How soon do you baptize?

[Marooncat79]

Yes, I have seen a video about that incident, although I would suggest it supports the view that baptismal preparation doesn't guarantee that the person being baptised is genuinely saved. No pastor can know for sure - it's interesting that Simon the Magician was baptised before he tried to purchase the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:13). I have also seen one person baptised after thorough preparation who promptly got sucked into John Crowder's mysticism, and who has now converted to Judaism.

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Never guaranteed, but before we perform an act of righteousness on them, we need to be as sure as possible

 

[Reformed1689]

Never guaranteed, but before we perform an act of righteousness on them, we need to be as sure as possible

Is that what Scripture says? No, I don't think so. If someone has made a profession of faith and wishes to be baptized Scripture says nothing about someone else checking to see that they know theology, etc. There is no example of that in Scripture. It says make a disciple and baptize them. After baptizing THEN it says teach them. Not the other way around.

 

[Reformed1689]

For those in favor of baptism classes etc, can you show me clearly from Scripture where you believe the church has any such authority or mandate?

I don't want reasoning or conjecture, I want the Scriptural basis for it.

 

[Marooncat79]

Is that what Scripture says? No, I don't think so. If someone has made a profession of faith and wishes to be baptized Scripture says nothing about someone else checking to see that they know theology, etc. There is no example of that in Scripture. It says make a disciple and baptize them. After baptizing THEN it says teach them. Not the other way around.

So we baptize so called transgenders etc?

 

[Reformed1689]

So we baptize so called transgenders etc?

How about focusing on what I actually said rather than putting words in my mouth?

 

[Yeshua1]

For those in favor of baptism classes etc, can you show me clearly from Scripture where you believe the church has any such authority or mandate?

I don't want reasoning or conjecture, I want the Scriptural basis for it.

well, the Ethopian had to have an explanation on who Jesus was, how to get saved, and what baptism meant!

 

[Reformed1689]

well, the Ethopian had to have an explanation on who Jesus was, how to get saved, and what baptism meant!

The Ethiopian asked for an explanation of what he was reading. He did not have an explanation of what baptism was and was baptized immediately after salvation.

 

[OnlyaSinner]

The Ethiopian asked for an explanation of what he was reading. He did not have an explanation of what baptism was and was baptized immediately after salvation.

The Ethiopian saw water and asked if there was any reason preventing his baptism. Philip didn't say, "Let's do it" but instead checked for a confession of faith. Receiving that, he baptized the man. This is what our pastor does when one asks about being baptized - asks about a confession of faith in Christ. He then explains the meaning of water baptism from scripture. Back in Philip's day I doubt that many were claiming that baptism was part of salvation. However, that heresy is rampant today so I think that forearming a baptism candidate on what baptism is (and what it isn't) makes sense.

 

[Reformed1689]

The Ethiopian saw water and asked if there was any reason preventing his baptism. Philip didn't say, "Let's do it" but instead checked for a confession of faith. Receiving that, he baptized the man. This is what our pastor does when one asks about being baptized - asks about a confession of faith in Christ. He then explains the meaning of water baptism from scripture. Back in Philip's day I doubt that many were claiming that baptism was part of salvation. However, that heresy is rampant today so I think that forearming a baptism candidate on what baptism is (and what it isn't) makes sense.

I think you need to read the passage again. That is not what happened. He saw water, and said what prevents me from being baptized? There was no discussion after that listed in Acts. It says they both went down into the water and he was baptized.

 

[Yeshua1]

The Ethiopian asked for an explanation of what he was reading. He did not have an explanation of what baptism was and was baptized immediately after salvation.

he asked if he was able to do that, and he was due to his profession of faith!

 

[Yeshua1]

The Ethiopian saw water and asked if there was any reason preventing his baptism. Philip didn't say, "Let's do it" but instead checked for a confession of faith. Receiving that, he baptized the man. This is what our pastor does when one asks about being baptized - asks about a confession of faith in Christ. He then explains the meaning of water baptism from scripture. Back in Philip's day I doubt that many were claiming that baptism was part of salvation. However, that heresy is rampant today so I think that forearming a baptism candidate on what baptism is (and what it isn't) makes sense.

This is reason why require a short class on what water baptism is and is not, in order to make sure the candidate realises what its all about!

 

[Yeshua1]

I think you need to read the passage again. That is not what happened. He saw water, and said what prevents me from being baptized? There was no discussion after that listed in Acts. It says they both went down into the water and he was baptized.

Based upon his profession of faith!

 

[rlvaughn]

I think you need to read the passage again. That is not what happened. He saw water, and said what prevents me from being baptized? There was no discussion after that listed in Acts. It says they both went down into the water and he was baptized.

What you and others are discussing in a way that sounds different may include a textual difference in some Bible versions, in that some have Acts 8:37 and some do not. Either way, the fact is that all that was needed or required for baptism was a simple belief/profession of faith in Jesus Christ, nothing that caused Philip to have to teach the eunuch a class on baptism, church membership, and so on. He baptized the believing eunuch the first opportunity he had.

 

[OnlyaSinner]

I think you need to read the passage again. That is not what happened. He saw water, and said what prevents me from being baptized? There was no discussion after that listed in Acts. It says they both went down into the water and he was baptized.

No "discussion" per se, but "And Philip said, 'If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.'" This is what I called "checked for a confession of faith." And the man so confessed and was immediately baptized. (I really don't think we disagree.)

 

[JonC]

Baptize ASAP....just hold them down until they repent.

 

[Reformed1689]

No "discussion" per se, but "And Philip said, 'If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.'" This is what I called "checked for a confession of faith." And the man so confessed and was immediately baptized. (I really don't think we disagree.)

Sorry, only some manuscripts have that so I don't think we can build a doctrine off of that.

 

[Reformed1689]

Based upon his profession of faith!

Right, but there was no delay, the profession had already happened.

 

[kyredneck]

Do the scriptures give instructions on when/how to baptize?

Apparently not because no response.

If I were to want to know how to properly perform a trespass offering, or a burnt offering, or a peace offering, or to build an ark like Moses built, or even one like Noah built, I can find from the scriptures precise instructions on how to do it. But water baptism? Not.

 

[JonC]

Apparently not because no response.

If I were to want to know how to properly perform a trespass offering, or a burnt offering, or a peace offering, or to build an ark like Moses built, or even one like Noah built, I can find from the scriptures precise instructions on how to do it. But water baptism? Not.

Good point. We argue (and I believe) that "baptism" means immersion. But it did not mean immersion on many occasions in Scrioture (in fact, I am not sure we can point to one occasion where it without does...we take it from the exact meaning of a word, which is a method we often reject in other instances).

 

[OnlyaSinner]

Sorry, only some manuscripts have that so I don't think we can build a doctrine off of that.

Some do and some don't. But I agree that one cannot build a doctrine from that verse. However, there are churches in the small town where ours is located that maintain water baptism as being necessary for salvation. Therefore I think it wise that baptism candidates understand the biblical reason for water baptism, and I don't think organized "baptism classes" are needed..