If you have ever heard “church” words then you have probably heard this word…I’m not going to talk about whether to dunk or not to dunk, whether sprinkling babies is ok or not, or any of that stuff…I just wanted to focus on one thing….Should Baptism be attached to church membership? Meaning, for a church to baptize someone, do they have to join that church? Can someone have been baptized before but not belong to a local church? Can I baptize someone in our church parking lot in a baby pool and will that still count? Can I baptize someone who doesn’t want to join our church? Do we have to wait for them to have all their family there, or is it ok to do it spontaneously?
Looking for some clarity-
Brian
Jason Miley Said:
on August 8, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Baptism identifies us with the work of Jesus Christ. I don’t think that it is the public profession of faith that many churches claim…because that is done out in the public…rather, baptism is a identifying act for the body of believers. I guess that it is important to have some type of relationship with that body of believers…but membership…I’m not sure. Where did we get this idea of membership anyway? I’ll have to think on some of those questions. Baby pool…definitely valid!
newjerseyjesus Said:
on August 9, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Baptism is usually viewed as associating one with Christ.
Church membership is associating with a particular church.
I thinks baptism is for the greater body of believers and membership is for the local…..just my thoughts.
Anyway, my church had spontaneous baptisms (along with the planned ones) and it was simply amazing!