what should I know about the importance of baptism?

[notsmart]

Only in dire and extraordinary circumstances can a person baptize himself… but even an unbaptized person can baptize someone, so long as the proper form (the words), matter (water at least poured over the head), and intent (to do what the Church does) are present.

I am not, in dire or extraordinary circumstances at all. Unless God decides to take me now, or before I join the RCIA in September, but even then, thats just a class.

So, if my daughter asked me to do this even though you say I can, I would try to find someone who was at least a believer, if not a cleric of some kind. Or, just wait until I could find out where to take her to go…

I dont know, she has not grasped that yet. But, she has had dreams about Jesus.

 

[japhy]

I am not, in dire or extraordinary circumstances at all. Unless God decides to take me now, or before I join the RCIA in September, but even then, thats just a class.

It sounds to me as though you already desire baptism and, if by some terrible misfortune you should die before you have the chance to be baptized, the Church recognizes your desire for baptism as sufficient for the actual graces received in the sacrament. In other words, a person who wants to be baptized who dies before receiving the sacrament of baptism is saved by the “baptism of desire” (or, perhaps more logically put, “the desire of baptism”).

This is not a ticket for delay! Simply a reassurance. Do not put off baptism unreasonably once you have come to desire it!

So, if my daughter asked me to do this even though you say I can, I would try to find someone who was at least a believer, if not a cleric of some kind. Or, just wait until I could find out where to take her to go…

If you have the opportunity, find a priest.

 

[mozart-250]

[SIGN]Hi Monica[/SIGN]

I am not Catholic, but I don’t have a particular agenda against Catholicism.

I actually was going to retire from these boards, but I started to read your posts, and I have come to really like you. A lot.

You have received quite a bit of wise counsel in these threads and I have no intention on muddying the waters by giving you (a possible) different perspective to confuse you.

If I were to give you a couple of words of fatherly advice it would be to relax. Remember that the center of Christianity is a person…Jesus Christ. And He loves you. A lot. That is why He died (and rose again) so folks like you and I can come to know Him.

It sound to me that Jesus is already drawing you to Himself and that you are responding positively to Him. This is the essence of what we call faith.

Anyway…by all means get baptized. If you read the book of Acts, you will find that folks were baptized without delay upon coming to faith in Christ.

Anyway…that is all I have to say.

 

[notsmart]

Thank you all, and Mozart, thank you for staying. I think you said something very important about taking time. I am on a wild ride to find God in a day or two.

I realize this is not the best way to go about this, but sometimes I wonder if I stop, will I stop feeling this way? But, its a silly thing I wonder I guess. I just dont know how this works. I just know its pretty exciting.

 

[TriuneUnity]

Thank you all, and Mozart, thank you for staying. I think you said something very important about taking time. I am on a wild ride to find God in a day or two.

I realize this is not the best way to go about this, but sometimes I wonder if I stop, will I stop feeling this way? But, its a silly thing I wonder I guess. I just dont know how this works. I just know its pretty exciting.

It is exciting! Heaven is rejoicing as we speak, as a matter of fact. Singing praises to the Lamb who was slain, and who has found one of His sheep.

 

[mozart-250]

I am on a wild ride to find God in a day or two.

Monica…there is a parable in the Bible where Jesus compares himself to the Good Shepherd who leaves the 99 sheep already safe in the stable and expends a great deal of energy to locate and rescue the one sheep that was lost.

All that the poor lost sheep had to do was to let the Good Shepherd pick him up and return him to the fold.

It sound to me that the Good Shepherd has found another sheep.

 

[emeraldcoast]

That is the great thing about hearing or reading the Word of God; it has the effect of the Spirit reaching out to you with the offer of Christ whether you’re looking for it or not

Amen!

 

[notsmart]

The lost sheep story (is that the right word, or is this a poem, or something else?)

I asked about that when I posted here, and asked if it meant all the sheep he already had, and the one “lost” was just one that left him, that he went after.

I dont know how many ways it can be seen and be correct, but I do feel like the distance or gap is lessened now. Between myself and God, because he heard me pray today. I know he did.

 

[TriuneUnity]

The lost sheep story (is that the right word, or is this a poem, or something else?)

I asked about that when I posted here, and asked if it meant all the sheep he already had, and the one “lost” was just one that left him, that he went after.

