r/TrueChristian • u/alphanintendo03 Christian • 6d ago
I'm getting baptized tomorrow!...but I have cold feet.
The reasoning behind my "cold-feet" is two-fold: (i) I was baptized as a baby. (Less than 1yo.) (ii) I don't have a fixed nor entirely informed stance on whether baptisms can or should be done twice, even if the first time was in a manner void of nearly any consent on my behalf.
Thoughts?
[For the sake of accessibility, this is all I will write here. For additional info and context, please refer to my comments below this post.]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Edit: With all the comments on this post, I've realized the "please refer to my comments below" remark is getting a little confusing. Here's a copy of what they read.
(Copy of Comment One.)
A few weeks ago (on 12-9-2024), I reached out to the lead pastor of my home Church (which is baptist) to discuss the possibility of being baptized. Not only was he in full support of this decision, but was very enthusiastic! After around an hour of talking it through, I finally decided that now was the time. So, he got out all the paperwork for me to fill out, and we settled on 12-29-2024. This was agreed upon even after having made crystal-clear that I had been baptized as a baby. (Verbally and, yes, I even filled out on one of the forms that I had been baptized as a baby.)
Now, this desire to be baptized is one which I whole-heartedly believe God had placed in my heart! (If curious why I believe this? Ask and I will be happy to share!) However, hearing all that those on the internet have to say about second baptisms has made me a little worried.
(Copy of Comment Two.)
My intentions in being baptized are nuanced, relying not only on scriptural reading, but also -- and much more heavily upon -- what those with greater wisdom than I (at my home church) have advised:
(i) Baptism is a profession of faith. (Having lived life as a secret Christian for the past year, this would be the most genuine and sincere profession of the faith which I have in Christ Jesus!)
(ii) I was disinterested in faith up until 4th grade (late-2012), at which point I would lean toward atheism (though continue to identify with the cultural label of 'Christian'). I remained this way all the way up until December 2021, at which point I would become agnostic. I converted to Christianity during January 2024...so I'm a little confused on how my past baptism (as an uninformed/(likely) disinterested baby) and confirmation (as a atheist teenage) would mean anything besides the fact that my parents technically raised me in the Church?
Is faith not something which demands the individual follower to believer with their whole heart, and not simply living by a few rules/rites? Having read through John & his first letter with a very observant lens over the past year, it seems clear that God doesn't want followers who don't worship in "spirit and truth", but only those who have the commandments of God written on their hearts, no?
13
u/CrossCutMaker Evangelical 6d ago
I believe scripture teaches you should be baptized once after conscious faith in the gospel. Obviously, you didn't have that as an infant. So I would ✔️.
13
u/Ok-Image-5514 6d ago
Adult baptism is the public declaration of YOUR own, personal, faith in Jesus.
Jesus Himself was baptized.
An infant baptism is more for the parents dedicating their child to the LORD. At my church, we had dedication ceremonies, as giving over the child to Jesus, in promise of raising the child with the teachings of Jesus.
This one is Him and you, as a person has to choose Jesus for themselves.
7
u/evertec Reformed 6d ago
You'll have a wide range of beliefs on this as many denominations today differ from the historical understanding of baptism including infant baptism. I'm in a weird place where I hold to the historical position and don't think it's necessary to be baptized again if you've already been as an infant but I am a member of a Baptist church and they required it to become a member. I basically just viewed my second "baptism" more as just getting wet and an opportunity to make a public profession of faith rather than an actual baptism.
2
u/alphanintendo03 Christian 6d ago
"an actual baptism" Maybe this is a question for me to learn as I develop more in my faith...but I'm curious what ppl mean when they say this? Are you suggesting baptism is anything more than a profession of faith? I am only familiar with John & his first letter atm, and I have seen baptism come up several times (mostly during the first 5 chapters of John). I wouldn't suspect that it's nothing...but I don't really know what it is if not nothing.
1
u/evertec Reformed 6d ago
Ephesians 4:5 says there is one baptism. Throughout the new testament baptism is described as a component of salvation (Acts 2:38 for example). The Baptists would say the infant baptism wasn't valid but throughout church history until the 1600's it was understood that baptizing the infants of believers is a valid baptism and follows as a sign of being in the new covenant (where the old covenant sign was circumcision.) Since the sign of the old covenant was applied to infants of believers then it seems like if that changed it would be mentioned in the new testament, but instead we see whole families being baptized upon the belief of the head (Acts 16 among others). There's a lot that can be said but the short answer is yes, scripture seems to say baptism is more than just a profession of faith (John 3:5 "Truly, truly I say to you, unless one is born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God" being one example) and that it is to be done once in someone's life and that if done as an infant it is valid.
