A Non-Standard SDA Baptism

[Gregory Matthews]

The SDA denomination is facing a call to unity that seemingly asks people to comply in detail to the provisions of the Church Manual and/or votes of the General Conference.  Such  does not allow for the work of the Holy Spirit to conduct the work of God in non-standard conditions and outside of a SDA congregational setting.  The following article reports on a baptism conducted by a SDA pastor that violated certain of the norms that are proscribed in book of rules that SDA pastors are expected to follow.

This article was published in the Rocky Mountain News Nuggets, edited by Rajmund Dabrawski.

 

When the Holy Spirit Took Charge »   It was nearly 8 p.m. the night three members of a Colorado prison ministry team arrived at Crowley County Correctional Facility to baptize an inmate.
   The candidate, Richard, had already waited two months. Yet, each time it was scheduled, something happened to prevent it. Once, it was so cold, the sprinkler pipes in the chapel froze and they couldn't fill the baptismal tank. Another time, Pastor Ted Williams arrived late and the prison officials wouldn’t allow the baptism to take place.
   Finally, on Friday, January 13, it was scheduled again and Richard, a graduate of the Discover Bible Course, waited eagerly. He’d already met with the pastor and considered the import of this step.
   This night, Pastor Ted left early to avoid heavy traffic. Joining the other two members of the ministry team at the prison, he prayed, asking for the Holy Spirit to take charge of the evening.
   But when the guard escorted them to the chapel, they discovered not only was it filled with Messianic Jewish brothers, but the baptismal tank was piled high with all kinds of material.
   After a brief discussion, the two groups agreed to hold a blended service.
   The watch commander came to say the chaplain was completely apologetic, but they’d have to reschedule.  
   “We’ve already talked with the Messianic Jewish group,” explained Pastor Ted, “and they’d be happy to have a blended service and share in this baptism.” The Jewish clerk nodded his head in agreement.
   “That’s absolutely no problem,” the chaplain said, meaning it was okay to hold the blended service, “but it’s already 8 p.m. and services will be over at 8:30 p.m. It will take 30 minutes to fill the baptismal tank.
   “How would you feel about letting the Holy Spirit take care of this?” asked Pastor Ted. With a nod of approval, they headed back to the chapel. It was 8:07 p.m. and with everyone’s help, they moved the baptistry and measured the baptismal candidate to see how much water was needed. Within ten minutes, it was full enough for a baptism.
   The Messianic brothers and the Adventist brothers waited expectantly as Pastor Ted talked about the meaning of baptism. He told them that a party was getting ready to start in heaven. Several of the Messianic brothers prayed and Pastor Ted’s prayer followed.
   Then he baptized Richard.
   In the afterglow of the baptism, the Messianic group leader pointed to a man in his group. “This man,” he said, “has been wanting to be baptized for some time, but the chaplain won’t let him because he hasn’t declared a religion.”
   “I don’t know you,” said Pastor Ted, “but the Holy Spirit does. I now baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit” and he submerged the second candidate.
   A third man came forward then saying, “I haven’t been in services for two months, but I hear the call. Will you baptize me?” So a third baptism took place and they praised God together. Then they prayed together. And the clock read 8:27 p.m.
   “Wonderful, amazing things happen,” says Pastor Ted, “things beyond our expectation, when we let the Holy Spirit take charge.”
[Carol Bolden]

[phkrause]

Praise the Lord!!!!!

[Gustave]

On ‎1‎/‎21‎/‎2017 at 5:48 AM, Gregory Matthews said:

The SDA denomination is facing a call to unity that seemingly asks people to comply in detail to the provisions of the Church Manual and/or votes of the General Conference.  Such  does not allow for the work of the Holy Spirit to conduct the work of God in non-standard conditions and outside of a SDA congregational setting.  The following article reports on a baptism conducted by a SDA pastor that violated certain of the norms that are proscribed in book of rules that SDA pastors are expected to follow.

This article was published in the Rocky Mountain News Nuggets, edited by Rajmund Dabrawski.

