I’ve been talking a lot about baptism these last few days. I want to hand the mic to you and hear your thoughts - if any - on baptism.
What does your baptism mean to you? Any aversions to baptism (like I once had)? Any different takes on this ancient Christian rite?
Take this conversation wherever you’d like (within reason). I’ll pop in where I can but feel free to talk among yourselves. Just click that brown button below and that’ll take you into the thread…
Raised as a Baptist, I was baptized at an early age by my request when I professed my belief in Jesus as my Savior. It was momentous. I felt as if it was a declaration. I didn't feel a weight of responsibility or obligation.
Now I am a liberated Presbyterian (smiling), and I see infant baptism as a promise by the parent(s) to God and to the church, to raise their child in the church, or at least to contribute to their spiritual education. There are some instances of non-infant baptism in our church, and they are usually those who were not raised in the church but have since embraced Christianity and wish to make it known.
Some argue that baptism is merely a ritual, not important, just a hoop to jump through with no meaning. It doesn't have to be. It can be a landmark moment; it can be a life marker from whence we see growth.
Absolutely, Cheryl. It's all about how we hold it. And usually if we hold it ourselves, it's not much. But if we let God hold it through us, it's sacred. Thanks for sharing!!
Thank you Cheryl for this meaningful comment. I think I look upon it as you do. My husband who is a theologian, says baptism is being washed to do the work in the temple, and speak for others to God. I like to belief that God has His special relationship with everybody, in a church or not, baptized or not. But being baptized by the parents is this promise to add to your spiritual education and being baptized on your own account, is a commitment to go the way. Jonas's remark, "But if we let God hold it through us, it's sacred." sheds a whole new light on it. Very valuable to ponder about.
I chose to be baptized as an adult, about 40 years of age. I had always been spiritual (isn't everyone?!), just not brought up in church. I remember emotion at the time but was more sustainably moved by our wedding vows. I think a baptism is so ritualistic and rituals do not carry much power in themselves. Rituals tend to be about fitting into a system. We are God's anyway.
What made your wedding vows feel less ritualistic? As for the baptism, what was the process like? Different churches practice baptism in a lot of different ways.
I have spoken with others about the lasting impact of making vows you've chosen or written in front of friends. It was a realisation that dawned on me in the months after our wedding. My baptism was conducted by a minister I admire very much and in a good place - everything right! Looking back, it felt like a matter of policy to be baptised. Would I be again? Yes. Do I think about my baptism daily? No, to be honest. I don't believe it enabled or defines my relationship with the divine. [I too like this discussion - how diverse we are.]
Great stuff, Greg - thanks for sharing! And yeah, I don't remember my baptism daily either as much as I wish I could. God has to remind me again and again:)
But what really is baptism? I am confused. Why baptize an infant who can't yet decide for himself? Why not administer baptism to an adult instead. I've been baptized even before i was a month old.
I honestly don't understand what it is, given the different ways the church and the Bible use the word. How do u explain it in a most simple way.
I believe that you are being welcomed into God's family when we are being baptised, this is why we baptise infants and when we are older we take confirmation when we can decide for ourselves
I look at it a little differently. When a family has their infant baptized, I believe they are dedicating him/her to God and giving their child to God for whatever God has planned for that child. When an older person is baptized, they are telling the world that they are aligning themselves with God and God's will for their lives.
Felix - thanks so much for raising the question. It's such a good one. I can only speak for my Lutheran tradition, but the way we see it is this: Baptism isn't about us:) It's not about what we think or believe. It's not even about our faith. It's about God's faith for us. The power of baptism doesn't depend on our ability to receive it. God bestows faith, not us. Thanks again, Felix!
I was raised Dutch Reformed (think Calvinistic.) We are baptized shortly after birth so I have no recollection. My daughter was a couple of weeks old before I had her baptized as well. I feel very strongly that this is the one thing asked of us. I converted to Catholicism and as "we acknowledge one Baptism", neither my daughter, nor I, were baptized again.
Raised as a Baptist it was the expected thing to do at the point of “accountability”. I was fourteen. I followed the expectations of my family and faith community. However, I think my understanding was more ritualistic than spiritually aware. If I was baptized now it would have much deeper meaning. It is so multifaceted...
Thanks for sharing, Gwen! And just know - as Luther did - that though your baptism may have outwardly happened when you were fourteen, inwardly, it's something that's constantly renewing in you. Every day - every breath - you're baptized anew.
