Baptism

[frisian1970]

Can I baptize my own child? Why or why not?

[Hootmon]

Can I baptize my own child? Why or why not?Yes, if he/she has requested it as one believer to another...

[kgreen20]

I thought only ordained ministers could baptize. Not laypeople.

[backslider]

Can I baptize my own child? Why or why not?
I baptized myself once, does that count?

.

[Hootmon]

I thought only ordained ministers could baptize. Not laypeople.Why not?

[cenimo]

kgreen20

I thought only ordained ministers could baptize. Not laypeople.
Was John the Baptist ordained?

[cinlynn]

Can I baptize my own child? Why or why not?

Depends.. on your definition of " baptism". ;):

Can you baptize your child into the "church"? Make a covenant, between yourself and your church body, to raise him or her in a Godly home? Dedicate your child to Him, as a promise to raise him or her to know the truth? YES.. you can do that.

Can you baptize your child in the Holy Spirit.. to come to our Lord as Savior? No... He or she must make that decision.

[Jiggy37]

I baptized myself once, does that count?

.I'd like to see this question answered too. :noidea

[Danimus]

Fris, I have a dear brother who baptised both of his daughters. I think we are more or less vessles for the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is truly the One who baptises. It seems like we assist each other in baptism as a means of publicly acknowledging the act.

Having said that, I cannot think of any reason why Backsliders self baptism would not be genuine. My question is have you been baptised more than once? If so why?

[Hootmon]

I baptized myself once, does that count?I'd like to see this question answered too. :noidea There is no Scriptural example of such a thing, unless you mean a standard 'mikvah'. Hardly the same thing...

[onsolidrock]

I baptized myself once, does that count?

.

I think we should follow the example of Jesus.

[antsinmypants]

There is no Scriptural example of such a thing, unless you mean a standard 'mikvah'. Hardly the same thing...

Actually Hoot, it is the same thing.

A Mikveh is to be witnessed, even if it's just due to uncleanness. The Mikveh for conversion is to have an officiant and two witnesses... otherwise it's done the same way.. except you're clothed.

[Hootmon]

Actually Hoot, it is the same thing.

A Mikveh is to be witnessed, even if it's just due to uncleanness. The Mikveh for conversion is to have an officiant and two witnesses... otherwise it's done the same way.. except you're clothed.I stand corrected.

Still... 'Auto-Baptism' isnt appropriate AFAIK...

[carmen]

I baptized myself once, does that count?I would think the basis would be the motivation. Do you not think you should have to submit yourself to another for it? Do you not want to profess publically your faith in Christ through the baptism? Do you just think you shouldn't have to allow another to do it because you don't want to?

All of those reasons wouldn't be appropriate before God, IMHO, because at the root of them is...well, a sinful attitude is the only way I can think of to say it :redface.

The only reason I can think of for a pure motivation is that there isn't anyone, no other believer at all, to stand with and baptize you. But my imagination isn't always the greatest; there are likely more.

What I'm really getting at is that it isn't the outward act that we should measure by, because that isn't what God is looking at. He's looking at the heart.

[rtd2]

How old is the Child??.... at our church we have Dedications were the child (new borns-toddler) is dedicated to the LORD this is not mandatory just a public ceremony celebrating the childs birth and his/her parents willingness to raise it in church...doesnt save the child...once children are older (know right from wrong) and request to be baptized and are willing to make the public declaration, the preacher or assistant pastor will baptize he/she by submersion...

[blitzkreig]

Still... 'Auto-Baptism' isnt appropriate AFAIK... Baptism is an old Jewish rite.

Immersion

Proselytes to Judaism were immersed as a sign and a seal of their
life-redirecting, regenerating experience. The proselyte had utterly
broken with idolatry (i.e. demon-worship) to the worship of YHWH, the
One Elohim of Yisra'el. He passed from death to life, and was born as
a citizen of the `Olam ha-ba (the World to Come). The
immersion-washing of the proselyte was a graphic reminder, sign (ot)
and seal of this fact. The candidate, fully naked, immersed himself
in the waters, symbolically cleansing himself from antecedent
defilement. At least one witness had to be present to witness the
self-immersion. No part of the body was allowed to be above the
surface during immersion; the fingers and toes had to be moved to
ensure that the water of the mikveh would touch the entire surface of
the body. His past behind him, the proselyte emerged to take his
stand with Am Yisra'el (the covenant-people of Israel). In the
Talmud, newly immersed proselytes are called "born again." In
Tractate Yevamot 62a, e.g., Shim'on Ben-Lakish says that "a proselyte
is like a newborn infant." Rabbi Yosi makes a similar statement in
Tractate Yevamot 48b. Genesis Rabbah 39:11 also alludes to this
concept of rebirth.

