23 Comments
Dec 15, 2019Liked by Jonas Ellison

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.

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Dec 15, 2019Liked by Jonas Ellison

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.

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Dec 15, 2019Liked by Jonas Ellison

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.

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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.

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Dec 15, 2019Liked by Jonas Ellison

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...

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Dec 15, 2019Liked by Jonas Ellison

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.

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Dec 16, 2019Liked by Jonas Ellison

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.

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Dec 15, 2019Liked by Jonas Ellison

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?

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Dec 15, 2019Liked by Jonas Ellison

Decided to be baptized as an adult. Have learnt it’s so much more. Truly a free gift of love and grace from Jesus.

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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.

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