 

When the Holy Spirit Took Charge »   It was nearly 8 p.m. the night three members of a Colorado prison ministry team arrived at Crowley County Correctional Facility to baptize an inmate.
   The candidate, Richard, had already waited two months. Yet, each time it was scheduled, something happened to prevent it. Once, it was so cold, the sprinkler pipes in the chapel froze and they couldn't fill the baptismal tank. Another time, Pastor Ted Williams arrived late and the prison officials wouldn’t allow the baptism to take place.
   Finally, on Friday, January 13, it was scheduled again and Richard, a graduate of the Discover Bible Course, waited eagerly. He’d already met with the pastor and considered the import of this step.
   This night, Pastor Ted left early to avoid heavy traffic. Joining the other two members of the ministry team at the prison, he prayed, asking for the Holy Spirit to take charge of the evening.
   But when the guard escorted them to the chapel, they discovered not only was it filled with Messianic Jewish brothers, but the baptismal tank was piled high with all kinds of material.
   After a brief discussion, the two groups agreed to hold a blended service.
   The watch commander came to say the chaplain was completely apologetic, but they’d have to reschedule.  
   “We’ve already talked with the Messianic Jewish group,” explained Pastor Ted, “and they’d be happy to have a blended service and share in this baptism.” The Jewish clerk nodded his head in agreement.
   “That’s absolutely no problem,” the chaplain said, meaning it was okay to hold the blended service, “but it’s already 8 p.m. and services will be over at 8:30 p.m. It will take 30 minutes to fill the baptismal tank.
   “How would you feel about letting the Holy Spirit take care of this?” asked Pastor Ted. With a nod of approval, they headed back to the chapel. It was 8:07 p.m. and with everyone’s help, they moved the baptistry and measured the baptismal candidate to see how much water was needed. Within ten minutes, it was full enough for a baptism.
   The Messianic brothers and the Adventist brothers waited expectantly as Pastor Ted talked about the meaning of baptism. He told them that a party was getting ready to start in heaven. Several of the Messianic brothers prayed and Pastor Ted’s prayer followed.
   Then he baptized Richard.
   In the afterglow of the baptism, the Messianic group leader pointed to a man in his group. “This man,” he said, “has been wanting to be baptized for some time, but the chaplain won’t let him because he hasn’t declared a religion.”
   “I don’t know you,” said Pastor Ted, “but the Holy Spirit does. I now baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit” and he submerged the second candidate.
   A third man came forward then saying, “I haven’t been in services for two months, but I hear the call. Will you baptize me?” So a third baptism took place and they praised God together. Then they prayed together. And the clock read 8:27 p.m.
   “Wonderful, amazing things happen,” says Pastor Ted, “things beyond our expectation, when we let the Holy Spirit take charge.”
[Carol Bolden]

If the Baptism was performed using the Trinitarian formula as described in the account it was valid.

[Gregory Matthews]

I agree, as would the SDA Denomination.

My point was t hat this baptism violated some of the norms of the denomination that SDA clergy are expected to follow.

But, God is not confined to those norms.

And the SDA denomination recognizes such and allows divergence from expected norms.

IOW, unity does not require absolute compliance with lock-step adherence to norms.

 

[debbym]

I know also of an individual who was freely baptized with the understanding that they had not decided to become and SDA.  And i believe this was ok.

[Gregory Matthews]

Again, that was a non-standard baptism.  But, it is being done.

 

[Gustave]

20 minutes ago, Gregory Matthews said:

Again, that was a non-standard baptism.  But, it is being done.

 

Hi Gregory,

Do I understand your position to be one of:  A Baptism can be valid w/out being standard?

If that's your position I agree with ya!

 

[Gregory Matthews]

Of course.

 

To be valid is based upon Biblical norms.

 

to be standard/non standard is based upon SDA norms, in the SDA context of which we are talking.

As an example:  Under standard SDA norms, we accept as valid, a baptism, by immersion, that has been performed by someone who is not a SDA.