Comments on: Rebaptism: How Did We Get Here? http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/rebaptism-how-did-we-get-here ...dispatches from the post-evangelical wilderness Sun, 12 Feb 2012 07:36:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Duncan Heaster http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/rebaptism-how-did-we-get-here/comment-page-1#comment-371396 Duncan Heaster Thu, 05 Feb 2009 22:12:19 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/?p=2372#comment-371396 It seems to me that Biblical baptism is into Christ, and not into any human organization. Therefore the deciding issue in the 'Should I be re-baptized?' issue is whether we feel our earlier understanding of the Christ into whom we're baptized was valid. If we feel we were baptized into a false Christ, I suppose we should think about re-baptism. But there's no Biblical basis, is there, for being re-baptized as a sign of merely changing denomanination allegiance within the body of Christ? Surely the matter is one of personal conscience. And yet seeing we are baptized into the body of Christ- 1 Cor.10- it should only be an issue if we consider we are currently not a member of the body of Christ. It seems to me that Biblical baptism is into Christ, and not into any human organization. Therefore the deciding issue in the ‘Should I be re-baptized?’ issue is whether we feel our earlier understanding of the Christ into whom we’re baptized was valid. If we feel we were baptized into a false Christ, I suppose we should think about re-baptism. But there’s no Biblical basis, is there, for being re-baptized as a sign of merely changing denomanination allegiance within the body of Christ? Surely the matter is one of personal conscience. And yet seeing we are baptized into the body of Christ- 1 Cor.10- it should only be an issue if we consider we are currently not a member of the body of Christ.

]]> By: iMonk http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/rebaptism-how-did-we-get-here/comment-page-1#comment-300263 iMonk Sun, 05 Oct 2008 14:33:37 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/?p=2372#comment-300263 Certainly. When I tell my students there's no need to do their own work, just copy the notes that I put on the board, there's usually little overt disagreement. Certainly. When I tell my students there’s no need to do their own work, just copy the notes that I put on the board, there’s usually little overt disagreement.

]]> By: GregF http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/rebaptism-how-did-we-get-here/comment-page-1#comment-300262 GregF Sun, 05 Oct 2008 14:31:25 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/?p=2372#comment-300262 The title of your post asks the question, "How did we get here?" You may have provided a basis for the answer to this question in your second paragraph: "Christians have demonstrated their inability to agree on the meaning of baptism for at least half a millennium." This would be the time of the Reformation. Thus, perhaps, when the authority of the Catholic Church was cast aside so was any ability to decide the question of rebaptism. The title of your post asks the question, “How did we get here?”

You may have provided a basis for the answer to this question in your second paragraph: “Christians have demonstrated their inability to agree on the meaning of baptism for at least half a millennium.” This would be the time of the Reformation.

Thus, perhaps, when the authority of the Catholic Church was cast aside so was any ability to decide the question of rebaptism.

]]> By: Eclectic Christian http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/rebaptism-how-did-we-get-here/comment-page-1#comment-299317 Eclectic Christian Fri, 03 Oct 2008 20:49:01 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/?p=2372#comment-299317 Mike, To follow up on what Chip said... "500 years ago many were killed, tortured, or driven from their hometowns because they held different beliefs on this subject than those in power." If you read just about any history of the Anabaptist movement, you will find that not only did they baptize as believers, but that they were overwhelmingly sprinklers and not dunkers. The irony is that I have heard people say that one of the reasons that baptists feel so strongly about baptism as a believer by immersion is that their spiritual ancestors died defending the practice. In fact they died defending a practice (sprinkled as a believer) that Baptists of today are saying is not valid. In once sense the descendants of those who were persecuted for their beliefs are now turning around and persecuting (by denying membership etc) those who have the same beliefs and practices as those persecuted 500 years ago. Mike,

To follow up on what Chip said…

“500 years ago many were killed, tortured, or driven from their hometowns because they held different beliefs on this subject than those in power.”

If you read just about any history of the Anabaptist movement, you will find that not only did they baptize as believers, but that they were overwhelmingly sprinklers and not dunkers.

The irony is that I have heard people say that one of the reasons that baptists feel so strongly about baptism as a believer by immersion is that their spiritual ancestors died defending the practice. In fact they died defending a practice (sprinkled as a believer) that Baptists of today are saying is not valid.

In once sense the descendants of those who were persecuted for their beliefs are now turning around and persecuting (by denying membership etc) those who have the same beliefs and practices as those persecuted 500 years ago.

