Why are Baptists called Baptists?

[peeteyg]

If Baptists don’t see Baptism as a sacrament and only an outward sign what is the purpose of being called a Baptist. Catholics are more Baptist since we fully understand its value as a sacrament. Hoping for any comments.

 

[fons_vitae]

Good question… I used to think they rarely baptized at all.

 

[ALLGIRLS]

I think it grew out of the term “anabaptist”, which meant “re-baptizers”. I think the Mennonites and Puritans came out of this group. They were the 1st Protestants to reject infant baptism, so they “rebaptized” their members as adults. I guess eventually the “ana” part got dropped?

In Christ,

Ellen

 

[jrose90]

The term Baptist as applied to Baptist churches is a modification of the term Anabaptist (which means rebaptizer), and was used into the 19th century as a general epithet for churches which denied the validity of infant baptism, including the Campbellites, Mennonites and Schwarzenau Brethren or German Baptists, who are not identified with modern day Baptists. The English Anabaptists were called Baptists as early as 1569. The name Anabaptist continued to be applied to English and American Baptists, even after the American Revolution.

 

[brb3]

Because they highly emphasize IMMERSION water baptism AFTER one’s profession of Faith in Christ. Every month, all those who answer the call of Christ via Altar Calls … receive Trinitarian Baptisms as a group at the conclusion of the Sunday nite worship service.

They call it an ordinance … but, its really their sacrament in actuality. Any who would reject being Baptized, are not considered having legitimately made a sincere profession of faith.

 

[jrose90]

Because they highly emphasize IMMERSION water baptism AFTER one’s profession of Faith in Christ. Every month, all those who answer the call of Christ via Altar Calls … receive Trinitarian Baptisms as a group at the conclusion of the Sunday nite worship service.

They call it an ordinance … but, its really their sacrament in actuality. Any who would reject being Baptized, are not considered having legitimately made a sincere profession of faith.

That isn’t exactly how it’s done at every church. You make it seem like they’re a factory, haha. And if it is a “sacrament” for Baptists, why do they not believe in the idea of no entry to Heaven without it? No, it’s definitely an ordinance. They believe it is an outward sign of an emotional and spiritual change. If one is “saved” and not baptized, church members may gossip about the sincerity of the baptized person, but if they are truly “saved,” baptized or not, they will still receive entry into heaven.

 

[Izdaari]

Well, they gotta be called something. And “believer’s baptism” by immersion is their most memorable distinctive doctrine, though many other Protestant churches (mine included) share it.

 

[jlhargus]

Well, they gotta be called something. And “believer’s baptism” by immersion is their most memorable distinctive doctrine, though many other Protestant churches (mine included) share it.

JL:Mark

 

[jlhargus]

Well, they gotta be called something. And “believer’s baptism” by immersion is their most memorable distinctive doctrine, though many other Protestant churches (mine included) share it.

JL: Do you believe baptism is a symbol only, if so could you give the scripture for your belief.

 

[Izdaari]

JL: Do you believe baptism is a symbol only, if so could you give the scripture for your belief.

I don’t know if it’s just symbolic or not. But I do know it’s something Jesus commanded us to do, so we ought to do it. That’s enough for me, so it isn’t an issue that I’ve made a priority to study.

However, it makes sense to me that people should understand its meaning when they do it (though I don’t have any objection to sprinkling babies as well – I don’t know that it does anything, but I see no harm in it), and that it should be by immersion, which is how I understand that John the Baptist did it.

 

[Publisher]

Well, they gotta be called something. And “believer’s baptism” by immersion is their most memorable distinctive doctrine, though many other Protestant churches (mine included) share it.

“Immersion” is true for Baptists…but not necessarily for Anabaptists. Mennonites, Amish and Hutterites use pouring or immersion. The first Anabaptists of the 16th century used pouring, not immersion. In the 17th and 18th centuries the Brethren grew out of the Pietist movement and employ trine immersion as do the Brethren in Christ…I believe the Orthodox use trine immersion as well.

Mennonite Brethren grew out of a revival of Russian Mennonites in the 18th-19th centuries and use immersion only.

Baptists baptize by immersion.