0
u/Hawthourne Christian 6d ago
"but instead we see whole families being baptized upon the belief of the head"
Alternatively, the implication here would be that the man becoming saved means that his whole household professed to follow his lead as the head. The text does not clarify that infants were included.
"Truly, truly I say to you, unless one is born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God"
In context- being born of water here seems to refer to birth.
1
u/evertec Reformed 6d ago
That's certainly possible and if it weren't for the old testament covenant sign it would probably be likely, but it's just one of several instances that appear to be instead of clarifying that there was a change in the application of the sign they affirm it.
That's certainly an interpretation of that verse to say it was birth but there are several other passages that answer "believe and be baptized" in response to "what must I do to be saved". You see the eunuch on the road with Philip immediately getting down from his chariot to be baptized because he thought it was so important.
1
u/theskyisfalling1 Christian 6d ago
I am Reformed as well, but am a Reformed Baptist so may differ from your comment a bit but like OP I too was "baptized" as an Infant within the United Methodist Church by my grandfather who was a Methodist Pastor. I held on to this belief that infant sprinkle baptism was sufficient although not the preferred Biblical method of Baptism. As such since it was clear that one should only be baptized once according to the Bible. So we didn't baptize my daughter as an infant 14 years ago although by that time I was attending what was a non-denominational Baptist Church so there was no pressure by the Church to do so. Although I had always imagined that when the time came and my daughter was old enough to make her own sincere profession of faith that my Brother, who followed in my Grandfather's footsteps as a Methodist Pastor would be the one to do so thus she would still probably be sprinkled.
That changed when we moved and started attending a Reformed Baptist Church with Covenant theology at least in regards to Church Membership but unlike traditional Reformed Presbyterians infant was not practiced nor recognized. So my family participated as guests in the Church for over a year before I had exhausted all my questions in regards to needing to be baptized and coming to the conclusion that it indeed was not a second Baptism but that in all sincerity the infant baptism is not Biblical and thus not a true baptism in any way other than by being recognized for a large part of the greater Church Church Tradition. With that I came to terms that I did actually need to be Baptized and profess my beliefs publicly and be submerged in the water full in symbolic death along with Christ. I do not believe Baptism as an infant or as a believer is a salvation event and had I died as a believer in error of never having been baptized via submersion as a believer it would not have hindered me or any other person baptized as an infant so long as they had truly repented, believed in their broken nature and inability to save themselves, and accepted the propitiatory nature of Christ death, blood and resurrection on the Cross.
I would advise the OP if they are not 100% sure that their infant baptism was not a Baptism, then they should not be baptized again as in their mind it would be a 2nd baptism which is unbiblical. I understand the delima greatly and eventually was baptized and became a member of the Church.
My daughter professed her faith publicly in November of 2023 as a 13 year old and was baptized and it was 100% the right thing to do in waiting although at the time I was submitting more to my wife's desire than my own theological beliefs and my local Church pastor baptized her not my Brother.
1
u/alphanintendo03 Christian 6d ago
Hm...maybe I'm misunderstanding, but your message sounds to me that you believe baptism as a newborn (as in my case) should not be considered a baptism, and that you learned this later in your life. However, you close your remark by posing the question of whether I'm certain of if this <1yo baptism truly being legitimate...does your own post not answer the closing question? I have no idea what a legitimate baptism might be, but I don't understand how Baptism w/o any degree of consent would be considered "legit". Especially knowing that I was an atheist/agnostic up until only 11m ago. (i detailed more of my thoughts in two big comments here.)
1
u/theskyisfalling1 Christian 6d ago
I am saying the Holy Spirit needs to convict you that you need to be baptized not just because someone tells you so. There are very strong arguments for both sides and I don't think you will be condemned if you get it wrong. Since you were an atheist then I would say you never truly even accepted your Baptism and to be Baptized now without concern for the other.
