Expert: Mrs. Priscilla Lyons - 4/17/2006

Question
Hello Mrs. Lyons,

My question / concern is about the procedure of Babtism. Or a
better way to word it would be the proper way to Babtize ?

Please take a moment to read this short info about babtism
which i came across and give me your enlightenment on the
issue. Please read below:

Then there is the artistic evidence. Much of the earliest Christian
artwork depicts baptism—but not baptism by immersion! If the
recipient of the sacrament is in a river, he is shown standing in
the river while water is poured over his head from a cup or shell.
Tile mosaics in ancient churches and paintings in the catacombs
depict baptism by pouring. Baptisteries in early cemeteries are
clear witnesses to baptisms by infusion. The entire record of the
early Church—as shown in the New Testament, in other writings,
and in monumental evidence—indicates the mode of baptism
was not restricted to immersion.

Other archaeological evidence confirms the same thing. An early
Christian baptistery was found in a church in Jesus' hometown of
Nazareth, yet this baptistery, which dates from the second
century, was too small and narrow in which to immerse a
person.

Dear Priscilla,
I was babtised as a child {Methodist}. My wife was babtised fully
immersed as a teen. However, she readily admits that she did
not give alot of thought to it and felt persuaded by church
friends to do so. She has, as an adult repented and confessed.
We have not attended a Church in a long time and both feel the
need to become active again in God's Word.
The last Church we belonged to was a Presbyterian Church.
I have personally gave myself to Jesus. I have asked forgiveness,
admitted i am a sinner and asked Jesus into my heart. It was a
very private moment and i cried to Jesus and asked for his
blessing. PLEASE, do not think it strange "but" this life altering
moment happened to me when i was taking a shower. I was just
thinking how lucky and blessed i was for my wife and my grown
children. Thanking God in Jesus name when i felt the need to
give myself to Jesus. I have also stated on many occasions to
others that Jesus is my lord and saviour. On the other hand, i
have never done so in a Church setting. God knows my heart
better than the Church congregation. I would have no problem
with confessing my experience to the Church about my giving
myself
to Jesus while taking a shower. BUT---- will mine be accepted ?
Or will i be judged and or ridiculed or looked down upon for my
belief that Jesus has asccepted me.

I have been searching for a suitable Church. Yet, so many have
guidelines about Babtism. The bible Church's are very strict
about being fully immersed. I have emailed Pastors from several
church's and they "will not openly accept" my wife and myself's
belief that we have already been babtized.

My question:
WHY, is so much NON acceptance being preached towards we
Christians who do not feel the neccessity for a full immersion
babtism. I want to be accepted as God accepts me
"unconditionally" !!!! The gift of the holy spirit comes from
within. The water is an act of cleansing. We prefer the Bible
Church atmosphere since they tend to be more scripture
oriented. Yet, my wife and i are somewhat dissapionted that we
may not be accepted as a member due to the question of wether
or not we were properly babtized.
Why must it be this way ?

Would appreciate your guidance on what we feel should not have
to be such a controversial issue. We just want to attend Church
and be accepted "unconditionally" !!!!

Thank You !! For your time !!
Sincerely,
Ron and Karen

Answer
Dear Ron and Karen,
   It's good to hear from fellow Christians and know of your interest in being part of a church family.  Since God has put together Christians like different parts of the body, we are not all alike but we can appreciate others who love and serve God, even if we're in different churches.  
   Probably more important than the method of baptism (sprinkling or immersion), is the timing.  Since water baptism is a sign to others of surrendering your life to God, for you and your wife to be baptized publicly now as true Christians would help bond you with others who have made that same commitment.  
   John the Baptist called for public water baptism as a sign of inner repentance and preparation for God's way rather than our own way.  Romans 6 describes this and I like to think of the analogy of a seed that is buried and dies before the new, green life appears.  As we go under the water, we show that we have entrusted ourselves completely to God (died to ourself), and as we come up out of the water, we show that we've accepted Jesus' resurrected life to live through us.  Galatians 2:20, "I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ lives in me; and the life that I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God Who loved me and gave Himself for me."
   As you have mentioned, the procedure of the baptism may not be all that important as long as the commitment is real, and you're right, a church congregation won't really know what's real from the heart.  Only God knows.  Keep looking until you find a congregation where there is encouragement for "we all, with open face beholding as in a glass (mirror) the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." II Corinthians 3:18   A Scripture oriented church should emphasize reading the Bible every day as a means of keeping an open face beholding God's glory, allowing His Spirit to change us..  Please pray for the congregations you consider and when you decide which one, I hope you will draw close together with them.
   I pray that we continue to seek to reflect His glory, not our own, as we allow Him to change us to be more and more like Him.
   Sincerely,
   Priscilla