Among the Anabaptists only adults are baptized as they baptized into full commuion with the Church and make a life long covenant to put themselves under it’s disipline. Amish young men and women must make the decision in their late teens to early twenties…if they break the covenant after baptism they typically are ostricized from the community…most “ostracized” Amish become Mennonites.

 

[brb3]

And if it is a “sacrament” for Baptists, why do they not believe in the idea of no entry to Heaven without it? No, it’s definitely an ordinance. They believe it is an outward sign of an emotional and spiritual change. If one is “saved” and not baptized, church members may gossip about the sincerity of the baptized person, but if they are truly “saved,” baptized or not, they will still receive entry into heaven.

Some Baptists might reject need of Baptism … but, most see it as essential. Those who neglect to be baptized are not fully following the call of Christ and his Gospel.

Baptists see it as a visible sign/petition of them to Christ to be Baptized in H.S. To be ‘covenantally’ united to Christ. They believe that Christ performs their baptisms … instilling his H.S. within them. The minister performs the rite … the Savior performs the rebirth.

Again, they believe one’s spiritual tranformation is initiated by their public Profession of Faith — but, completed with the rite of immersion in ordinary water … that Christ honors by completing their spiritual transformations/rebirths. Thus, for one to ‘pledge allegiance’ to Christ … and neglect to be Baptized is a serious ‘disconnect’ from the Baptist perspective. It’s a covenant that is not finalized. Profession of faith is our plea for cleansing … which is perfected/sealed by Christ, upon their Baptist immersion Baptism.

So they teach and proclaim whenever a Baptist is Baptized ----- “Buried in Christ, and raised to walk in newness of life”.

 

[jrose90]

Ok. I’ve been raised in the Baptist church. 20 years, born, raised, and baptized. In my particular church, and every church attended, I’ve never heard of Christ performing the baptism. Christ performs the spiritual transformation of salvation, which is the only act that can guarantee a person entry into Heaven (baptism or no baptism). And you’re right, to refuse to be Baptized is very serious, but not enough in and of itself to deny one entry into Heaven. Heartfelt salvation is enough. End of story.
Baptism is only essential to be able to receive communion and to vote in church matters. Baptism is performed by a qualified and ordained preacher/pastor in the immersion style as representation of Christ’s death and resurrection. We are washed pure by Christ’s blood, and the baptism is the physical representation of that but it holds no spiritual transforming powers itself. One’s spiritual transformation does not start with the Public Profession of Faith. The spiritual transaction has already taken place by then, or else they have nothing to profess. The act of profession of the change of faith is what we call a Testimony of Salvation, and for many churches is mandatory before being a member of the church. Membership is only granted after Testimony has been shared and Baptism has taken place.
So in recap:
One is saved by an emotional transformation referred to as Salvation.
This itself is enough to guarantee one into Heaven.
If you want to be a member of a particular church and be able to receive communion, you must tell the congregation your Testimony of Salvation and then be received as a member granting all rights and privileges upon Baptism.
When you are Baptized, you are received as a full member and are allowed to receive communion and vote in church matters.

So for Baptists, the only things that require Baptism are communion and the ability to vote on church matters.

 

[jlhargus]

I don’t know if it’s just symbolic or not. But I do know it’s something Jesus commanded us to do, so we ought to do it. That’s enough for me, so it isn’t an issue that I’ve made a priority to study. However, it makes sense to me that people should understand its meaning when they do it

JL: Sorry I wanted to post this morning but did not have the time as I had to go out of town.Your remarks indicate you didn’t really understand baptism, when you were baptized.

(though I don’t have any objection to sprinkling babies as well – I don’t know that it does anything, but I see no harm in it),

JL: Christ was circumcised as an infant, thereby being brought into covenant family relationship with God and his people. Christ was born and lived under the old covenant law, that’s how HE FULFILLED the law. Then he instituted a NEW COVENANT. His sacraifice fulfills all the OT sacrifices and Baptism FULFILLS circumcision. Bringing the NEW COVENANT child and adult into covenant family relationship with God and his people.

