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2007-10-11 16:48:54 · 21 answers · asked by SweetGirl 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Study what circumcision was to the Jews, and you'll understand exactly what Baptism should mean to Christians.
2007-10-13 08:13:30 · answer #1 · answered by ccrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Baptism is far more than some "outward sign" that we have accepted Christ. Jesus Himself had to be baptized in order to fulfill all righteousness. It was just after He was baptized that the Holy Ghost descended upon Him in the form of a dove, and the Father's voice came from heaven saying "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, hear ye Him". Therefore if Jesus being holy had need of baptism, how much more do we being unholy have need of baptism.
Baptism is one of the commandments of God. When a person becomes accountable by learning the truth, and DESIRES to repent and serve God, he makes a COVENANT to God, and God responds in kind by making you a child of Christ, and applying his blood that atones for your sins. Therefore your sins are washed away. Baptism is compared to being "buried" with Christ, and the old natural man being put to death, and the perfected man arising a new creature. This is why immersion baptism is essential.
Baptism is much like the wedding vows that makes a couple married. Without some form of wedding ceremony the people are not yet husband and wife. God ordained that baptism by immersion is the means, the way, we become a part of His family. That is why Christians call each other brothers and sisters.
Baptism is only for the accountable. Innocents such as infants, little children, and adults in true ignorance cannot sin, because they had no law given to them, and cannot repent or accept Christ. The grace of God applies to those who die in ignorance but the accountable must repent, be baptized, and endure unto the end in order to be saved.
Some believe innocents need baptism and do unscriptural things like sprinkle infants. How many infants have died without baptism, would they end up in hell because they were not baptized? Such a belief would be a solemn mockery to the grace and justice of God, and those who think that way would be in danger of hell themselves.
2007-10-12 00:58:07 · answer #2 · answered by Technoman 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
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2007-10-11 23:51:30 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
Do you mean Holy Baptism or the word "baptize"? The word "baptize" merely means to apply water by immersing, washing, pouring and the like.
If you're wanting to know about Holy Baptism, this is the truly Scriptural view:
What About...Holy Baptism?: http://www.lcms.org/graphics/assets/media/LCMS/wa_baptism.pdf
If you want to know more be sure to search what the Lutheran Confessions say about the matter: http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=522.
2007-10-12 01:54:59 · answer #4 · answered by Sakurachan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good question, considering that Protestantism has lost the real meaning of this essential sacrament. The original Christian Church believed, and still believes, that Baptism is a powerful work of God through which a person is filled with grace, and is cleansed of all sin he/she has committed up to that point in his/her life. That's why the Bible says we must be baptized for remission of our sins. That's also why the bible says we cannot enter the kingdom without baptism. Baptism makes us children of God, members of His family the Church, and heirs of heaven. How tragic that manmade religion has reduced this mighty sacrament to a mere human gesture.
2007-10-12 00:13:46 · answer #5 · answered by PaulCyp 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
The real meaning of baptism. It is a sign of obedience to God. After you have been saved, God commands you to get baptized. This is a sign to others, showing them in front of God that you beilieve in Him and will follow Him for the rest of your life. It is also a symbol. Jesus died and rose again on the third day. When you are put into the water, it is like you're dying, then when you come out of the water, you are a new person. You are a born again believer. I hope this answers your questions. Good Luck!! = )
2007-10-11 23:57:25 · answer #6 · answered by ambey 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
The word baptism means to immerse or dunk. Its an outward showing of an inward work. The old life is passed away (the dunk), and we are born to a new life in Christ (coming up from the dunk).
2007-10-11 23:57:26 · answer #7 · answered by Answer Annie 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Baptismal is a public confession that Christ is Lord. As some of the people think, Baptismal doesn't really cleans your sins. Only Jesus' blood does that.
2007-10-12 00:02:01 · answer #8 · answered by iRock4Christ 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Definition: 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.
Do persons who really believe God’s Word hold back from being baptized?
Matt. 28:19, 20: “Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you.”
Acts 2:41: “Those who embraced his word heartily were baptized.”
Acts 8:12: “When they believed Philip, who was declaring the good news of the kingdom of God and of the name of Jesus Christ, they proceeded to be baptized, both men and women.”
2007-10-11 23:54:33 · answer #9 · answered by zorrro857 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
In short Baptism is entrance into the new covenant established by Jesus Christ. Much like circumcision was in the Old Testament. It washes away original sin and grants to you God's mercy and grace to live your life in accordance to God's Holy Word.
2007-10-11 23:54:57 · answer #10 · answered by stpolycarp77 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