I dont know how many ways it can be seen and be correct, but I do feel like the distance or gap is lessened now. Between myself and God, because he heard me pray today. I know he did.

It is a parable that Christ told to describe His role in man’s salvation. Matthew 18:12-14 and Luke 15:3-7 is where the parable is located.

 

[notsmart]

It is a parable that Christ told to describe His role in man’s salvation. Matthew 18:12-14 and Luke 15:3-7 is where the parable is located.

TU,

what is that depiction of Christ on the Cross? Do you know the name of the artist? I am going to try to find Christ in art, since I am a visual learner.

edit to add: in your line at the bottom of all your posts?

 

[TriuneUnity]

TU,

what is that depiction of Christ on the Cross? Do you know the name of the artist? I am going to try to find Christ in art, since I am a visual learner.

edit to add: in your line at the bottom of all your posts?

It was painted by 16th century Lutheran artist Lucas Cranach.

 

[notsmart]

It was painted by 16th century Lutheran artist Lucas Cranach.

Its really beautiful. Are there paintings like this in your church?

I love art, its such a amazing way to express things words can not.

 

[TriuneUnity]

Its really beautiful. Are there paintings like this in your church?

I love art, its such a amazing way to express things words can not.

Yep. Most traditional Lutheran parishes will have paintings, icons, or statuary of some kind.

 

[notsmart]

Yep. Most traditional Lutheran parishes will have paintings, icons, or statuary of some kind.

That is helpful for someone like me, who can look at flowers for a long time, and suddenly, I am calmer. I feel like the beauty of those flowers, and how fragile they are, and need me to water and weed them, are somehow, a part of something I was in a plan to care about.

 

[TriuneUnity]

That is helpful for someone like me, who can look at flowers for a long time, and suddenly, I am calmer. I feel like the beauty of those flowers, and how fragile they are, and need me to water and weed them, are somehow, a part of something I was in a plan to care about.

That makes sense, and it is part of the beauty inherent in the world God has created. Nothing comforts me more than to gaze at an image of Christ the victim on the cross and know that my eternal Creator loved me that much.

 

[notsmart]

That makes sense, and it is part of the beauty inherent in the world God has created. Nothing comforts me more than to gaze at an image of Christ the victim on the cross and know that my eternal Creator loved me that much.

Right now, it interests me and does not comfort me, as to how this God would do this thing, but again, if he had not, then why would I even care what he did? No other claims by others who were gods did this as far as I know.

I guess its the I AM statements, Jesus makes that are much different than any other religions. He came to people, in human form. From what I can tell, other deitys, never did this. They never died and rose from death after doing a personal encounter with their creation they claimed to be the authour of.

I dont know, its possible another did, but they must have not left any evidence of their existance then.

The other part that compells me to take interest, is why so many that willing died for not giving up their belief?

Mass hysteria? I dont think that is possible, because people are still doing this now, and his name is never erased from history, or even common interest. Even non believers, are familliar of the name, and his claims, and his many followers.

I guess my heart, was just not open to hearing anything about him, because I thought he failed, and could not be God.

But, as life goes on, I dont think individual failings reflect on the big picture. Its easy to look for any reason to ignore things, that tweak our heart. Maybe I am unrealistic, at heart. I would like to think, this world is here for a bigger reason than what we do here.

I would like to believe, but- not sure if its ego, that my child will live on, with an immortal soul.

I am not as concerned for my own destiny, but for any little child, or unborn, who has no choice to be here, in this confusing world.

they should be welcomed, somehow. Even if its in vain.

It seems that, if I am wrong, I cant loose anything I never had, but she might. I have to let her have this chance, if it exists.

I will do it, and I hope I can open up my husbands eyes to not ruling it out.

When I told him she had a dream of Jesus, his reply was:

Thats not a dream, thats a nightmare.

So, I love him, but I love her. I see good and love and everything- in that little baby who I held that day she was born.

But, he is her father. so I must respect, his role in her life also.

but, she is the reason, ultimately, that I ever even cared to think about these things.

 

[TriuneUnity]

Right now, it interests me and does not comfort me, as to how this God would do this thing, but again, if he had not, then why would I even care what he did? No other claims by others who were gods did this as far as I know.

It will comfort you as you begin to learn more of your standing before God outside of what Christ did for you.

