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?