Not long ago there was a thread about baptism—or maybe it ‘came to be’ about that subject. Anyway, the subject of this poll is not method in regard to immersion—most on here have gone through that. But if you do advocate another, such as sprinkling (I’m putting this in the Poll forum, as most polls elsewhere seem to be transferred here), the questions should still be valid. [Multiple answer poll]
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Baptismal propriety
- Thread starter Alcott
- Start date
SaggyWoman
Active Member
Proper froper.
wheres the option for baptizing in running water vs a baptistry? Some believe running water is essential, ya know.
I've heard of that. "Running Water Baptists," aren't they called? The idea is that the water 'washes your sins away,' so if it isn't running, your sins are still there-- not washed away. If you ask me, they must be a little like the Samaritan woman at the well who wanted the "living water" Jesus told her about only so she wouldn't have to journey to the well every day. ... Literal H(2)O is physical for the physical only. It can't wash sins away, nor can it keep one from physical thirst for all time. That's another error trying to be too literal; like the disciples thinking "Beware the yeast of the Pharisees" meant literal yeast in bread.
But as I said in the OP, method is not what this poll is about. Ordained minister [only], applauding, or what word can/must be said are the focus.
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Here are my quick thoughts:
Any baptized believer can baptize. Usually in our church it is one of the pastors or elders but we have had fathers baptize periodically.
In our church building, the baptizee wears a robe but at the beach, they just wear a t-shirt and shorts over a bathing suit.
What is said: We always read the testimony of the person being baptized then the baptizer says "In obedience to the Lord's command and upon your confession of faith, I baptize you _______ in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Buried (as they are dunked) in the likeness of His death and raised (as they bring them back up) in the likeness of His resurrection."
Photography and videos are fine - what wonderful rememberance for the person being baptized.
As for the congregation, we always applaud when one is baptized. I've heard a number of "amen" and "praise God" 's when we're baptizing. That's great.
Any baptized believer can baptize. Usually in our church it is one of the pastors or elders but we have had fathers baptize periodically.
In our church building, the baptizee wears a robe but at the beach, they just wear a t-shirt and shorts over a bathing suit.
What is said: We always read the testimony of the person being baptized then the baptizer says "In obedience to the Lord's command and upon your confession of faith, I baptize you _______ in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Buried (as they are dunked) in the likeness of His death and raised (as they bring them back up) in the likeness of His resurrection."
Photography and videos are fine - what wonderful rememberance for the person being baptized.
As for the congregation, we always applaud when one is baptized. I've heard a number of "amen" and "praise God" 's when we're baptizing. That's great.
Alcott said:
Your sins are only washed away in the Jordan River. The river that Jesus was baptized in.
Well maybe any flowing river.
A lake?
Acts 8;36-38
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.
CLEARLY the Scripture relies upon the believer's confession, not on what type of water is to be used.
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puros_bran
Member
I personally would prefer someone ordained officiate the Baptism..but I don't think someone is 'less' baptized,or 'less' obidient if someone else does it.
The robes are a nice tradition, but they are just that.
I don't think I've ever heard anyone baptized any other way than 'in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit(Ghost).
As for the pictures, cheers, and Amens, I believe the Heavens rejoice, why shouldn't we?
The robes are a nice tradition, but they are just that.
I don't think I've ever heard anyone baptized any other way than 'in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit(Ghost).
As for the pictures, cheers, and Amens, I believe the Heavens rejoice, why shouldn't we?
Tom Bryant
Well-Known Member
In terms of proper most any of those could be listed as proper.
I believe that baptism is an ordinance of the local church, so anyone could be authorized by the local church to be baptized. We've had dad and grandfathers do the baptism, as well as the one who led the person to Christ.
I believe that baptism is an ordinance of the local church, so anyone could be authorized by the local church to be baptized. We've had dad and grandfathers do the baptism, as well as the one who led the person to Christ.
