A ritual or symbol of admission to the body of Christians, generally performed by immersion or sprinkling with water.
10
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2answers
236 views
On what do Mormons base their practice of proxy-baptisms on behalf of the dead?
How does the LDS Church define their practice of performing baptisms on behalf of people who have died? I realize there is the following verse, but there seems to be few other Biblical references to ...
5
votes
1answer
116 views
When did Christians switch from an ‘immediate baptism’ to ‘after years of instruction and scrutiny’ baptism, such as in the Apostolic Tradition?
According to this article ‘Catechumen’ means one receives instruction from “a catechist in the principles of the Christian religion with a view to baptism”. I understand that some churches have this ...
1
vote
2answers
91 views
What difference does baptism make when it comes to marriage?
Here is a hypothetical example of what may be a very common situation.
Bill and Martha have been seeing each other for four years. Both were raised in Catholic families, but were not baptized. They ...
9
votes
5answers
3k views
What Bible verses support infant baptism?
I've studied the Bible and am a fundamental independent bible believing Baptist who believes what the scripture says about Baptism is clear.
It is an ordinance after salvation, i.e. believers ...
13
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3answers
338 views
What traditions espouse infant baptism and why?
What traditions espouse infant baptism and why?
In those traditions, why do parents often baptize their children at very young age, and why is this better than giving their children the opportunity ...
2
votes
2answers
117 views
Baptising someone without consent
Stemming from this question Is it valid to baptize multiple persons at once?, the question gives the scenario of one person baptising multiple people on a plane that is going to crash. The bit that ...
6
votes
2answers
107 views
What is baptism by Desire?
Again, this is one I've never heard of. Inspired by Peter Turner's comment.
If you had a plane full of people's consent to be baptized if they
miraculously survived the flight but they died ...
8
votes
2answers
123 views
According to the Roman Catholic church, who can baptize a new believer?
As far as I remember, there is no rule in the Bible as to who can baptize a new believer. However, I'm almost certain that sometime in the early history of the Roman Catholic church, someone or some ...
5
votes
1answer
120 views
Is it valid to baptize multiple persons at once?
To take an extreme example, if a person is on a plane that's about to crash, and she wishes to perform a baptism that is valid according to the Catholic Church (and therefore valid according to the ...
4
votes
1answer
72 views
Can Catholics choose to be baptized by immersion?
I understand that the most prominent manner in which Catholics are baptized is by pouring. However, I saw somewhere that baptism by immersion is not considered wrong by the Catholic Church. (If this ...
2
votes
1answer
59 views
In general, in the Protestant branch, who can baptize a new believer?
I know quite well that the plethora of Protestant denominations means that there are almost no universal traditions. However, there are a number of particular traditions or beliefs that are held by ...
4
votes
5answers
186 views
Is Matthew 28 saying something about Baptism?
On our sister site I asked a question about what the correct grammatical interpretation of Matthew 28:19 is with relation to baptism.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing ...
9
votes
3answers
103 views
What name was used by Peter for Baptism?
We know that Jesus gave this command.
Matthew 28:19 (NIV)
Therefore go and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
...
1
vote
0answers
24 views
Confirmation- How? When? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What are the steps to become Confirmed in the Catholic church?
So I am a Christian who was baptized in a Catholic church. I am currently a senior in High School and ...
2
votes
1answer
122 views
Baptism of the Holy Spirit according to Martin Lloyd Jones' “Joy Unspeakable”
Context
To the best of my understanding of Martin Lloyd Jones' "Joy Unspeakable", the baptism of the holy spirit is described as
not automatically granted to all Christians upon conversion
not ...
4
votes
1answer
39 views
What is the argument against the ICOC doctrine of “Disciples Baptism”?
The International Church of Christ, as I understand, teach the idea of "Disciples Baptism", which is distinct from both "Believer's Baptism" and "Infant Baptism". It teaches that people who are just ...
4
votes
2answers
73 views
Why was the Apostle Paul seemingly not that interested in baptizing believers?
Paul does not seem to put the same importance on baptism as he does on other things:
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross ...
6
votes
2answers
116 views
Why is Infant Baptism considered to be invalid by so many Protestant denominations?
Catholics and several Protestant denominations (and maybe even Orthodox churches) practice Infant Baptism, while many other Protestant denominations do not.
This question addressed the argument for ...
16
votes
5answers
811 views
Was baptism practiced before Christ?
A simple word search for "baptism" in the Old Testament turns up no matches. However by the time John the Baptist shows up on the scene and starts dunking people and calling it "for forgiveness of ...
4
votes
2answers
99 views
Did the Emperor Constantine ever present explanations for putting off his baptism?
The Emperor Constantine who favored Christianity as early as 312, and convened the Council of Nicæa in 325, postponed baptism till 337. Did he provide any reasons for doing so?
5
votes
7answers
308 views
Water Baptism - Is it still necessary?
I have grappled with this for some time.
As the forerunner of Christ, John the baptist was baptising people, preparing them for the coming of Christ. After Christ came, he was baptised and commanded ...
16
votes
6answers
1k views
What happens to unborn, unbaptized babies who die?
If we accept that unborn babies are human beings and not merely a non-human organism, and further we require baptism as a prerequisite for salvation (using it as justification for infant baptism)...
...
8
votes
2answers
354 views
Is it true that early Christians were baptised naked?
I was told that people were baptised naked in the early Christian church. Is this true? If so, could you provide references please? I would like to investigate this for myself.
Regards,
Walid
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votes
1answer
131 views
Do I need to be rebaptized to take communion in a Catholic Church if I have no proof of my original baptism?
I was born in a predominantly Catholic country in Latin America and baptized a Roman Catholic, but I have no physical confirmation of my baptism outside of my recollection of my Catholic upbringing ...
7
votes
1answer
266 views
What is the difference between baptism of the Holy Spirit and receiving the Holy Spirit?
What is the difference between baptism of the Holy Spirit and receiving the Holy Spirit (or being filled with the Holy Spirit)? Do these two mean the same? I am open to the different views given by ...
8
votes
2answers
901 views
Which Bible verses support adult-only baptism?
I am a Reformed Presbyterian and it seems that for most people I run into, baptism for 'adults' after confession of faith only is the default position. I always find myself fighting an uphill battle ...
4
votes
1answer
101 views
Was the Apostolic Tradition of rejecting soldiers from the church ‘permanent’, or was this ‘tradition' briefly enforced?
In the Bible Jesus encounters Roman soldiers but does not tell them to 'quit their day job'. Jesus encountered a centurion with 'great faith' as recorded in Matthew 8. Peter as well baptized a ...
4
votes
1answer
160 views
Does any church follow the Apostolic Tradition of Baptism ‘in the nude’, or was that never the tradition?
The Apostolic Tradition was the work of Hippolytus, written somewhere between 215 and 400 AD. Recent scholars seem to take the later date (source). The whole writing can be found here: Apostolic ...
15
votes
5answers
221 views
What is Baptism of the Holy Spirit?
What is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, and how does it differ from water baptism? Do all Christians experience Baptism of the Holy Spirit?
EDIT
A few references to Baptisim of the Holy Spirit, or ...
26
votes
10answers
619 views
Biblical basis for baptism as a prerequisite for salvation
Some people believe that if you have not been baptized, you cannot be saved.
Others (including myself) believe that it is merely the outward declaration of what has already happened in the heart.
...
12
votes
7answers
744 views
If we are saved by grace, then why does Jesus say we must be baptized in both spirit and water?
Ephesians 2:4-9 says:
But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He
loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive
together with Christ (by grace ...
5
votes
2answers
176 views
What is the biblical basis for baptism by immersion?