I know some folks who get baptized every year as a regular thing, like taking communion. A way to connect with God and celebrate with other believers. I've been baptized twice myself: once as an infant, and again when I was in a really bad spot in my life and was hoping it would help catalyze a change. It didn't. It wasn't the best experience for me, and I stayed in that spot, albeit off and on, for a couple years.
Also, as a spot of feedback: I like this format. You've written about baptism a good deal recently, and today you sent out a post that's just a prompt for discussion with some questions. I like where this could go if people engage with it.
I was baptized as an in the Anglican Church and "confirmed" in my early teens. Part of the catechism which I learned stated that "baptism is an outward and visible sign of an inward and invisible change." I don't remember if, or how, they squared this with their common practice of infant baptism.
I was baptized as a believer in a Baptist church in my early 20s, as a sign of my new relationship with God. I didn't, and don't, see baptism as a means of salvation.
Nor do I understand why professing Christians intend to be baptized, but wait 10 or 20 years before they get around to it.
John' baptizes with water, Jesus Christ baptizes with the Holy Spirit! How he says, I am not worthy to strap his sandals, John told truth and did so diligently. He Jesus must become the greater I John must become the less, As a friend who attends the bridegroom. . John teaches us to seriously consider how to be Son's of God. We should be asking us: How did Joseph and Mary prepare for J C. birth? How did John prepare for Jesus teaching? How do We, prepare' ourselves for what is the second Advent at the end of time?
Baptism is one of many parts of Christianity for me. On the whole, it's not much different from the way people treat their creators. I believe that religion was created for people to fall into a world of simple laws that were generally born from humans. Religion, it reminds people that when they are born, they must remember that human purpose is development and recognition as human beings. It's about accepting ourselves and recognizing us as a challenge along their path. Indeed, those who are to be criticized are those who persecute the people on the ground and sin unjustly, and they have only painful punishments, so religion can have a good influence on all mankind. But there are people who are confused and self-serving. Religion is one of the oldest traditions of all ethnic groups ??? It is made for those who are not ready to go their own way to perfection, in parallel with knowledge, ideas and grain for those who help them make the right decisions in better, wiser, and diverse life situations. Producers' method is single. It's about recognizing your nature, learning the chords, and getting ready to move on.
Raised as a Baptist, I was baptized at an early age by my request when I professed my belief in Jesus as my Savior. It was momentous. I felt as if it was a declaration. I didn't feel a weight of responsibility or obligation.
Now I am a liberated Presbyterian (smiling), and I see infant baptism as a promise by the parent(s) to God and to the church, to raise their child in the church, or at least to contribute to their spiritual education. There are some instances of non-infant baptism in our church, and they are usually those who were not raised in the church but have since embraced Christianity and wish to make it known.
Some argue that baptism is merely a ritual, not important, just a hoop to jump through with no meaning. It doesn't have to be. It can be a landmark moment; it can be a life marker from whence we see growth.
Absolutely, Cheryl. It's all about how we hold it. And usually if we hold it ourselves, it's not much. But if we let God hold it through us, it's sacred. Thanks for sharing!!
Thank you Cheryl for this meaningful comment. I think I look upon it as you do. My husband who is a theologian, says baptism is being washed to do the work in the temple, and speak for others to God. I like to belief that God has His special relationship with everybody, in a church or not, baptized or not. But being baptized by the parents is this promise to add to your spiritual education and being baptized on your own account, is a commitment to go the way. Jonas's remark, "But if we let God hold it through us, it's sacred." sheds a whole new light on it. Very valuable to ponder about.
I chose to be baptized as an adult, about 40 years of age. I had always been spiritual (isn't everyone?!), just not brought up in church. I remember emotion at the time but was more sustainably moved by our wedding vows. I think a baptism is so ritualistic and rituals do not carry much power in themselves. Rituals tend to be about fitting into a system. We are God's anyway.
What made your wedding vows feel less ritualistic? As for the baptism, what was the process like? Different churches practice baptism in a lot of different ways.
I have spoken with others about the lasting impact of making vows you've chosen or written in front of friends. It was a realisation that dawned on me in the months after our wedding. My baptism was conducted by a minister I admire very much and in a good place - everything right! Looking back, it felt like a matter of policy to be baptised. Would I be again? Yes. Do I think about my baptism daily? No, to be honest. I don't believe it enabled or defines my relationship with the divine. [I too like this discussion - how diverse we are.]
Great stuff, Greg - thanks for sharing! And yeah, I don't remember my baptism daily either as much as I wish I could. God has to remind me again and again:)
But what really is baptism? I am confused. Why baptize an infant who can't yet decide for himself? Why not administer baptism to an adult instead. I've been baptized even before i was a month old.
I honestly don't understand what it is, given the different ways the church and the Bible use the word. How do u explain it in a most simple way.
I believe that you are being welcomed into God's family when we are being baptised, this is why we baptise infants and when we are older we take confirmation when we can decide for ourselves
I look at it a little differently. When a family has their infant baptized, I believe they are dedicating him/her to God and giving their child to God for whatever God has planned for that child. When an older person is baptized, they are telling the world that they are aligning themselves with God and God's will for their lives.
Felix - thanks so much for raising the question. It's such a good one. I can only speak for my Lutheran tradition, but the way we see it is this: Baptism isn't about us:) It's not about what we think or believe. It's not even about our faith. It's about God's faith for us. The power of baptism doesn't depend on our ability to receive it. God bestows faith, not us. Thanks again, Felix!
I was raised Dutch Reformed (think Calvinistic.) We are baptized shortly after birth so I have no recollection. My daughter was a couple of weeks old before I had her baptized as well. I feel very strongly that this is the one thing asked of us. I converted to Catholicism and as "we acknowledge one Baptism", neither my daughter, nor I, were baptized again.
Raised as a Baptist it was the expected thing to do at the point of “accountability”. I was fourteen. I followed the expectations of my family and faith community. However, I think my understanding was more ritualistic than spiritually aware. If I was baptized now it would have much deeper meaning. It is so multifaceted...
Thanks for sharing, Gwen! And just know - as Luther did - that though your baptism may have outwardly happened when you were fourteen, inwardly, it's something that's constantly renewing in you. Every day - every breath - you're baptized anew.
I know some folks who get baptized every year as a regular thing, like taking communion. A way to connect with God and celebrate with other believers. I've been baptized twice myself: once as an infant, and again when I was in a really bad spot in my life and was hoping it would help catalyze a change. It didn't. It wasn't the best experience for me, and I stayed in that spot, albeit off and on, for a couple years.
Also, as a spot of feedback: I like this format. You've written about baptism a good deal recently, and today you sent out a post that's just a prompt for discussion with some questions. I like where this could go if people engage with it.
Thanks for sharing, Zenon! And I'm glad you like this format!!
I like it also! It's fun to see who else is reading "Jonas"!
I was baptized as an in the Anglican Church and "confirmed" in my early teens. Part of the catechism which I learned stated that "baptism is an outward and visible sign of an inward and invisible change." I don't remember if, or how, they squared this with their common practice of infant baptism.
I was baptized as a believer in a Baptist church in my early 20s, as a sign of my new relationship with God. I didn't, and don't, see baptism as a means of salvation.
Nor do I understand why professing Christians intend to be baptized, but wait 10 or 20 years before they get around to it.
Thanks for sharing, Jeff!
John' baptizes with water, Jesus Christ baptizes with the Holy Spirit! How he says, I am not worthy to strap his sandals, John told truth and did so diligently. He Jesus must become the greater I John must become the less, As a friend who attends the bridegroom. . John teaches us to seriously consider how to be Son's of God. We should be asking us: How did Joseph and Mary prepare for J C. birth? How did John prepare for Jesus teaching? How do We, prepare' ourselves for what is the second Advent at the end of time?
Decided to be baptized as an adult. Have learnt it’s so much more. Truly a free gift of love and grace from Jesus.
Baptism is one of many parts of Christianity for me. On the whole, it's not much different from the way people treat their creators. I believe that religion was created for people to fall into a world of simple laws that were generally born from humans. Religion, it reminds people that when they are born, they must remember that human purpose is development and recognition as human beings. It's about accepting ourselves and recognizing us as a challenge along their path. Indeed, those who are to be criticized are those who persecute the people on the ground and sin unjustly, and they have only painful punishments, so religion can have a good influence on all mankind. But there are people who are confused and self-serving. Religion is one of the oldest traditions of all ethnic groups ??? It is made for those who are not ready to go their own way to perfection, in parallel with knowledge, ideas and grain for those who help them make the right decisions in better, wiser, and diverse life situations. Producers' method is single. It's about recognizing your nature, learning the chords, and getting ready to move on.