Tuesday, April 03, 2007
I'm not sure why I have no place for comments on my testimony post below. Maybe it is too long... If you have comments, please share them here. Especially if you have answers to my baptism question. Thank you!
I am a stay at home mother to 4. I am very blessed to have a godly husband who loves the Lord and his family. I welcome the days of much needed grace,the times of sweet victories,and the tears of trials,knowing it is all for God's glory. I want my lifesong to sing to Him,the author and finisher of my faith. Soli Deo Gloria--To the Glory of God alone.
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29 Comments:
Beautiful testimony of God's grace in your life, Kim. Isn't it amazing how you can pinpoint the exact time you recieved that revelation of sin? I can do the same with different times and revelations. God is so good.
Thank you for sharing your heart, Kim! I just love read other people's testimony. God's love shines through each and every time.
I was baptized as a baby and had that same question and I was told by someone that I respect that God will lay that on your heart and you'll know the answer as to whether or not you should get baptized again. I guess at this point in my life, I don't feel that calling.
Amen. Thanks for sharing your testimony, Kim!
Thanks so much for sharing this, Kim. I love reading testimonies of God's goodness. It is so awesome to look back and see how He worked all things together for good!
God is good!
I love reading testimonies, such a great reason to rejoice and be thankful to God and be reminded of His goodness, thanks for sharing Kim.
Oh MY! Your testimony is SO very similar to mine! Thanks for sharing, Kim.
Jennifer R.
Hi, Kim! What a beautiful testimony, thank you so much for sharing it. Our testimonies are very similar. I have struggled with the same baptism question, because I was baptized at 7, but more fully understood the Gospel later. I do wish my church had waited a bit - I've heard of churches that wait until a child who professes faith reaches about 13. This may be wise, for that is typically when abstract thinking begins to develop over merely concrete thinking.
But, something I've also been learning is that sanctification is a process that begins with justification - the initial placing of faith in Christ upon regeneration. None of us fully understands at first - we all grow. In fact, one mark that someone is saved is a growing awareness of sin in her life. I cannot actually point to a specific, exact moment when I am sure was the moment I was converted, but I do know that my hope right now, today is in Christ's righteousness alone. I also know as I look back over my life that, just as you mentioned in your testimony, God has been working all along to bring me to Him.
As to being rebaptized, ultimately only you can make that decision, but don't be too harsh about it, either. Like I said, sanctification is a process, and as long as we are here in this life, we will continue to become aware of the sin God is purging from our lives. I hope that's helpful and not too rambling - this is what I've finally come to in my own life after prayer and talking with my husband - and I'm still thinking on it for myself.
I'm really sorry for leaving such a long comment!
It is always a beautiful thing to read about the transforming power of God's grace! Thank you so much for sharing you glory-filled testimony.
I am looking forward what others write about your baptism question. I do think at this point, because of your desire to give Him glory, then your decision will honor Him.
What a blessing you have shared with us!
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What a great testimony to God's faithfulness. Thanks for sharing.
And just a side note your blog presentation is so beautiful.
Blessings!
Thank you so much for such an honest testimony. I love reading other's testimonies. I can relate to man-pleasing vs. God-pleasing.
As for baptism, our church only baptizes once. You could be baptized again if you want, but it's not really done. When babies are baptized in our church the church as a whole promises to raise this child in a Christian environment (this is a very basic summary!). It sounds to me like your baptism as a baby, with the church behind your family, brought you where you are today and your testimony shows this. It doesn't give you an answer to your question, but maybe it will give you more meaning to your baptism you received as a baby. God will let your heart know (:
I enjoyed reading your testimony. I hope, in the future, that we can incorporate more testimonies of women in our Bible study time at church. It really weaves hearts together. See you tomorrow evening!
Krista
I love reading/hearing people's testimonies. They serve as an excellent reminder of just how great of a God we serve. Thank you for sharing. Check my blog in the coming days for a post on my testimony.
Beautiful testimony
Thank you for sharing. God is so awesome and good.
Kim,
My name is Shawn and I found your blog through my sister Emily who is a friend of yours. I really appreciate the spiritual mind you have developed and wished others would as well. I enjoy reading your blog and your thoughts and this one really struck me. I would like to open up God's word and let it answer your baptism question. In Acts 2, when the men of Israel realized they had murdered thier Savior they were cut to the heart (convicted of thier sin), and they wanted to know what to do about it. Peter responded, "Repent and let everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall recieve the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38). The Holy Spirit reveals a couple of things about baptism here. (1) A person must repent before being baptized. This would exclude babies and young children because they have no sin in thier life to repent of. Even at the young age of six a person might know who Jesus is, but can not comprehend the concept of true discipleship (Luke 9:23). (2) Baptism is what washes away our sins and saves us (1 Peter 3:21). It is the sole act that puts us in Christ (Gal. 3:27), where we come in contact with the wonderful grace of God. The Holy Spirit beautifully explains this in Romans 6. It's too long to type but I know you will read it. Many people are baptized for many reasons but Paul wrote there is "one baptism" (Eph. 4:5) and that is for the forgiveness of our sins. It is how we obey the gospel, the power of God to salvation (Rom. 1:16). Any other baptism is not a biblical baptism. I know you will read and study more than what is written here because you want to know the truth. Jesus said it is only the truth that can set us free. If you have any more questions or concerns, or if anyone that has posted has a question please e-mail me (montexans@sbcglobal.net). I don't have all the answers but God's word does. Thanks for taking time to read this.
Shawn
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Thank you for sharing your testimony-it is so encouraging to others to see the faithfulness of God in our lives. Wonderful to see how you have been pursued by Him, and how He has been faithful to the teaching you were blessed to have in your home growing up! You are a blessing to many.