There are two modes of water baptism of which I am familiar--immersion and sprinkling. As far as I know Catholics practice sprinkling along with many Protestant traditions, although many other ...
10
votes
1answer
202 views
What is God's good news before Jesus's death and resurrection?
In Mark 1, we learn about both John's baptism of repentance and Jesus's proclamation that "the time has come. Repent and believe in the good news!"
John's baptism
And so John the Baptist ...
4
votes
2answers
1k views
Godparents in Protestantism
Without infant Baptism, do Protestants have godparents?
Furthermore, are there any traditions common to most Protestant denominations concerning who should see to it that a child is raised in the ...
16
votes
6answers
2k views
Is there any sense in being baptized as an adult after being baptized as an infant?
Around the time I was born, my parents were going to a Lutheran church. As such, I was baptized as an infant. In most cases in the Bible, baptism is connected with receiving the Holy Spirit. If so, ...
7
votes
2answers
431 views
Is there any Biblical basis for baby dedications?
Many churches do not practice infant baptisms, because they believe that in the Bible baptism is taught to be something done after a person chooses to follow Christ.
As an alternative, many of those ...
4
votes
3answers
181 views
Is it possible to believe in Jesus, pray to Him and be baptized and yet not get regenerated?
What I mean here by "regenerated" is being born of God, i.e. become a child of God. Has this matter been discussed in Christianity? If the question is too broad, then I am firstly after the ...
4
votes
2answers
185 views
Modern baptism requirement for becoming a Mennonite
Historically, Mennonites and other Anabaptists practiced adult re-baptism when a Catholic or Lutheran converted. This got them in a lot of hot water at the time.
As a long-time member of a General ...
6
votes
2answers
598 views
What is the biblical basis for baptism by sprinkling?
As noted in the other question, there are two modes of water baptism of which I am familiar--immersion and sprinkling. As far as I know Catholics practice sprinkling along with many Protestant ...
6
votes
2answers
170 views
What is the biblical basis against baptismal regeneration?
Several different denominations teach that water baptism is a prerequisite for (or is essential for) salvation. What is the biblical basis against this teaching?
5
votes
1answer
162 views
Does ex opere operato apply to infants?
"Ex opere operato" says that a person must have the proper disposition and desire in order to receive graces through sacraments (correct me if I'm over simplifying this).
Does this not apply to ...
9
votes
1answer
83 views
What is the purpose of baptism for sola fide adherents?
Sola fide says that works play no part in our salvation. For sola fide adherents, what is the purpose of baptism? Is baptism necessary?
10
votes
2answers
161 views
How do Protestants interpret “baptized for the dead” in 1 Corinthians 15:29?
1 Corinthians 15:29 (KJV)
Else what shall they do which are baptized
for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized
for the dead?
I know that the LDS Church ...
9
votes
1answer
312 views
Why would cold running water be preferred for baptism?
The Didache, or Teaching of the Twelve Apostles (an early Christian text not part of the New Testament) says of baptism (chapter 7):
On the subject of baptism, baptise thus: after having taught ...
12
votes
4answers
466 views
What is the significance of Jesus' baptism for a theology of baptism?
It seems that any robust theology of Christian baptism must incorporate and draw from the fact that Jesus himself was baptized, but I rarely hear it mentioned in discussions about baptism. What place ...
10
votes
5answers
276 views
Into whose name should Christians be baptised?
Jesus said, "...go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
However, the early church apparently baptised in the name of ...
15
votes
2answers
747 views
What is the Biblical basis for withholding communion from believers who are unbaptized?
My home church has a policy of asking non-believers not to participate in communion, but never asks if a believer has yet been baptized.
I have visited or attended several other churches where ...
9
votes
4answers
645 views
Do any major denominations refuse to recognize Holy Baptism in other denominations
Most denominations recognize baptisms in other denominations. (See, for example Eph 4:4-6), "one Lord, one faith, one baptism".)
The World Council of Churches Faith and Order Commission published ...