Peter tells us in [Acts2:38 Then PETER SAID unto them, REPENT, and BE BAPTIZED every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ FOR the REMISSION OF SINS, and ye shall RECEIVE the gift of THE HOLY GHOST.] An ADULT must believe have faith, (spiritual CONCEPTION), repent (trun from their sins to God), after repentance, be baptized FOR REMISSION OF SINS, RECEIVE the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT This is when an ADULT is BORN AGAIN of water and the Spirit as Christ tells us in Jn3:3-5. By water baptism one is born again and DELIVERED a child of God.

Peter is speaking to adults, telling THEM, what ADULTS must do. Peter also tells those ADULTS, the PROMISE is to YOU and YOUR CHILDREN. Infants have no sins of which to REPENT, of such is the kingdom. They have been born of flesh and are still in OLD ADAM, they have NOT been BORN AGAIN. Their soul needs to be REGENERATED, thru the indwelling Holy Spirit, to bring them into NEW ADAM and the kingdom.

[Acts2:37 Now WHEN THEY HEARD this, THEY WERE PRICKED IN THEIR HEART, AND SAID unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, WHAT SHALL WE DO? 38 Then PETER SAID unto them, **REPENT, and BE BAPTIZED every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS, and ye shall RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST. THE PROMISE IS UNTO YOU, AND TO YOUR CHILDREN, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.] The PROMISE is the Holy Spirit indwelling the soul, which is eternal life. The word for children is teknon. Teknon would be children from infant up, We see the same word teknon (children) used in Act21:21 in reference to circumcision, we know infants were circumcised at 8 days old. The promise is to adults and to THEIR children. These were Jews of the diaspora, they all understood that children were brought into God’s covenant on the basis of the parents faith. Children have no sin of which to repent, they LACK the Holy Spirit, their faith is the faith of their parent.

The PROMISE is to those PRESENT and far away. There were three thousand PRESENT, who where baptized and the odds that whole families where PRESENT and baptized can’t be refuted. Also notice those baptized RECEIVE the GIFT of the HOLY GHOST. Are we born with the GIFT of the HOLY GHOST or of flesh only? Wasn’t that GIFT, of the Holy Ghost, lost for ALL humanity by Adam’s original sin?

Gn17:14 And THE UNCIRCUMCISED MAN CHILD whose flesh of his foreskin is NOT CIRCUMCISED, that soul SHALL BE CUT OFF FROM HIS PEOPLE; he hath broken my covenant.] Circumcision is a foreshadowing of baptism. Baptism fulfills, circumcision and brings an infant or adult into covenant family relationship with the people of God, otherwise they are cut off from their people. [In the OT women were ALWAYS under the guardian protection or covenant household of a male.]

When a Gentile adult converted to Judaism he had to believe, repent, be circumcised. Yet infants were brought into the people of God, old covenant on the merits of it’s parents or guardians faith, just as in the new covenant. Circumcision was an outward sign only it did not give grace or the indwelling Holy Spirit as THE SACRAMENT of BAPTISM does.

and that it should be by immersion, which is how I understand that John the Baptist did it.

JL: The scriptures do not tell us a definate mode for baptism. We only know the mode, by the Church’s lived out Apostolic Tradition, of those modes, of immersion, which was the common mode, but pouring and sprinkling were also used. Sprinkling is a valid from of baptism, but the Church does not sprinkle. Pouring is the most common way although immersion is done in some Catholic Churches. Pouring became the common way when all Europe was Catholic and baptism was almost always infants.

 

[brb3]

So in recap:
One is saved by an emotional transformation referred to as Salvation.
This itself is enough to guarantee one into Heaven.
If you want to be a member of a particular church and be able to receive communion, you must tell the congregation your Testimony of Salvation and then be received as a member granting all rights and privileges upon Baptism.
When you are Baptized, you are received as a full member and are allowed to receive communion and vote in church matters.

So for Baptists, the only things that require Baptism are communion and the ability to vote on church matters.

emotional transformation … referred to as Salvation
guarantee one into Heaven

These two don’t require Baptism ?

full ‘voting’ member of Church and quarterly ‘symbolic’ communion

These two do accrue from your Baptism ?

---

Salvation apart from Baptism … Is this what Christ taught his Apostles ?

 

[jrose90]

no, as far as the Baptist faith is concerned, baptism is only representative; it is not mandatory for entry into Heaven.

and yes, we vote on church issues such as pastors, and yes our communion is symbolic.

