Why is it that Baptists and certain Protestant Evangelicals demand immersion but?

Question

Why is it that Baptists and certain Protestant Evangelicals demand full immersion baptism but don't accept the understanding of Baptismal regeneration in the waters of baptism as explained in Titus 3:5 that God "saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit." ?

If baptism is merely symbolic than why do they place so much importance on the ritual of baptism being only and always full immersion into the water? Some will argue this was the only bible way but is it?

http://www.catholic.com/library/Baptism_Immersion_Only.asp

"Often people miss the fact that baptism gives us new life/new birth because they have an impoverished view of the grace God gives us through baptism, which they think is a mere symbol. But Scripture is clear that baptism is much more than a mere symbol"

birds I understand what you believe on immersion but you miss the point entirely. The same people who argue against what I'd call form and they would call ritual will demand the ritual of full immersion and yet find no effecual purpose in it as they call it merely an outerward sign, symbol. Don't you see the problem. They reject the biblical teaching of effectual baptismal regeneration found in practice of what they label as "water baptism"

Hevn B you cannot compare Christ's baptism as it was not for the same purpose as ours. You correctly understand he was without sin yet fail to realise the chronology of the salvation story and how his baptism was for our example. Remember that later on Jesus explains all had yet to be revealed and even when it was starting to happen he told the apostles to tell no one ie. when Peter pronounces Jesus is the Christ.

granny I tend to agree with you as I know of many Catholics who were baptised with full immersion of the entire body instead of just the head. As you may be familar Latin rite Catholics (especially in North America) normally receive a pouring on Baptism (not a sprinkling as those who mock us regularly imply).

In actuality there are 3 valid forms of baptism full immersion, pouring and... even sprinkling (found biblical throughout the OT). More to the point however you rightly explain the faulty teaching on baptism by these groups which lack the fullness of Christian instruction

Answer 1

Billy, I am a convert to Catholicism and was formerly Baptist. The Catholic church, because "we believe in ONE baptism for the forgiveness of sins...", accepted my full-immersion baptism done in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as entirely valid. This is not at all uncommon, as you know. And you also know that our own Catechism states "Baptism is performed in the most expressive way by triple immersion in the baptismal water ..." (1239)

So, putting together what the Church teaches about the matter and form of baptism and the fact that full-immersion Baptist baptisms are considered valid, it would seem to me that -- although they do not acknowledge it -- Baptists do have regenerative baptism and not just a symbolic "following the Lord in baptism" ritual. In fact, I daresay it can be considered a sacrament, otherwise wouldn't the Catholic church place only a "conditional" acceptance on a candidate's former baptism instead of recognizing it as complete and efficacious?

From my perspective, my former brethren are doing it right -- just explaining it wrong.

Answer 2

"Where infant baptism has become the form in which this sacrament is usually celebrated, it has become a single act encapsulating the preparatory stages of Christian initiation in a very abridged way. By its very nature infant baptism requires a post-baptismal catechumen ate. Not only is there a need for instruction after baptism, but also for the necessary flowering of baptismal grace in personal growth. The catechism has its proper place here. "
"Born with a fallen human nature and tainted by original sin, children also have need of the new birth in baptism to be freed from the power of darkness and brought into the realm of the freedom of the children of God, to which all men are called. [Cf. Council of Trent (1546): DS 1514; cf. Col 1:12-14.] The sheer gratuitousness of the grace of salvation is particularly manifest in infant baptism. The Church and the parents would deny a child the priceless grace of becoming a child of God were they not to confer baptism shortly after birth. [Cf. CIC, can. 867; CCEO, cann. 681; 686, 1.] "

Answer 3

no longer all. some cases, an thought catches on and grows so regular that this is going to become a time-honored. The altar call is one such an thought. It would not violate any scripture and it does have a use. So, why no longer? yet some do no longer care to apply it, that's high quality too. Crying out amen, i do no longer look after. you are able to lose your practice of thought. a minimum of i will. making a music is easy, and that has continually been. no longer something would desire to cloud the actuality of what the Christian existence is approximately. yet i think of all too oftentimes, human beings see the exterior "ritual" and think of that's the two all there is, or that which you ought to. And definite, I even have observed a shift these days in direction of the greater ritualized provider. exciting.

Answer 4

It almost sounds like you are questioning baptism as well as answering it. So I'll add upon what you said. Baptism is symbolic..... But it does " not " save you. Baptism unites a believer with Jesus Christ in His death to sin and His resurrection to new life. Don't forget, even Jesus Christ came to John the Baptist to be baptised. Why? Jesus had " no " sin. But by doing so, Jesus endorsed baptism and we are to follow His example. As the Holy Spirit appeared in a dove above the Lord Jesus it is a wonderful picture of God's plan for Salvation being centered on Jesus Christ. Jesus, the perfect man, who didn't need baptism for sin. But He did so on our behalf. You and I are imperfect. We should have zero problem with this beautiful act.

Answer 5

Its NOT like 'baptism' is a christian concept. Passing from a state of tameh (impurity) to tahor (purity) according to Torah involved bringing the prescribed sacrifices and purification through tevillah (immersion), a washing by water in a mikvah.

Many other pagani (latin for peasent), which the term pagan stems, use water as a 'cleasing' agent.

As far was what IT means, depends on the meaning that the individual gives it.

Answer 6

Your use of Scripture is wrong.

Titus 3 starts this way, "Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all humility toward all men. For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared, not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration
and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior; that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

Water baptism was not even being taught here, unless you are desperate to see every appearance of the word "washing" as baptism. It is washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit, not by water baptism. The imagery given is that Christ has poured out the Holy Spirit upon us richly like water that regenerates and renews. You should adopt a better habit of reading the Bible more correctly.

Answer 7

Baptism means complete immursion, If a love one of yours die, do you just sprinkle a hand full of dirt over him & say, he or she is buried, No, You have to cover the whole body, then they are buried, We too as Christians are buried with Jesus Christ when we are baptized unto his death.