Hi all fellow brothers and sisters
i've been a christian for 7 ++ years already.
I was water-baptised in 2000 nov in a local traditional church by touch. does water baptism by touch differ from by immersion ?
I'm now in a different church from the one I was baptised, and i was asked to "perform" water baptism by immersion. I was told this was the common way this new church did water baptism. And I was also told that the baptism symbolises also the unity among church member. The reason I was given was that i should "perform" the immersion baptism so as there will be no "division" among the church member in the future...dear respected bible knowlegable, what is your blibical opinion on this issue? thanks and God bless.
stephen chai
ps:/I personally believe and uphold in faith the baptism by touch I experienced in the traditional church and i always will too.

Hello Stephen,

Baptism is an ordinance of the church that was commanded by Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20. Jesus did not explain how baptism was to be done, but He did say that it was to be in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

You will find a very nice discussion of Christian Baptism on the following internet site: www.christiananswers.net. In the search section, just type in Christian Baptism and you will be taken to the article.

One of the human frailties or traps that Christians fall into, I believe Stephen, is division of the family of God based on church doctrine. Baptism by immersion means being dunked completely underwater and is practiced by some churches. Baptism by sprinkling or pouring water on a persons body, usually their head, is practiced by others. Who is right? Is anyone right?

It has always been my belief, Stephen, that when the Bible is silent on issues like this, a Christian must pray about their situation, humble themselves in the sight of the Lord (James 4:10) and follow the Lord's direction. I have known some people who simply refuse to be baptised a second time out of their own stubbornness and pride. Pride gets us into many sad and unfruitful situations in the church. I like this proverb about being humble and living under submission to the Lord's direction:

Proverbs 29
23 A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

I hope I have assisted you in some way. God Bless You in your walk with Christ.

I agree with Nick. The mode of Baptism should never be an issue to cause division. I also like the fact that Nick brought up the issue of pride. If God has called you to a new Church then it would be proper to follow their guidelines on Baptism. If we agree that Baptism is a command of God which is a public declaration of an inward change, then I would be willing to be Baptized every week!

Of course, the issue of Baptism becomes more sticky when we start to discuss what part Baptism plays in Salvation - but since you didn't ask the question I won't stir things up.

My recommendation: Be Baptized again in whatever manner the Church prefers and give God all the praise, glory, and honor. Don't allow this issue to cause division or hinder the ministry to which God has called you.

I think you have gotten some good advice on this issue. It is important to understand that the original Greek word for baptism meant "immersion." Since the scriptures indicate that we are to do as our Lord did, and we are told that Jesus went down into the water and then came up out of the water, we know that He was immersed. Also, since through baptism we are buried with Him and then raised to new life, it seems that the symbolism of being immersed well represents water burial and renewal. In the Scriptures, any time someone was baptized, there is always "much water" and the person comes up out of the water (See Acts 8:39). History tells us that baptism in the early church was via immersion until the 4th century. Baptism does not save anyone, but it is a direct command to teach and baptize every believer. (Matt 28:19; Mark 16:16). Jesus was baptized, although He never sinned, and He said it was done to "fulfill all righteousness." So He was baptized for those who could not for some reason, including the thief on the cross. We certainly can't go wrong doing as our Lord did, and this is a command we can lovingly obey.

[This message was edited by Karin on March 22, 2003 at 09:44 AM.]