How many Baptisms

A second baptism is not redundant if the first one was done when the person was not a believer.

I was baptized at age 11 because my mother arranged it so I could be baptized in the church founded by my great-grandfather. I was definitely not a believer (I rejected Christianity in high school and embarked on my "spiritual journey" into Eastern religions, etc. in college). I probably told the pastor I believed in Jesus because I did believe He had truly lived and thought that is what that meant. I am sure I gave answers I thought I should give. I knew what to say but had no idea what the gospel was, what salvation was, why Jesus died, etc.

After I was saved as an adult (and not a young one either) when I was a single mother with a 9 year old son, the pastor of the church I was in told me I did not need to be baptized since I had been baptized when I was younger. This was wrong -- I really felt compelled to be baptized! So I was finally baptized as a believer a year and a half later in another church.

 

I still want to go to the Holy Land and get baptized in the Jordan. I heard it's a really great experience...

 

Hey, #7 is the perfect #.

Then you can try the pool of Bethesda (John 5).

But are you serious?

 

I've heard pastors say that the word "baptize" means "to emerse", and that "rantize" is the word for sprinkling, but then what do I know? Since I believe baptism is a symbol of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, I don't think sprinkling would work. I certainly don't accept Webster's definition since they're just wanting to appease all religions and not wanting to offend anyone.

 

You can be baptized every day of your life and still be lost since baptism doesn't save anyone.

 

Sorta, I wouldn't go to the middle east exclusively for this purpose but if I had a chance I would get dipped in the Jordan then I'd go by Bethesda and wait on the angels to trouble the water... With my luck I'd be so excited that I try a reverse 3 1/2 somersault with a double twist and end up last in the pool...

 

If you want an experience, come to Hokkaido and I'll baptize you in the Ishikarigawa ("Stone Gathering River")--in the middle of winter--minus 10 out--six feet of snow! :smilewinkgrin:

I was saved at age four and wanted to be baptized, but my wise father said to wait until I actually understood what baptism was. So I was baptized at six by Granddad.

 

Sounds like it has a pucker factor? Cold that be a 10?

I guess you could use the old cliché, "it chilled the body but warmed my soul"... :jesus:

 

Well, I haven't actually done this yet, though I've done evangelism many times in similar weather. But I'd put it at a 10.5, with 10 being the highest! :love2:

 

LeBuick, Do you think the angels would still be around? But I too will like to visit the great Jordan.

 

I would think there is no need for the angels since the stranger came through those parts healing and what not. But, who knows, somebody may have hooked up a sauna pump and charge to throw you in... You just never know what you'll see next.

You got me thinking though, I never thought what happened to the others at the pool and/or when did the angels stop visiting.

 

Am I the only one that was baptized as a baby?

The second time as a babe in Christ as a young teen.

Rob