| Author | Message | ||
| Spokenfor Registered user Username: Spokenfor Post Number: 71 Registered: 12-2003 |
I'm wondering how many formers here were baptized into Christ after leaving adventism? I know baptism is not required for salvation. But did anyone feel like their sda baptism was into the sda church rather than into Christ and thus feel a need to be baptized anew? | ||
| Bobj Registered user Username: Bobj Post Number: 223 Registered: 1-2006  |
Spokenfor I was not rebaptized. Bob | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 6205 Registered: 12-2003  |
Spokenfor, it varies. Some formers do get re-baptized because their first baptism was into the church, not into Christ. Others did consciously choose to follow Jesus when they were baptized, and they have not been rebaptized. I don't think there's a formula here. There are some on this forum who have been re-baptized; perhaps they will share their stories. I was not because, even though I had an incomplete and even incorrect understanding of Jesus, I did want to serve Him. I remember choosing to follow Him, not just become part of the church, when I was baptized at age 10. Jesus did a remarkable thing for me then: I had a sense of the presence of the Holy Spirit that stayed with me for a full 24 hours after my baptism. I remember knowing it was the Lord and being aware that my experience was just for me, no one else knew it was happening. It was too personal for me to tell anyone about it at the time. Colleen | ||
| Luzisbornagain Registered user Username: Luzisbornagain Post Number: 13 Registered: 7-2007 |
Colleen. I got baptised into the adventist church at the age of 10 as well and I remember feeling that same feeling of the Holy spirit with me for that long as well. I'm glad you said that because I was considering getting rebaptised into Christ. But, I guess I already did back then. So then I was baptised with water then and was baptised in the holy spirit now. | ||
| Philharris Registered user Username: Philharris Post Number: 85 Registered: 5-2007  |
Spokenfor, I was rebaptized. It was not required but was my own choice. At age 12, I was baptized into the SDA church and I felt it didn't reflect my newfound walk with the Lord. Phil | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 3914 Registered: 3-2004  |
I was baptized twice into the adventist church. Both times it was for the wrong reasons. When I met Jesus Christ 3 1/2 years ago and God led me to my church, I took their Starting Point class and saw there that I wanted to be baptized into Christ. So I was. For me I needed to do that. Diana | ||
| Jorgfe Registered user Username: Jorgfe Post Number: 338 Registered: 11-2005 |
I was raised a 6th generation Seventh-day Adventist, and was baptized at age 12 into the SDA church. At the time it was the best relationship with God that I knew. I loved Jesus from the bottom of my heart. By the time I was 13, I was convinced that I was never going to be perfect enough to make it to heaven. I could not keep my mind pure, or think only heavenly thoughts. I could not refrain from reading secular books (for example model rockets) on the Sabbath. I would find secular music "playing in my head" on the Sabbath, in spite of the fact that I wanted only sacred music to show up during that time. The fact that I did not look forward to the Sabbath, like I was taught I was supposed to, caused me great emotional anguish. I did not refrain from playing baseball in Andrews Elementary school like Ellen White said I should. I did not do all the things that the books "Messages to Young People" and "The Adventist Home" said I must do if I was ever to make it to heaven. I kept slipping, and did not faithfully follow all the "light" given me in the book, "Counsels On Diet And Foods". Sometimes I would indulge in a snack between meals. I would eat ice cream in spite of the fact that Ellen White clearly stated that it was wrong to eat milk and sugar together. I would eat an egg now and then, in spite of the fact that Ellen White emphasized that it would stimulate the "animal organs" in my brain. I was petrified by the knowledge that I knew I was not going to be spiritually or physically ready for the Time of Trouble and the Close of Probation -- when I would be on my own before Satan without Jesus to be by my side. I was an utter failure. Hopeless. Lost. A spiritual shipwreck. And I know that my classmates, many children of (Saint) Andrews University or the Seminary, were going through similar experiences. I desperately wanted to go to heaven, but I despaired of ever being good enough. In short, my attempts at perfection were like a yoke that was so heavy I could hardly bear it. As I look back at it, this is the kind of head-wrenching emotional trauma that should rightly fall under "child abuse". It was not my parent's fault. They, too, were doing what they had been taught. The blame lies squarely with the SDA leadership and all the lies produced (and still being produced!) by the White Estate. There will be a day when they will have to answer to God for it, too! Fortunately at age 53 (two years ago) the Holy Spirit reached out and said, "Gilbert. You have wandered in the wilderness of Adventism long enough. You have given your heart to me. You are a child of mine, and I am going to show you a better way.", and I have never looked back. God is so wonderful. He will NEVER leave us, nor forsake us! That is my testimony. Gilbert Jorgensen | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 6207 Registered: 12-2003 |