]]> By: iMonk http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/rebaptism-how-did-we-get-here/comment-page-1#comment-297734 iMonk Wed, 01 Oct 2008 03:42:24 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/?p=2372#comment-297734 Thanks Chip. Feel free to remind us anytime of the history of the Anabaptist movement. It's a silent history that too many of us don't know at all. We ought to have a high view of Baptism because believer's baptism was a costly confession. And I join you in being thankful that such times are past. We need to put them behind us, but not forget what they meant. Thanks Chip. Feel free to remind us anytime of the history of the Anabaptist movement. It’s a silent history that too many of us don’t know at all. We ought to have a high view of Baptism because believer’s baptism was a costly confession. And I join you in being thankful that such times are past. We need to put them behind us, but not forget what they meant.

]]> By: Chip Yoder http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/rebaptism-how-did-we-get-here/comment-page-1#comment-297727 Chip Yoder Wed, 01 Oct 2008 03:35:09 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/?p=2372#comment-297727 The Swiss Brethren in Zurich, also known as the Anabaptists, had a big problem with the fact that the children who were being baptized were also being put on the city's tax rolls at the same time. Infant baptism during the Middle Ages often served a civil purpose as well. The fact that the Zurich city council was so inflexible about the policy caused alarm to the young men who would come to be known as the Swiss Brethren. It is truly a blessing that we can discuss this issue in peace and civility, and that is largely due to the American milieu that we live in. 500 years ago many were killed, tortured, or driven from their hometowns because they held different beliefs on this subject than those in power. This has been good, Thank you, imonk The Swiss Brethren in Zurich, also known as the Anabaptists, had a big problem with the fact that the children who were being baptized were also being put on the city’s tax rolls at the same time.

Infant baptism during the Middle Ages often served a civil purpose as well. The fact that the Zurich city council was so inflexible about the policy caused alarm to the young men who would come to be known as the Swiss Brethren.

It is truly a blessing that we can discuss this issue in peace and civility, and that is largely due to the American milieu that we live in.

500 years ago many were killed, tortured, or driven from their hometowns because they held different beliefs on this subject than those in power.

This has been good,
Thank you, imonk

]]> By: iMonk http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/rebaptism-how-did-we-get-here/comment-page-1#comment-297489 iMonk Tue, 30 Sep 2008 21:19:52 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/?p=2372#comment-297489 Dan: Nor do most Presbyterians and other mainlines (except for the Disciples.) I deeply appreciate that. Dan: Nor do most Presbyterians and other mainlines (except for the Disciples.) I deeply appreciate that.

]]> By: Dan Smith http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/rebaptism-how-did-we-get-here/comment-page-1#comment-297488 Dan Smith Tue, 30 Sep 2008 21:18:49 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/?p=2372#comment-297488 Calvin would have no part in rebaptism: http://www.hornes.org/theologia/rich-lusk/calvin-on-baptism-penance-absolution Calvin would have no part in rebaptism:
http://www.hornes.org/theologia/rich-lusk/calvin-on-baptism-penance-absolution

]]> By: Terry http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/rebaptism-how-did-we-get-here/comment-page-1#comment-297386 Terry Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:40:47 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/?p=2372#comment-297386 My Presbyterian Church is odd on this issue. Our pastor, who has now been there for two years, believes in infant baptism. However, the majority of the congregation is baptisitic in their views. Most of the young people wait until summer camp and are baptized in the lake. There are a few of us who still have our children baptized. Its hard to believe, but with these two different views, daggers are rarely drawn. My Presbyterian Church is odd on this issue. Our pastor, who has now been there for two years, believes in infant baptism. However, the majority of the congregation is baptisitic in their views. Most of the young people wait until summer camp and are baptized in the lake. There are a few of us who still have our children baptized. Its hard to believe, but with these two different views, daggers are rarely drawn.

]]> By: Eclectic Christian http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/rebaptism-how-did-we-get-here/comment-page-1#comment-297317 Eclectic Christian Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:18:29 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/?p=2372#comment-297317 Cyoder, Our circumstances are very similar as our family is facing the same situation. If you would like some resources that I have compiled on the issue, go to <a href="http://eclecticchristian.com/about/" rel="nofollow">Eclectic Christian</a> and leave a comment with your contact information. Michael Bell Cyoder,

Our circumstances are very similar as our family is facing the same situation. If you would like some resources that I have compiled on the issue, go to Eclectic Christian and leave a comment with your contact information.

Michael Bell

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