THEOLOGY MADE SIMPLE: Baptism

Discussion about the essence of baptism as being "born again."

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[dhood999]

Here is the problem my friend...you have made the Living God subordinate to the divination acts of witchcraft conducted by the self righteous men. You think by making a sign of a cross or invoking God over the water the water becomes the agent of salvation....THIS IS CLEAR AND APOSTATE deviation from the scripture. Scripture teaches being born of water and the spirit to mean the regenerating work of the spirit whereby He cleans through the word and quickens in a effectual manner.

[allsaintsmonastery]

@dhood999 You are a bit goofy, but you have a right your opinion.

[MapleAnglican]

Your Eminence, I was wondering if you could clarify something. In your opinion are baptisms carried out by pouring water valid but not necessary ideal, or would they be invalid?

[allsaintsmonastery]

@MapleAnglican According to the Canons, any priest or bishop who baptises in any other way than by triple emersion should be deposed and laisised. According to practice, almost no one cares anymore.

[orthodox7x7]

@allsaintsmonastery Well, if they are very sick. Then you can sprinkle water on them. However, I think its the didache thats says that baptism should be in a river, but the orthodox church doesnt do that anymore.

[allsaintsmonastery]

@orthodox7x7 Of course, or if you are in the desert you could baptise them in sand - really. We occasionally baptise an adult in the river that forms the south boundary of the monastery, however, in the Middle East and Egypt, that was easier. Most of our rivers flow from galciers and are extremely cold, so we use baptismal fonts of hte approriate size.

[dobrinin]

wise words

[orthodox7x7]

@allsaintsmonastery Wow, thats so cool, sand baptism. I learned something new. THX!

[orthodox7x7]

Father, could you explain not how, but why the holy spirit comes on the child. Also, orthodoxy teaches that sin is centered on the intent of the person. Then, how could a child who has (i am making the assumption) no intention, do the opposite of sin? Lastly, why would Christ want baptism for our children?

[mishakol129]

What I mean by "another" is my friend who was just recently Baptized by my parish priest. Right after his Baptism, 3 weeks went by where he never showed up for Church. After that, he showed up for Vigil on Sat. I asked him, "Where have you been all these weeks?" He said to me, "I was hanging out with some bad friends". He left in the middle of the service that night and haven't seen him since... Now what went wrong? Did he not receive a proper Catechism?

He's been taken away from the flock.