I know that is not expected to be much of a conflict on this board, but there are churches out of the Pentecostal tradition that insists upon saying the words "baptize you... in the name of ..Jesus.." And indeed, that is found in several NT scriptures, beginning with Acts 2:38-- "Peter said to them, 'Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." It's probably unsurprising that they thought they found the missing formula, per se, of why Christians had not been practicing the miraculous gifts for so many centuries. And it was furthered by showing that when Peter first converted the gentiles at Caesarea they spoke with other tongues, then he baptized them "...in the name of Jesus Christ" [Acts 10:48]. And again, when Paul was at Ephesus he found some disciples of John the Baptist, asked them if they had received the Holy Spirit, and they replied they had not heard of the Spirit. So he baptized them "...in the name of the Lord Jesus" (here's a rebaptism!) when they came to more complete knowledge and they spoke with other tongues and prophesied [Acts 19:1-6]. And finally, Paul wrote in an epistle: "Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father [Colossians 3:17]. (my bold & italics)
Understand that my beliefs are not what I wrote about pentecostal/apostolic movements and why they say you must be baptized in the name of Jesus, with or without any title like Lord or Christ. And of course, they vary among themselves. Apostolics particularly deny that "in the name of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit" is a valid baptism, with the excuse those are only titles, so you are not saying their names. Some even say to be baptized IN the name of Jesus means you must be shouting "JESUS!!" at the time you're taken under :laugh:.
So honestly... do those of us who come from the Baptist/evangelical background really have anything other than long tradition if we think that the only necessary and proper words at baptism are "...in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit?" We can quote Matthew 28:19, but that's one verse to the several I cited above.
Also, it is normal for our pastor to have a special prayer for the person after he/she is baptized.
It is almost 40 years now since I was baptized; it was in the month of May, but I don't remember the date. Anyway, back then there was never any clapping or cheering-- it was very solemn. We were even told by the pastor that when we turned around (either when coming to or going from the 'water zero') to turn our heads away from the congregation. I guess the idea was we might spot somebody out there that might make us smile. And he used the King James language: "...I baptize thee, my brother,..."
I suppose there was no applauding because it seemed to be considered unkosher to applaud anyone or anything in church then. Most churches we knew, that is. I remember that not long after that I was in this choir gathering that was in our church-- "junior choir" I was in, but I think there were youth choirs and others, too. But there was also some woman who sang a solo with a lot of range-- maybe she was there for a break, or one group needed more time to prepare; I don't know. But as she finished, the place broke into applause-- to may surprise and most of those around me. One guy, astonished, whispered, "You're not supposed to clap in church."
So I'm not certain what to think, sometimes, about the way we go about things today. On one hand, we cheer the person getting baptized, singing a solo, or whatever. On the other hand, we think very little about cheering kids or adults plalying a ball game-- do we consider that more 'cheerworthy' than baptism or singing songs of praise? Yet also, do we want our worship to appeal to the same emotions as a ball game? (and if not, to what should it appeal?)
I suppose there was no applauding because it seemed to be considered unkosher to applaud anyone or anything in church then. Most churches we knew, that is. I remember that not long after that I was in this choir gathering that was in our church-- "junior choir" I was in, but I think there were youth choirs and others, too. But there was also some woman who sang a solo with a lot of range-- maybe she was there for a break, or one group needed more time to prepare; I don't know. But as she finished, the place broke into applause-- to may surprise and most of those around me. One guy, astonished, whispered, "You're not supposed to clap in church."
So I'm not certain what to think, sometimes, about the way we go about things today. On one hand, we cheer the person getting baptized, singing a solo, or whatever. On the other hand, we think very little about cheering kids or adults plalying a ball game-- do we consider that more 'cheerworthy' than baptism or singing songs of praise? Yet also, do we want our worship to appeal to the same emotions as a ball game? (and if not, to what should it appeal?)
puros_bran
Member
I wasn't stating it HAD to be that way. I was just pointing out it was the only way I had ever heard it. I feel about 'what is said' about the same as I feel about 'who is officiating' the baptism. Doing it other than how I prefer won't make you less saved or less baptized.
SaggyWoman
Active Member
What did John say at Jesus' baptism?
Did they ask about who mentored Jesus?
Was John ordained?
Did John ask Jesus' family to stand?
Did they ask about who mentored Jesus?
Was John ordained?
Did John ask Jesus' family to stand?
Just 2 quotes-- a short one in Matthew and a much longer one in John=>
"I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" [Matthew 3:13]
...
I erased the quotes from John 1 because there is actually no proof he said those word AT Jesus' baptism.
It is not recorded.
Not 'technically' or 'officially;' just divinely.
It is not recorded.
Ever seen this clip before? http://www.gracecentered.com/cannon_ball_baptism.htm
We don't applaud either. In fact, never heard of it before at a baptism. Seems kind of strange to me. [Note - we don't applaud during Communion either.]
Very funny:laugh: