Baptism--When?

[Gregory Matthews]

In recent times, the SDA Church, in North America, has been divided over what level of Christian growth is needed before a person can be baptized and join the SDA Church.   Some, more liberal, had suggested that what is needed is a commitment to Christ and not a high level of doctrinal belief and practice.  IOW, the Church exists as a hospital for sinners.  Others have considered the Church to e a refuge for those preparing for translation.  As such, they should have a greater level of doctrinal believe and life style.

The following comes from an official publication of the Rocky Mountain Conference.  It should be noted that the President of that Conference is not considered a blazing liberal.   The Pueblo congregation is also not considered a liberal congregation.  From the description of the meetings that Sady presented, it is probable that he is not a liberal.

Regardless of this, read what happened and of the baptism that took place without major instruction in doctrine and application to one's life.  Yes, some may have attended the 20 meetings which surely included both belief and application.  But, from the last several paragraphs, it appears that at least some were baptized who might not havev met the criteria that some suggest should be met.

Also, note the request as to the discussion of "Adventist. hot potatoes."

This should provide some  good discussion.

Pueblo First Church Takes Bold Steps in Outreach  »  For two years the Pueblo First Church prayed that it would be a safe place for the Lord to bring new members. On October 11, evangelist Mike Sady made a call for everyone who wanted to follow Jesus and join the Pueblo First Seventh-day Adventist Church to come Sabbath morning with a change of clothing and a towel prepared for the baptism.          On Sabbath, October 12, Pueblo First Church pastor, Bradford Schleif and the church members, thinking there would be three or four ready, were surprised when ten people lined up in the side isle to go up to the baptistry. By the next Sabbath, November 19, a total of twenty-eight had joined. These were all adults and two children of the new families.    The Church opened its evangelistic meeting on October 6 in a 350-seat lecture hall at the University of Colorado, Pueblo. Evangelist Sady who has been conducting meetings for most of his career, presented 20 nights of meetings entitled, "Decoding Prophecy," before moving to the church for 10 more nights.    Pastor Schleif and the Pueblo First Church had planned for this meeting for two years. "The leaders of the Rocky Mountain Conference and the RMC Evangelism Committee encouraged the church to go ahead with its plans and contributed considerable funding, Pastor Schleif said.    For two years, the theme of how to get someone to opening night was emphasized and about half of the new members were friends and workmates of the church members. In preparation for the outreach, 70,000 brochure-invitations were mailed out.    "Some of the new members have much Christian growing to do, and the church board members are determined to be patient and protect them," Pastor Schleif commented.      "All of these new members seem to fit into the congregation, and the church will make every effort to keep them through a Bible marking class, fellowship meals, socials, spiritual guardians, involvement in ministry, and a moratorium on openly discussing our favorite Adventist hot potato issues," he added.       Pastor Schleif is inviting the RMC church-family to pray that the church will continue to be a safe place for the Lord to keep these new members in their new faith community. [Bradford Schleif; photo by Cheryl Schleif

[Gregory Matthews]

If WO ever goes away, this is the  issue that will immediately step to the front.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

I thought baptism was to be a public sign that someone accepted Christ as Savior — not an initiation rite to join a society.  

 

[CoAspen]

Wonder why we don't follow Christ's method of baptism as find in the NT? We have so many saying 'can't do or can't do that' unless you can find a 'thus sayeth the Lord' somewhere in the Bible, that I would expect it to not be an issue. He made an example and the disciples followed it in their travels.