The laws of the menstrual cycle specifies that an Israelite husband
and wife should not come together for 2 weeks per month. The first
week was the "seven red days" which were followed by the "seven white
days." Following the separation, the woman would, fully naked,
immerse herself into a mikveh to symbolise her passing from a state of
being tamei (not ready; ceremonially unclean) to tahor (ready;
ceremonially clean). Coming out of the mikveh, she would dress
herself like bride for the married couple's "monthly honeymoon," and
was called "born again."

The earliest artistic depiction of the immersion of Messiah Yahushua
shows Him immersing Himself into the river Yarden, fully naked, with
Yochanan haMatzvil standing right at the edge of the water, witnessing
the self-immersion and lending the Messiah a hand to help Him out of
the river.

It is very important to note that Scriptural immersion is always full
immesion and self-immersion, witnessed by at least one witness, and
never immersion by a second party. It is ironic that virtually none
of the denominations who vehemently denounce each other for practicing
an incorrect form of "baptism," practice it correctly! Any major
library contains all the information that is necessary to establish
how Scriptural immersion should be performed. Most denominations,
however, cherish their inherited traditions more than the truth. The
fathers built a fence, the children installed a gate in the fence and
the grandchildren threw away the gate's key. So the only way out is
to break out.

Hebraic Roots Glossary (http://www.hebroots.org/hebrootsarchive/9802/980204_g.html)

[Hootmon]

Baptism is an old Jewish rite. TBH, Im not sure if you agreed or disagreed.

Agreed, I think...

[LeahIA]

When we have baptisms, anyone can baptize the other person. We dedicate babies.

[Patty T]

My understanding is baptism is the outward sign of the being identified with Christ in His death, buriel and resurrection. So a person should be old enough to know and understand the choice they've just made for Jesus and what the baptism is really all about. I can't find any scriptures that say believers can't baptise one another.

I have baptised my niece and nephew in our pool when they asked Jesus to be their Lord and Savior - they were 10 and 12 at the time.

I am not familiar with the Jewish tradition regarding infants, but I do believe babies should be dedicated to the Lord (Luke 2:22).

[carmen]

The earliest artistic depiction of the immersion of Messiah Yahushua shows Him immersing Himself into the river Yarden, fully naked, with
Yochanan haMatzvil standing right at the edge of the water, witnessing
the self-immersion and lending the Messiah a hand to help Him out of
the river.

It is very important to note that Scriptural immersion is always full
immesion and self-immersion, witnessed by at least one witness, and
never immersion by a second party. So John's concern about not being worthy to baptize Christ wasn't about actually doing anything--he was just concerned about not being worthy to be a witness to Christ baptizing Himself? :confused I really don't have enough basis to argue, but that doesn't really make sense to me.

[rtd2]

My understanding is baptism is the outward sign of the being identified with Christ in His death, buriel and resurrection. So a person should be old enough to know and understand the choice they've just made for Jesus and what the baptism is really all about. I can't find any scriptures that say believers can't baptise one another.

I have baptised my niece and nephew in our pool when they asked Jesus to be their Lord and Savior - they were 10 and 12 at the time.

I am not familiar with the Jewish tradition regarding infants, but I do believe babies should be dedicated to the Lord (Luke 2:22).