2
u/alphanintendo03 Christian 6d ago
I see. That makes perfect sense now. I did mention in my OG post/comments how I “whole-heartedly believe that [this desire to be baptized]” had been “placed on my heart” by God…not to mention, I was literally an atheist for a majority of my life after the first “baptism”. Maybe this is an indicator that I’m good? At this point, I see no possibility I’m stepping down: The answer feels very clear.
Thank you for your input. :)
3
u/alphanintendo03 Christian 6d ago
A few weeks ago (on 12-9-2024), I reached out to the lead pastor of my home Church (which is baptist) to discuss the possibility of being baptized. Not only was he in full support of this decision, but was very enthusiastic! After around an hour of talking it through, I finally decided that now was the time. So, he got out all the paperwork for me to fill out, and we settled on 12-29-2024. This was agreed upon even after having made crystal-clear that I had been baptized as a baby. (Verbally and, yes, I even filled out on one of the forms that I had been baptized as a baby.)
Now, this desire to be baptized is one which I whole-heartedly believe God had placed in my heart! (If curious why I believe this? Ask and I will be happy to share!) However, hearing all that those on the internet have to say about second baptisms has made me a little worried.
4
0
u/steadfastkingdom 6d ago
What was the paperwork?
1
u/alphanintendo03 Christian 6d ago
Just asked questions such as "Who are you?", "How did you find out about this Church?", "What gifts do you have to offer?", "Have you been baptized before?", etc etc etc. Reads like I was essentially filling out a membership form for the Church, though the info was used in getting me set up with the Baptism Registry (i believe it's called?).
3
u/alphanintendo03 Christian 6d ago edited 6d ago
My intentions in being baptized are nuanced, relying not only on scriptural reading, but also -- and much more heavily upon -- what those with greater wisdom than I (at my home church) have advised:
(i) Baptism is a profession of faith. (Having lived life as a secret Christian for the past year, this would be the most genuine and sincere profession of the faith which I have in Christ Jesus!)
(ii) I was disinterested in faith up until 4th grade (late-2012), at which point I would lean toward atheism (though continue to identify with the cultural label of 'Christian'). I remained this way all the way up until December 2021, at which point I would become agnostic. I converted to Christianity during January 2024...so I'm a little confused on how my past baptism (as an uninformed/(likely) disinterested baby) and confirmation (as a atheist teenage) would mean anything besides the fact that my parents technically raised me in the Church?
Is faith not something which demands the individual follower to believer with their whole heart, and not simply living by a few rules/rites? Having read through John & his first letter with a very observant lens over the past year, it seems clear that God doesn't want followers who don't worship in "spirit and truth", but only those who have the commandments of God written on their hearts, no?
3
u/LightGrey42 5d ago
Well you're right but there's nuance. You aren't perfect. Doubts are not a sign that you're faking. They are a sign that you're thinking, and that's a GOOD thing. Any question you have can be brought to Him. Any fears, too. Don't run off down because sometimes you have doubt. Let me share something with you.
Heard a story once where a teacher asked his high school class if love was a choice. 100 percent of his class said it was not, you had no control over who you fall in love with. They were then instructed to go talk to 5 people that have been married for double digits of years and see what they said. 100 percent of those people told the student that it was a choice. You don't pick who gives you butterflies but you surely do choose to show love and keep showing love when times get rough and when the butterflies have faded. That's because butterflies aren't love.
Same with forgiveness. When we forgive someone that wronged us, it doesn't make it hurt less. It makes it so you can put that resentment down and get on with your life. Again, we can't choose how we feel but we choose to go back to forgiveness when old trauma shows up in your mind.
Tldr: love, forgiveness, and salvation are choices we make, not things we feel.
3
u/airflight69 6d ago
I’ve been baptized twice. Once a child (sprinkled water on my head cause I’m afraid of water) and twice about a year ago (full submersion).
I became born again and was baptized with the Holy Spirit in 2018 when He saved my life from death.
The second is my outward expression after being born again.
Seek your heart and intentions and if you want to give your life and resurrect with him anew then go for it.
It’s all for His Glory anyways 😉
1
u/alphanintendo03 Christian 6d ago
Amen. Thank you for your wisdom! :) I feel a lot more confident...though I'll continue listening around.
3
u/cdconnor 6d ago
God be with you and bless you that day, and as you wake up with peace and love from your heart. I pray your heart is warm
3
u/frog_ladee Baptist 6d ago
I became a Christian by name by being born into a Christian family, recieved infant baptism, and attended church and Sunday school almost every week while growing up.
