I am planning for my baptism.

The Great Architect · #1 06-24-2008, 04:51 AM

I'm hoping to be baptised very soon. But first, I must psychologically prepare for the commitment that I'll be making. I have no doubts about wanting to do this, and I have spoken with the person who will be doing it, about what it means. I have also done some reading. I am ready to begin my life anew.

When I told my mum, she said that I have already been christened; and asked if they were the same. I said no. I'm not Catholic, so I was not baptised shortly after birth. I was christened. So, my question:

What is the difference? I am sure that someone will be able to explain the differences in the two symbolic gestures. My understanding of it is that if one agrees to be baptised, one consciously agrees to follow God. Also, to put the little mistakes and missteps behind -- to mark a turning point, that means rebirth. Am I on the right track?

Thank you.

I would also like to know, those of you who were baptised at birth, I would have thought that it would be difficult to agree to follow God's path, when you are too young to spell the word. So, how do you feel that baptism at birth is different from being baptised just before you turn 21 (in my case)?

Dunemeister · #2 06-24-2008, 09:06 AM

Baptism is not a symbolic gesture. If the church you're dealing with says it is, I'd say they're radically mistaken. God does not call us to mere genuflection or symbolic gestures. He calls us to substantial change and acts. At baptism, real spiritual business is transacted with God. It's your inauguration into the gospel and community of God. It's a sacrament. It's a means by which God enters your life in a new way, starting you on the path of discipleship and life in him.

"Christening" is probably a case of infant baptism. That ceremony is designed to bring the child into the life of the church. In churches that practice infant baptism, there is also "confirmation", which is, if you will, a re-baptism after the person, who was baptized as a child, affirms for herself her commitment to Christ. Such a confirmation is necessary because a child's baptism doesn't save the child permanently. Eventually, the person must have her own faith. Confirmation, as the word suggests, confirms the believer in the Christian way. This confirmation is analogous to the baptism you're about to receive.

In churches that practice infant baptism, believers who come into the faith later in the game (i.e., haven't been baptized as babies) undergo a baptism ceremony. They don't get baptized and then confirmed. Confirmation is only for those who were baptized as infants but have yet to profess their own faith in Jesus.

So if your mother asks you about it, you can say that you're undergoing something like a confirmation ceremony.

tomspug · #3 06-24-2008, 09:11 AM

Many Christians believe that baptism is necessary to salvation. I tend to see it as a necessary act that reflects your commitment to God, kind of like you can go to school and take classes, but it doesn't REALLY count unless you make the commitment to get your diploma. However, if someone does not have the opportunity to be baptized before there death, I don't see how this would compromise their salvation, as all are saved by faith.

I went through the exact same thing as you. And I chose to be baptized by immersion when I was in high school because I wanted to make a personal commitment by my own will. If you feel that it is not necessary, I don't see the need. But if it is something that your own heart desires, I say go for it, because it will make God glad to see you acting upon the desires of your heart.

Charity · #4 06-24-2008, 09:16 AM

Speaking from the protestant pov, Most of the time when an infant is christened or baptised it is like the parents dedicating the infant to God.
When a child reaches the age of acountability (the age when one knows right from wrong)Then a rededication of one's life and the outward acknowledgement to all that you are indeed choosing to follow Chirst is an act of obedience and symbolic to the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. I think symbolic in the fact that we are burying our sins and resurrecting a new person in Christ.