I ended up writing a post that was inspired by your testimony HERE
Again, thank you for revealing your heart for the glory of our Heavenly Father.
Beautiful testimony of God's faithfulness and persistance for us. I agree with Rebekah on the baptism/rebaptism. I think the christian journey is a process.
If I was baptized everytime I realized my need, or a new need, I would be very wet.:o) I beleive that baptism is an outward display of the change and commitment. Just like my wedding ring symbolizes my marriage, my baptism is a symbol of my commitment to follow Jesus.
My husband was re-baptized before we got married just to make sure his baptism was in order. In time since he believes that it was in order before and not needed the second. It looks like you have lots of advice to pull from here in the comments. ;o)
Your testimony most definitely reflects your desire to glorify our God and His faithfulness!
Thanks so much for sharing this. God is using you and your blog in BIG ways. You are an encouragment to me.
I was going to give you some scripture and tell you what I believe about baptism as well but it looks like Shawn stated it perfectly. My husband was baptized as a baby and was wondering if his counted or not. he came to me and asked what I thought. We prayed to God to show us what HE says about baptism and if it indeed counted or not. The very next Sunday our sermon at church was entitled. " Baptism, did mine count" They gave many scriptures backing up what they were teaching and Shawn was right on. My husband decided he needed to get baptized as an adult, after accepting Christ as his savior. We beleive that God was giving us our answer to the prayers . I believe that children can get dedicated to Christ. You can promise to raise them in a Christian home but they have no sin to wash clean. I also believe that only you and God know what you should do. I pray that he will give you revelation knowledge of what you should do.
Your testimony was beautiful, thank you for sharing it.
God Bless and I hope you have a very blessed Easter!
I'm that husband PresentStorm spoke of...
It was very important for me to get baptized again. A bunch of folks told me that since I was already baptized, I didn't need to be again... But I wasn't doing it for them. It was part of my walk. Did it somehow hurt them that I got re-baptized? They acted like it... but in the end- I got dunked in water and had my own experience. They chose to watch (my mom - even though she disagreed with my decision) or just went on about their buisness and ignored it. And that was fine. It was about my walk with God. My faith. Hopefully somebody saw it that took something from it.
Here's a thought though... Will it hurt you to get re-baptized? The worst that happens is you got a bit wet when you didn't need to do so. So even if the folks who say baby baptisms are the be all end all are correct... You get wet. OK... So what? But what if this feeling you have that you need it is the right one... Better safe than sorry maybe?
Just my 2 cents... I prayed about it and got my answer... Hopefully you get yours.
There is some misunderstanding here: I was not baptized as a baby...I am evaluating whether or not my faith was beginning at age 11 when I repented or as an adult after studying of God's Word more in depth. It was then that I saw more obedience in my life. I do believe at age 11, I believed and repented...so when did it begin and was my baptism at the proper time?
Hope this clarifies my question.
The actual baptism(washing of flesh does not save)...it is by faith that we are saved. Baptism is an act of obedience. Even 1 Peter 3:21 states that it is "not the removal of dirt from the flesh but an appeal to God for a good conscience--through the resurrection through Jesus Christ."
Eph 2:8-9
"For it is by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Not as a result of of works, that no one should boast."
Kim
Thank you for your testimony. I am surprised at how similar ours are. I too was brought up in the same type of church, and at the age of 6 made a "profession of faith" and was baptized the following week, but I wasn't fully aware of the sinfulness of my heart. I then continued in a man-pleasing life, wanting others to notice my outward appearance rather that Christ in me. And as an adult, my husband was the one that lead me into a deeper understanding of Christ and His Word.
I too, have struggled with the issue of baptisim. The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that mine wasn't truly an act of obediance. So don't be surprised if you see me up there one day! I think I've been putting if off, in the name of not being sure!
Sorry this has gotten so long! Thanks again for this post, and for stirring up thinking in my own heart.
Hi Kim, your honesty is so refreshing and you have given me much to think about.
You are an amazing person!
Laura
Kim, thank you for posting your testimony. It is a great reminder that "good" people need Jesus too, not just the ones who are outwardly sinful. I can relate to alot of what you wrote and you brought out God's goodness and grace to all of us sinners. Loved this.
Kim, I am blessed by reading your testimony too. I can relate to your indecision on the baptism issue. Thank you for clarifying your situation ,as many seemed to misunderstand what really transpired. I too was baptized as a child (nine years old), yet had only a child's perception at the time of what I had done. Like someone else stated, I too wish that the church had waited until I showed evidence of saving faith. Yet, the Lord is Sovereign, amen? It was not until I was 38 years old that I truly repented from the heart and understood and believed savingly upon Jesus Christ. I was re-baptized, but later I regretted it. Partly this was due to the fact that the church of Christ we were attending taught that you had to be baptized to be saved. I knew they were wrong, but was confused and felt pressured. Afterwards, I felt in my heart that I was not trusting the Lord and believing His word. Just as you pointed out - baptism does not save us. It is done in obedience to the Lord and is a public committing of oneself to the Lord. It is done in "good faith" at a time in our lives when we give some sort of profession of faith. Of course this cannot be "perfect" for any of us for we do not always know our own hearts, nor can those around us know our hearts. Now that I think about it, just about everyone who has ever been baptized could probably say that they have grown in their sanctification since that time. Some may even say that there was a time after their baptism that they were not obedient, but now they are. So, I would hesitate to recommend re-baptism to you. Also the scriptures never tell us that we must be re-baptized. I think it is a overly sensitive conscience that causes us to doubt. I do want to say this tho: I personally do not believe in infant baptism and would encourage those who have later made a profession of faith as adults to be baptized and give verbal testimony to their faith in Jesus Christ. This is not in order to be saved, but to give glory to the Lord of salvation, and to identify yourself with Him in His death, burial and resurrection.
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