Help me:: discuss baptism

Okay, I’m facing this huge problem. I'm having major trouble writing a paper on baptism and its importance to Christians.
I am typing this quote and I don’t believe in what I’m writing: “Infants are to be baptized because salvation is offered with baptism." But wait, isn’t this like a second salvation then? I thought that salvation was offered with Jesus’ death and resurrection. I thought that Jesus said he came to save, and not to judge. And that’s what his death was: a saving death and resurrection. So why then is salvation offered through baptism? Why is it that Christ died for all, but only some are saved? If baptism offers salvation, but so too did Christ’s death, then isn’t baptism a move on our part as humans affirming and accepting the sign of God’s promise? It is our decision. Perhaps on a higher level God chooses us, but baptism is our way of accepting God’s promise.
I don’t know how I can honestly tell someone that baptism is necessary for salvation. What then is it that we call this second step for salvation? The first step is to have faith in Christ, and the second is to be baptized?


Any theological responses would be welcomed.

 

If Jesus was really God, why did he need to be baptized?

 

Being raised as a baptist the way I understood it is that baptism is a public showing of your devotion to christ. It is kinda like a marriage ceremony - a public showing of your commitment to that other person.

There still was the debate over wether it was required for salvation, though.

 

I always thought Baptism was a representation of dying and being ressurected, which was what Jesus did. Going under water (dying) and coming back up (ressurection)

"He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned."(Mark 16:16)

More information on this page
http://www.carm.org/doctrine/Mark_16_16.htm

 

Erise and sera are right.
Then there's this thing called Holy Spirit baptism, which allowes you to use the supernatural power of G-d for ministering purposes.

 

i'm not sure where to begin with your post but it considered in my christian tradition that all this worship of jesus and jesus died for you is a delusional understanding that perpetuates ignorance

salvation comes when the heart overflows with love

 

Baptism is death in regards to desires of the flesh. As Christ died and was buried, through baptism, we die to, "this world." The physical act of baptism shows that we have chosen to become dead to our old ways. Baptism would be affirmation to receiving God's sacrifice for us. The first step of the plan of salvation is belief and repentence. The second step is water baptism. The third and final step is baptism of the Holy Spirit.

If I were writing this paper, I would focus on the futility of infant baptism. Baptism is a personal choice that neither our parents or another can make for us. It is through our own belief and acceptance that we desire God.

 

I was baptised in a muddy creek.

Damn, it was cold.

What a big waste of time...standing in that line to get dunked in murky waters.

But, religion makes you do strange things.

 

I was baptised with fire, not water, and it wasn't by a priest, it was by God.

Don't worry about the discipline (pain, suffering, and whatnot- baptism by spiritual fire). That's what faith is about. Doesn't matter if it comes in the form of the message of christ, or your mother's love, God want's you to know God cares even though being grown is painful.

 

Alrighty, if you are smart Imfuzzynutz, tell us what baptism represents INSTEAD OF JUST INSISTING THAT WE ARE WRONG.

And even if I am wrong, oh well, one thing in many.

 

Um...according to the bible Jesus was even baptised when he was alive...so that doesn't make any sense. Why was he represesnting what hadn't been done yet? And why would he represent it when it was going to happen to him anyways?

Baptism is supposed be a public display of your commitment to christ. (Kinda like a marriage ceremony is a public display of your commitment to your spouse). Some think it is required for salvation, others not. It's debatable (like many things in the bible).

 

Why do people prophesizew things that haven't happened yet?

 

Why do you think that has something to do with baptism?

 

Quote Sera Michele: why would he represent what hadn't been done yet?

I answered, why do the prophets write things that hadn't been done yet?

 

Yes. This is the Lutheran understanding as well.

But here's my real dilemma. Lutheran theology insists that we need not do works or come to an "altar call" to be saved. God calls us, not by our own doing, but out of God's free grace. But then, as I read about baptism, correct doctrine insists that baptism is necessary for salvation. But I thought that this was already accomplished through Christ's saving death. I don't think that Christ saves only the baptized.

So I'm heretical.

 

RE: Baptism is supposed be a public display of your commitment to christ

So how could he display commitment to himself?

 

He should have had you wear a helmet or something.Things seemed to have gotten a bit fried around the brain area.

 

*rofl*!!!

 

Step outside the Christian box and take an outsiders view. Baptism is basically an initiation rite into their community.

But from the inside, it's sort of a washing of the soul. Clears all sin away. Back in the early church some churchmen would often try to wait as long as possible to get baptized, to the point of having it done on their deathbed, so they could make real use of that sinless state of purity. I remember there was major debate about baptizing babies, because it was a waste of the purity...but also many wanted to, because babies died a lot back then and they didn't want the baby to go to hell. (pardon this non-christian statement, but to think a little baby could ever go to hell, especially for not having water poured on it and special words said, it amazingly stupid)

But in addition to the washing aspect (remember, this religion is a Jewish offshoot, and the Jews were very purity oriented; back then had special baths outside the temple, and baptism was very popular in Jesus' time), baptism is, as I said, an initiation. It brings you into the flock so to speak, puts you under the onus of all the Christian rules and regulations, sort of enters you into the covenant that you wouldn't be liable to before baptism.

Read this, wikipedia is amazing: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baptism