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NASB | Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, "Repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways, accept and follow Jesus as the Messiah] and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ because of the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. |
Bible Question: I want to get Baptized, but I don't know where to do it. I go to my boyfriends church (methodist) and have established friends there. But I have a cousin who is a minister for a non-denominational church. Would it be better to go to my boyfriends church in the hope that we would be married someday, or do I play it safe and go to my cousins church? Or does it even matter where I go? |
Bible Answer: Greetings to you llschab, May I add a little bit of my thought to your question? I think basically it is OK to be baptized at any churches as long as they are teaching sound doctrines not heresy and stick to God's Word. To my knowledge (based on the city where I live), Methodist church is very reliable (I hope it does not vary from countries). You have to discern for yourself your cousin's church based on the same criteria. My second point is that, it would be advisable to be baptized at the church where you are attending and more familiar with. After being baptized, the person usually becomes a member of the denomination. Then you have the right and OBLIGATION to vote. If you are not familiar with the church, how can you vote fairly. In the long term, there could be the possibility that you will part-take in certain ministry (e.g. deacon). Some churches will set the membership as a basic requirement for a person to be involved in the ministry. If you are holding a membership at your cousin's church which you are not attending, it will not be fair to them as well. For if they have the system of congregation meeting annually for decision on some major issues, your vote could be critical to them. My final point is that your focus or consideration should not be where your marriage be taken place, but how God would lead you to the place where He wants you to be involved and serve His body in future. I think the below scripture (though not tackling the issue as yours) could be helpful for your consideration. 2 Corinthians 11 8: I robbed other churches by taking wages from them to serve you; 9: and when I was present with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for when the brethren came from Macedonia they fully supplied my need, and in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will continue to do so. Shalom Azure |