Defining Moment: Discerning process on Re-Baptism

[stacie]

From the Defining Moment Address:

We will be sharing some additional reflections about how we relate to history and scripture in coming months in the Herald. Having addressed this issue in general, let us turn to some particular opportunities and needs now before us.

The 2007 World Conference passed a resolution asking the Presidency to bring guidance to the church about our practice of rebaptism as a condition for church membership. After a time of study and reflection, the Presidency is inviting the whole church to engage with us in prayerful discernment about this issue. We believe this approach is in harmony with Doctrine and Covenants 162:2c, which states: “As a prophetic people you are called, under the direction of the spiritual authorities and with the common consent of the people, to discern the divine will for your own time and in the places where you serve.”

The obvious opportunity before us is to sharpen our skills as a prophetic and discerning people. The importance of the process is much greater than how we will resolve the issue. Its ultimate importance lies in enriching our capacity to engage in fair, Spirit-led dialogue about important issues. The skills and experiences gained in this process will be essential to us in the future as we address other issues. Resources providing individual and group help will be mailed to pastors and soon will be available on the church’s Web site at www.CofChrist.org/CofM/.

While we appreciate the enthusiasm and conviction of those who already are sending in their final answers, we encourage all members to participate in the prayer, study, discussion, and discernment process before sharing your perspectives.

[patm]

I feel that as a church it is arrogant that we are the "one true church" and " restored PH".  These are terms that should go the way of the whip and buggy.  We consider marriage a sacrament but don't ask married couples to remarry when they join the church.
Baptism is a committed to serve Christ.  In my congregation right now there are 3 people who attend on a regular basis , one in fact is our CFO, who refuse to be re-basptize but would be confirmed.  The sincerely feel that the committment they made in their orginal baptism should be recognized by the church.

It is time to recongized that there are other ministers out there that have just as much authority as ours,,,infact sometimes I think more.

[Wixx]

I know that this is important to many but not to me.  A non-baptised persons can participate fully in the life of a congregation except in the ordinances that require priesthood, and those seem to be waning in importance. 

[abilene]

Both of my children were baptized in the RLDS, now called the Community of Christ at ages 10 and 11.   I was very happy that they chose to be baptized0 at the time.   

Then, first it was my daughter that chose to be RE baptized in another church in her early 20's and she wanted me to come, but I just couldn't attend at the time.  My daughter and I are very close, but inexplicably I couldn't make myself go to a rebaptism because I felt she is already baptized.  My daughter explained to me that she was an adult now!   So there you have it, baptism is very personal, baptism is not something that one decides for another, it is something that one chooses to enter into. 

Second my son chose to be RE baptized in another church in his early 20's and I did attend his RE baptism.  It didn't impact me emotionally as much as with my daughter, because I knew immediately, that my son just wanted to belong to the group of the new church.   

It surprised me at how strong my children's  attraction to affiliate in a meaningful way with another church by being rebaptized.  Now, I can accept it as the good thing that it is.  Hey, I take credit where ever I can find it as a parent!

Based on this my family and personal  experience, I would say that it would be reasonable to anticipate that those who want to affiliate with the Community of Christ would choose RE baptism. 

[Margie]

It surprised me at how strong my children's  attraction to affiliate in a meaningful way with another church by being rebaptized.

Most, if not all, other churches do not recognize our baptisms.

[Lisa]

It surprised me at how strong my children's  attraction to affiliate in a meaningful way with another church by being rebaptized.

Most, if not all, other churches do not recognize our baptisms.

this was not my sister's experience when she chose to join a southern baptist church. 

her baptism with the RLDS was accepted.  she still chose to be rebaptized again anyway.

[Margie]

That is very odd, I have never heard of a Southern Baptist church accepting any other church's baptism. They still believe they're the "one true church".

[Wixx]

Personal  choice is good.  It is the requirement and/or the denial that is in question.

[Bill]

That is very odd, I have never heard of a Southern Baptist church accepting any other church's baptism. They still believe they're the "one true church".

All Southern Baptist churches are not created equal. Each Southern Baptist congregation is autonomous, it is a church unto itself. So you do not have the Southern Baptist church you have thousands of Southern Baptist churches.

I know a California Southern Baptist preacher who said that he would help anyone start a new church regardless of denomination even if it is across the street from his church. He said all churches should be working together.

Lisa's post surprised me too because the Southern Baptist churches I have attended required that one be baptized by full immersion and for the right reason, that is to witness that one has accepted Christ as savior and the desire to follow him in baptism.

They would not accept the baptisms of people who were baptized for the wrong reasons, which is the belief that baptism is necessary for salvation and for the remission of sin. These of course are the reasons that the Community of Christ baptizes.

[Margie]

Actually, in Community of Christ, we baptize for remission of sins and membership.

[bapaw]

when we should be baptizing for remission of sins, and union with the universal church of christian believers.
denominational membership was never part of the baptismal teaching of christ.

[Margie]

I know. That was a Restoration addition.

[Donald]

 There were no denominations at the time. Denominations are the reality now, and as such, since this church has a priesthood authority, that was given, or restored to us specifically, we should honor that authority, and not diminish it by willy nilly, admitting in any baptism anywhere by anyone, under any circumstances.

when we should be baptizing for remission of sins, and union with the universal church of chriatian believers.
denominational membership was never part of the baptismal teaching of christ.

[leondberg]

I believe there were denominations in 1830.  JS Jr said that God told him that he should "join none of them".  There were at least Lutherans, Catholics, and Anglicans.

leon d berg

There were no denominations at the time. Denominations are the reality now, and as such, since this church has a priesthood authority, that was given, or restored to us specifically, we should honor that authority, and not diminish it by willy nilly, admitting in any baptism anywhere by anyone, under any circumstances.

when we should be baptizing for remission of sins, and union with the universal church of chriatian believers.
denominational membership was never part of the baptismal teaching of christ.

[Donald]

1830 yes 1st Century A.D. no. Also yes he was told to join none of them, so now why exactly should we now be accepting, the authority of the same denominations, that Joseph was told not to join, back then.

I believe there were denominations in 1830.  JS Jr said that God told him that he should "join none of them".  There were at least Lutherans, Catholics, and Anglicans.

leon d berg

There were no denominations at the time. Denominations are the reality now, and as such, since this church has a priesthood authority, that was given, or restored to us specifically, we should honor that authority, and not diminish it by willy nilly, admitting in any baptism anywhere by anyone, under any circumstances.

when we should be baptizing for remission of sins, and union with the universal church of chriatian believers.
denominational membership was never part of the baptismal teaching of christ.