Gilbert, what a story. thank you! You reminded me of somethng I had totally forgotten about...the secular music playing in my head during Sabbath. That used to cause me SO MUCH guilt, too! I had forgotten about that! The other thing was the random sentences about secular topics that came out of my mouth...i.e. school, etc.--you know, my LIFE! You're right; it's child abuse. And I don't blame my parents, either. They were as bound by this thing as I was. But it was a terrible burden. Colleen | ||
| Laurie Registered user Username: Laurie Post Number: 24 Registered: 6-2007 |
I have thought about getting rebaptized many times. I am still thinking about it. I was baptized at the age of 12 just like everyone else. My husband was raised catholic and was baptized as an SDA at about the age of 30. We have talked about getting rebaptized again many times. I'm just not sure how I feel about it. I don't feel it is "necessary" but I think it might be good for me, true freedom, a happy occasion. I am completely against the SDA position of baptism into church membership. It is wrong. When my husband was baptized they made him take off his wedding ring while in the tank and put it on when he came out. Wrong again. I believe I was baptized due to peer pressure. It was during an evangelastic series and of course being in church school, everyone at the magical age of 12 was expected to get baptized. I remember thinking that if I didn't go, I would be the only one. What would my parents say? What would my teachers say? I had to do it - everyone else was doing it. Wrong again. My daughter is 14 and not baptized yet. We talk about it, but there will never be the pressure I felt. Afterall, Jesus was 30 years old when he was baptized. Laurie | ||
| Spokenfor Registered user Username: Spokenfor Post Number: 73 Registered: 12-2003 |
Thank you all for your input - I've been personally pondering this one for awhile and still haven't felt certain either way. I was baptized into sdaism the first time at 14, because my friends were getting baptized and I didn't want to have to do alone at a later time. I don't think I completed any of the 'prerequistie' baptismal studies to 'prepare' for the event, I just jumped on board at the last minute and got it over with. All I remember about it is that I was concerned about my mascara running so I made sure I had some that was waterproof for the occasion. Is that not pathetic? It had very little meaning to me outside of being a required activity that sooner or later had to be dealt with. When I was in my 30's, I was searching for God - and thus returning to adventism after wandering around in the world. Adventism was the logical place to find Him as it was the only thing I knew about God. I was rebaptized at that time and for me, it was to signify that I was re-dedicating my life to Him. I was grateful that Jesus had died to make my salvation possible but I had no understanding of Salvation by grace through faith. I recall that the day after my baptism I got angry about something, lost my temper and then realized that I had blown it. The new life that I'd thought my baptism provided was now ruined and I felt so dismayed. I wasn't sure how I would ever be able to stay good enough. Ugh. I didn't know that Jesus had forgiven my past, present and future sins and that I could rest in HIM! Anyway, that second baptism was a dedication of my life to Him, at least according to my limited understanding.....still, a part of me would like to be baptized into Christ because now I actually know Him and what He has done for me. | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 3920 Registered: 3-2004 |
Spokenfor, My first baptism was the year after I had polio. I was thankful I had not died from it and that was why I was baptized. The second baptism was after my divorce. I had "backslidden", no that is the wrong word, I had jumped into life outside the SDA church feet first and enjoyed it. Knowing only the SDA church and knowing that some of the things I was doing God was not happy with, I was rebaptized. Again for all the wrong reasons. I learned the only reason to be baptized in my reading the Bible and reading here on FAF was because I love and accept Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross for me. I was baptized at my church the last Wednesday in June 2004. I was baptized into Jesus which I had missed the first two times. What an awesome God we have. Diana | ||
