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Author   Messages Sort: Oldest First Newest First paultxsa Posts:5 Posted:08/10/2008 1:50 PM I am still relatively new to BRCC. I have spent most of my adult life away from church, but was raised catholic and was in mass every (and I mean every) Sunday, every holy day of obligation, and Wednesdays and Fridays during Lent and Advent. So...I've been to a lot of church growing up and while I can tell you I didn't really get any enjoyment out of church during those years, I think it set me up with a pretty good 'moral compass' that helped to carry me through almost 20 years of being away from church. After the first few visits to BRCC, I felt like this was a place where I belonged and needed to be. ...not a feeling I have had before in regards to a church. My question for a Pastor would be about Baptism. I never was confirmed as a Catholic. When I asked the sisters/teachers why I needed confirmation, I was told that it was to have a chance to say for myself that I was going to be a Catholic. Not having ever tried being anything else, I asked what else was available?..."What are my other options?".....then the Sister was angry with me. (no surprise.) So now, I want to make this be the whole experience for me. I want to be a part of this 'something' that is greater than myself. Does that mean I should get baptised? I think that it is supposed to represent that I believe in God, Jesus, and that Jesus died so my sins will be forgiven. ...is that any different than I already believe and do I need to get Baptised, or am I okay the way I am? I have heard people talk about being 'saved', but I am not sure I was ever 'lost'.....I hate to risk sounding disrespectful, because I am certainly not going for that. I have just never heard anyone talk about this. Thanks for listening Paul rebtorres Posts:1 Posted:09/05/2008 2:47 PM Hi Paul. I grew up the same way and our backgrounds sound very similar. I was wondering if you ever received a response about this posting and if so, would you mind sharing it with me? I've wondered about this as well, especially the last paragraph you wrote. You can contact me at rebtorres@hotmail.com Thanks so much. Rebecca gfike Posts:242 Posted:09/05/2008 3:17 PM Hey, Paul. Your experience is probably like many who attend BRCC. It's important to understand how baptism relates to "being saved." Baptism in the time of Jesus was a way of a "learner" identifying himself with a "teacher." To be baptized with the "baptism of John" was to say "I'm following John and learning from him what it means to have a relationship with God." John baptized people with a baptism of "repentance" - he was teaching people to change their minds about a lifestyle of sin & self-centeredness and to believe in the Savior God would send. After Jesus presented himself to John and submitted himself to baptism, John was not as concerned about picking up followers; he pointed people to Jesus. (John 3:22-30) Jesus himself MADE John baptize him to set a pattern of obedience for his followers. "it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." (Matthew 3:15). Romans 6 shows that baptism is a symbol that testifies of two things: 1) the death, burial, & resurrection of Jesus, and thus, 2) our death to sin, its burial in Jesus, and our new life that is eternal and a gift from God. (That's why we often bring back a "golden oldie" when we are teaching on baptism called "Water Grave.") 1 Peter 3:21-22 clarifies that it is a symbol - if you will, a picture - of the true baptism, which is spiritual, not physical: "...and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him." You are saved through faith alone: believing God's promise that He has paid for your sins through Christ's death, by placing your trust in Christ to "be with you forever - even to the end of the earth..." (Matthew 28:19) Baptism then becomes the wedding ring" you wear to demonstrate the change in your life. If you would like to know more I encourage you to call and talk with Pastor Mike Oviedo or myself. Thanks for a very good question. paultxsa Posts:5 Posted:11/01/2008 1:05 PM ....forgive my 'lightning speed', but....how do I contact you to talk more about it? gfike Posts:242 Posted:11/01/2008 1:13 PM I'm Pastor George and my email is george.fike@brcc.net. You could also get in touch with Pastor Mike at mike.oviedo@brcc.net. Also, since we are having baptisms this Sunday at 11:00 am and 12:30 pm, you can find either of us in the lobby or on the plaza.
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