How long should one wait until getting baptized?

[QueenEsther]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

It is ridiculous and offensive to think that folks would need to "clean up" before they can be baptized. I think folks should be baptized when they ask to be baptized.

An exception would be children--I think they should understand what is happening and why before they are baptized. JMO

RIght, once they understand what they are doing then hurry up and get them baptized - even if it is in the middle of the night!!!

[QueenEsther]

Originally Posted by Thad

really???

what if they had not repented at all ? just dunk them if they ask to be no questions asked ?

isn't repentance turning around and walking away from sin ?

Who are we to decide if they are truly repentant or not?????

[QueenEsther]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

I think if someone says they have repented (understanding what that means), and requests to be baptized, that they should be allowed to be baptized, even if no one "witnessed" their repentance.



Repentance just means a change of mind. To think differently. If someone has made a conscious decision to turn away from sin, then that constitutes repentance, even if they haven't proven it yet. My goodness, most people haven't had time to prove anything right after they get up from the altar! Would you recommend a waiting period, in which their righteousness must be proven, before they can have their sins washed away?

I don't see any kind of waiting period as biblical in any sense of the word.

Well, I would hate to be the preacher that made them wait - and then they got hit by a car or something. What would you tell God? They just weren't ready to be baptized yet? I say the sooner the better!!!

[QueenEsther]

Originally Posted by Annie

Who would accountable for the soul, if they were in the 'waiting process' when the Lord returned for His church??? Just a thought.

You said it better!

[Ron]

I believe if they have shown a repentant heart, and "UNDERSTAND" why they are getting baptised-there doesn't need to be any delay.

Too little emphasis is put on telling people "WHY" they are getting baptised instead of just telling them that they "SHOULD!"


JMHO

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Thad

A few Years ago we had a minister who visited our church and condemned us for baptizing "sinners". they had not repented because they had not yet adhered to the dress code and so forth.

this older minister threw a fit once when he saw someone getting baptized with a mustache.

how far down the path of repentance should someone be before they get baptized ?
what is your rule of thumb?

Do we sometimes go to fast losing the meaning of what it's all about ?
down a dry sinner up a wet devil ?

It's ridiculous to equate mustaches with not being repented....

[berkeley]

The person should sit in a new converts class every Sunday for a whole yr learning about baptism, its importance, etc.. before being baptized. Why the rush? He was saved when he repented!! (TIC)

[Nahum]

They should only wait for as long as it takes to fill the baptistry.

[Pragmatist]

Unfortunately I am aware of a church that does require people to "line up" for a certain amount of time before they will baptize them.

[berkeley]

Originally Posted by Pragmatist

Unfortunately I am aware of a church that does require people to "line up" for a certain amount of time before they will baptize them.

I know of 2 pastors that said from the pulpit "...we've been baptizing them too soon. Then they get a touch and never come back.." edit: they even mentioned what John the Baptist said, bring fruits meet for repentance..
:shrugs:

I think we should continue to baptize them as soon as they are ready! Those that never return are in the hands of a merciful God! :shrugs again: