I need a portable baptistry
 

I'm in need of a portable baptistry but don't know what direction to go in. Looked at Tractor Supply and saw their galvanized watering troughs (220 bux! Plus tax! Ouch!)

Is there a better, cheaper alternative? It will probably have to go on a trailer, might have to have a water tank (enclosed?) and then when needed fill up the baptismal tank/feed trough? Hate to drive around and be spilling all the water out before I even get to town lol.

Is there a better alternative?

Maybe I should go full-bore redneck, get an old pickup and tarps and fill the bed up ... heh, that would be classic.

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

Btw, this is NOT a fundraiser.

lol

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

Inflatable spa would work. It very portable, has heated water and not very expensive. It's not cheaper than your version, but not bad either. You could look for one on Craigs List or Ebay.

This is one on Amazon

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

In house church networks baptisms can be rather problematic, especially when sharing the Gospel in private homes or in public places that are not near a large body of water. We prefer natural water such as that found in rivers and lakes. There have been a couple occasions where a swimming pool was available. However, there have also been times when we just needed a portable system. So... I'll share mine with you. Here's my portable baptismal. It's quick, easy, costs nothing, and most already have it on hand...

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

◄ 907. baptizó ►
Strong's Concordance
baptizó: to dip, sink
Original Word: βαπτίζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: baptizó
Phonetic Spelling: (bap-tid'-zo)
Short Definition: I dip, submerge, baptize
Definition: lit: I dip, submerge, but specifically of ceremonial dipping; I baptize.
HELPS Word-studies
907 baptízō – properly, "submerge" (Souter); hence, baptize, to immerse (literally, "dip under"). 907 (baptízō) implies submersion ("immersion"), in contrast to 472 /antéxomai ("sprinkle").


NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from baptó
Definition
to dip, sink
NASB Translatio

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

I don't believe it's a salvific issue. However, here is my understanding...

907 // baptizw // baptizo // bap-tid'-zo //
from a derivative of 911 ; TDNT - 1:529,92; verb
AV - baptize (76), wash 2, baptist 1, baptized + 2258 1; 80
1) to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk)
2) to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water, to wash one's self, bathe
3) to overwhelm

In Hebrews 6:1-2 we read...

Hebrews 6:1-2 (ESV)
6 Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

In Hebrews 6:1-2, the writer of Hebrews refers to the ceremonial "washings" of the OT that included pouring and sprinkling (waters of consecration). As it pertains to the Tabernacle and the Temple, even the poured cleansings from the brazen laver are a type and shadow of water baptism. The Greek word used here in Hebrews is "baptismos", in the KJV it is even translated "baptisms".

A washing... rather it is done through immersion, pouring, or sprinkling is a "baptism".

Even God Himself "pours out" the baptism of the Holy Spirit:

Acts 2:17 (ESV)
“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams;"

But I admit, I'm a radical. I'll baptize you using a Dixie cup if it is all I can find. lol

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

Well, just keep in mind what happened in the 4th century bro.

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

You may end up the next protestant pope!...LOL

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

LOL

Nah, I wouldn't like being a Pope.

I'd be happy just being the first guy to baptize a space alien... that I might disciple him to reach his home planet for Jesus. He can be a Pope there!

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

LOL

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

Anyway, though many might disagree with the method, we in the house church movement do use pouring when we don't have readily available water for full immersion.

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

Sorry, baptizo means to immerse. It does not mean "to wash however you get it done".

Baptism is a fullbody .ikvah and infusion (pouring) was a post apostolic development.

I don't know ANY apostolic who accepts pouring or sprinkling as baptism.

Don't know any baptists who pour or sprinkle either, for that matter.

Baptism is for the remission of sins. That guy getting water poured on his head is not being baptised.

I would say I'm shocked but pretty much nothing shocks me nowadays.

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

What's this "we in the house church movement use pouring"?

I guess I'm not in the "house church movement". Thankfully, I'm in the church of Jesus Christ, and we immerse in his name for the remission of sins. ;)

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

Hmm... do you have one? How long would it take to set up and take down I wonder?

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

A walmart blow up pool and a food safe 55 gallon drum for toting around water?

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

The pouring and sprinkling of water is found throughout the OT bro. The waters of consecration were sprinkled on the priests and others. The washings of their day (translated "baptisms") also involved the brazen laver and the pouring of water over the priesthood. Waters of purification were a part of ceremonial washings (translated "baptisms") that typically involved a pitcher and a basin...not a trough. That's a FACT you cannot deny. In addition, God Himself is said to "pour" out His Spirit with regards to the baptism of the Holy Ghost, and this is likened to being "sprinkled with clean water" in the prophets.

You've only bought into one definition of "baptism". And that's cool. Because it is a valid definition and immersion, in my opinion, should be standard practice. However, there are other definitions that allow for greater and more expansive meaning with regards to baptism and the "washing" away of sin. if there isn't enough water to immerse a person and you don't have the guts to "wash" (baptize) them by pouring what you do have on them... that's entirely up to you.

Like I said, I'm a radical. I'll baptize you with a Dixie cup if it's all I have and you want to be baptized. Judge me if you like. lol

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

Also, in baptism we partake in Christ's burial. Think about this... Was Jesus plunged under, or covered with, dirt? Nope. He was buried "as the manner of the Jews is to bury" (John 19:40). What did they do to Christ's own body? They ceremonially washed the body by pouring clean water over it, and thereby consecrated it, as was custom. They then applied oils and spices to the body and wrapped it in linen. Then they placed it in a tomb.

What role did water play in Christ's own burial? The water of His burial was poured over His body. Thus pouring water over the repentant (dead) could be said to be a more perfect likeness to Christ's own burial than even immersion.

