What is it with organizations these days? No matter where I look, it seems as if every last one has “terms and conditions” that one must agree to before they are allowed entry!
I ain’t never been baptized and I want to be baptized. John the Baptist simply baptized whom ever wanted to be baptized in the name of the Lord.
For some reason, I have yet to meet a Christian minister or elder that is willing to baptize me. Seeing as how I am not a member of their church, they refuse to baptize me. I don’t want no part of anyone’s church. I just want to be baptized, plain and simple.
When baptism comes with “terms and conditions” laid out by my fellow man, I start to wonder. What the fuck happened?
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I have to say I agree. This was always a thought before I was saved. What if you don’t vibe with the congregation? I for one, like to feel comfortable at a church, but people are people and they too come with conditions and those conditions make you want to dismiss them. Folks say “Oh, you’re not there for the people, you’re there for The Word”, which is true but the people are supposed to be there to help others embrace their new beginning. Can’t do that if they’re too “worldly”.
Or what if the pastor’s walk doesn’t match how he spreads his message? Who wants to be stuck listening or following the advice of a megalomaniac preacher or one who still is just as messy as some of the congregants?
I read somewhere that finding a church home is like buying a pair of pants/jeans, you want it to be a good fit.
This is where hubbs and I struggle. He grew up a Freewill Baptist pastor’s son and he doesn’t like how church can be done; we were members of a non-denominational church a while ago and it was cookie cutter( did you know that they can be run like franchises? Certain songs can be sung, schedule, etc. Check out the model for non-denominational churches, they are eerily similar); we wanted to move to DC area for a church out of MD called First Baptist of Glenarden (But it’s so $$$$ up there to live; awesome pastor and church as well) so we are without a church home for now. We’ll find one, and we’ll be lead to one.
I hope you and your husband find what you are like for Scherezade. I was raised Born Again Christian and I hold those beliefs and my faith always.
I already belong to God, so I don’t need to belong to any certain building or group. I know that if it is shown to me eventually I will recognize it. But in the meantime, I just really want to be baptized someday.
It seems like everyone is selling when they should just be offering. I could be wrong, but what ever happened to all of us being his children? Whatever happened to the entire universe being his church?
I’m a sinner and an all around horrible Christian, but I still want to be baptized. Sure, maybe I am not worthy of being baptized, but I still want it.
I guess all things will come to pass in time.
Well, you are on the right track. I’m a believer that the entire Universe is His Church too. Since Jesus is already in your heart, then you are already baptised.
Thank you so very much Scherezade. Thats an interesting way of looking at it.
He is already in your heart, then you are saved.
Actually, you are right. Why didn’t I remember that?
We all get caught up in the only church can baptize, but its in scripture that you first have to allow Him in your heart.
Thank you Scherezade for reminding me. Maybe im making a mountain out of a mole hill.
I don’t belong to a denomination or attend church.
And I baptised myself.
Come to my house and we’ll baptize you in the bathtub. I know exactly what you’re saying and it makes me sick. When I was a teen the preacher told my mother that I couldn’t sing in church because I wore too much makeup. Another preacher told me to lower my skirts before I could play the piano in his church. Wan’t my fault he couldn’t keep his eyes where they belonged! I was raised in church, attended church all my life. Been baptized twice (it didn’t take the first time. That’s what I tell people). I don’t go to church anymore and doubt I ever will again. Long, long story. Most churches these days won’t even let God in so what’s the point in going? It’s a shame you can’t get baptized without having to join the church. Crazy!
I wish I could just swing on by Sandi, thank you so much for the offer!
Yeah, it’s horrible to be honest. Maybe I’ll never be baptized, at least it won’t be for a lack of trying.
Maybe you can find someone to take you to a creek and baptize you. That’s how I got baptized. If you lived around here, my son, a pastor of 20 years would baptize you in a heartbeat. I’m sure you can find someone. Don’t give up because it means so much to you. God knows your heart and will help you find that someone.
You’re right Sandi. It’ll happen one day as long as I continue to look.
That’s how I was baptised, as a kid: at a creek; just me, my family, and some friends. A few of us did it. And no-one dunked us; we each did it entirely for ourselves.
WOW! That’s cool! Who said you have to be baprised in a church by a preacher? Thanks for sharing!
Exactly! For that matter, where does Scripture say you have to attend a church?
I don’t know if there is one. I just know that Jesus says that where two or three are gathered in my name, I am in the midst of them (Matthew 18:20 KJV). Most of Jesus’s ministry were in towns and villages or in a boat, even in the tomb where the demon possesed man lived. When the woman at the well opened her heart to Jesus, He didn’t say go join a church and get a preacher to baptise you. He said, “Go and sin no more.” Jesus makes it so simple. It’s people that complicate everything.