 

[brb3]

no, as far as the Baptist faith is concerned, baptism is only representative; it is not mandatory for entry into Heaven.

Again I ask … is this what Christ taught his Apostles / us ?

Perhaps once the Baptists learned/gained the vote … they cast the wrong vote …

Study the scriptures and early church history … and get back to us on the support you find for how the Baptists conduct their church ‘government’.

 

[jrose90]

Again I ask … is this what Christ taught his Apostles / us ?

Perhaps once the Baptists learned/gained the vote … they cast the wrong vote …

Study the scriptures and early church history … and get back to us on the support you find for how the Baptists conduct their church ‘government’.

i wasnt aware that this particular thread was about whether or not baptists were right or wrong in their teachings. i was just trying to give my insight as to why we are called what we’re called.
and i think you’re taking the “government” comment too far. if anything resembles a government, its the hierarchy of the Catholic church.
I have been studying the scripture and I’ve been making progress on defining my own particular beliefs. I did not say that everything the Baptist church does or believes is in any way perfect, so please don’t jump to conclusions. I’ve found a lot of help, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, on this website, but usually the people wait till I ask questions to challenge my beliefs in a condescending way. Sorry if i’m being overly sensitive on the subject and on your reactions, but after a month and a half on this site, I’ve noticed how Baptists are one of the more unwelcome denominations here and I thought perhaps this was one thread that I could explain something about my church without being talked to in such a condescending manner. I have found that there are many truths in the Catholic church, but there are also many things that I am still unsure about, so please do not assume that I am unversed in Scripture or that I haven’t made an attempt to study more. Just because I am Baptist does not mean that I’m ignorant of the Bible or of Catholic teachings.

 

[jlhargus]

Ok. I’ve been raised in the Baptist church. 20 years, born, raised, and baptized. In my particular church, and every church attended, I’ve never heard of Christ performing the baptism. Christ performs the spiritual transformation of salvation, which is the only act that can guarantee a person entry into Heaven

JL: You are correct Christ performs the spiritual transformation of salvation, He does that thur water and the Spirit in baptism.

How do we enter the kingdom of God? How are we born again of God? Jn3:3 JESUS ANSWERED and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, EXCEPT a man be BORN AGAIN, he CANNOT SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

Jn3:5 JESUS ANSWERED, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, EXCEPT a man be BORN OF water AND of the Spirit, he CANNOT ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

**How do we become children of God? How do we put on Christ? How do we get in Christ? How do we become a new creature? **
[Gal 3:26 For YE ARE all the CHILDREN OF GOD by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For AS MANY of you AS HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED into Christ HAVE PUT ON CHRIST.] If we put on Christ then we are IN CHRIST and a NEW CREATURE.

2Cor5:17 Therefore IF ANY MAN BE IN CHRIST, HE IS A NEW CREATURE: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

**Does baptism save? **How does baptism now save us? ****
[1Pt3:20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, EIGHT SOULS WERE SAVED BY WATER. 21 **THE LIKE FIGURE whereunto even ]B]BAPTISM DOTH also NOW SAVE US (NOT the PUTTING AWAY of the FILTH OF THE FLESH, BUT THE ANSWER OF A GOOD CONSCIENCE toward God,) BY THE RESURRECTION of Jesus Christ:]

**How is our conscience purged? **
Hb9:14 How much more shall the BLOOD OF CHRIST, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, PURGE YOUR CONSCIENCE from dead works to serve the living God?]

Heb10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our HEARTS SPRINKLED FROM AN EVIL CONSCIENCE, and our ** BODIES WASHED WITH PURE WATER**.]

**How does Christ wash us, from our sins, in his blood? How does Christ make us kings and priests unto God? ****
[Rv 1:5 And from JESUS CHRIST, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and WASHED US FROM OUR SINS IN HIS OWN BLOOD, 6 And hath MADE US KINGS AND PRIESTS UNTO GOD and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.] With what do we WASH? WATER and a CLEANSING AGENT. In baptism we are WASHED by water and of the Holy Spirit, who is the CLEANSING AGENT.

**What is this washing, in the name of the Lord and in the Spirit of our God, that sanctifies and justifies us? **
1Cor6:11 And such were some of you: but YE ARE WASHED, but ye are SANCTIFIED, but ye are JUSTIFIED in the NAME of the Lord JESUS, AND by the SPIRIT OF OUR GOD.] With what do we wash?

How are our sins washed away?
[Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and BE BAPTIZED, and WASH AWAY THY SINS, calling on the name of the Lord.]

**How are we saved by Christ’s mercy? How are we washed by Christ? How are we regenerated by Christ? How are we renewed of the Holy Ghost by Christ? **
[Titus:3:5 **NOT BY WORKS of righteousness which we have done, BUT according to HIS MERCY HE SAVED US, BY the WASHING OF ****REGENERATION, and RENEWING OF THE HOLY GHOST; 6 Which he SHED ON US abundantly THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR;]

We are WAHSED with baptism by WATER, and the cleansing agent is the HOLY SPIRIT, who washes away our sins, regenerates our dead soul by the indwelling Holy Spirit.**

 

[jlhargus]

(baptism or no baptism). And you’re right, to refuse to be Baptized is very serious, but not enough in and of itself to deny one entry into Heaven. Heartfelt salvation is enough. End of story.

JL: Understanding baptism and to deliberatly refuse to be Baptized, is very serious, I would say you cannot be saved. If you have deliberatly, with full knowledge, rejected what Christ has COMMANDED and told us, EXCEPT a man is born again by water and the Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom.

An unbaptized Christian is like a child who is way passed due, still remaining in the womb, the Great Physician can and may have to interven for his own good and birth him by cesarean, apart from the nornative way ordained by God, thru baptism. Just as a physician who must in some instances birth a child by cesarean, which is not the normal way ordained by God. [Acts22:16 And now WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? GET UP, BE BAPTIZED AND WASH YOUR SINS AWAY, calling on his name.’]

Baptism is only essential to be able to receive communion and to vote in church matters. Baptism is performed by a qualified and ordained preacher/pastor in the immersion style as representation of Christ’s death and resurrection.

JL: [Mk16:16 whoever BELIEVES **AND IS BAPTIZED WILL BE SAVED, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.]

So Peter was wrong? [Acts2:37 Now WHEN THEY HEARD this, THEY WERE PRICKED IN THEIR HEART, AND SAID unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, WHAT SHALL WE DO? 38 Then PETER SAID unto them, **REPENT, and BE BAPTIZED every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS, and ye shall RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST. THE PROMISE IS UNTO YOU, AND TO YOUR CHILDREN

With your tradition, when the people, who were pricked in their heart, when they heard and received the Word and asked , “What must we do”. Peter should have said as you tell us in you post, “The spiritual transaction has already taken place”. “Baptism is ONLY ESSENTIAL to be able to receive communion and to vote in church matters”.

Peter didn’t say that, he said, REPENT, BE BAPTIZED, FOR REMISSION OF SINS, RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. What did those people do after they were baptized?

[Acts2:41 Then **THEY THAT gladly RECEIVED HIS WORD were BAPTIZED: and the same day there WERE ADDED UNTO THEM about three thousand souls. 42 And THEY CONTINUED steadfastly IN the APOSTLES’ DOCTRINE and FELLOWSHIP, and in BREAKING OF BREAD, and in PRAYERS. [Those that received his word were baptized. [They were ADDED to ONE VISIBLE BODY or fellowship, not some so called invisible BODY. Brought into the Church, the VISIBLE BODY OF CHRIST on earth, by baptism and CONTINUED steadfastly in the One Holy Catholic Apostolic Fellowship.]

Eph 4:4 There is ONE BODY, and ONE SPIRIT, even as ye are called in ONE HOPE of your calling; 5 ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM, 6 ONE GOD and Father of all, who is ABOVE ALL, and THROUGH ALL, and IN YOU ALL.

We are washed pure by Christ’s blood, and the baptism is the physical representation of that but it holds no spiritual transforming powers itself.

JL: Baptism brings about that WASHING, by the power of Christ and the action of the Holy Spirit. Our old man is crucified with him in baptism.

[Rv 1:5 And from JESUS CHRIST, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and **WASHED US FROM OUR SINS IN HIS OWN BLOOD, 6 And hath MADE US KINGS AND PRIESTS UNTO GOD and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.]