My son is getting Baptized
By emarie
@emarie (5442)
United States
October 15, 2010 10:49am CST
A year ago my son (at age 7) came to me and asked to learn more about God. There was a Christian Non-Denominal Church right across the street from us and I though why not take him there to check it out. My husband came from a Mission Baptist denomination and me from Roman Catholic. Both of us stopped attending our churches so this was a chance for all of us to go to one church.
Well, a few months ago he asked to be baptized and they said he was right at the age limit for it (for the youngest you could be baptized) so he went to the classes and we talked to the pastor and everything. We told our family and they were excited, until my in-laws found out that my son wanted US (my husband or myself) to baptize him. In our church, as long as you are a Christian and have been baptized by submersion you are able to give a baptism. So we told them that and they freaked out because he wasn't going to be baptized by a pastor. I didn't see what the big deal was, then his sister emailed him to ask for bible scriptures that say he's able to baptize.
Now I've just had the roman catholic thing when I was a baby, so we're planning on baptizing me and my son on the same day.
What's your opinion on how to handle my in-laws because I'm thinking they won't acknowledge my son's baptism because it wasn't done by a pastor?
10 responses
@Galena (9110)
•
15 Oct 10
it sounds like he's put a great deal of thought into this, and while I'm not a Christian, or from a Christian family, but it sounds like this is the right thing for him, and it means a lot to him that you are a big part of it.
it doesn't matter if the in laws don't think it counts. this is between him and his deity, and if he wants the people that brought him into this world to bring him closer to his spiritual world, and that means the most to him, then it doesn't matter if it makes it meaningless to someone else. it means more to him.
if they don't think it counts as a real baptism, what difference does it make. because he wasn't baptised before, and if they think he still isn't, so what. nothings changed. but he will have made a step that means a great deal to him, and every persons spiritual journey is between themself and their God. and that is what matters.
it's not about what the outside world perceives, it's the change you perceive in yourself.
1 person likes this
@urbandekay (18278)
•
15 Oct 10
Quote them scripture all Christians are charged with the Great Commission to convert and baptise Matthew 18:
19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
This is the direct command of Jesus.
Your husband is a Baptist are you in laws? Baptists hold that all are ministers, this is a tenet of being a Baptist and in accordance with scripture.
all the best urban
1 person likes this
@KeenoT (31)
• United States
16 Oct 10
There are so many different denominations and different beliefs and interpretations that you are not going to be able to please everybody. You and your family should just live your life in the best way that makes you happy. Tell your family you won't tell them how to live if they don't tell you. Use only the tone of voice required for them to get the idea that you are serious. Some will get it with a gentle tone but if not you or your husband may have to be more stern.
@aviajante (10)
• Philippines
16 Oct 10
In my opinion, since I grew up in a country where Roman Catholic is the main religion, Catholics view priests as holy ones and that they are the one capable of baptizing the child. Not to mention, they wen to bible school and studied the bible everyday which make them the rightful person to do baptism.
As I grew up, I came to understand baptism -- to do it is by your own will, therefore you are aware that you are to take Christ as your life and that you will be born anew by water. But Catholic practice is that the priest baptize the child ( a baby actually several months old) --- meaning the parents will decide for the child. So, the baptism that occurred when one was a child was mere part of a tradition.
I think you will have a hard time convincing your in-laws to accept the way of your church to do baptism, because Catholics (as far as I know) are more of traditions and rituals rather then eating the word of God which is the bible.
I think you should go ahead with the baptism. Just think about individual salvation,..:)
Hope it helps.
@acbillocogD (32)
•
16 Oct 10
its ok because,,no religion can save you,,it is on how you truly love GOd..the baptise is best,,my opinion on that is who ever baptised you,if you are truly love god,,thats good.
@chaplinjunior (127)
• Indonesia
15 Oct 10
congratulations my friend .. i was baptized 4 years ago in my third year in junior high school ...
i baptize you in the name of father .. the son and the holy spirit .. amen ..
CONGRATS!
@Chickenscratch (29)
• United States
16 Oct 10
First of all, I think you in-laws should not interfere with what you are doing. They may have an opinion, but they don't get a vote! As far as only having a pastor baptize a person, I think that is just a denominational thing. I am United Methodist and I can only recall pastors baptizing, but I don't know that there is a "rule" about it. Look, all of us who believe in God are trying to get closer to Him. Some of our paths take different turns, and we do different things (like baptism by non-ordained members), it doesn't mean it is the wrong thing. I don't think God will have a problem either way.
