Streams of Consciousness & Thoughts~~~

[ww_21]

Emmy, I hope you see this. I just thought of something. If you want to confess Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord, and say that you want to follow Him, I see no reason why you can't "be baptized" right now. It doesn't take the members of your local church saying that you're "allowed" to be baptized because you attended enough classes that they were offering (that still makes me mad that they did that to you). We're all witnesses here. Reading the book of Acts, chapter 8, verses 26-40, I see no reason why, here on your birthday, we can't declare you baptized in the name of Jesus, if you agree to the things I typed in the third sentence of my post. You can then do whatever water-type thing is feasible; dunking yourself in the bathtub, or even sprinkling yourself with water from the faucet, if that's all that would work for right now (going to a creek or swimming pool with a fellow believer and letting them gently lower you into the water for a second is great if that's feasible as well). It's up to you, but, again, reading that passage of scripture, if you want to ask Jesus to be your Savior and a part of your life and help you to follow Him, it suits me to do this and consider you baptized .

Really? That makes sense to me.!!

 

[ChandlerFan]

Jilly, I love your heart of encouragement. I just feel like I need to say, though, that something does not feel right about this.

 

[Jilly81]

Thank you for saying something, Chandler Fan. I edited my last post to add something. Do you have a suggestion as to how to make it "more kosher"? I realize it isn't traditional, but she lives around non-believers for the most part, and her local church said she couldn't join because she missed a few classes. The eunuch had only agreed that Jesus was the Messiah, pretty much.

 

[Grace-Like-Rain]

Jilly, this subject is beyond me, and I am unsure about self-baptism, but I think it's a great idea to look into alternate ways to become baptized under Em's unique circumstances. And this brings to light the question of how much about baptism is God-mandated and how much is simply church tradition.

 

[ChandlerFan]

Thank you for saying something, Chandler Fan. I edited my last post to add something. Do you have a suggestion as to how to make it "more kosher"? I realize it isn't traditional, but she lives around non-believers for the most part, and her local church said she couldn't join because she missed a few classes. The eunuch had only agreed that Jesus was the Messiah, pretty much.

There are really two parts to this that bothered me a bit:

1) I believe that whenever possible, a person should be baptized by someone who has been commissioned with the authority to do so (aka a pastor, missionary, or the like). Even Jesus did not baptize himself.

2) I believe that whenever possible, baptism should be performed within the context of the local body of believers that one is a part of. Now I could have the facts twisted here, so please correct me if I do, but my understanding is that in Emily's case, she showed up at her church to be baptized and they denied her the opportunity because she had missed a few classes. While I do think that the church did a really poor job of communicating with her, she still does have this local body she can profess faith in front of that will allow her to get baptized upon participation in this class. I think rather than undercutting the authority of the leadership that she sits under there and denying the people there the opportunity to celebrate with and encourage her by baptizing herself, it would be more beneficial to her in multiple ways to participate in her church's protocol and to be able to profess faith in Christ and be baptized before those she fellowships with on a consistent basis.

 

[gypsygirl]

Jilly, I love your heart of encouragement. I just feel like I need to say, though, that something does not feel right about this.

Oh, and we can say/type "I baptize you now in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit", if you decide that it suits you to do what I mentioned. Here's a link to the verses I mentioned in which Philip baptized a man who had only believed for a couple minutes. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+8:26-40&version=KJV

Also, if anyone can think of a reason as to why this isn't biblical, say something now, because I can't think of any reason not to do this. If Emily had a church she could go to that actually followed the Bible, it would be different, but God's people are here right now, gathered in His name, and I see no reason whatsoever not to let her officially join His followers if she so desires.

i have to agree with chandlerfan on this issue. while i'm dismayed that your church placed an obstacle between you and being baptized, i think it would be wrong to proceed regardless, in a private, utilitarian-driven act.

baptism is 1) an act of obedience, and an outward act designed to further demonstrate our commitment as a christian, i believe it is also 2) an act that is partly designed to help unite and solidify our role as part of the family of God. this is why many churches do this after people attend "classes" about church membership, so that their baptism is sort of the final act of joining/being welcomed into membership of the church (and often considered a requirement for membership).

your baptism isn't required for salvation, and i believe there is nothing God is withholding from you because you haven't been baptized. if it were me, i would jump through the hoops, or wait a bit longer until you can be baptized with your church family, even if you have to wait a bit.

mind you, this is my opinion, and i'd be hard pressed to make this a strong scriptural case for this.

