16 09:02:41 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
to me, baptism is an outward expression of the inward change in our hearts. When we accept Jesus Christ and turn from our selfish desires, we change... we become different people with Christ as the center.
the baptism itself doesnt change us at all... it is an act of obedience we must choose to do for ourselves (our parents cannot choose Christian baptism "for" us.. it has to be our own choice) ... the change comes from the life we are now living in Christ, and should reflect Him as much as possible
2007-05-16 09:21:34 · answer #1 · answered by livinintheword † 6 · 8⤊ 0⤋
I see you have different opinions here..
For what it's worth this is mine.
Water baptism (if this is what you mean) is symbolic of the washing away of our old life, or old ways..i don't believe water baptism is the same as salvation, which takes place in the heart..which is the inner change. The baptism in The Holy Spirit (ghost) is the baptism which empowers us to live the Christ life. God is interested in our hearts above everything else..if the heart is right with Him, everything else will follow. So i guess what I'm saying is water baptism doesn't affect our behaviour, it's the Holy Spirit that empowers us to be more Christ like...
As for parents baptising their children, God sees and Honor's this, it's a promise the parents make to raise their children in the ways of God as best they can until the children make up their own minds..it all counts to God.
2007-05-17 00:25:42 · answer #2 · answered by ;) 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Repentance precedes baptism. Unless one repents of ones sins, the act of baptism is meaningless. That is why infant baptism is meaningless. Having repented, and acknowledged Jesus as Lord and Saviour, a Christian makes a public declaration that they have symbolically died to their past life and are 'born again' by the Holy Spirit. The fruits of the Holy Spirit should then be manifest in their lifestyle and behaviour.
The fruits of the Holy Spirit are:
Love
Joy
Peace
Patience
Kindness
Goodness
Faithfulness
Gentleness
Self-control
"Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other." Galatians 5: 10 - 26
2007-05-16 16:31:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Baptism is done because we want to show our faith in God. If the truth be known, I lived a Christian lifestyle before I got baptised.
2007-05-16 16:37:55 · answer #4 · answered by kiwi 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Baptism comes from a Greek word bapto which means to dip or immerse. When someone accepts that Jesus Christ died bearing their sins, they have eternal life as a gift from God. If, in gratitude, they wish to commit themselves to Christ and be a Christian (follower of Christ) they should be baptised (dipped) in water. This symbolically represents the death, burial and resurrection of Christ (see Romans chapter 6).
Baptism is a bit like a wedding. At a wedding, you declare your commitment to your husband/wife in the presence of witnesses (family & friends etc.). At your baptism, you declare your commitment to Jesus in the presence of witnesses. If you later default on your promises, the witnesses can remind you of your declaration.
In Acts chapter 2:40-42, those who accepted Peter's message about salvation through trust in Christ, were baptised and then added to the church of God in Jerusalem. They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
2007-05-16 18:03:29 · answer #5 · answered by mikeoxley242 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was baptised or christened or whatever it's called so my parents could send me to the sectarian school because it was nearer.
Even with all the years of attempted brainwashing by priests & penguins I still saw through it all, religions are a man made sham, the left overs of an antiquated control system. People who believe such nonsense should be given no more credence than people who think fairys live in their gardens, or a child with an invisible friend.
So, to answer your question, no effect on me whatsoever.
2007-05-16 16:33:52 · answer #6 · answered by Gnaw Folt 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The act of Baptism, being immersed in water, is a public declaration of ones commitment to God. It is The Baptisim of The Holy Spirit, which is a private and personal interaction with God, that is the controling factor for each of God's people.... and that is between God and the individual.
2007-05-16 16:08:20 · answer #7 · answered by idahomike2 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
there is no set way on how baptism should affect your life, there is no cookie cutter lifestyle to the Christian faith..God changes for no one, we must adjust to him and our surroundings...baptism is to symbolize the death of our old selves and into a new creature a child of God, you are clean
2007-05-16 16:13:47 · answer #8 · answered by Hardcore Jesus Freak 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Baptism is an outward sign that Jesus washed away our sins. We leave our old self in the water and come up new.
2007-05-16 16:06:34 · answer #9 · answered by momof3 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
You are born as a new person when you are baptized into the death and Resurrection of Jesus, and this is only done by water baptism. The creed of the church says "one baptism for the remissions of sins". From then on, the Holy Spirit lives within you and you should follow the teaching and practice of Jesus.
2007-05-16 16:07:52 · answer #10 · answered by tonks_op 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