I guess its the I AM statements, Jesus makes that are much different than any other religions. He came to people, in human form. From what I can tell, other deitys, never did this. They never died and rose from death after doing a personal encounter with their creation they claimed to be the authour of.

I dont know, its possible another did, but they must have not left any evidence of their existance then.

The other part that compells me to take interest, is why so many that willing died for not giving up their belief?

All very good observations.

Mass hysteria? I dont think that is possible, because people are still doing this now, and his name is never erased from history, or even common interest. Even non believers, are familliar of the name, and his claims, and his many followers.

I guess my heart, was just not open to hearing anything about him, because I thought he failed, and could not be God.

But, as life goes on, I dont think individual failings reflect on the big picture. Its easy to look for any reason to ignore things, that tweak our heart. Maybe I am unrealistic, at heart. I would like to think, this world is here for a bigger reason than what we do here.

It is. Ultimately, it is here for God’s glory and our benefit.

I would like to believe, but- not sure if its ego, that my child will live on, with an immortal soul.

I am not as concerned for my own destiny, but for any little child, or unborn, who has no choice to be here, in this confusing world.

Selflessness is the mark of Christian behavior. We are Christians in the world to serve and love our neighbor and thereby extend the kingdom of God by demonstrating His love and mercy and telling them of the great salvation that Christ has won for them.

When I told him she had a dream of Jesus, his reply was:

Thats not a dream, thats a nightmare.

So, I love him, but I love her. I see good and love and everything- in that little baby who I held that day she was born.

That is between him and his Maker. All you can do is pray for him and witness to him of the truth of the Christ. If he doesn’t accept, repent, and believe, he will see his Creator and his Creator’s wrath against sin.

 

[notsmart]

That is between him and his Maker. All you can do is pray for him and witness to him of the truth of the Christ. If he doesn’t accept, repent, and believe, he will see his Creator and his Creator’s wrath against sin.

but, he does not see it. He loves our child, but he sees it in a different way than I do. I see it as something I was surprised by, and “rocked my world” he sees her, as his child who he cares and loves but did not change a thing in the big picture.

I guess, I could be headed for trouble, if I persist in this route. I dont want her to be hindered from being a beliver.

I have more questions, that are not so easy.

right now, she is asking me to help her know who the man in the robe was, who asked her to wake up mommy. She told me the man said, that his name is Jesus. And, he would come back.

She asked who is Jesus?

I told her he was a man who said he was God, and created all things.

She asked:

even me?

I said, Jesus said he did.

But, I really never thought about Jesus like that before.
reading the bible does not make you feel like someone is really there talking to you.

 

[TriuneUnity]

but, he does not see it. He loves our child, but he sees it in a different way than I do. I see it as something I was surprised by, and “rocked my world” he sees her, as his child who he cares and loves but did not change a thing in the big picture.

I guess, I could be headed for trouble, if I persist in this route. I dont want her to be hindered from being a beliver.

You must pray and do your best to raise her in the faith. But you must also realize that you must believe as well.

But, I really never thought about Jesus like that before.
reading the bible does not make you feel like someone is really there talking to you.

But He is. Don’t go by your emotions when reading His Word. The Spirit will do what the Spirit does as He speaks through Scripture.

 

[CoboltBlue]

Primarily, I am interested in Catholic replies, but I am interested in all replies if you can tell me your faith so I can compare the beliefs properly.

What does it mean for you? How is it done specifically? Is there a way it must be done?

I am not baptised, so its a question I sometimes wonder about.

I am not sure I ever will, but if I do I want to hear more about it.

Thanks!

Jesus does command that believer be baptised in water–full immersion. But first a person must be of an age of reason…an age where they know they have a sinful nature and that Jesus died on the Cross to take away those sins…they should then ask for forgiveness and they should be of an age to actively know who Jesus is and why they want and need him in their life. Then it is a willing spirit that gives up their ‘free will’ back to God and asks Jesus to come into their life and their hearts in a whole new way John 3-all of the chapeter, One you have asked Jesus into your life…This is where the Holy Spirit baptises Jesus into you and you into Him. Then you seek the outward sign of baptism …being immersed in water and showing that yoou have chosen to be identified with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection. Water baptism is the outward sign of an inner working. After this committment you find a church and commit to following Jesus and serving Him.