I really am hoping to get baptised soon (water) and I am just wondering what these are exactly. I have to be in the church for 6 months though. Doesn't scripture say that you should get baptised soon after being saved? Is it just me, or is 6 months a long time! I appreciate however many things you can answer. God bless.
2007-12-03 12:03:19 · 7 answers · asked by * 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I go to a Baptist church. We believe that a person should be baptised as soon as they can AFTER being saved. It symbolizes the death of their old life and that they are now going to live for Christ. Why in the world would you have to go through a waiting period? That is strange. Perhaps you should visit other churches.
2007-12-03 12:09:05 · answer #1 · answered by Faye 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Baptism comes from the Greek word "Baptizo" which only had one interpretation which meant "to dunk". If you follow that into Acts you see that water was required. So it was a baptism in water, but this unites you with Jesus' death, Romans 6:3-13. By being united in His death you have been united with the blood which saves you, Hebrews 9:22 or 2:14-15. According to Acts 2:38 you will also receive the Holy Spirit. So baptism (being immersed or dunked in water) brings all three together as spoken of in 1 John 5:6-8.
As far as 6 months go, that is a very long time, people were baptized immediately in Acts. This is especially important in light of the verses I gave you above. It is interesting to note that no where is it said that baptism is after salvation, quite the opposite is true, look at 1 Peter 3:20-21.
2007-12-03 20:20:45 · answer #2 · answered by mlcros 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
There are three kinds of Baptism:
Baptism of water, of desire, and of blood.
Baptism of blood is the shedding of one's blood for the faith of Christ.
Baptism of desire (Latin Baptismus Flaminis) is a teaching of the Catholic Church for all time explaining that those who desire baptism, but are not baptized with water through the Christian ritual, because of death, nevertheless bring about the fruits of Baptism, if their grace of conversion included an internal act of perfect love and contrition which automatically cleanses the soul of all sin.
Hence, the Catechism of the Catholic Church observes, "For catechumens who die before their Baptism, their explicit desire to receive it, together with repentance for their sins, and charity, assures them the salvation that they were not able to receive through the sacrament"(CCC 1259).
Being Baptized IS being born again of water and the spirit, just as Jesus Himself taught in John Chapter 3.
I hope that helps.
2007-12-03 20:08:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
The early church c. 250 made you wait 3 years. 6 mo is okay. Far too many people want to get baptized thinking that somehow saves them. Maybe your church wants to observe your behavior for a while- its cool.
2007-12-03 20:09:41 · answer #4 · answered by Higgy Baby 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
The six months are so you are sure. They don't want a "washout".
"Baptism of blood" is martyrdom. If a person dies in defense of the faith, it's as good as being of that faith. And "baptism of desire" is virtual baptism based on the understanding that the dead person had intended to be baptized.
2007-12-03 20:09:57 · answer #5 · answered by skepsis 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I can find no biblical examples of people waiting 6 months to be immersed. Of the 9 conversions in the book of Acts there appears to be some expediency after belief, confession and repentance in one being immersed. In fact of all the recorded conversions the only common denominator is immersion. I wouldn't wait if my soul depended on it, which it does!
mlcos- you type too fast! You beat me to the punch, good job!
2007-12-03 20:21:59 · answer #6 · answered by enamel 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
You are OK as long as you have a desire to be baptized and just have not had the opportunity.
In Christ
Fr. Joseph
2007-12-03 20:13:55 · answer #7 · answered by cristoiglesia 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