By baptism we confess our faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ,
and testify of our death to sin and of our purpose to walk in newness of life. Thus we
acknowledge Christ as Lord and Saviour, become His people, and are received as members by
His church. Baptism is a symbol of our union with Christ, the forgiveness of our sins, and our
reception of the Holy Spirit. It is by immersion in water and is contingent on an affirmation of
faith in Jesus and evidence of repentance of sin. It follows instruction in the Holy Scriptures and
acceptance of their teachings. (Rom. 6:1-6; Col. 2:12, 13; Acts 16:30-33; 22:16; 2:38; Matt.
28:19,20.)

Since I have a long ways to go before I understand all the scriptures ... I guess I don't qualify for Baptism in the SDA church. I am not knowledgeable enough for them.

How much "learning" was required in the early church examples? OR was it a desire to learn.

I am baptised & I am no where near understanding even probably 1/4 of the scriptures..

So ... How did they let you be baptized ? Perhaps it wasn't an SDA baptism.

In Stans post it says "purpose to walk in newness of life" but in reality ... SDAs will not baptize you unless you show evidence that you are walking in "newness of life".

Their criteria for baptism is not only knowledge but works. And they pick which works you must demonstrate.

Redwood,

(I know I'm late reading this.) I've been trying to get baptized and get blocked at every turn. Growing up, it seemed like you could just show an interest. I'm from a town of about 700, though, mostly Southern Baptist. It didn't seem to be knowledge, but desire.

I'm getting frustrated. A few years ago I tried to get baptized and nothing came of it.

Right now, I kinda have a church. I have a mandatory university class on Sabbath so the pastor doesn't seem to feel I'm genuine.

One pastor wanted me to spend lots of time in a correspondence course.

I don't know... Maybe it's just not the right time or something. I'm getting disheartened.

C.

DWC. I think it's great that you desire to follow the Lord into His death and resurrection.

How are you getting blocked from baptism?


olger

Olger!

It just seems like things come up. Don't want to bore you with the details. Divorce, this, that, and the other. Every time I move toward baptism something weird happens! Hoping this time it's the right time. I know our new pastor isn't crazy about my old tattoos and such. He also wants me to spend a few months studying some more. I've spent my whole life reading the Bible and several years reading Adventist materials. I'm really trying to do the right thing. I know he's busy though, getting his new church building complete, to return my phone calls.

Thanks,
C.

That's sad if the pastor is hesitant to baptise because of tattoos. And nothing should be more important than talking and working with someone who wants baptism. Sounds like you might need a new pastor.

Either a "new pastor" or a new church... Ask your pastor if he has ever tried to remove a tattoo. Tell him that you don't have any on your heart. Regards, Don

Thanks, guys. No, he's been a pastor for about 30 years or so. He's the only one in our area. He and his wife are very, very conservative. We had kinda been avoiding church since we moved here a few years ago because it's the only SDA church around and when we first got here, some of the congregants weren't too tolerant of us. We respect their views, certainly.

For example, during a service a few years ago, there was a discussion on how to win souls. I raised my hand to give a non-Christian perspective, basically saying evangelists could win more friends with honey than vinegar. I was attacked, vigourously.

It's a small church. A lot of the members are set in their ways. I don't want them to change, I just want them to accept me for who I am. Maybe they don't agree with our political views or how we raise the kids, but just love us anyway. You know?

C.