For most of us, our parents took us to church one day and a clergyperson performed some kind of ritual usually involving water. More than anything, it was an occasion to gather with friends and family. Skipping this ritual could be considered a serious social faux pas. For some it might mean that you were now safe from the flames of hell. For most, nothing much really happened. Not so for Anabaptists.
For Anabaptists, baptism is a solemn promise to adhere to the rules of the community, a promise that can be made only by adults. The word "baptism" means "to immerse," hence the dipping in water or sprinkling in some traditions. For Anabaptists, baptism is immersion in the life of the community. Anabaptists are baptized with the holy spirit meaning they adopt the character of God as their own. No water required. Sometimes water may be used anyway or replaced by laying on of hands, but it is not really necessary. Everything important going on happens inside the person getting baptized.
Baptism is very serious business and never happens as a matter of tradition or because the other kids do it. Baptism is a lifetime commitment. Breaking the promise to the community, which is really a substitute for God, could result in getting shunned or excommunicated unless serious repentance is made and the promise renewed.
In our culture, that level of commitment is hard to come by. Most of us would rather not. It is uncomfortable. We would rather keep our options open. We delay career choices or getting married. Hey, there could be a better job or a better spouse around the next corner. Short-term benefits tend to be more compelling than a long-term strategy. What's yours?
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