Patty,
Your explaination is very good...its all about public declaration and submitting to GOD and sometimes one must Overcome there PRIDE to do this.....I was dedicated at birth and always went to church ....I requested to be baptised at 7 yrs. old looking back I think I was too young I did it cause I loved GOD and going to church to learn about him but I also did it because others were.. I didnt fully understand what it meant so several years when I was a teenager I strayed from my walk with GOD ...and it was my dedication at birth and many prayers of a mother and grandmother that kept me out of MAJOR trouble I beleive!....after several years of rebelion , when I got back in church after several months and MUCH prayer and FULL repentance I was again Baptised I had several people tell me this was not needed maybe...maybe not...But I felt it was needed and the pastor Had no problem with it! He said it was a public dispaly and If I needed it he was baptise me every week ....LOL he remeinded me we should "DIE DAILY" = REPENT but that doesnt mean we need to be baptised everyday but agian to each is his own I've heard of people who have asked to be baptised several times during there life...usually its people who feel they have been hindered or strayed in there walk with GOD........I dont think I will need it again but this is just my example of what rushing into a decision as a child that I repeated as an adult! I dont think it hurt anything but some people tend to frown on it I dont know why I havent found any text that says you can only be baptised once! I wouldnt discourage a child I just would try to explain to them and make sure they fully beleive what they are doing....or they may feel the need like myself to do it again! which cant hurt!

[His4ever]

Any true beleiver in Christ should be able to baptize. We do at my church. Fathers or mothers can baptize their children, if they desire. Or the pastor can do it. Don't see anything in Scripture about the need for being ordained by men. The only need appears to be that it be believers baptizing other believers.

[Patty T]

Patty,
Your explaination is very good...its all about public declaration and submitting to GOD and sometimes one must Overcome there PRIDE to do this.....I was dedicated at birth and always went to church ....I requested to be baptised at 7 yrs. old looking back I think I was too young I did it cause I loved GOD and going to church to learn about him but I also did it because others were.. I didnt fully understand what it meant so several years when I was a teenager I strayed from my walk with GOD ...and it was my dedication at birth and many prayers of a mother and grandmother that kept me out of MAJOR trouble I beleive!....after several years of rebelion , when I got back in church after several months and MUCH prayer and FULL repentance I was again Baptised I had several people tell me this was not needed maybe...maybe not...But I felt it was needed and the pastor Had no problem with it! He said it was a public dispaly and If I needed it he was baptise me every week ....LOL he remeinded me we should "DIE DAILY" = REPENT but that doesnt mean we need to be baptised everyday but agian to each is his own I've heard of people who have asked to be baptised several times during there life...usually its people who feel they have been hindered or strayed in there walk with GOD........I dont think I will need it again but this is just my example of what rushing into a decision as a child that I repeated as an adult! I dont think it hurt anything but some people tend to frown on it I dont know why I havent found any text that says you can only be baptised once! I wouldnt discourage a child I just would try to explain to them and make sure they fully beleive what they are doing....or they may feel the need like myself to do it again! which cant hurt!

Thank you for sharing your experience friend. I too have been baptized more than once - three times actually :lol The first was as an infant though - I had no clue what was going on, or what it meant (at 3 months old). The second was after my conversion in 1985, but I too walked away from God (for 15 years). I was baptized again in 2000 after rededicating my life to Jesus. I just felt it was something I wanted to do.

You're right - certainly multiple immersions can't hurt!!

[blitzkreig]

So John's concern about not being worthy to baptize Christ wasn't about actually doing anything--he was just concerned about not being worthy to be a witness to Christ baptizing Himself? :confused I really don't have enough basis to argue, but that doesn't really make sense to me.I never thought of it that way carmen ... interesting.

It is my understanding that Jewish "immersion" was one of many different Jewish "washings" ... purification ceremonial rituals.

.

[His4ever]

I've never really thought of the idea of a person baptizing themself. I suppose if you were alone somewhere like in the mountains and didn't know when you were going to be back with other believers, it would be okay maybe. Or someone stuck on a deserted island or something. But I see no reason for it as long as there are other believers available. It is an interesting and thought provoking idea, though.

[momto3]

A friend of my son whose father was dying was baptised by his father. Part of it was to honor his father and make a public declaration of his faith. The father baptised his son with other believers present, and imho the baptism was acceptable to the Lord because it was done for the right reasons.( declaration of faith) . (Btw the friend is 15 and his father went home about 2 months after. It was a beautiful testament to the commandments and the committment of the father to raise his children in the Lord. They had 4 kids and all are following in the faith)