Baptism - How long?

[Salty]

I was 12 when I was saved. Some time later I told the pastor, I wanted to be baptised. Our church had a policy that you must attend a new members class as a prerequisite. This class was for 13 Sundays.
Others churches will see you saved Sunday AM, baptize you Sunday PM and vote you in Wed PM.

What say you?

Is there Biblical teaching on this, or is just preference?

 

[amixedupmom]

It took me months to get baptized but, not because of a class. Baptism is a symbol and a symbol of obedience alone. It is NEVER a requirement for salvation

The thief that hung with Jesus on Calvary saved on the cross and Jesus himself said ... You will join me in paradise.


God Bless

 

[Wisdom Seeker]

I was saved when I was 12. The church I was saved in didn't do Baptism's often, and so I kept asking "When can I get baptised" to which I got a "Oh, we need to do that don't we?" for several years in fact. It sort of quenched my spirit. I knew I should be obedient to God by being baptised in the church. I kept worrying "What if I died before I could get baptised?' Would God let me into heaven anyway?

When I got married and we bought our first home...we looked for a church in the area. We went to one for awhile, but it wasn't my husband's cup of tea. So, our next door neighbor had been talking about this wonderful church that they wanted us to visit, so we did. That was the Baptist church we now belong to.

They didn't think that my salvation was valid, because it wasn't a baptist salvation. Which has always stuck in my craw...it doesn't say anything in the Bible that only Baptist salvations are valid. Anyway...the pastor was insistant that I pray for salvation again. So, I did, sort of. I knew that God had saved me already, and this was to passify the nice Pastor who seemed to think it was important that I be saved in his church again.

I didn't get baptised right away, because I was expecting my 6th child in about 3 weeks. But we were baptised about a month after she was born. They would have baptised me and my husband at the very next service.

At our church you don't have to be voted in if you are saved and baptised in the church. Membership is automatic instead.

I still go by my original salvation date. That's when I asked Jesus Christ to forgive me of my sins and to come into my heart. The second prayer was for membership into a Baptist church as far as I'm concerned. But the baptism was awesome. I just wish I didn't have to wait as long as I did.

I wonder how many other churches inhibit the newly saved from being baptised right away because they don't think it's a big deal.

 

[gb93433]

Originally posted by Wisdom Seeker:
I was saved when I was 12. The church I was saved in didn't do Baptism's often, and so I kept asking "When can I get baptised" to which I got a "Oh, we need to do that don't we?" for several years in fact. It sort of quenched my spirit. I knew I should be obedient to God by being baptised in the church. I kept worrying "What if I died before I could get baptised?' Would God let me into heaven anyway?

When I got married and we bought our first home...we looked for a church in the area. We went to one for awhile, but it wasn't my husband's cup of tea. So, our next door neighbor had been talking about this wonderful church that they wanted us to visit, so we did. That was the Baptist church we now belong to.

They didn't think that my salvation was valid, because it wasn't a baptist salvation. Which has always stuck in my craw...it doesn't say anything in the Bible that only Baptist salvations are valid. Anyway...the pastor was insistant that I pray for salvation again. So, I did, sort of. I knew that God had saved me already, and this was to passify the nice Pastor who seemed to think it was important that I be saved in his church again.

I didn't get baptised right away, because I was expecting my 6th child in about 3 weeks. But we were baptised about a month after she was born. They would have baptised me and my husband at the very next service.

At our church you don't have to be voted in if you are saved and baptised in the church. Membership is automatic instead.

I still go by my original salvation date. That's when I asked Jesus Christ to forgive me of my sins and to come into my heart. The second prayer was for membership into a Baptist church as far as I'm concerned. But the baptism was awesome. I just wish I didn't have to wait as long as I did.

I wonder how many other churches inhibit the newly saved from being baptised right away because they don't think it's a big deal.

When a baby is born you don't have to tell if it is born. It is obvious. You don't have to tell it to eat. It just does.

My wife and I joined a church on the promise of a letter. I was baptized by an independent Baptist pastor who was the pastor of the non-denominational church I attended. She was baptized in the Pacific Ocean in the midst of many people on the beach in February. It was cold! Then we moved to Texas and the church we decided to join accepted us on statement of faith and saying that we were baptized by immersion. But the next church we joined by letter. We found out later that the church we joined by letter had a policy that people joining needed to have been baptized in an SBC church. I told that incident while a student in seminary and the class busted out laughing. What it did was to make the church look like fools. We weren't trying to get around anything. But we did unknowingly until we found out a few years later in a seminary class.

 

[Trotter]

I was saved when I was 22. The church didn't have a baptistry, and it was Sept 30th. Well, my baptism was put off for a few weeks, but then it turned off cold, so we were going to have to wait. Before spring came round, the pastor had left and we had a new one. The new pastor immediately pushed to have a baptistry put in, and it was completed by early May. I was in the first batch of "dunk-ees".

It took a while, but I was finally SBC official!

