WHAT IS BAPTISM?

-- PUNKER (GREG_PISAHOV@HOTMAIL.COM), January 12, 2005

Answers

The sacrametal rite int he Catholic and mist christain chruhces in which one is imersed in water for the remission of sins.

-- ZAROVE (ZAROFF3@JUNO.COM), January 12, 2005.

Immersion is not always necessary, and pouring or sprinkling is often used.

-- Emily ("jesusfollower7@yahoo.com"), January 12, 2005.

It's the sacrament by which we become members of Christ's Church.

-- Steve (55555@aol.com), January 12, 2005.

Actually, pouring has always been the usual method of Christian baptism, immersion has always been an acceptable option, and sprinkling is not allowed except in certain very extreme situations.

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), January 12, 2005.

But Punker, baptism isn't just water. It is water joined with God's Word and Promise. Jesus' disciples baptized during His ministry, and after His resurrection Jesus commanded the disciples to baptize. Baptism is associated with the promise of forgiveness of sins, becoming sealed as a child of God, receiving the Holy Spirit, sins being washed away, being joined to Jesus' death and rising, being saved, the washing of rebirth, etc.

So, it isn't just pouring a bit of water on the head. God promises to work through that water, and gives His greatest gifts to us! It is where He says, "I love you. You belong to me."

-- Michael (edwardsronning@prodigy.net), January 13, 2005.