Accepting Christ
When my best friend and I were kids, we went to a Quaker Church camp. While we were there, there was was come to Jesus sermon. My friend and I accepted Christ. We were about 10.
Fast forward 60 years. My friend is moving to hospice tomorrow. She has a protege, a former student, who has become a minister. She was in touch with me about my friend, wondering about her spiritual needs. I told her about church camp. I hope that the sincere faith that led us as children to the altar has sustained us through our lives and helped us deepen our faith. I just wonder if baptism en masse is the same as getting your church pastor to help you in that moment?
My husband was dying of cancer and his cousin's wife asked my husband if he had accepted Christ. He had. But the relative said if he hadn't been fully immersed, it didn't count. It was terribly upsetting to all of us.
I know different denominations have different rituals for this important event. I feel like as long as a person accepts Christ, it should be recognized as a step in our spiritual journey.
Thank you for any insight.
consider_this
(2,825 posts)it was terribly upsetting to you, what the relative said, because a relative is someone you care about, but they said a ridiculous thing that was none of their business. Your faith is yours and yours alone. Who dares to judge on another's spiritural journey or beliefs? Someone who is missing in their own (IMO). Take the peace that comes with whatever your particular faith offers you, and look not to (wo)men to tell you what is or is not correct.
Peace and love to you.
leftieNanner
(15,674 posts)Your faith is a deeply personal thing. That is true for everyone. And I don't think Christ has a check list about how you were baptized. It's all about what's in your heart.
Keepthesoulalive
(536 posts)My religion is better than yours. My grandfather was a Methodist and granny convinced him to become a baptist or he was going to hell. He was still a rascal but he was baptized.
SeanHG
(71 posts)believes in a god who creates a custom-made eternal torture regimen for folks who haven't said the magic words just right, or performed the magic underwater handshake just so?! Oh, that would be the 217 (and counting) sects of Christianity...
Sometimes I fall back on Keanu Reeves' line in Constantine: "There is no plan. God's a kid with an antfarm, lady."
I agree with all these previous posters. In my estimation, we're all in. We're only out by choice, and that choice ain't forever. Who would choose hell?!
Frasier Balzov
(3,468 posts)If the Lord really wanted us to come to Him clean, He would have mentioned soap.
IbogaProject
(3,611 posts)Can't be "done over" with better form.
timms139
(172 posts)thief on the cross with Jesus was baptized.