Just a thought.

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

Pouring and sprinkling maybe found in parts of the OT, but it is not found in one place in the new testament. John the Baptist came baptizing in the river Jordan unto repentance. There is not one example of sprinkling or pouring of the NT church. The house Church movement points out their early church likeness. I think you would do well to follow the same example by how the early church literally baptized. There is enough water some where close by to baptize even if it is in a home bath tub. I wouldn't take the chance just for convenience sake. Be accurate when it comes to the word of God.

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

We've used home bath tubs. We've used kiddie pools. We've used barrels. But some find it problematic because the bath tub is either dirty or they don't relish the idea of their baptism being done two feet away from a toilet. lol

John did baptize in the river Jordan. However, he also baptized in a locality know as Aenon because "there was much water there". I don't doubt that John immersed people in baptism. However, I'm not convinced that was the ONLY mode he could have employed. Earliest recorded depictions of baptism (by those who spoke the Greek language) included depictions of John and the convert standing in the water, with John pouring the water over them. The river or stream was often used as a basin wherein they stood as the water was poured over the convert.

The point is... the meaning of baptism is more expansive than meaning strictly immersion. It can mean to "wash" or to "bathe" (or even to "experience") without any reference to form or fashion in regards to mode.

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

I don't denounce immersion. As I said, I prefer it if there is a sufficient body of water to be used. We prefer fresh water (lakes, rivers, etc.). However, if there isn't a sufficient place to immerse, I have no issues with baptizing a person through the pouring of water. Trust me, I soak 'em down. If it were dirt, they would be buried. lol

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

I trust this. I hope you are right in your understanding for the sake of the teachers and the person getting poured. The church is not built on convenience, but on sacrifice. Jesus' eternal sacrifice and us being a living sacrifice. Immersion isn't a preference for me it is the instructions given to me in the word of God. If there is one place where "the Church" sprinkled or poured in scripture then I would love to read it.

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

:killinme Dixie cup :killinme

Yeah, that's not going to work. :lol

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

Here's a design idea using a collapsable metal frame and tarp.

source link

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

That is not a baptism. That's a water bucket challenge...:spit

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

If a person can fit in a bathtub, a bayou, or a swimming pool, then there is no reason to not do it the way it's supposed to be done. I was baptized in Jesus name in my own bathtub... and I made sure I fit, though I am no small cat
!

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

How can there more than one mode of immersion?

Aquila, this isn't about being a "radical". You are just radically in error if you think immersion can be done by pouring.

The WORD ITSELF means to dunk.

Do you pour milk on your donut and call it "dunking"?

Wait, don't answer.

lol

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

890 delivered... wow.

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

RIGHT!?! Way too much to buy. But it's a design you can keep as an idea of how to make a portable baptistry. Like someone mentioned earlier, buy a small inflatable pool from Walmart or a store and put a large container for water on a trailer.

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

Whassamata Esaias? You ain't hillbilly enough to figure out how to get this made yourself? LOL

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

Here is one being set up on youtube

They come with a blower which I believe is the pump too. I'd bet it would be overnight though to heat the water.

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

lol

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

Were the ceremonial "washings" of the OT (that included pouring and sprinkling) "baptismos" (Grk)? Yes or no?

Hebrews 9:8-10 English Standard Version (ESV)
8 By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing 9 (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, 10 but deal only with food and drink and various washings (Grk., baptismos), regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.

It's a yes or no question. No opinion or personal interpretation requested or needed. Just a simple yes or no.

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

Amen:highfive

I have baptized a number of people in bathtubs. I also bought a stock tank for my basement when we were have house Church. It was big enough to baptize anyone.

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

yes it does use the word baptismos. it also uses the word diaphoros wich means diverse. You are not rightly dividing the word. the translaters said baptize and washings because they were meant to be different. The baptism that one takes part of during his conversion was always been by going under water. The early church never had diverse baptisms they were all baptized the same way according to scripture. The Bible never speaks of different methods for convenience.

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

When I was taught to baptize, my pastor made me double dunk the candidate because part of his forehead was not submerged...LOL.

If a finger is not submerged, it will miss the rapture...LOL

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

I don't understand why a bathtub won't work.... but if you're hillbilly enough, and don't want to shell out the $$, a tarp, pickup bed, and a 55-gallon drum should get the job done.

Baptism just needs to be immersed in water... there is no record anywhere in scripture of water being poured over someone's head to signify baptism...

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

Yeah in an earlier post I mentioned the redneck jacuzzi thing lol.

As for bathtubs, there are a number of issues that I discovered while thinking about this.

For a lot of people that would work. But some people may not want people coming into their bathroom. Also, more importantly, suppose a single woman is at home. She may not feel safe or comfortable having a couple strangers in her house unattended while she changes - either before or after being baptised in the tub. Then imagine the baptism taking place and a husband comes home to find strangers in his house submerging his wife in the tub!

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

I found this:

http://www.intercontinentalcog.org/baptismalpool.php

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

I guess then the question begs to be asked - why do you need a portable baptismal tank? Are you planning on driving around town asking if anyone wants to be baptized? Just wondering. And I can't imagine baptizing a woman without her husband being home either... hmmm, that scenario sounds a little bit extreme, so I am wondering if you are just trying to think through all scenarios, but I would hope that you understand it would be better to have the husband and wife on board as a team at a baptism, instead of doing it without him knowing, and while he is not home....

Re: I need a portable baptistry
 

I would rather have the whole household together to hear the gospel.

But some 70 yr old widow might still be reluctant to having people she just met baptise her in her tub. Maybe some neighbors could be called over?

All this disappears with a trailer-mounted baptismal, of course... but that actually creates other issues...