Strange Question

[Guest man]

edited post - the person was had no intention of reading post

edited - person had no intention of discussing the topic .

Matthew 12

36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.

37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

[Bold Believer]

As to the original question, I would have to say that the overall Scriptural example has persons being baptized by other persons. The Chinese believers' self-baptism was an emergency situation and I believe that God honors the intent of the heart in cases like that.

It is NOT necessary to be baptized by a 'clergy-person'. The whole idea of a separate clergy and people didn't even come about until the Nicolaitan church. It is one of the things that God praised the church at Ephesus for that they hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans, just as He did. The Nicolaitans separated the church into clergy and laity from all I have read.

A great example of history would be our brother Athanasius:

"Saint Athanasius the Great, Archbishop of Alexandria, was a great Father of the Church and a pillar of Orthodoxy. He was born around the year 297 in the city of Alexandria into a family of pious Christians. He received a fine secular education, but he acquired more knowledge by diligent study of the Holy Scripture. In his childhood, the future hierarch Athanasius became known to St Alexander the Patriarch of Alexandria (May 29). A group of children, which included Athanasius, was playing at the seashore. The Christian children decided to baptize their pagan playmates.

The young Athanasius, whom the children designated as "bishop", performed the Baptism, precisely repeating the words he heard in church during this sacrament. Patriarch Alexander observed all this from a window. He then commanded that the children and their parents be brought to him. He conversed with them for a long while, and determined that the Baptism performed by the children was done according to the Church order. He acknowledged the Baptism as real and sealed it with the sacrament of Chrismation. From this moment, the Patriarch looked after the spiritual upbringing of Athanasius and in time brought him into the clergy, at first as a reader, and then he ordained him as a deacon." (This is a quote from another website, I wanted to get the story as correct as possible.)

It is a recognized fact in most Christian traditions that a mature baptized Believer may perform baptism.

[exrockstar]

Can we baptize ourselves? The reason I ask is that I was baptized as an infant and have been debating getting rebaptized. I'm skeptical about churches and would like to do it myself, if possible. Is that scriptural, or just plain absurd?

Personally , I consider the whole topic of water baptism today as being absurd .

i wouldn't say "absurd" but I am a believer that if one wants to water baptize themselves to feel good then go ahead.

whatever motivates a person is all good.

[Floatingaxe]

Personally , I consider the whole topic of water baptism today as being absurd . If there was a way to *undo* water baptism , I would do so .

Why?

If I could renounce it or somehow be un-water-baptized , I would be completely rid of the thing and disassociate myself from those that won't agree on this work of the flesh in the first place .

Since when does the Word of God declare the believer's baptism as a work of the flesh? Those who would choose to believe that need correction badly.

[New_Wineskin]

Personally , I consider the whole topic of water baptism today as being absurd . If there was a way to *undo* water baptism , I would do so .

Why?

If I could renounce it or somehow be un-water-baptized , I would be completely rid of the thing and disassociate myself from those that won't agree on this work of the flesh in the first place .

Since when does the Word of God declare the believer's baptism as a work of the flesh? Those who would choose to believe that need correction badly.

Why can't people read he whole thing before posting a reply .

These types of posts makes me think that a lot of christians worship water - anything remotely stated against the attitude towards this Jewish ritual is considered a heresy . I can imagine what Paul went through by taking on circumcism which was far more insisted upon by the Lord than water baptism in the Law . But , Catholics made it a huge tradition and that tradition is hard to discuss except to praise it .

[Floatingaxe]

Personally , I consider the whole topic of water baptism today as being absurd . If there was a way to *undo* water baptism , I would do so .

Why?

If I could renounce it or somehow be un-water-baptized , I would be completely rid of the thing and disassociate myself from those that won't agree on this work of the flesh in the first place .

Since when does the Word of God declare the believer's baptism as a work of the flesh? Those who would choose to believe that need correction badly.

Why can't people read he whole thing before posting a reply .

I read the whole thing.

These types of posts makes me think that a lot of christians worship water - anything remotely stated against the attitude towards this Jewish ritual is considered a heresy . I can imagine what Paul went through by taking on circumcism which was far more insisted upon by the Lord than water baptism in the Law . But , Catholics made it a huge tradition and that tradition is hard to discuss except to praise it .

