When To Be Baptized ?

[solo56]

Hi All. I have a question about baptism. Lets say I go to church sunday morning. COC of course. I want to be baptized. I believe Jesus Christ is Lord. I've repented of my sins. Now it's time to be baptized.

Will the coc baptize me right then? Or will they want me to wait till that night or the next week? Different churches may be different. Any Disciples of Christ also answer if your reading this.

Should I take an extra change of clothes?

[RefrusRevlis]

Will the coc baptize me right then? Or will they want me to wait till that night or the next week? Different churches may be different. Any Disciples of Christ also answer if your reading this.

Should I take an extra change of clothes?

I can't speak for all churches, but in my limited experience the congregation of which I am a member (church if Christ) would encourage you to get baptised asap. Acts 22:16 "Why are you waiting, arise and be baptised...". This would not be without making sure you understood why baptism was necessary and what it was for.
The examples in the book of Acts show no delay (Philipian jailer is a good example in Acts 16:33). Yes you should take a change of clothes.
Refrus

[crawfish]

I've never known a CofC to wait once somebody had made a decision, be it Sunday morning, Wednesday night, or Friday, 3AM.

[Splayd]

We often wait. (CofC - Australia)

I know, I know. I recognise that that's not the scriptural example and I applaud those who do it straight away.

Typically (if there's any such thing) people in our congregation indicate that they'd like to talk about getting baptised. Someone will catch up with them asap and answer their questions, pray with them etc...

If they wanted to get baptised then and there I would be happy with that, but often they want to share it with others so we'll set a time/date/place.

We have a very modest building without town water in a drought affected area, so we don't have a baptismal. That also means that delays are often inevitable. Sometimes we'll go to to the river (if it's not too low)after the service. Other times we've gone back to someone's house who has a pool. This means that weather and/or availability of a pool has an impact on the timing which is unfortunate.

Peace

[annie1speed]

Usually, people are baptized at the end of the service. We have towels and baptismal garments of different sizes clean and ready for use.

When someone has decided to do this, usually they have spoken with close friends and relatives about it, and it is not a surprise. Any relatives or friends they want to be there have been told. Funny, it is a strong indicator that one of our young people will be baptized when both sets of grandparents decide to visit that day. :)

Annie

[WesWoodell]

My church usually doesn't wait, but we have. Its up to the person being baptized.

[JDIBe]

The answer to that question depends on where you go and what age you are. If you are very young, I would imagine the preacher would want to know if you understand what you are doing. If that is not a concern, most churches I have been to (coC) would baptize you then and there. In fact, on some weeknights, I have been called along with everyone else to come to the building to witness someone being baptized.

Much of it depends on whether or not that church (and you) believe baptism is necessary for forgiveness of sins. If a church does not believe so, waiting is probably not a big deal to them. I once attended a somewhat liberal church where a lady in our class wanted to be baptized. Other members on the Worship Committee asked if she would wait two weeks until they could plan a worship service around the subject of baptism. She politely declined.

[WesWoodell]

P.S. - you might consider taking a pair of clothes with you, but most of the churches I've been apart of have special baptismal garments they can give you so that your own clothes don't have to get wet.

Again, it probably depends on the church.

Are you asking this because you're interested in being baptized, or just for conversation?

[SEA89]

before i got baptized my dad made me watch these bible stories on tapes it helped alot . i think that if you feel you are ready to be baptized go for it . i was baptized the day i decided to get baptized.

may god be with you ,SEA89

[solo56]

Thanks for the replies everyone. All of you have been very helpful.
May God bless each and everyone of you.

[ProfessorJ]

What Ive noticed is that if the church has a baptismal, then theyll do it then. If not, it may be months. They usually have their own garments, but a change is recommended.

[hugheschase9]

i think i was baptized when i was like 4 or 5 i don't no.?