a.baker
03-23-2008, 03:58 PM
So what does the bible say about Baptism? The last words of Matthew where Jesus speaks of it I read last night (again but...) . It shined a new light on my perspective of baptism. It seemed to kinda seal the deal of my giving myself to God completely. So I felt an urgency to get baptized today! I was so excited I couldn't sleep last night. I was so excited and filled with joy as I was going to church this morning thinking that this is something my pastor would be happy to do for me.
So after service I went and asked him if he could baptize me real quick with these exact words Jesus says, nothing more and nothing less. My pastor said no. He said we would have to plan it and it would have to happen in the middle of the service in front of the congregation so all can see and celebrate. I have no problem with that except this was my last day at this church because I recently moved. I told my pastor this is for Jesus, for God, not for myself or anyone else and I felt that this simple sentence would help seal the deal on me giving myself completely to God. He still said no because for generations churches only do it in front of the congregation. I mentioned well lets grab a couple of people to be witnesses and he still said no.
When talking of this I remember John the Baptist who baptized people one by one who stood in a line and there was no audience to clap or celebrate. The celebration from my understanding is done in Heaven. Of course we all celebrate but is the celebration here on earth more important than the baptism, completely giving oneself up to Him? I think not.
So I left today sad thinking my pastor talked down the power of baptism and it's meaning; thinking what if I died today and I am not baptized.
If someone came to me and it was given to me by God to baptize, than I would joyfully do so with no question or arrangement.
God wanted me to be baptized today and my pastor said no; I am kinda stricken speechless and sad...
So what does the bible say? Maybe I am still not understanding something?...
So after service I went and asked him if he could baptize me real quick with these exact words Jesus says, nothing more and nothing less. My pastor said no. He said we would have to plan it and it would have to happen in the middle of the service in front of the congregation so all can see and celebrate. I have no problem with that except this was my last day at this church because I recently moved. I told my pastor this is for Jesus, for God, not for myself or anyone else and I felt that this simple sentence would help seal the deal on me giving myself completely to God. He still said no because for generations churches only do it in front of the congregation. I mentioned well lets grab a couple of people to be witnesses and he still said no.
When talking of this I remember John the Baptist who baptized people one by one who stood in a line and there was no audience to clap or celebrate. The celebration from my understanding is done in Heaven. Of course we all celebrate but is the celebration here on earth more important than the baptism, completely giving oneself up to Him? I think not.
So I left today sad thinking my pastor talked down the power of baptism and it's meaning; thinking what if I died today and I am not baptized.
If someone came to me and it was given to me by God to baptize, than I would joyfully do so with no question or arrangement.
God wanted me to be baptized today and my pastor said no; I am kinda stricken speechless and sad...
So what does the bible say? Maybe I am still not understanding something?...