[sndbay]

What hinders baptism?

Acts 8:36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

What was the answer to that question?( Acts 8:37 thou mayest if )

AND realize it is not just that this answer of what hinders baptism from being done is in scripture, it also clearly states what is done and when. Those who follow man rather then Christ aren't today baptized with anything more then a sprinkle of water. The steps Christ commanded us to follow was as HIS baptism.

Man's traditions make VOID the Word of GOD !

meaning of the word hinder = prevent-forbid-keep from-to deny or refuse one a thing

[arcura]

Jeff.
Thanks for your point of view on this.
You already have mine.
In addition to that I can not believe that a very if a young child who still cannot speak is baptized at the request of loving, believing parents that God would ignore that.
Peace and kindness,
Fred

[arcura]

Jeff,
Thanks for your baptism story.
It is beautiful.
Fred

[arcura]

Need Karma,
Thanks much.
I do have the set of scales at the top right of each post.
Peace and kindness,
Fred

[Renok75]

I come from an Anabaptist background, meaning that my faith believes that people need to be baptised after a conversion experience - I was baptised at age 16, as an outward sign of an inward change. My Mennonite forbearers were persecuted greatly for this belief, and were even killed and tortured for this belief. This is why the Mennonites left northern Holland and went to Germany, Prussia, Russia, then Canada and Mexico, and Paraguay - to escape persecution.

My husband comes from a Lutheran background, and he thinks that when it talks in the Bible about whole families coming to Jesus and believing in him and being baptised, that means that everyone is covered by the "family" decision. This may be true, but I do not think it precludes an individual making a decision to follow God's way for their life.

However, where I have the problem, because we do attend a Lutheran church, is the wording that makes it sound as though a baptised baby has no other obligation to God and that all of that baby's future sins are covered. It seems to contrived, too formulated to allow for any spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit.

If anyone really wants some perspective on this, read up on the Anabaptist movement. This discussion has been going on for centuries. Only now we don't kill people who believe the way I do.

[galveston]

Only now we don't kill people who believe the way I do.[/QUOTE]

True in the US and other civilized countries, but in much of the world right now, it is dangerous to life and limb to be a Christian.

[jenniepepsi]

I also believe that you cannot be truly baptised until you know and accept jesus as your savior, an infant cannot do this.

However a CHILD can. My 5, almost 6 year old is asking to be baptised because she says, and I quote

'i love jesus and I want him in my heart all the time and I want everyone to know!"

I am considering letting her, however I may wait another year, as she still does not completely understand the meaning of 'sin' and I want her to have a complete understanding before we do.

*edit* when I say she doesn't understand sin, I mean she knows that when she does 'bad' it makes jesus sad, but she does not understand WHY, nor does she know or understand all of Gods commandments

[-Seven-]

I believe you need to be consciously aware of a physically initiated symbolic event to experience it spiritually, and be aware of the meaning and content. It should be a choice, not a condemnation.

[jenniepepsi]

Yes seven, this is another reason I am probably going to hold off on her getting baptised to be SURE she understands what the meaning of baptism is.

[arcura]

It IS interesting the different beliefs there are concerning Baptism.
I wonder if the early Church fathers had anything to say about that.
Does anyone know if they did?
Peace and kindness,
Fred

[Fr_Chuck]

If one looks at tradition, I look at what both the catholic church and the orthodox church do in common, since if they share a practice, then we know it was something done prior to the 800's. Infant baptism is one of them.

[galveston]

Well, from other scriptures and this one, the mode was immersion.

Acts 8:38-39
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
(KJV)

[Fr_Chuck]

Yes, the original method of baptism, we see this in the Orthodox church, is immersion, they do this to infants.

[sndbay]

Hear "The Word" of the Lord God = Christ

Hear the "Word of God" = Christ

When we read this throughtout scripture, I believe we are being told to Hear the Word which is Christ. And Christ, Himself said refer:
John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Christ went on to say that man will not pluck them out of HIS hands.. Why do you think Christ said this? Christ told us why.. those that hear HIM follow HIM..

[arcura]

Fr_Chuck,
Thanks much for that answer.
Peace and kindness,
Fred

[Purdue2010]

Very interesting discussion. I want to add something to it. I can not quote scripture, because I don't have the memory for it. However, I do remember being baptized at a young age. I believe I was around six or seven. I saw that everyone at my church was doing it, and I think that at the time I understood that if you did not get baptized you were going to hell. I really believe that in order to find Christ it is your personal journey, and I think that with baptism at a young age it takes away from it. At that age I did not understand the meaning behind it, and without that understanding it means nothing. I do believe no matter how many bible studies and church camps you go to or how many choirs you sing in, because I did it all, at that age you really don't understand until you get older.

I have a four year old, and my family pressures me to get her baptized. I will not do it because I want it to be her decision when she gets older, and I think that it will have so much meaning and purpose if she decides that with everything that is going on in the world that she chooses to embrace Christ. I believe that God wants people to make the decision for themselves, and not someone else making the decision for them.

[arcura]

Purdue2010 ,
I firmly believe that The Holy Spirit enters a person's soul at the time of baptism no matter what the age.
God works in mysterious ways.
Most Churches believe that infant baptism should be done. I agree.
Jesus said to have the little children come unto Him and FORBID THEM NOT.
I think that is an order from God the Son.
Peace and kindness,
Fred

[sndbay]

Listen to man (or) Hear the Word of God

Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Acts 8:13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done

Acts 8:36-37 And as they went on [their] way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Acts 18:8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

Acts 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

[arcura]

sndbay
Yes, very good and how many of those who were baptized were children.
I believe that quite a few were.
Can you prove that none were?
Peace and kindness,
Fred

[sndbay]

sndbay
Yes, very good and how many of those who were baptized were children.
I believe that quite a few were.
Can you prove that none were?
Peace and kindness,
Fred

The question is how many were babies? I trust we can say not even one..

There are children that can be baptized because they themselves can cenfess faith in Christ Jesus.