Thank you all for your positive responses.
I will now elaborate further to help you understand the context.
I was talking about our local churches in Chin State. We were not Christians until 1990. A missionary came to our area and shared about Christ. Our forefathers believed in animism, worshipping rocks, trees, water, mountains, and other objects, and they sacrificed animals. They even heard sounds made by evil spirits from the tops of mountains at night. Now, they no longer hear them, it is by the power of Jesus Christ. When Christianity came to us, the whole community thought it was a better belief than worshipping objects.
Imagine someone suffering from severe stomach pain, but instead of giving him a medicine or taking him to a hospital, they sacrifice an egg or an animal for him. That doesn’t make sense logically.
Now, to the point—after becoming Christians, churches were established, and services were conducted. Church functions and ordinances were observed. When the believers (children) reached the age of 11 or 12, they were asked to take baptism. (Note: age 11 to 12 is still considered childhood, which is why I mentioned it earlier as children, though I want to refer to them as believers here.)
Everyone in that age group was expected to participate. For example, a conversation might go like this:
Children are playing, and the pastor walks by...
Pastor: Hey Simon, Angel, and Matthew, how old are you now?
Simon: I’m going to be 11 next week.
Angel: I’ll be 12.
Matthew: I’m 13.
Pastor: Wow, Matthew is mature now at 13. Angel and Simon are also ready. Tell your friends your age and have everyone come to the river this Saturday at 9 AM to get ready for baptism.
Then, all the children of that age group would come to the river and be baptized. It was mandatory—everyone of that age had to be baptized, no exceptions.
It’s important to understand the context that it is a very remote place with no electricity, no hospitals, no network, no highways, and limited access to anything. If the pastor said to do something, they would do it without question. They lived simple lives and didn’t have much opportunity to make excuses or avoid it.
I understand that other doctrinal practices, and I don't want to focus on here. It would be a vast topic and a controversy.
The discussion here is, some says we should be baptized because it is the Lord command and biblical. The symbolism and the officially recognition of receiving new life.
Others argue that the two men who were crucified beside Jesus weren’t baptized, but they believed, and Jesus told them, "You will be with me in Paradise." They claim that baptism isn’t necessary in that case.
Another argument is that being born again should precede baptism, and the baptism done before being born again don’t count. Some believe baptism is not only a symbolic act of obedience but also brings spiritual and physical blessings for our lives. My question also is, can this be counted as a physical blessings? Do you think it is? Let's us claim with bible verses.
I just want to open up a discussion to share our thoughts, our biblical stance, and our faith.
Blessings to all.
