When would I know that it is the right time to be baptized?  When I was about ten years old, I was baptized in the Baptist church; would I have to do anything different, or would that baptism be okay for me?

Sincerely,
Water Wonders

Dear Water Wonders,

You will know it is the right time to be baptized when you’ve learned about Christ and what the Bible teaches about salvation.  Before people are baptized, they first become disciples (Matt 28:19).  A disciple is a student; therefore, the Bible teaches that we must study before we become baptized.  Baptism is an act of faith (in fact, it is the first act of faith that someone takes to become a christian – Acts 2:37-41).  All faith comes from hearing and obeying the Scriptures (Rom 10:17).

So what do the Scriptures teach about baptism?  The Bible says that baptism is a burial with Christ that gives us new life (Rom 6:4).  It also teaches that baptism saves us (1 Pet 3:21).  Unless you are baptized, you will be lost (Mk 16:16).  You won’t find a single case in the Bible of someone becoming a New Testament christian without being baptized… it is that important.  That is what the Bible says on the topic.  Any baptism that counts must be done for salvation and through Christ – otherwise you are just getting wet.

Now, you said that you were baptized in the Baptist church, so let’s see what the Baptist Manual says about baptism.  If you understand what the Baptist church teaches on baptism, you can know whether or not your baptism was done for the correct reasons.

The Standard Manual For Baptist Churches states on page 22, "It is most likely that in the Apostolic age when there was but `one Lord, one faith, and one baptism,' and no differing denominations existed, the baptism of a convert by that very act constituted him a member of the church, and at once endowed him with all the rights and privileges of full membership. In that sense, 'baptism was the door into the church.' Now it is different: (emphasis ours – AYP)” .  The Baptist church recognizes that baptism was for salvation in the New Testament… but they no longer teach that because they believe the times have changed!  It is wrong to change what the Bible says (Gal 1:8, Rev 22:18-19).  The Baptists don’t teach Bible baptism, and therefore, your Baptist baptism didn’t save you.

AskYourPreacher can only take you so far.  Our goal is to help people get in touch with faithful congregations in their area that can help them continue their journey for Bible knowledge.  If you would like, e-mail us at askyourpreacher@mvchurchofchrist.org with your general location, and we will happily put you in contact with a congregation that can help prepare you for baptism.

My question is about fantasy life.  Ever since I was a young child, I remember living in a fantasy world.  It made me feel better knowing that this world I was living in was controlled by me.  This has continued into adulthood now.  It seems that what I look forward to are my nights when I will get to visit my fantasy world again.  I guess what I want to know is: is this a bad thing?  If it is, what should I do to break this habit?  Are there references in the Bible about this?

Sincerely,
Dreamer

Dear Dreamer,

God wants us to live in the world and trust Him… not avoid this life.  If God desired for christians to completely remove themselves from the influences and difficulties of this world, He would have commanded us to.  Instead, we see that He wants us to live amongst mankind as shining lights (Matt 5:16-17), and we are specifically told to remain amongst our fellow man (1 Cor 5:10).  You mentioned that your reason for living in a fantasy world was to find control.  The Bible tells us that we should give up control (1 Pet 5:6).  Let God be your refuge and fortress in life (Ps 91:2).

It is very easy to slip into the habit of finding refuge from life in television, video games, internet, books, excessive sleep, etc. – but ultimately, all we are doing is running away from reality.  That isn’t healthy.  It is time to grab your Bible and start facing this life head on.

If God doesn't judge, how does He "judge" whether or not we get into heaven?

Sincerely,
On Trial

Dear On Trial,

The Scriptures never say that God doesn’t judge – in fact, they say the exact opposite (Ps 7:11, Ps 50:6, Eccl 3:17, Acts 10:42, Rom 2:16, Rom 3:6, 2 Tim 4:1, and Heb 12:23… just to name a few passages).  Your confusion probably comes from an often misquoted verse (Matt 7:1) that says christians shouldn’t judge.  However, that verse in its proper context doesn’t say christians should never judge – but that they shouldn’t judge using their own judgment (Matt 7:1-5).  We should always use God’s standard, the Bible, to make judgments in this life.

5 minutes a day
5 days a week
1 New Testament in a year

There are 261 weekdays in a year, and there are 260 chapters in the New Testament. By reading one chapter, Monday through Friday, you will read the whole New Testament by the end of the year. The Daily Cup series is to help with that goal.

Happy Studying!

"The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup." -- Psalm 16:5

Click here for a pdf of the study schedule - CLICK HERE

5 minutes a day
5 days a week
1 New Testament in a year

There are 261 weekdays in a year, and there are 260 chapters in the New Testament. By reading one chapter, Monday through Friday, you will read the whole New Testament by the end of the year. The Daily Cup series is to help with that goal.

Happy Studying!

"The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup." -- Psalm 16:5

Click here for a pdf of the study schedule - CLICK HERE