Stand clear - I'm opening up another baptism thread!

[Sascha Fitzpatrick]

^_^ ^_^ ^_^

At the moment, I am researching infant baptism in the lutheran church - as my in-laws are Lutheran, and would appreciate it being done when we have children. I'm not sure, hence the research into what it means.

Anyway, after asking some Lutherans about it, I would told it was inappropriate as 'Salvationists believe that baptism is irrelevant and outdated'.

Now, that hasn't been my understanding as to Salvationist thought towards baptism, and definitely not what I have seen expressed through attending my corps.

Do Salvationists believe baptism to be irrelevant and outdated? (Not just infant, but adult as well)...

I'd just like some information on what the SA believe as a whole, and what you've personally seen expressed at your individual corps.

Sasch

[Evangelina]

My rule of thumb is - never ask someone why a different religion/denomination does what they do... you'll generally get a relatively ignorant answer :)

Check this out to start off with - Why doesn't the Salvation Army practice holy communion and baptism? (http://www1.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki/www_uki.nsf/vw-dynamic-arrays/C28E39B2CA06E8F98025708A003D9FAC?openDocument)

[Sascha Fitzpatrick]

Yeah, I realised it was a bit of an 'off' statement, hence taking it with a grain of salt (probably through lack of understanding) - but if that was the kinda vibe we have the risk of giving off, then I'd like to see what the 'facts' are, so that I can be a better 'conduit' of the true thoughts of Salvationists in the future.

Thanks - I'll go check that out...

Sasch

[Abiel]

I have never heard the SA position described in those terms before.

[Timyone]

being outdated!! and i think its time the salvos brought in baptism and communion. but yeah. cant see it happening, im not actually into baby baptism either thow.

[Timyone]

the mention of the quakers in the explenation page, is that catherine booth had some thing or other to do with them(cant remember if she was one), and she probably had alot to do with the issue. its true that you dont need to do it for salvation, but jesus did say do this in rememberence of me (well in one of the gospels it only has the feet washing not the supper bit, was it john? lol i should check) so maybe its not the most important thing in the world, but id still like the salvos to do it.

alot of salvo ministers will actually baptise you ifd you ask them to, dunno about as a baby if they would or not, and ive seen different bits of the sacriments done by oficors. but yeah.

[Timyone]

(my points of view are partly influenced by the salvo training college where i hang out and partly from the fact that ive been baptised as an adult etc.

[Abiel]

If an officer in the UK baptised anyone, they would risk suffering serious consequences.

[Andy Broadley]

I always believed that the Army made a decision not to include baptism and Communion in it's worship, but never said it was outdated or irrelevent.

Nor, as far as I know, is any Salvationist prevented from being Baptised if they wish to do so.

And a great many Salvationists visit other churches and partake of Communion.

My personal feeling is that it will eventually become part of Army worship and practice, but probably not for some time yet. However, there is a slowly increasing momentum to this debate.

[TheDag]

If an officer in the UK baptised anyone, they would risk suffering serious consequences.
how sad to hear that. I hope that the officers have the courage to do what is right regaedless of any consequences they may or may not face.

edit to add: maybe a study on galations would help those who would impose the consequences to realise that since Christ freed us from slavery then they should not try to put anyone back under slavery by imposing rules even if they are unofficial unwritten rules.

[TheDag]

As a person who has attended a lutheran church I can understand why the in-laws would want any children baptised but remember at the end of the day it is a decision you and your husband are going to have to make. If it is one that is going to be unpopular with the in-laws so be it. If it is one that will keep them happy then so be it. It is generally the view in the lutheran church that you must be baptised to go to heaven which is why if a baby looks like they may not survive long after birth the minister will drop everything and go to the hospital and baptise them there quickly.

edit to add: maybe a bible study on galations might help the in-laws realise that they should not be trying to impose rules on others.