In Christ,
Trotter

 

[Dr. Bob]

There is no indication in Scripture of any "time" period to wait for baptism after salvation. It was always "immediate".

CAVEAT: Most of the examples in the Bible, however, are of folks who were well-steeped in the OT and were not saved in a vacuum. They understood baptism. Today that is often not the case.

So I can see why a pastor would desire folks to go thru "basic training" for a few weeks prior to being baptized. I always played it by ear - some individuals were baptized quickly, others I spent extra time of instruction. Esp those saved out of Lutheran and Catholic backgrounds.

 

[Pete Richert]

That was the Baptist church we now belong to.

They didn't think that my salvation was valid, because it wasn't a baptist salvation.

I don't know if this is the place for this, but I'm not sure I would stay in a church that believed you must be Baptized to be saved.

 

[Lorelei]

Bob is right. In the Bible baptism is always immediate.

Think about how scripturally significant baptism was. It was a public profession identifying yourself with a movement that was being persecuted severly. People immediately were willing to forsake their family, friends, culture, traditions, and anything else that was keeping them from following Christ. The world rejected Christ and was murdering those who identified themselves as Christians, yet those who were saved by the power of the blood desired to immediately pronounce to the world that they were identified with Christ! They didn't want to wait, though they should have had more reason than we do to "put it off."

Today baptism has been perverted into actually being a tool and instrument in which men are saved, denying the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice on the cross. Even those of us who realize baptism is just a symbol seem to have forgotten the significance of it in our lives. Families don't get offended anymore when we are baptized because the term "Christian" in American society doesn't really seem to "mean" anything anymore. Of course it is still significant in other areas of the world. I am sure that if a muslim were converted in Saudi Arabia, their willingness to publicly identify themselves as a Christian would bring the same wrath as it did in the NT days.

I think it is important for a Christian to understand what baptism is, but if they are desiring to follow the Lord's command, I don't think we should make them "wait." Having classes for new christians is great, but they can be baptized as they continue to learn the significance of the decision that they have made. Biblically, those who accepted were immediately baptized, I think we should encourage the same.

At our church, we will baptize at the next service. I think that is acceptable, but if someone didn't want to wait, I am certain the pastors would fill the baptistry as we sang some songs preparing to identify the new believer in the body of Christ by baptizing them as the Lord commanded that we do.

~Lorelei

 

[Artimaeus]

Baptism is an act of obedience, not an act of maturity. I don't read anywhere where this was debated. A person was baptized upon conversion and the first opportunity. It's kind of like geting married. When the preacher says,"I now pronounce you man and wife." you are married but when he says, "You may kiss the bride", I had no problem with that first act of obedience and did NOT want to put it off till a more convienient time.

Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Acts 8:36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

Acts 9:17...Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

 

[Deacon]

Baptism, How long?

I think you should hold them under for at least...

Oh, I forgot to read the opening message again.

Seriously, I've seen youth being baptised at very young ages and then not walk the walk upon becoming a teen; there are similar problems with adults too, so it's not just an problem seen in the very young.

Education about the baptism experence may play a role but baptising the 'professing but unsaved' individual is a problem that has plagued the church since it's begining.

Rob

 

[Salty]

Originally posted by Artimaeus:
[QB] It's kind of like geting married. When the preacher says,"I now pronounce you man and wife." you are married but when he says, "You may kiss the bride", I had no problem with that first act of obedience


Art, Intresting analogy, but it has one flaw. Lets suppose you are a pastor. At the end of the service I come forward and tell you that I just fell in love with the girl, I happened to sit next to. Since I see no need to wait, I want to marry this girl after the evening service! Would you preform the wedding that day. I hope not. You would say, I need to understand what I am doing.
I agree with Dr Bob. Many today, to not understand baptism as those did in NT times.

I am very glad I waited until after my "boot camp" classes. My baptism meant much more to me.

 

[GODzThunder]

Almost every instance of Baptism in the Bible was done immediately or as soon as it was possible to be.

Yet, I believe that you should be instructed on what Baptism really is about before you receive it.

However; it only takes five to ten good minutes to give a basic expliantion as to what Baptism is so....

 

[Artimaeus]

Originally posted by SALTCITYBAPTIST:
I agree with Dr Bob. Many today, to not understand baptism as those did in NT times.

I am very glad I waited until after my "boot camp" classes. My baptism meant much more to me.

I understand the need to make sure someone understands what is happening but, would we do this with salvation? If someone came to you and said they wanted to get saved, would you say, "OK, but let's wait a few weeks and have a few hours of instruction first so that I am convinced of your understanding?" No, we would say, "Great, let me explain to you the way of salvation.", and present them with the gospel. It may take a few minutes or perhaps a little longer but, we would not wait weeks. I am all for classes and study and discipling new Christians but, Baptism is not a concept that requires a great deal of understanding.