That’s what I believe as well
Yep, exactly. One doesn’t need a weekly church attendance to gather together. The 1st century believers certainly didn’t do that – they met in each others homes.
Hubby and I meet in the living room or the back porch, drink coffee and have our devotions. I like that. So does God.
Yeah, my family and I fellowship with each other in our home.
I like that.
I don’t go to church, either.
I don’t anymore. Got a thousand and one reasons why and God knows and understands them all. He’s cool with it, too!
Yep – agreed.
I think most well meaning pastors
like to make sure you know just
what you’re getting into, besides
water. There is a standardised
course laying out the basics of
the faith for new comers, but it
shouldn’t be compulsory.
I just like the simple warning;
“This Jesus thing could get you
killed, son. Are you ready for that?”
That’s the thing though. It ain’t between me, them and God. It’s only between God and I. If I do it for auspicious reasons, then I will surely pay one day.
Exactly!
I agree! God is our judge not people.
Exactly Sandi
It’s not the pastors job to decide who is worthy and who is not worthy
True . . .
“When a man
he serves the Lord,
it makes his life worthwhile
It don’t matter ’bout his position, it don’t matter ’bout his lifestyle
Talk about perfection,
I ain’t never seen none
And there ain’t no man righteous, no not one.”
~ Bob Dylan
True words brother
You said it all!
Half the time, pastors aren’t worthy to baptize anyone!
You’re probably right, God knows I ain’t worthy either.
Neither am I. Neither was Billy Graham. Neither is the most dedicated Christian in the world. Jesus tells us that no one is worthy. Only the Blood of Jesus Christ makes us worthy. Without it we are all doomed. We can’t save ourselves, that’s why Jesus did it. All we have to do is believe. The thief on the cross comes to mind when Jesus told him, “Today you will be with me in Paradise – Luke 23:39-43.” He didn’t say to go join a church, get baptized, earn a few brownie points and then you can be with me in Paradise. Ain’t that awesome?
That’s ridiculous! Remember that disciple in the New Testament that baptized that Ethiopian official? There was no church there. He wasn’t part of any church and still was able to and allowed to be baptized. Seems those people you mentioned forgot about that…
It’s all about money these days Rue. Everything is for sale, nothing is for free.
True.
I forgot about him. Yeah! I love that one!
I will assist…I’ll toss you in the river across the street from my house with a couple of ‘Hail Mary’s and a prayer you don’t drown.
KIDDING. Does baptism make your ‘saving’ and ‘faith’ more real? Will these two things lessen without it? Are you afraid that without it, ‘saving’ & ‘faith’ aren’t enough for a ticket to heaven?
To be honest, I don’t know.
Sounds like something to ponder.
I understand your aversion to “organizations”. I’ve moved a couple of times in my life, and so currently, the church I go to is not “my” church. Doesn’t mean too much to me. (Unless I will need sacraments, etc.)
My question to you is: “Why do you want to be baptized?” Presumably, people get baptized to be a part of a Church, because they believe in what they “sell”.
I thought baptism was a symbolic way of cleansing your sins and succumbing to God. I could be wrong, but this is what I thought it was all about.
True. But isn’t Church supposed to be about God?
It is, and thankfully the world is God’s church.
It is. It’s about repentance and dying to our sins with Christ. Doesn’t mean we’ll never sin again, it means that we give our hearts to God, and allow Him to show us the way. It has nothing to do with the church. It has everything to do with giving our hearts to God and living for Him.
Exactly Sandi and that is why I refuse allegiance with any church
Me too!
#metoo
Reminds me of my great-grandfather. He started to attend church… but was kicked out for not wearing a suit. As a result, he remained an unbeliever for the rest of his life.
(He wound up joining the Communist Party of Australia – which says a lot.)
That’s so sad!! WOW! God is still crying. When I hear junk like that, I get so angry. My son was asked to preach (he was a preacher but, for reasons we are discussing right now, he’s not anymore), our pastor was worried to death that he wouldn’t wear a suit and tie. Still trying to figure this church thing out, he wore a suit and tie. That was then. He’d never do that now. And here’ the one I love: when a church member saw my tattoo for the first time, she wrinkled up her nose and snarled, “When did you get that?” I hadn’t been to church in weeks and that’s all she could say to me. I’m freer today than I ever was attending church and following all their made-up rules.
The next time I go to church I will wear overalls with no shirt and crocs
I think I’ll go topless
LOL