| Jeremiah Registered user Username: Jeremiah Post Number: 245 Registered: 1-2004  |
I had done too much reading about how early Christian baptism was done, and I just wanted to be baptized that way, into that church. The Orthodox church closest to me had to buy a horse watering tank for my baptism because they were not used to adults wanting to be baptized! In Orthodox countries everyone is baptized as an infant, but in America now people are wanting to join the ancient church so Orthodoxy has to get a bigger vision. The cool thing is you can read what my baptism was like here in this late 3rd or early 4th century document, because things just haven't changed much since then;  http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf07.ix.viii.iii.html It was great to hear the choir chanting "As many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ, Alleluia!" I guess that's a really old baptismal hymn. The preparation for baptism was quite sobering but joyful at the same time... realizing that it is an act of war against the devil, and a turning to Christ. Unlike my SDA baptism, this time it was really my idea, and my heart was in it. Jeremiah | ||
| Jorgfe Registered user Username: Jorgfe Post Number: 343 Registered: 11-2005 |
Jeremiah - That's really neat. I am very happy for you. Thank you for sharing with us your story. Gilbert Jorgensen | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 987 Registered: 9-2006  |
What water baptism means to me is that you visually and with an act of your will and before others do signify your death, burial and resurrection into new life in Christ but it is only a signification of what has taken place spiritually. It is a visible and physical outright confession of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. What is all this being "baptized into something" water does not and I believe cannot bring one "into Jesus" nor the church nor any other thing and this Adventist insanity of Baptizing into the church is such pure hog wash as to be laughed at, ridiculed and scorned. What a mess of nonsense. I think Adventist and an awful lot of the Christian Evangelical world are all "wet". When Jesus was Baptized he was signifying his future death, burial and resurrection, he did not need repentance he had nothing to repent of whereas John was Baptizing for repentance and making the paths straight for the Lord, we simply follow Jesus with the same signification as he did. Our spiritual baptism is when we are Baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire just as the Lord said. There my good friends, I have said my peace, have at me. River P.S. I was baptized at the age of about Ten and when the Lord reached down for me and miraculously delivered me from alcoholism and drugs I was re baptized at the age of 30 or 31 to signify just what I said. If I felt that I needed to be baptized again I would do it in a heartbeat, but no, I have signified with eyes wide open (accept under water of course) just what I said, I am at peace having done that. | ||
| Prinsen Registered user Username: Prinsen Post Number: 32 Registered: 5-2005 |
I never really considered being rebaptized since when I was baptized in the SDA church my vows were only to Jesus and the Bible. At my baptism I was asked by the pastor if I believed Jesus died for me and if I believed in the Bible as the word of God. That was it! No commitment to EGW, Sabbath or adventism at all, just Jesus and the Bible. Pretty unusual I guess, don't you think? IF I would have made vows to the SDA church or any unbiblical doctrine I would definitely have considered a renewed Baptism as a statement of my faith only in Christ. /M | ||
| U2bsda Registered user Username: U2bsda Post Number: 501 Registered: 11-2004 |
I was baptized at the age of 8 after much begging. I had to go through studies and at that age I sure didn't understand why I needed to go through all those studies. To compound the issue I thought that I had to be baptized or I would be lost - another reason for the begging. I wasn't rebaptized because I was baptized into Christ. Actually I think that being baptized at that young age help me stick with Christ. I was bound to Him and not the church. | ||
| Blessed Registered user Username: Blessed Post Number: 40 Registered: 1-2007 |
