Baptism-Christian?

Question

I accepted Jesus as my personal savior recently.

I was told by my friend I should get baptized. I don't know though. I have a fear of crowds..which I know I shouldn't fear man and such. I don't know if I'm ready..or what all it involves.

I go to a non denominational church. I was told that your head is dipped completely into water.

What is the actual process? Do you have to be baptized? Why do it?

Answer 1

I have no idea about the method of baptism you have described that your church does. Baptism is at outward symbol of being filled with the Holy Spirit and is very much a sacrament. However, some people cannot be baptized in a crowd of people for various reasons (say they are ill in the hospital). Talk to your Pastor about your feelings and see if he or she is willing to do a "family and friend" only baptism.

The Ol' Hippie Jesus Freak
Grace, Peace and Love in Christ
Peg

Answer 2

Baptism is the outward sign, the act of showing the whole world that you are "Born Again", as Jesus said. Complete immersion symbolizes the death of the old (underwater) and the new birth ("Resurrection", coming up out of death).

I was Baptized in the ocean (I live in So. Cal). The Preacher/Pastor/Baptizer stands beside you in the water, and asks you if you truly have accepted Jesus Christ as your own personal Savior. You say Yes. And with a prayer he Baptizes you in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. You allow him to dunk you and raise you back up and he welcomes you into the Kingdom of God!

Answer 3

Baptism is an outward sign to the non-believer that you have been forgiven your sins and they are washed a away. God knows your fears and I am sure that He will lead you to be baptised when He knows that you are ready. I had full immersion baptism which meant that I went into the water up to my waist and the Pastor and a deacon supported me as they tipped me backwards into the water. It is literally a case of being wet. You are not held down or anyhting like that. While I was still in the water my pastor said a short prayer for me. I am female so was given a long gown to wear. Men usually wear trousers and a shirt. It is scriptural but don't be pressurised by others, you will know when you are ready. You have done the most important thing in accepting Jesus as your Saviour.

Answer 4

Let me give you an alternate view of baptism.

- You accepted Jesus? Or did the Holy Spirit work in your heart to give you a new life in Him? You repented because of grace, and calling, and God seeing you long before you were born. There's a much bigger picture involved of God loving you specifically, Sara, before the foundations of the world.

- If you compare circumcision in the Old Testament, to baptism in the NT, you'll find the same rite, different administration only. It was a "marking" of God's property, and the concepts behind it didn't go away.

- If you were baptized as an infant, it WAS valid! You were marked to be brought up in a household of faith, an "address in the kingdom," and as the blood of Jesus was sprinkled on your heart, you were sprinkled with water. Or as the Holy spirit is poured out on believers, water was poured on you. Or, if you weren't under this covenant in your own family, fine, immersion is a burial as Jesus was buried. Don' worry about the form, PLEASE. The Jews did that, and the Old Testament went on and on and on about circumcision of the HEART. Let your baptism be about the HEART, not the amount of water!!!

Nondenominational churches generally have doctrine anyway, you can ask the clergy there, but I'm fairly sure your answer is going to be the same as most of the other posts here, I'm wrong and they will emphasize form rather than function. Up to you, I would be just as happy for you if you decide to get dipped, even if this was already done in your infancy.

- Why do it? Baptism is an ingrafting, a fusing, of you to Jesus Christ as a partaker of God's covenant, his handshake, with His people. Baptism identifies you as one of His, and this is an honor beyond honors, for sinners like you and me that can never, ever merit Heaven on our own. We were lost, now we are found, found by grace from a God that could have left everyone in our sins. But he SO loved the world that he did away with animal sacrifices and the strict Old Testament laws and instead sacrificed his Son on the altar of a cross, a horrible death instrument, as payment in full for you. God's wrath that should have been poured out on you, has been atoned for, Sara. Baptism points to a mighty, gracious God through Jesus Christ via the Holy Spirit, a Triune covenant that you get to take part in.