However, I received salvation when I was 30, during about my second year of intensively studying the bible through Bible Study Fellowship. That’s when I REALLY became a Christian. I had a specific moment of receiving salvation and asking Jesus to help me to let Him take control of my life.
About 15 years later, I was re-baptized, after feeling convicted to do so, from searching the scriptures to find what they say about baptism. There’s nothing about the ceremony of baptism on a child; only baptism after profession of faith. I found that I should be baptized again, this time as a response to my profession of faith, rather than an infant’s rite of passage planned by my parents.
Whether or not anyone believes that your first baptism is “valid”, it’s appropriate to be baptized by immersion now, as a public profession of the faith you have now!
3
u/that_guy2010 6d ago
Why don’t you talk to your preacher about it?
Personally, I don’t think forced baptism is valid, as I think you have to believe and choose to do it.
2
u/alphanintendo03 Christian 6d ago edited 6d ago
I detailed more in my two big comments here that this decision had been reached after talking with several pastors (one being the lead pastor at my home Church), and they all said it was good. To clarify, this is coming from a Baptist Church. Would it help if I copied the two big messages here as my response?
edit: I've copied them to OP.
3
u/kingfisherdb 6d ago
Praise God! 2 Corinthians 5:17- You are a new creation in Christ, old things are passed away, behold all things are become new.
5
u/therian_cardia Baptist 6d ago
Speaking as a Baptist who holds that baptism should only be done on professing believers (which is the only form of baptism shown in the New Testament) there's nothing wrong with being baptized at this point.
I would hold that the first baptism was not a biblical baptism so you aren't really being baptized twice.
6
u/Icy-Extreme7736 Lutheran (LCMS) 6d ago
Your first baptism was valid. Baptism is God's work, not man's. It's where we receive the Holy Spirit who imparts faith (Acts 2:28), washes away our sins (Acts 2:16), and ultimately saves us (1 Peter 3:18-21). Scripture is clear that we are only to be baptized once. Ephesians 4:4-6. "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all."
4
2
u/Constant_Peanut_2001 6d ago
It's interesting your hesitation with baptism. I can only say that whatever you decide just make sure you feel it's right. After all it is similar to a declaration of a commitment and the taking of an oath. On a humorous note....I think water baptisms are way more civil than taking blood oaths but then that leaves room to wonder how many scars we'd have on our hands.
2
u/NewMolasses247 Christian 6d ago
I was baptized at 8 or 9. I allegedly received Christ when i was 4 or 5, but I think I became a Christian when I was 21. I’ve not been baptized again, nor do I plan to. However, I don’t believe paedobaptism is found anywhere in Scripture. Never been a fan.
2
u/Tokeokarma1223 Christian 6d ago
God Bless. I was baptized as a baby too. Didn't have a relationship with Jesus till I was an adult. So wanted to do it again, and I still remember it today.
2
u/LightGrey42 5d ago
You're good. Baptism is for believers; infants don't even believe your face exists behind your hand. Believers' baptism is exactly what you need. That's what I did. Southern Baptist until 16, baptized there, pagan and Satanist until 40. Coming back, I realized I knew nothing about Christianity because all I learned was the cultural not-quite-Christianity of the American south. Coming "back" to Jesus I realized how misinformed I was about everything. It was like coming for the first time. Jesus loves you and 💯 wants you back. Now it's up to you to act like you are His. You're saved. Nothing you can do will make that more or less true, more follow the teachings of James and let your works show your faith.
4
u/Romantic_Star5050 6d ago
I would say child baptism doesn't count. I don't want to be rude or mean saying that, but it's the truth.
4
u/skepticaloptimist144 6d ago
Do it! True magic in my life after 10/27/24 adult baptism, YOU create the meaning for yourself
2
u/alphanintendo03 Christian 6d ago
Could you clarify what you mean here? I want to make sure I'm not misunderstanding. (Also, wow! What an overwhelming response!! I've already got eight responses. God is so good to me!! :) )
2
u/skepticaloptimist144 6d ago
If you are feeling the desire to get baptized again, there is a reason. Many are being called at this time, your thought process is valid and mature but heed the call my friend!
4
u/Traditional_Lion3216 6d ago edited 6d ago
Me and my wife got baptized as Christians just last month. I thought it was required as part of us moving to Christian from Catholic. But, we were told that baptism is a public declaration of your faith in Jesus and not a requirement to be considered part of the church.