 

[zeroturbulence]

Thank you for saying something, Chandler Fan. I edited my last post to add something. Do you have a suggestion as to how to make it "more kosher"? I realize it isn't traditional, but she lives around non-believers for the most part, and her local church said she couldn't join because she missed a few classes. The eunuch had only agreed that Jesus was the Messiah, pretty much.

I heard a pastor on the radio say that baptism is more of a symbolic ceremony than a requirement for being saved and I agree with this. How many new believers in Jesus's day did not have access to baptism by Jesus himself? Probably many. Yet I do not think God would reject their status as christians just because they couldn't get baptized. Remember, John the Baptist was in prison and the apostles were not given authority to baptize until after Jesus ascended into heaven.

Also, imagine those who receive Christ on their deathbed in a hospital or at the scene of a tragedy. They died before having an opportunity to be baptized yet they received Christ as their savior.

Plus, the bible says that we are justified by our faith...

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
(Romans 5:1 NLT)

 

[violakat]

The hard part about shopping for science supplies is not knowing what you'll need. Math, yes, English, yes, History, yes. Science no. Shouryu HELP!!!! You have some science buddies right???

 

[Fenner]

I agree with Zero and Jilly. Zero I've also heard a Pastor say the above tjings you've heard. Emmy I'm not saying don't join or get baptized at your church, but doing it in a different way is OK to. I go to church and I understand having classes to join. However I do think her baptism would be valid, if she truly believes in Jesus, he knows her heart.

Emmy I was dedicated as a baby in the Baptist church, when I was around 10 my Dad wanted me baptized, he was Catholic so I was Baptized by a Priest. After mu Dad's death my Mom and I started attending a Baptist church. I wasn't happy there to begin with but then they said I had to be Baptized again because my first one wasn't valid. I was submerged but felt it was a slap in the face to my Dad who was trying to do the right thing for me.

I think we sometimes forget that what's in the heart means more than pomp and circumstance.

Just my thoughts.

 

[Fenner]

I'm sorry for the typos I'm on my phone.

 

[zeroturbulence]

The hard part about shopping for science supplies is not knowing what you'll need. Math, yes, English, yes, History, yes. Science no. Shouryu HELP!!!! You have some science buddies right???

Just bring one of these to class for an instant A!

 

[Fenner]

Did you guys know that people are setting themselves on fire to get hits on YouTube? ? What!!!

 

[Grace-Like-Rain]

If only you guys knew how many cheesy witticisms I stop myself from making on CC throughout the day...

 

[ww_21]

Did you guys know that people are setting themselves on fire to get hits on YouTube? ? What!!!

I saw that. I also sad a video of it going wrong but can't post it because of the bad language.

 

[MidniteWelder]

Did you guys know that people are setting themselves on fire to get hits on YouTube? ? What!!!

.......Thats hot

 

[DuchessAimee]

I'm late to the baptism conversation, but you DO NOT have to be baptized in order to be saved. It is a public profession of faith.



And Em, the church denying you baptism does make sense. It's important to know WHY you're being baptized, and showing up for classes is one way of showing commitment. If I were you, I'd go to your pastor and explain why you didn't show. Maybe he can arrange another class for people, or hook you up with someone who can tutor you.

 

[gypsygirl]

If only you guys knew how many cheesy witticisms I stop myself from making on CC throughout the day...

indeed. or how create a pun something rather droll that no one seems to catch. *sad face*

or hold my peace when i have something to say that would be really funny but i fear might offend one.

oh the cruel fate of suffering being funny, yet all alone. *sigh*

 

[DuchessAimee]

indeed. or how create a pun something rather droll that no one seems to catch. *sad face*

or hold my peace when i have something to say that would be really funny but i fear might offend one.

oh the cruel fate of suffering being funny, yet all alone. *sigh*

I HATE, HATE puns. Hate them. They're awful most of the time, and they are often pick up lines.

 

[Tintin]

Interesting. I love puns. Good puns, bad puns (not the really bad ones though). And I've never used one as a pickup line.

 

[DuchessAimee]

Interesting. I love puns. Good puns, bad puns (not the really bad ones though). And I've never used one as a pickup line.

Maybe it's America. Maybe America is full of bad pick up lines and puns. I've never been out of the country, so I don't know about puns in other countries.