A different ? on Baptistm

I've never ran into that particular fear. But I would probably make a recommendation for pouring.

 

We had a woman in our church just months ago get baptized (walking down into a baptistry) who has a clinical phobia of large amounts of water (like bath tubs, pools, ext). Hers stimmed (I think) from nearly drowning a couple of different times as a child if I remember her correctly.

She had to come to a point where she needed to trust God to keep her safe if she was going to be obedient. It was a faith issue that had to be worked out in her own heart. God gave her the strength, passion, and determination to do it. It took her a bit to get into the water, and then a bit more to get poise herself. But she actually went under the water and back up again. And she praised God raying: Her fear is still there but that fear was arrested in the Truth and Love of and for her Saviour.

I always Go back to the scripture "we are not given a spirit of fear but of love, of supernatural power, and of a sound/discipled mind". It must be a work of Faith that she has come to.

BTW- This particular lady had been saved a year and a half almost 2 before she considered it due to her fear. But the more she drew closer to God in fellowship the more he convicted her till all she could do was basically say "God I beleive, but help my unbelief". And He did!

 

Amen! Praise God! This is a great testimony.

 

How would pouring be a good substite for immersion? Wouldn't the portrait be incomplete?

 

I'm just trying to be merciful. I treated it in judgment the same way I would treat someone physically unable to be immersed.

 

I would too. "Merciful" is the key word.

 

Allan, I had exactly the same thing happen. I had just witnessed to a lost friend, who had repented and confessed Christ as Lord. As I was instructing him about obedience in baptism, his wife spoke up. "I've never been baptized because I have a deathly fear of putting my head under water." And she was a preacher's daughter.

My answer: "Sorry, can't help you. This is between you and God. If you ever get up the courage, it'll have to come from Him." Three days later, on Sunday morning, she and her husband both walked the aisle, he to tell of his salvation and she to ask for baptism. They were baptized together the following Sunday. Whew! What a blessing to see God take away the husband's sins and take away her fear of baptism!

 

My mother has the same problem. She eventually allowed herself to go under the water, though.

Personally, I think God would understand if someone had a phobia about water. It's not like they were avoiding a public proclamation.

 

Pour...........................................