Baptism at a Baptist camp

[Salty]

I recently saw something about a Baptist camp baptizing pre-teens and teenagers.

Should a camp be doing such an activity?

Is Baptism an ordinance of only the Local church

If you were the parent and/or pastor of the teen -

Open for discussion

 

[John of Japan]

The only way I would think such baptism to be valid is if the pastor of the church the camper was connected with were the one doing the baptizing, and even then I would have my doubts. There is the case of Philip baptizing the Ethiopian eunuch, and that did not take place in a church (meaning an assembly of believers). But those were very special and unique circumstances.

As Baptists, we believe that is an ordinance of the local church. I've never baptized outside a church meeting and never would.

 

[Salty]

... There is the case of Philip baptizing the Ethiopian eunuch, and that did not take place in a church (meaning an assembly of believers). But those were very special and unique circumstances. ...

Would you please expound on those unique circumstances.

To expand this a bit - what are you thoughts about a military chaplain baptizing - especially in a combat one.

 

[JonC]

I think it is an ordinance for the living cap Church, but I don't know about "only".

I guess the question could be answered by deciding if Philip was wrong to baptize the Ethiopian.

 

[Marooncat79]

The order of Matt 28 is that baptism is for disciples not believers

 

[John of Japan]

Would you please expound on those unique circumstances.

1. It was an evangelist doing the baptizing, not a pastor.
2. It did not take place in a church setting.
3. The new believer could not stick around to go to the church of the baptizer.
4. However, some believe that the Ethiopian eunuch was the lead man in the mighty results later in Ethiopia, which essentially became a Christian nation in later years.

To expand this a bit - what are you thoughts about a military chaplain baptizing - especially in a combat one.

To me that would be a case by case situation. But in combat there are usually no churches nearby to do it in!

 

[MrW]

Water baptism, IMO, and I believe it is Scriptural is believers should baptize believers.

 

[Salty]

Part of my concern is that the child parents would want to be in attendance, as well as the church family.
At our State convention a few years ago - the speaker mentioned that when a baptism is to be preform - the candidate should send out invitations - as with a wedding! This is a great time to invite non-believers to attend.

In addition, as pastor, I want to make sure that the candidate knows what he is doing. I remember at one church - a person came forward for salvation - and afterwords - the pastor asked her if she wanted to be baptized - that put her on the spot for the moment - as she really did not know what (true) baptism was about- she then assumed the answer should be in the affirmative and then nodded yes. - and then to top that off - she was in town to visit her sister. The lady lived a good 100 miles away.

So - bottom line, I would not be happy with a camp preforming baptisms!

 

[Piper]

I recently saw something about a Baptist camp baptizing pre-teens and teenagers.

Should a camp be doing such an activity?

Is Baptism an ordinance of only the Local church

If you were the parent and/or pastor of the teen -

Open for discussion

Baptism belongs to the church, so if the camp is run by a church, no problem.

 

[Deacon]

Regarding your concerns, Salty

In my days… those of ages past…

• These camps are commonly done for church youth and run by a sponsoring church.
• Youth were encouraged to invite unsaved friends.
• A general topic was discussed at the daily meetings but salvation messages were ever present.
• Campfire nights and group singing introduced an emotional aspect that encouraged conversions.
• At the end of the week parents and family were invited to share in the campers experience.

I was baptized at a youth training session shortly after becoming a believer. It was run by a local church - not where I attended.

I went to a Presbyterian Church that my parents attended. To my knowledge, I never heard the gospel there (I may have been blinded to it but that’s for another forum, lol) Immersion baptism was not an option for me there and then.​

My youth friends were my “church” for about 2 years. They were there at my baptism. We generally taught ourselves - it was Wild West Christianity doctrinally but we learned the basics.

IMO camps can be a place for baptism.
It should be overseen by competent overseers.
There should be a written notification/ signed by parents, prior to attendance that baptism will be offered.

Rob

 

[Salty]

The camp I attend was run by a board of trustee from several churches - (Probably at least 50 churches)
Parents did not come until Sat am to pick up their kids.
If I were given a notice that my child might be baptized - First, I would be on the phone - and if needed,my child would NOT attend that camp.

I wonder how many kids will get "baptized" because all their friends did.
I wonder how many kids get baptized every year.
ect