Answer 5

Baptism is an act of obedience by a believer in Christ. Baptism by immersion involves your standing in water and then being "dunked" under so that your whole body is under water for a second.
Fear of crowds is not an excuse not to be baptized. Nowhere in scripture does it say that there has to be a crowd there. As far as we know, there were only 2 people present when Philip baptised the Ethiopian eunich. And when Paul and Silas baptised the jailer and his family there is no record of anyone else being there.
Study about baptism in the bible. Jesus said it was necessary for Himself to be baptised to fulfill all righteousness. If it was necessary for Him, then who are we to refuse it?

Answer 6

You don't have to be baptized to be saved. Anyone who tells you otherwise is a liar.

BUUUUUUUT.....

Baptism is a believer's first public confession in Christ. It is how they say to others, "I've accepted Jesus in my life!" Also, it is symbolic of the old and new natures. Before being baptized, you stand in the water, yet as you are immersed in the water and come back out, it is symbolic of being raised from the dead with Christ and being a new creature.

Don't be afraid. It's a very special moment in your life. Baptism, while not essential for salvation, is still an important part in Christianity, as it helps us to connect with Christ in a public manner.

Answer 7

I spent four years in Ministry School. I understand why water baptism is used. But it is not necessary to get into the Kingdom of Heaven. Usually, water baptism is done in a tank called a baptismal. The person to be baptized is dressed in a white gown and the pastor waits in the water. You walk in and he prays with you and lowers your head in and out of the water. It is rather a public testamonial that you are a believer but if you are afraid, why put yourself through it? You get baptized by fire anyway when you accept the Holy Spirit into your heart and it sounds like you already did, so welcome to the club! God Bless! I am non-denom myself, by the way.

Answer 8

Jesus commanded baptism. (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:16) To be saved, we must obey Christ! "And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." (Hebrews 5:9)

To be saved, we must be "in Christ". We cannot be saved outside of Christ, but how do you get into Christ? Romans 6:3-13 and Galatians 3:27 say that we are "baptized into Christ"!

Many verses talk about the blessings "in Christ",n including salvation, but these are the only verses I know of that use the phrase and tell us how to get "into Christ". Again, you cannot be saved outside of Christ!

Romans 6 and Colossians 2:12 also say that at baptism we contact His death. At the death of Christ is where His saving blood was shed and offered for our sins! The blood washes away our sins! (Romans 5:8-10, Revelation 1:5) At baptism we contact that blood and our sins are washed away! (Acts 22:16) How can our sins be washed away if we have not been "baptized into His death"?

Also, Romans 6 says at baptism we "rise to walk in newness of life". How can we be saved if we have not been born again to walk in this new life?

1 Peter 3:21 says "baptism now saves you--not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience--through the resurrection of Jesus Christ".

Notice the main part of this statement "Baptism now saves you... through the resurrection of Jesus Christ." Some people well use a lot of words to explain why this verse doesn't mean what it says!

Jesus said, "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved." (Mark 16:16)

Some say you believe, are saved, and then you should be baptized. This is not the same thing Jesus said! It is not in the same order!

What would Jesus have said if he had meant "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved"?

I believe he said what he meant and meant what he said! I believe Jesus! "He that believes not shall be condemned". (Mark 16:16).

"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Acts 22:16)

Answer 9

You should be Baptized, yes.

Which means being totally immersed in water, but the total immersion only lasts about a second.

Let me suggest you discuss it with the Pastor of that church or if there are several pastors there, ask the pastor on staff you know the best.

Pastor Art

Answer 10

Christian views on whether baptism is necessary for salvation vary, but Jesus himself was baptized and as we are supposed to be Christ-like, I feel that baptism is important.

You do not have to be baptized in a church in front of alot of people. Any Christian can perform your baptism in any body of water as long as the intent in both of your hearts is to baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Most Protestant baptisms involve immersion, but baptism can also be performed by sprinkling -- Catholics do this, especially for babies.

Remember that it is not the ritual itself that is important in God's eyes, but your desire to express your faith. You could discuss having a private ceremony with your Pastor, or you could just pray about it and wait. Good luck, and I'll be praying for you.