how do baptisms work?

Question

I am 20 and have never really gone to church. I believe in God. I have decided to start going to church regularly and thoughts of baptisms came to mind. I understand the ceremony, but would it be recognized by only that religion or as long as it was a Christian denomination it would be recognized by other Christian denominations? Would I have to take a test or something before I could be baptized because of my age? Would I have to be confirmed, I’m not even sure if that is something Christians do? If it helps I’m thinking mostly about Lutherans.

Answer 1

http://www.ucg.org/booklets/RL/

Answer 2

Before Christianity, John the Baptist (son of a Jewish priest) baptized for the remission of sins. In early Christianity the twelve Apostles baptized for the remission of sins and for believers to receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). After the conversion of the Apostle Paul, water baptism became less important. Believers received the Holy Spirit before water baptism (Acts 10:44,45 Galatians 3:2).
The Apostle Paul revealed that he was not sent to baptize (1Cor 1:14-17), that salvation is by faith alone (Romans 4:5), that baptism is by the Holy Spirit (1Cor 12:13) and is an operation of God (Colossians 2:10-12).
Water baptism today is the act required to join a denomination, which is OK if that's what you're looking for. Baptism by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ is what unites all the redeemed.

Answer 3

You mean to be baptized into a church like baby's baptism? Just call any church office and they'll be glad to answer questions without obligation of course. Then there is the baptism of the Holy Spirit that some religions practice. When you repent and ask God into your life, some religions baptize you for that, too. I don't believe Lutherans do; not sure. You'll find out once you start going and watching their services. Actually, just enter in the religion in your search engine and you'll find all the info you need. Good luck!

Answer 4

Most Protestant denominations assume that a Baptism is mostly symbolic; it is a ceremony where you publicly celebrate the fact that you have turned from a life of sin & indifference to God and have been forgiven (washed) of your guilt by the blood of Jesus. Even though it is symbolic, Jesus commanded it, so it is necessary to become baptized in order to be fully obedient to God (unless one has a medical condition that prevents it). Some denominations believe that baptism is itself a necessary condition for salvation; others think that Baptism itself is just a ceremony and that you are saved the moment that you recognize Jesus as God. It depends on the church and their understanding of scriptures. However, no church that I know of allows you to become a full member without baptism.

Usually you are required to attend a pre-baptism class of some sort to insure that you know what it means to be a Christian, and what commitment that you are going to be making to God by being baptized. Usually churches recognize baptism done at other churches and by other denominations (but Protestant churches normally do not recognize Catholic baptisms, and vice versa).

The Baptism ceremony varies from church to church. But usually a person says something to the crowd about why they decided to become a Christian, and then you are dunked in front of everyone (or sprinkled; it depends on the church). The pastor probably will say a few words before and after explaining why baptism is necessary. It is normally a simple and quick ceremony.

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In response to the lady below me, baptisms only “work” if you want them to. A baptism is a symbol of what is supposed to be going on inside you, in your heart. If the ceremony means nothing to you, then you have done nothing; a baptized sinner is just a wet sinner. It can be quite meaningful if you want it to be.

And don't worry about the fact that different churches has different customs or traditions; God knows the true intent of your heart.

Congratulations on becoming a follower of Jesus!

Answer 5

It depends on the denomination (type of church). For example, in the Baptist church (where I go) there is not a test. You just have to proclaim to the congregation that you accept Jesues as your savior, and the minister baptizes you (ceremony is usually scheduled for a couple of times a year, and they baptize several at once). Catholics have classes and tests; I think Lutherans might too, but you'd have to ask a minister.

You don't have to be baptized in order to believe, but many people do so as a symbol of their commitment to God. If you hav emore questions, ask the minister at the church you attend or are planning to attend.

