7 Reasons To Consider Outdoor Baptisms
- Outdoor Baptism – A Fading Scene
- Outdoor Baptisms: Three Reasons They Are Vanishing
- 7 Reasons To Consider Outdoor Baptisms
In the previous two posts we have covered the fact that outdoor baptisms are quickly vanishing from the evangelical landscape and the three reasons for this trend. Today I would like to give us seven reasons we should consider outdoor baptisms and the added benefit that can be derived from performing this ordinance out-of-doors. This list is not extensive but it may give way to some other considerations about the subject.
1. Let’s face it most people in our communities don’t associate the word “church” with real people, they associate “church” with a building. Outdoor baptisms allow the public to actually see a physical manifestation of a group of people who call themselves Christians outside of the confines of the four walls of a “church building” and gathered as a body.
2. “A picture is worth a thousand words”- performing baptism outdoors allows the public to see a physical manifestation of the gospel pictured in baptism. An outdoor baptism brings the gospel to focus and clearly sets forth the picture of the death, burial and resurrection. It attests to Christ work for us and also His work in us as believers. It opens doors for questions and opportunity to share the gospel of Christ.
3. Baptizing outdoors allows people to see that the church is not ashamed of the gospel it says it believes and that it places an emphasis on following Christ in baptism. I have been to many churches where baptism was hurried through or pushed to the end of the service. For those people who are submitting themselves to be baptised it is a very important day and should serve as a milepost in their walk with Christ. As a church we should make it an important issue as well.
4. Baptizing out-of-doors sends a message that being a Christian necessitates a public identification with Christ, the gospel and the local assembly. Many people have the idea that just going to church makes them a Christian, a baptism done in a public place reveals that to follow Christ is more than simply warming a pew.
5. Those people submitting to baptism in this way have an opportunity to publicly profess Christ before the church and before the world. They can invite friends and relatives who would not normally attend a church service.
6. Performing baptisms in this way enables the church to take their Christianity out in the open and publicly open the Scriptures, sing hymns, pray and administer baptism outside of the confines of the church building. This may give some of your members a whole new perspective on what it means to be a Christian in the midst of an unbelieving world.
7. When a church participates corporately in an act of public obedience to Christ and His Word it allows them to bear the reproach of Christ and the gospel as a corporate body. This creates a special kind of unity and fellowship in a different light . This kind of “fellowship in the gospel” allows them to understand in a more vivid way that they are called out of this world and the reality that this calling creates.
Although I am aware that there are certain drawbacks to public baptisms, I am equally sure that there are benefits as well.
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