Greetings, I recently spoke with sister Rosie about the Baptism of her grandchildren. I don't want to delay this special spiritual event and so moving forward I want to set in place a few changes in the way we handle our approach to Baptism. 1. When we have a candidate for Baptism part of the “outward sign” of accepting Jesus as their savior is being baptized. That said, all too often people confuse baptism as salvation. That is because most often when a person comes for baptism, they have already made their confession of faith by accepting Christ. That said, where this is not always the case is someone who was an infant or very young child at the time of baptism. As it is not the practice to rebaptism people. Anyone who has been baptized …show more content…
Can you go to heaven by being baptized? B. What does being baptize mean? C. When should a person be baptized? D. Why should someone be baptized? Does Baptism alone mean I will go to heaven? A: No Baptism alone does not save. People are saved (go to heaven) by believing that Jesus Chris died for their sins and through the acceptance of Jesus as their Lord and Savior. They must put their total trust in Christ, Baptism alone does not save the bible is clear on this. However, salvation and baptism are almost always tied together (exception infant baptism). What is baptism? The process of baptism is very simple. You can be sprinkled or immerse in water by an ordained minister in the AME connection most often the Pastor of the church. Because our faith sprinkle water on people instead of immersing them, the obvious question is whether this is OK. Since the only consistent answer around the world comes from the Bible, Mark 16:16, Matthew 28:18-20. Bible that baptism should take place, but in the AME church immersion should be requested. When is a person ready to be …show more content…
The real question here should be, "When should I get baptized? A: immediately, as a part of accepting Christ; or later as a follower of Christ?” If you’ve been around churches at all, you will run into the following philosophies: A. “Baptism is just an outward sign of an inward grace, so it can be done later.” B. “You need to ‘grow in Christ’ (become good enough) before you are ready to be baptized.” C. “To join our church, you have to be baptized into our church.” The above responses are either partially or totally in conflict with the Word of God. The Bible is specific on Baptism- that belief and baptism were meant to go together. So after our confession are made it is then the right time to be baptized. If a person “has accepted Christ” beforehand and was not baptized, then this should be considered a priority for the church and individual to fulfill what God asks us all to do in the Bible. Do I have to be a member of your Church? Nowhere in the bible does it state you have to be a member of the church to be saved or baptize, but it should be expressed that people are encouraged to join our church or another church and should at least attend our church one time to make their request for