Answer 6

Talk to your church about it.
Many churches require you to take adult religious education classes before you can be baptized.
And, no, you don't need to take a test before it, though they probably will have you talk to your preist about why you want to go into the faith etc. which really isn't a probably- just say you love God etc.
Confirmation is ore of a Catholic thing, I dunno if Christians do it. It's basically like baptism but without the water, you have oil put on your forehead instead, and by an Archbishop instead of a preist. At both Baptism and confirmation, you say you believe in God and reject Satan etc. Confirmation tends to occur later in life, right now, the catholic church in New Orleans has made it so that you're confirmed at 16. Basically, it's what the name sounds like - you're confirming your faith and all that was said at your baptism. It's basically a renewal.

Answer 7

I can only speak in regards to the Catholic Church.

To be baptized in the Catholic Church, you would take classes - RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults). These classes would help you understand more about the Catholic faith and Christianity in general so you will understand what it means to be a Christian and what responsibilities are involved in the Christian life. A good article to read can be found at http://www.americancatholic.org/newsletters/cu/ac0502.asp

When an adult becomes a member of the Catholic Church, he or she is baptized, confirmed and receives Holy Communion for the first time at the Easter Vigil Mass.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Answer 8

It would be recognised by the Catholic Church if it was a Lutheran service. You will have to answer questions about your faith at the time of Baptism. Your Baptism would be your confirmation as you are an adult. God bless, and welcome to the Body of Christ.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

Answer 9

It depends on the church and flavor (denomination). I was baptized FOUR times.

1. I was "sprinkled" a Episcopal as an infant. I don't remember it but I guess it was a long boring affair where the church says it's ok for me to go to heaven. They rubbed some oil on my head and said a few words. Followed by a big party at my mom & dad's house.

2. Baptised by some religion, probably Methodist, maybe Lutheran. Don't really remember this one either ( I was four), just know it came after I told my mom what she wanted to hear. I was dunked in water and then got to tell the congregation that I accepted Jesus into my heart. Followed by a party at the church.

3. Baptised a Baptist (or it might have been Pentacostal-they sometimes spoke in tongues). I hated that church. The preacher was all fire and brimstone and his sermons were spent scaring the hell out of children after our parents narc-ed us out. It was a huge ceremony in the basement, many people were "saved" that day. You climbed into the tub (big steel thing like a livestock trough), stood there forever as he said a long prayer about death and pain and such, then you laid down, he put his hand over you face to hold you down, and said another prayer. As it was long, and I was young (8ish), I thought he was trying to drown satan out of me (he really scared the hell out of me) and when I struggled to bring my head above water and he pushed me back, I bit him. He then announced to the congregation I was evil, filled with the devil and going to burn in hell for all eternity. I cried all day and begged dad not to make me go back to the church that was sending me to hell. Never returned, but my mom continued to go for a while.

4. Was baptised a "Christian" in an outdoor ceremony in the mountains of Pennsylvania. Some kind of non-denominational revival type thing. I liked that, the people were great, no talk of sin and hell, just love and life. That one stuck for a few years.

Now, I realize the truth, they don't "work", they just are. My mom was very religious and filled with pain, so she went from church to church trying to find the forgiveness she couldn't give herself. And she always blamed her bouncing around as being at fault for my leaving the mind constraints of religion, and eventually the whole god project.

But she was wrong. Science, education, logic, intelligence and acceptance of reality, along with the removal of my early upbringing, led me to my non-belief.

Really, if this is something you want to pursue all churches have their own rules. Go and speak with a Lutheran minister and tell him of your desires, he will be the one to ask and happy to talk to you about it.

Answer 10

I am not a Christian. By reading your question and the answers thereto, I understand now that even in Christianity, there are so many complexities, denominations etc. God save the religions and the religious minded!

Answer 11

You see I don't understand church or any church's processes, even Jesus Christ said you don't need church to worship God or get through to God, and yet some sects of Christianity tell their followers you need to do everything or just some special things through the church, which is in fact against the teachings of Christ to say such a thing, I consider myself a protestant, nothing more, and I do not believe in churches or priests or anything like that. You don't need church, or babtisms, or anything but the word of God to live by to be a Christian.