Like you, we were baptized as catholics when we were infants. The Catholic church requires infants to be baptized.
If you have accepted Jesus, I think you should go ahead and be baptized.
4
u/Lifeonthecross 6d ago
I don't believe infant baptism counts. I believe Jesus that whoever believes and is baptized will be saved. Mark 16:16. There's no examples in scripture of infant baptism. If you decide that you really believe in Jesus and want to follow Jesus then baptism should be your own conscious choice to make to die to yourself and to your old life of sins to be raised anew to a new life in God and that is the baptism that counts.
3
u/Miserable-Most-1265 Baptist 6d ago
I've never believed in infant baptism. Nor do I think it counts. I think we all have to make our own choice to be baptized. Same if a father has faith, so he is saved, but that faith doesn't save the son. The son has to have his own faith to be saved.
3
u/FamousAcanthaceae149 Lutheran 6d ago
Do it. This one is your choice. Even Jesus was baptized and he was not an infant when it happened.
How many times you get baptized is irrelevant.
2
u/alphanintendo03 Christian 6d ago
Too many responses to respond to...but trust me, I'm reading each and every one of them! Thanks all for your overwhelming support. :) It sounds like there is almost unanimous agreement that, yes, I should get baptized tomorrow, though I'll continue reading around in here. Appreciate it!! God bless.
3
u/redditisnotgood7 Christian 6d ago edited 6d ago
Infants are bathed not baptised. IT's an act of faith. First repent from all sins, believe 100% then be baptised completely ready to leave old life behind and instead follow JEsus.
1
1
u/kingfisherdb 6d ago
That doesn't count. Getting fully baptized is pretty amazing. I wouldn't worry about it. It will be great. You may feel like a new person. God bless you and yours.
1
u/alphanintendo03 Christian 6d ago
well...ig tmr i'll get to see for myself whether what you say here is true. It's been 3w since I scheduled this, it's been nearly 22y in the making...and I'm so glad the wait is almost over! I'm so excited!! :) It's been crazy this past week, coming out to my family about my faith? After having been the way that I was for the longest time? I hope to serve as one of God's tallest pillars of light, sharing and spreading the light which God has gifted me for all to see!
Thank you for your msg. God bless you too!
1
u/kingfisherdb 5d ago
How did it go?
1
u/alphanintendo03 Christian 5d ago
It went about as great as you said. :) I am not longer a secret follower in Jesus! I feel rlly good.
2
u/kingfisherdb 5d ago
Awesome! I'm so happy for you. 2 Corinthians 5:17- You are a new creation in Christ, old things are passed away, behold all things are become new. God bless you and 3.
1
u/harpoon2k Roman Catholic 6d ago
Totally unnecessary second baptism. What you need is another reinvigoration of your faith
2
u/alphanintendo03 Christian 6d ago
Hmm...you seem to also be having a misunderstanding? Did you read my two comments posted below the post? (I'm gonna edit them into my main post...i'm realizing they've gotten drowned out by all the comments.)
1
u/kingfisherdb 6d ago
Are you a Catholic? Were you baptized at a Catholic church?
1
u/alphanintendo03 Christian 6d ago
Not decided on my denomination of faith, but I was baptized initially at a Catholic church (i believe?).
0
u/Fancy-Word6096 6d ago
Then don’t do it. If you have no faith why would you do it. Baptism is a confession of faith. Remember this. GOD KNOWS YOUR HEART
4
u/alphanintendo03 Christian 6d ago
No faith? I think you misread: I converted to Christianity back in January. This was coming off a life of atheism/agnostism. Yes, i had been baptized as a baby (<1yo), and I was even confirmed as a(n atheist) teen. I'm asking whether my decision here to be baptized again as a true follower would be wise.
1
u/Fancy-Word6096 6d ago
F A I T H you can baptized and speak in tongues if you don’t have faith you have nothing. Faith. Hebrews 11-1
2
u/alphanintendo03 Christian 6d ago
I do have faith...? :) That's why I wanna get baptized lol. I want the whole Church to know that I have faith! And not only that, but also that they may know that I have the love of God fully in my heart!!
7
u/Raterus_ I Follow Christ 6d ago
I'm in a similar boat, as my pastor told me, the first time I just got wet!