Baptists/Baptism

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Expert: - 3/8/2010


Question
My 8 year old daughter recently made a profession of faith and has indicated she would like to be baptized.  While I am thrilled, I am in a predicament.  We recently switched churches and I am not ready yet to become a member of the church we are attending.  I have been told she cannot be baptized unless she plans to join the church.  Can you confirm if this is a Baptist practice and also the biblical reference for it?  Thanks so much.

Answer
Hi Melanie
  Yes, it is the practice of Baptists.  Baptism has a two fold purpose.  One is for the convert to publicly declare their faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Second is to join themselves to a local church.   New Testament churches, such as Baptist follow the biblical example.   
  I have an article at http://bible-truth.org/baptism.htm which explains what the New Testament teaches about baptism.
  However, you can wait until you actually join your church.  Of course her salvation is secure in Jesus Christ, and baptism follows salvation, but it does not have to be done immediately.  In the case with children, often the parents will wait for a while to see if the child truly understands salvation.    And yes, she should be baptized in the church you plan to attend.
 There is no biblical reason she cannot wait until you are comfortable in your new church.
Cooper Abrams
Romans 12:1-2
http:bible-truth.org
"Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity"  (1 Corinthians 16:13-14 )  

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Cooper P. Abrams III

Expertise

Independent Fundamental Baptist missionary and pastor, ThB, MBS. I began pastoring in 1981, and have taught in churches, a Bible college, and a Bible Institute. I have written numerous articles on various subjects from a biblical perspective and many are posted on my web site Bible Truth ( http://www.bible-truth.org ). Bible Truth receives over sixty thousand visits per month. Since 1998 I have answered Bible related questions via e-mail. My answers are straight forward and biblical. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE -----DO NOT ASK A QUESTION AND THEN NOT READ THE ANSWER! ABOUT FOUR IN TEN QUESTIONS ASKED ARE NEVER READ. I FREELY GIVE MY TIME TO GIVE HELPFUL ANSWERS. OFTEN THE ANSWER WILL REQUIRE AS MUCH AS A HOUR OR MORE TO RESEARCH AND THEN TO FORMULATE THE REPLY. IF YOU SEND A QUESTION PLEASE BE THOUGHTFUL ENOUGH TAKE THE TIME TO READ IT. MOST PEOPLE DO...BUT ALL SHOULD. THANKS

Experience

I have been a pastor since 1981 and a Independent Baptist missionary church planter since 1986. I have seen the Lord establish four Bible believing churches in Utah. My web site Bible Truth ( http:\\bible-truth.org ) continues to grow presently over 60,000 visits per month. The materials on the web site are mostly written by myself and contain sermons, Bible commentaries, articles on various biblical subjects.

Publications
- Appeared on Grizzly Adams DVD documentary "End Times: How Close Are We?" (http://www.grizzlyadams.com/Public/ChristianDVDs/index.cfm?productID=49). - Article "Are Mormons Christians" "O Timothy Magazine" Way of Life Literature (http://www.wayoflife.org/files/9959c77e05b303248173195e72476459-60.html)

Education/Credentials
ThB and MBS from Piedmont Baptist College, Winston-Salem, NC

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