I was baptized at the age of 10 in the Adventist church because it was the thing to do. I attended Academy and there was lots of pressure from the ministers and teachers to commit to the church. My father (who was not an SDA) and my mother's mother (who believed in the "truth" but never attended church) both were against me doing it because they thought I was too young. Anyway I did it and I remember thinking that now I stood a better chance at getting to heaven because I was an Adventist. At the age of 18 through the influence of a girl in high school who loved the Lord I started searching and realized that Adventism was doctrinally incorrect. I started attending a Baptist church in my area and nine months later I committed my life to Jesus Christ. Then the dilemma about whether to be baptized again or not came up. I went back and forth for awhile but one day realized that baptism was an outward expression of an inward confession of a personal relationship with Christ. For me, I never had a personal relationship with Christ - my SDA baptism signified a joining of a church which happened to be the "truth". When that realization hit me the decision was very easy to make. I was baptized again this time on profession of faith in Jesus Christ alone - not 27 fundamentals. It was awesome and very freeing. On the night that I was baptized I remember walking to the church. Half way there a little voice (I know it was Satan) said "What are you doing? How can you walk away from the truth and the Sabbath and join Babylon". I stopped right in the middle of the sidewalk and said out loud "Satan, you are not getting me on this one, I now know Jesus rather than a church and I have peace that I am doing the right thing.". He left and I went on and followed in obedience. One of the things that continues to amaze me as I read the forum is how many of you actually had a personal relationship with Christ while in Adventism. I definitely did not and was never encouraged to do so. I grew up in the church in the 60's so maybe it has changed since then on that topic. Some of you mentioned the secular music playing in your head during Sabbath. That for me was probably one of the most difficult things that I dealt with because of course I thought that I wouldn't go to heaven because of it. It is one small illustration of the bondage of legalism versus the freedom in Christ. I am so thankful that I have been released. Blessed | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 6211 Registered: 12-2003 |
Blessed, I don't know how personal my relationship was with Jesus as an Adventist. I only know I wanted to serve Him...but I was driven nearly crazy trying to do so. It didn't FEEL like a personal relationship--and I felt embarrassed to say His name or speak of Him at all. I believe He confirmed Himself to me at my baptism as a way of assuring me, over the years, that He accepted me. I don't see it as much as an evidence that I related to Him in a personal way as that He assured me He was real during all those years when Adventism was TRUTH to me. I can't explain how I knew I wanted to serve Him...I just know I was a pretty compulsive child and desperately wanted to be good! Colleen | ||
| Reb Registered user Username: Reb Post Number: 264 Registered: 5-2007 |
I am considering being re-baptised (in the SDB church) for 2 reasons: 1) When I was baptised SDA it was mostly for my wife, not me. IF I really want to be completely honest with myself I would have to admit that. It took time and continued indroctination for me to become the EGW-thumping Adventist I was at one time. 2) I believe Adventism to be Heterodox at the very least and a cult at worst. I want to be baptised in a Bible-believing, Gospel-preaching church. I have even told the Pastor at the SDB church I now attend that I would like to be re-baptised at some point. (Message edited by Reb on July 05, 2007) | ||
| Ric_b Registered user Username: Ric_b Post Number: 705 Registered: 7-2004  |
An interesting topic. I think the question is very individual because our personal experiences related to that baptism are very different. I think the good news is that there is no wrong answer to the question. | ||
| Jeremy Registered user Username: Jeremy Post Number: 1904 Registered: 10-2004  |
My position on this topic, which I posted awhile back on this forum, is that SDA baptism is not Christian baptism--anymore than Mormon baptism is Christian baptism. Therefore, I would not call getting baptized in a Christian setting, "re-baptized." As River said, the SDA "baptism" of being baptized "into Adventism" is nonsense. It bears no resemblance to Christian baptism. I became especially convinced of this position when I read EGW's quotes where she states explicitly what SDA baptism is. Here is just a sample of some of EGW's statements:
If I had been baptized into Adventism, I would be totally spooked out reading these quotes. I am anyway. I am very thankful to God that I never was baptized into Adventism, and that I was never an "official" member of the SDA church! Jeremy | ||
| Asurprise Registered user Username: Asurprise Post Number: 12 Registered: 7-2007 |
My experience as a Seventh-day Adventist was a little different than some I guess. I did believe in salvation by grace through faith, yet I was in-secure about my salvation. (I still have a little of that left-over insecurity which crops up from time to time and then I have to pray about it.) Anyway, I'd try to "keep" the Sabbath and then I'd pray and ask the Lord to forgive my sins - that would cover any "breaking" of the Sabbath. When I found out about the two covenants and that the Sabbath is the sign of the old covenant, I was absolutely delighted to not have to "keep" it anymore! I had been baptized into the SDA church and I felt that I had baptized into their particular beliefs. I felt that the Lord wanted me to get baptized again after I came out of it, so I did. Dianne | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 993 Registered: 9-2006 |