God Bless and keep you
Charity

ayani · #5 06-24-2008, 06:09 PM

T G A ~

i have actually been baptized thrice... once shortly after birth, by a Catholic priest at the insistence of my then-Catholic mother, frightened enough of the idea of purgatory to call someone over.

second, at an Episcopal church a few months later, and most recently at a Baptist church (full immersion), after having come from Islam.

the last was the most meaningful to me... i had this same conversation with someone today- we both agreed that baptism as a conscious, outward expression of faith and commitment is more Biblical and meaningful than infant baptism.

it's got to come from you, from the heart, and a desire to show that commitment to God, and to Christ. it's a wonderful, neat thing, and a great blessing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charity

Then a rededication of one's life and the outward acknowledgment to all that you are indeed choosing to follow Christ is an act of obedience and symbolic to the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. I think symbolic in the fact that we are burying our sins and resurrecting a new person in Christ.

may God bless the day for you G A, and keep you close to Him. discipleship is surprising, wonderful, and the best descision anyone could make... God bless you, and your walk.

The Great Architect · #6 06-24-2008, 08:39 PM

I would like to thank everybody for their support. I have a desire to enter into discipleship. Maybe the words I chose were not strong enough to express what I feel about this.

Contact with water would be unquestionably difficult, for me. Have any other actions been used to express baptism?

ayani · #7 06-26-2008, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Great Architect

Contact with water would be unquestionably difficult, for me. Have any other actions been used to express baptism?

i'm not sure... water has always been traditional, and i've never heard of any other substance / ceremony used to baptize.

i've heard of some being baptized simply by wetting the forehead. would this be possible? or is the plan there for full immersion?

Green Kepi · #8 06-29-2008, 06:51 AM

What's wrong with just following examples such as: Acts 2:36-38 and stay away from all these "opinions" on what and how to be baptized from thousands of people (all basically different definitions)? This is just one Scripture out of many: "Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ (and then he clarifies) - this Jesus whom you crucified (he adds this as an attention getter). Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart (at least it got to them), and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" (Now this is Peter's answer...not a bunch of bloggers)... "Repent (and what else ?)...AND each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Why?)...for the forgiveness of your sins: (Then what happens?)...and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." What's so difficult in this? Easy...man/woman made changes throughout the centuries....

Dunemeister · #9 06-29-2008, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Kepi

What's wrong with just following examples such as: Acts 2:36-38 and stay away from all these "opinions" on what and how to be baptized from thousands of people (all basically different definitions)? This is just one Scripture out of many: "Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ (and then he clarifies) - this Jesus whom you crucified (he adds this as an attention getter). Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart (at least it got to them), and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" (Now this is Peter's answer...not a bunch of bloggers)... "Repent (and what else ?)...AND each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Why?)...for the forgiveness of your sins: (Then what happens?)...and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." What's so difficult in this? Easy...man/woman made changes throughout the centuries....

Y'know, none of us in this thread have said anything different from what it says in Acts. Besides, perhaps there's more to it than what Acts affirms. Check out what Paul has to say about it in Romans, for instance.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Great Architect

Contact with water would be unquestionably difficult, for me. Have any other actions been used to express baptism?

Do you have some kind of phobia or skin condition that would make such contact problematic? If it's a fear of some kind, perhaps submitting to a water baptism (sprinkling) would be the preferred option, and it might prove a first step in your healing. If it's a skin condition, perhaps another element can be used. Consult with your bishop.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ayani

i've heard of some being baptized simply by wetting the forehead. would this be possible? or is the plan there for full immersion?

The church has used many forms throughout its history. At first, baptism was done at underground springs (which were VERY cold). The new believer would strip out of his or her old clothes, and then walk under the spring of water for a few seconds. Then, he or she would step out of the water and put on a white robe. I have to say, I like the symbolism of this ceremony very much.

This practice stopped soon after, partly because of persecution -- the government knew the sites where Christians could do this -- and partly from necessity -- there were too many converts. What to do? Sprinkling was adopted as the preferred method. The baptizand would lie backwards, and the bishop would sprinkle his or her forehead with water.

Through the centuries, a few bishops have used full immersion, but the practice has been popular only with evangelicals starting in the 18th century or so. It's actually a novelty.

But the spiritual significance of these methods is EXACTLY THE SAME. Through baptism, you are washed of your sins. Through the laying on of hands, you receive the Holy Spirit. And so your new life in Christ has truly begun.