 

[Roy1]

Wow,
As a new member of the BB, I am astounded in some of the advice that is given and some statements that are coming from are supposed Baptist Churches. Living In the UK and to a large extent away from the politics of the Baptist circles in the USA, all I can say is PTL.

So far in this line of thought we have had what boarders if not crossing the line on baptismal regeneration, baptism as a sacrament, and some strange things in between.

Dr Bob was right Most of the examples in the Bible, however, are of folks who were well-steeped in the OT and were not saved in a vacuum. They understood baptism. Today that is often not the case.

When there is an understanding of what baptism is there is little or no problem baptizing as soon as humanly possible. But often we presume too much on the new believer, some that may request baptism may not even be saved.

As much as I see baptism as important in obedience it is not in salvation, let us not tie them together PLEASE. One is by GRACE through FAITH, the other is in OBEDIENCE. The time between the two must depend on the understanding of the individual.

I have recently re-baptized two young people, as in their first baptism they were genuinely saved. In all good conscience I could not accept their first baptism. All this meant was that they had an early bath that Sunday.

GODzThunder However; it only takes five to ten good minutes to give a basic expliantion as to what Baptism is so....
Bro we may explain it is 5-10 mins, but what if the person does not understand this?

Acts 8:36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Note that it was the eunuch’s desire to baptized he was not told that was what he had to do. He has some understanding already. He was aware that there may have been something there to hinder him being baptized, “what doth hinder me to be baptized?”

When he answered Philip in regard to his hearts condition, then he was baptized. Some questions are needed.

Let us take the time with each individual.

Exasperated Roy.


[ September 25, 2003, 12:15 PM: Message edited by: Roy1 ]

 

[Lorelei]

Originally posted by Roy1:
Note that it was the eunuch’s desire to baptized he was not told that was what he had to do. He has some understanding already. He was aware that there may have been something there to hinder him being baptized, “what doth hinder me to be baptized?”

When he answered Philip in regard to his hearts condition, then he was baptized. Some questions are needed.

Let us take the time with each individual.

No one has even remotely suggested that Baptism is necessary for salvation.

Note: It was the Eunuch's desire to be baptized immediately. Philip asked him one question, and then he was baptized. He was not forced to take classes or wait several weeks until the pastor was sure he really meant it when he said he was saved.

My problem isn't with taking time with people who desire to be baptized but have not professed Christ or do not understand what it is. If they answer that one question wrong, then by all means take all the time you need! My problem is when true believers come to Christ and desire to be baptized, but are forced to wait until the next "Baptismal" Sunday. (My former church had one every 3 months. If you got saved the day after baptism you waited 3 months to get baptized) That isn't scriptural, that is merely a convenience for the church. They are discouraged from following scripture so a church can follow their "schedule!"

Sure baptism doesn't save you, but if the early church was eager to identify themselves as a believer, why can't christians today identify themself through baptism as soon as they desire to do so? It was the first step for new believers in the NT, it should be our "first" step too.

~Lorelei

 

[Roy1]

Dear Lorelei,
Forgive the slip of the keyboard the issue is one question, not many.
But I did say “When there is an understanding of what baptism is there is little or no problem baptizing as soon as humanly possible.”

The eunuch was ready, he did not need any teaching. But some do. I agree that some are held off too long by convenience of the Church. But that is down to them to decide. If we baptized in rivers, streams, lakes or seas, instead of heated pools, some may want to hold off until it is warmer.

Another thought would be if you or I had to prepare Fill – empty, heat, each pool depending on the individual Church, that may dampen our anger at every three months or so.

The early Christains did identify themselves straight away with the Church. But they understood that was what they were doing. The background was already there.Sadly because of the background of some new believers they see it as a sacrament, rather than an obedience and identification.

I recently had to deal with a man who was saved a child but in now in his mid fifties was not baptized. Due to various matters he did not attend church for most of his life. But after being with us for some time it took almost three hours together for him to grasp the principle of believers baptism vs his infant christening. The same went for a lady of 79, her family told her she did not need to go through with it because she was already christened as a baby. Both came forward in the end.

To cut it short, baptize as soon as the individual understands what is taking place. If that is the same hour, day, week, month, year, let us do it.

Roy

[ September 26, 2003, 01:51 PM: Message edited by: Roy1 ]

 

[timothy 1769]

I recommend not holding them under for more than 20 seconds or so....

 

[timothy 1769]

Seriously....

Mark 16:16
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Baptism should not be put off. Conceivably the thief on the cross was an exception. We should not lightly ignore the words of Jesus above, I'm sure he knew what he was saying.

 

[GODzThunder]

Originally posted by timothy 1769:
I recommend not holding them under for more than 20 seconds or so....

That reminds me of a joke where a preacher said during a Baptism service to a sinner unclean, "I am going to hold you under until either ALL your sins are washed away OR meet God personally!"

 

[Dan Todd]

Jan was the photographer at yesterday's baptismal!!

She said I had to hold them under long enough for her to get a picture of them under the water!!!