Baptism as an Adult

[ssw7110]

How does someone go about inviting people to their own Baptism?
I would love to have my friends there to witness my Baptism, but I feel childish inviting someone to my own event....as if I'm celebrating my own self.
How should I phrase the invitation?

 

[zippy2006]

How does someone go about inviting people to their own Baptism?
I would love to have my friends there to witness my Baptism, but I feel childish inviting someone to my own event....as if I'm celebrating my own self.
How should I phrase the invitation?

Wow, that's a good question! The closest analog is probably something like a college graduation. I would steal ideas from graduation invitations if it were me.

But just as an engaged couple sends out wedding invitations to "Celebrate us," there is a sense in which you are celebrating your new relationship with God. It is definitely worth celebrating, and I think your friends will understand that.

 

[Phil W]

How does someone go about inviting people to their own Baptism?
I would love to have my friends there to witness my Baptism, but I feel childish inviting someone to my own event....as if I'm celebrating my own self.
How should I phrase the invitation?

Frankly, I'm surprised you are waiting on a time in the future to have your past sins washed away? (Acts 2:38)
Not to mention the killing and burial of the old man and being raised with Christ to walk in newness of life. (Rom 6:3-6)
Whoever it is that is making you wait is cheating you.

 

[ajcarey]

How does someone go about inviting people to their own Baptism?
I would love to have my friends there to witness my Baptism, but I feel childish inviting someone to my own event....as if I'm celebrating my own self.
How should I phrase the invitation?

If you are getting baptized for the right reason (testifying that you are now dead to sin and alive to God under Christ's authority) then this is important business for the Lord and others ought to be able to benefit from your testimony in this holy ordinance. A celebration of you is not what this is about unless your heart is not yet right and/or your church's leadership have a false and/or light mview of baptism.

If you have still not turned to God and crucified your old man in repentance, then do that before you get baptized or don't get baptized. If your church makes baptism into an event which is more like a party or some kind of humanistic celebration of the individual, then find a new church which is sober and takes baptism as serious and weighty before God like the Bible esteems it to be. Otherwise, you are possibly being overly scrupulous and worrying about something which there is really no need to worry about. It is good for the Lord's interests and good for other people to witness a baptism done for the right treason with the right attitude in an atmosphere which corresponds appropriately.

 

[ssw7110]

The "future" is this coming Sunday.

 

[ssw7110]

I hadn't really thought about inviting anyone until a few people from my church asked me who all I had invited.
I'm still new to Christianity so I'm not sure what the protocol is. I would have been perfectly fine with my Baptism being between the preacher, me, and God. But then I was told that this is an outward declaration of one's faith and is meant to be witnessed by others?
Which is why I asked about how I should phrase it when inviting anyone.

 

[Albion]

Sunday, eh? Then your invitations go out by telephone.

Seriously, to the extent that a baptism is performed in front of the congregation, which is a practice in many churches, that scenario represents what you were told about a public witness, etc.

If that is what the schedule calls for--baptism at some time during the regular worship service--you do not have to send out any personal invitations at all. There will be plenty of witnesses. But of course you can also invite family and close friends if you wish.

 

[eleos1954]

How does someone go about inviting people to their own Baptism?
I would love to have my friends there to witness my Baptism, but I feel childish inviting someone to my own event....as if I'm celebrating my own self.
How should I phrase the invitation?

I'd just say ... I'm getting baptized on such and such day, time & place and if you would like to be there I would like for you to be there as well.

 

[miamited]

I hadn't really thought about inviting anyone until a few people from my church asked me who all I had invited.
I'm still new to Christianity so I'm not sure what the protocol is. I would have been perfectly fine with my Baptism being between the preacher, me, and God. But then I was told that this is an outward declaration of one's faith and is meant to be witnessed by others?
Which is why I asked about how I should phrase it when inviting anyone.

Hi ssw,

What you do is you tell everyone that you want to tell that you're being baptized this Sunday and you'd really enjoy sharing the moment with them...if they can come. No pressure. Just mention that you'd enjoy having them there if they can come. Some people who get baptized in our fellowship often have 6 or 10 friends and family who come out just for the occasion. I would absolutely encourage you to invite close friends and any family that might not attend services or attend at different fellowships.

Remember, it's all for the glory of God!

God bless,
In Christ, ted

 

[ssw7110]

Thank you everyone for your wonderful advice!!!