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now i basically HAVE to do this, i can't get out of it.

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I think you should feel free to be yourself...if you're not up to it yet, just tell them. It's okay to say "no".

Unless you understand the purpose of baptism, it's kind of pointless anyway. To be baptized is an acknowledgment to God and to the angels, both good and bad, that you understand that you are buried with Christ in His burial and that you are raised with Him in His resurrection.

What you are essentially doing by this ceremony is burying yourself and aligning yourself with God's position, that He has already put you in Christ, and as He was buried, so too are you now buried.

If you understand that, then go ahead and get yourself baptized.

Have you tried reading the paperback by Watchman Nee, The Normal Christian Life? I think it would help you tremendously. You can get it in just about any bookstore, and is very easy and simple to read, but exceedingly profound in what it explains.

God bless, BORN AGAIN
 

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Posted by shadowmaker (Member # 3696) on :
 
You said you havent been baptised since July 2004????? I m lost. Why are you doing it again? Remember, being baptised does NOT save you. You shouldnt feel pressured to do it, it should be something you want to do and mean it.

Brad
 

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Posted by J4Jesus (Member # 1367) on :
 
No. I was saved back in July 2004, that period of time.

Yes i know Baptism should be something i want.

But then again, i shouldn't do it just because the Church says to either.
 

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Posted by shadowmaker (Member # 3696) on :
 
You re right, you need to do it bc you want to, not the church. If you re not being convicted by God to do it, then dont. If your heart is telling you to do, then do. Just be honest with whoever you re talking to. If they keep pressuring you, talk to the preacher or a deacon.

Brad
 

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Posted by MySavingGrace (Member # 4697) on :
 
congrats on your decision
 

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Posted by Carmela (Member # 4817) on :
 
J4 I agree with the others. You can't be baptized if you are not ready. Baptism is something that should be taken seriously and not done because you feel pressured. My pastor in Vermont has people see him for a couple of meetings before baptizing anyone to discuss baptism and to make sure everyone completely understand why they are being baptized, he explains the meaning behind it and has people ask any questions they may have. This way, a person is fully understanding the choice they are making and not just blindly entering into it.

I think it is wonderful if you do choose to be baptized, but you really do need to be fully aware of why you are doing it and what it means.
 

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Posted by BORN AGAIN (Member # 5) on :
 
But on the other hand, brother J4Jesus, once you have been baptised you know at least that you have been baptised and you can find out more later about what you have done.

It may be a little like salvation when we first decided for it, and later we found out a lot more about it. Who knows, the LORD might be bless you and renew you through it and you can understand it later.

If we had waited accepting salvation until we knew all about it, some of us would not have been saved. It may be similar with the rite of baptism--at least you can say, I have done that, Lord."

Acts 8
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what hinders me from being baptized?

37 And Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, you may. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

J4Jesus, you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? I think you do.

There is water, what prevents you from being baptised?

God bless, BORN AGAIN
 

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