The Proclamation of Baptism
 

In this thread I would like hear your arguments about the proclamation of baptism.

I know that most on this thread have a theology of one must be baptized in Jesus Name to have a legitimate baptism, but what my question is pointed at is the power of the proclamation.

You have two proclamations (as I see it) in any baptism. You have the preacher proclaiming, "I now baptize you in the Name of Jesus (or Father, Son, and Holy Ghost)" depending on their manner of baptism, but then the second proclamation is that of the person being baptized.

I believe that both "oneness" and "trinitarians" ask the person being baptized (in one form or another) "have you (or do you) receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Thereby making their proclamation of Jesus as Lord.

In baptism everyone focuses on the preachers proclamation, but everything in the Bible points to a persons heart as evidence of their belief.

My question....why is everyone so focused on what the preacher says instead of what the person says?

In my humble opinion :blah I believe that Jesus is looking at the heart of the believer and not the words of the one doing the baptism. Now, in your response, I would ask that you DON'T focus on the words being said, but give me an argument on whose words carry the weight of the event.

Re: The Proclamation of Baptism
 

Jesus I think is looking at you not the preacher....

Re: The Proclamation of Baptism
 

Then if that is the case then isn't it immaterial what the preacher says "Name of Jesus" or "F-S-H"?

Re: The Proclamation of Baptism
 

Perhaps, but I sure wouldn't want a bonehead misled preacher participating in such a sanctimonious ceremony as baptism. We wouldn't want a dead beat dad with alcohol on his breath walking his daughter down the aisle, and neither would I want to be baptized by an imbecile preacher.

Re: The Proclamation of Baptism
 

I've been at many Oneness baptisms, and I've never heard or seen the baptizee being asked, or saying, anything. The preacher will say "on the profession of your faith", but I never hear the baptizee verbally express anything.

Re: The Proclamation of Baptism
 

I know of a West Coast preacher that has the baptizee literally "call on the name of the Lord" during the baptism. But you're right, it's not common.

Re: The Proclamation of Baptism
 

Don't you think that if the preacher is saying, "on the profession of your faith" indicates that there was a discussion to the fact?

Would the proclamation have to be while standing in the water or just a proclamation of what they are doing?

Re: The Proclamation of Baptism
 

It should indicate that, but I don't know that it always happens. I wasn't asked anything before I was baptized.

Re: The Proclamation of Baptism
 

That's interesting...I guess the preacher just assumed it since you were getting baptized.

Re: The Proclamation of Baptism
 

I'm curious...what was the process to which you ended up getting baptized? Did you go to a class, did someone just say you needed to get baptized and you said okay...how did you get from point A to point B?

Re: The Proclamation of Baptism
 

I was raised in church and was baptized as a child. So, yeah, I guess my 'proclamation' was assumed.

But, honestly? I didn't really realize the meaning behind what I was doing. I just believed that I was supposed to be baptized as part of the salvation process. I didn't really understand the whole thing until much later.

Re: The Proclamation of Baptism
 

Forgive me if I am being too nosey, but I find it interesting. What did you think about it later on since you didn't realize what was going on. Did you get re-baptized, did you talk to someone about getting re-baptized, did you have another thought process toward it?

Re: The Proclamation of Baptism
 

Well, honestly.... yes, I did. I don't believe re-baptisms are necessary, but, yeah. When I was in my teens I asked if I could be re-baptized since I understood it better then. I was so young when I was baptized that I barely remember it.

Re: The Proclamation of Baptism
 

I think it is interesting the lack of response to this thread. It may be just a boring topic, but I would imagine that if it were a thread about Jesus Name or Trinity Formula there would be massive response to it.

I believe the lack of "takers" to respond is due to the fact that if you say that the person's who is being baptized proclamation is the most important then our doctrines would fall apart because essentially everyone in a church that believes Jesus is Lord is being baptized into His death no matter what the proclamation is.

On the other hand if we say that the proclamation of the preacher is more important then it brings up another question in my mind. What if that preacher is in sin? If, what he/she proclaims, is the determining factor and he/she is sleeping around or something else then wouldn't that negate our baptism? However, if the baptisms effectiveness is based on the faith of my heart (one being baptized) and the preacher is just facilitating the baptism then my heart controls the outcome.

Which then brings up another question in my mind. If it is about the heart of the one being baptized then does it really matter who is doing the baptismal? I mean, sure if there is a preacher around honor his/her position and allow them to baptize, but is there any biblical guidance on who does the actual baptizing?

Re: The Proclamation of Baptism
 

Gloryseeker per your reply to me...I really don't think it matters what the preacher says over someone when baptising but then again thats just my opinion

Re: The Proclamation of Baptism
 

I think it's an interesting subject. You probably would have gotten more response in 'The Fellowship Hall'. Posts in this forum don't seem to get as much response.

Re: The Proclamation of Baptism
 

Very good point...I think you are right