I agree Jeremy, her writings spook me every time I read them due to the hold she has on people lives. I think Ric_b has a good point, there is probably no wrong answer here, like Colleen and others, feel no need to be baptized again, some do, which I feel that to my knowledge of what baptism is, those ones who feel a need should do it for it is their public witness of their death, burial and resurrection in Christ and forever settle the question. Personly if I had an inkling that is what I should do, I would do it again but I feel in my heart that it is settled for me. River | ||
| Godssonjp Registered user Username: Godssonjp Post Number: 40 Registered: 1-2007 |
I was baptized three times. When I was around 7 years or so, in the Baptist church, I first got baptized. I didn't really understand the whole meaning of baptism, but I knew I wanted to "be good for Jesus". (and to also joint the jr choir and take communion) During an SDA 'evangelistic' effort/seminar my family and I were baptized into the SDA church. My mom said to so I was obedient and followed her. I was about 11 years then. No one told us, prior to the day, about the vows. So, I did that whole routine. Then, at 23 years old, before my wife and I were married, after marriage counseling with the pastor, we both got rebaptized again, together. My wife, at the time, was pregnant and the pastor thought it would look good to the saints of we showed remorse for what we had done. (Having a child out of wedlock) Wrong reason, I know. I almost didn't go through with it because I knew better. I didn't feel the need to "show" everyone anything when I KNEW that God knew my heart. What did I have "show" them for? We went ahead and got rebaptized, but, during the vows ceremony, I didn't confirm some of the vows because I knew they weren't "right". This was before I knew what I know now about the SDA church. Since then, I decided that I wouldn't get rebaptized again. Getting baptized again wouldn't bring me any closer to Christ just as not getting baptized again will keep me from Him. When I finally find a church home, I don't plan on getting baptized again. I'll probably go on profession of faith. Unless God moves me to do otherwise. (Message edited by godssonjp on July 06, 2007) | ||
| Snowboardingmom Registered user Username: Snowboardingmom Post Number: 301 Registered: 11-2005 |
I was originally baptized when I was 14 years old. I know this may not seem like a late age for some, but in my eyes, this was a very late age. Most of my friends and classmates had already been baptized when they were 10, or 11, or at the VERY latest 12! So, I felt like I was long past due. I took preparing for baptism very seriously. I went through two years of Bible study with our church pastor, and I literally had the 27 fundamental beliefs of the church memorized. And although I understood that ultimately I was demonstrating an outward expression of my faith in Jesus through baptism, MORE SO, I was demonstrating my commitment to the SDA church. As I started processing out of Adventism, and realizing I could no longer consider myself an Adventist, I had to re-evaluate what my baptism meant to me. I wasn't contemplating rebaptism because I thought it was necessary, or a salvation issue, or anything like that. But, I was starting to consider getting rebaptized because I had begun to truly give Jesus Christ "Lordship" over my life. My first baptism did not reflect that public statement of my commitment. As my growth in Him continued over the months (at the end of the whole processing out of Adventism, things started moving very quickly), it became clear to me that I wanted to be rebaptized, and that I wanted to publicly declare that Jesus Christ was truly my Lord and Savior. I was rebaptized last year (2006) on Good Friday. Interesting thing, as I would tell my Adventist friends that I was getting rebaptized, EVERY ONE OF THEM asked me, "Into what church?" I'm so happy and proud that through His Spirit in me, I am part of God's Church that began back in Pentecost. It's the seal of the Holy Spirit that makes me a "member"; not church membership in the official GC books, or even a baptismal certificate. By His Spirit and His claim on me, I am a daughter of God, and a part of God's family. That heaven declared "Church Membership" beats out anything a human denomination can offer. Hallelujah! Grace | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 3950 Registered: 3-2004 |
"By His Spirit and His claim on me, I am a daughter of God, and a part of God's family. That heaven declared "Church Membership" beats out anything a human denomination can offer. Hallelujah!" I will second that Hallelujah and AMEN. Diana |