Anything spoken within the Body of Christ remotely AGAINST baptism can be deemed as provoking strife. Unless you really have something against it and want some teaching or clarification on the matter, be very careful that you are not just trying to stir up strife by murmuring, which the Lord distinctly hates.

Proverbs 16:28a

A troublemaker plants seeds of strife;

[Guest]

....Why can't people read the whole thing before posting a reply .

These types of posts makes me think that a lot of Christians worship water - anything remotely stated against the attitude towards this Jewish ritual is considered a heresy . I can imagine what Paul went through by taking on circumcision which was far more insisted upon by the Lord than water baptism in the Law . But, Catholics made it a huge tradition and that tradition is hard to discuss except to praise it...

Yeap!

When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,

(Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) John 4:1-2

A Jewish Ritual

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Matthew 28:19

But Than Again, My God

Then saith he to Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. John 20:27-28

IS A Jew

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:23

And The KING OF THE JEWS

And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. John 19:19

And I Think I May Understand Where You Are Coming From

John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: Luke 3:16

And That Beloved Ain't Water

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 1 Peter 1:18-19

>>>>>()<<<<<

Be Blessed Beloved Of The KING

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 2 Timothy 2:24

Love, Your Brother Joe

[Bold Believer]

Remember that baptism represents death and the subsequent resurrection (Romans). In the early church, renouncing one's baptism was considered apostasy, proving that one was not truly a Believer.

[Guest]

Remember that baptism represents death and the subsequent resurrection (Romans). In the early church, renouncing one's baptism was considered apostasy, proving that one was not truly a Believer.

Yes

He May Or May Not Be A Believer

And Yes Dear Brother, Sadly There Is Still Lots Of Renouncing Of The Name Of Jesus Going Around

But God's Word Says

Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. Hebrews 3:12

Hang Tight

Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. John 15:3-4

Amen!

For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Romans 10:11

>>>>>()<<<<<

Another Take Or Two

Sometimes A Trusting Believer Is Shocked When A "Church" Insists "Their" Baptism Is The Only One That "Saves" A Fellow

And He Surly Is Going To Hell If He Refuses This Second (Or Third) Water Baptism

And The Fruits Of This Nonsense May Yield Bitter Anger

Rather Than Sweet Love

He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. 1 John 2:10

And We Must Stand Upon The Gospel

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. John 5:24-26

And Love The Wounded

A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17

Then Again If A Believer Sees Their Brother Confess Jesus Is LORD And He Is Risen And Is Then Taught He Must Be Baptized

But Yes, We Have No Water Until He Attends Three Months Of Classes And Passes The Judgement Of The Elders And Then

He Is Called To Active Duty And He Serves Until The End And Does Not Make It Back To Complete The Plans Of Men

Still The Sibling Sits Each Sunday Morning And Suffers Hearing You Must Be (Water) Baptized For Salvation

And The Fruits Of This Nonsense Can Become Bitter Anger

Rather Than Sweet Love

And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 1 John 3:23

And We Must Stand Upon The Gospel

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. John 6:47

And Love The Wounded

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18

>>>>>()<<<<<

Be Blessed Beloved Of The KING

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Love, Your Brother Joe

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 1 John 3:1

[enoob57]

Personally , I consider the whole topic of water baptism today as being absurd . If there was a way to *undo* water baptism , I would do so .

Why?

Because of all of the to-do regarding it . First , people argue over whether it is necessary for salvation . Then , those that agree on that argue over what type of water is used . If they agree on that , they argue over whether one is emersed or spritzed or something inbetween . If they agree on emersed , they will argue over how many dunkings are involved . Then , there are the arguments over whether they need another to preside over the thing ; over whether a religious leader is needed ; what is the proper incantation or the whole thing doesn't take ; and , I wouldn't doubt that there would be an argument over the minimum number of witnesses needed for it to be an official public showing .

So , I am sure that how I was water baptized will not be acceptable to a number of people - no matter how it was done .

If I could renounce it or somehow be un-water-baptized , I would be completely rid of the thing and disassociate myself from those that won't agree on this work of the flesh in the first place .

Matt 3:15-17

15 But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him.

16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

NKJV

Let His Words and His Heart be our Words and our Heart- That we might be ONE even as He and The Father are ONE! Jn 17 Love Steven