Baptism

astounding modes of intensification’s and daily signs and wonders and
miracles were expected to be normal. Strange experiences were always
fascinating and a large crowd followed such Simon Magnus performance.
Speaking in tongues became old fashioned and Holy Laughter became the
new style. The believer was expected to be slain in the spirit and returned with
vigor at least once a week. The effectiveness of the new forms of experiences
was in their performance factor. As a revivalist techniques these were
effective. But one cannot give shock treatment every day to a patient and
expect them to live a normal life. This is what is actually happening in many
groups as pointed out by Hank Hanegraft "Christianity in Crisis:
¢¡¤£¦¥¨§©¢ £¦ ¡¦
The question therefore is what is relevant to the current society where we live
in? Old norms of tribes, communities, families etc are no longer valid.
Families are broken and are scattered all over the world. No one takes
responsibility for other even within the family. Legally this is not possible.
You cannot discipline your own child. Therefore we have become
individualistic. Adult baptism is therefore a relevant alternative or the only
alternative within the capitalistic society. Majorities of the people of our
western world are no longer Christian in any sense. If they have been baptized
as babies, they have never been taught. As children, they have not been to
Sunday school. They never had any Bible teaching and prayer at home. They
have had no experience of Worship. To be a Christian is understood only in
negative terms - giving up of good things, living up to impossible standards,
assenting to incomprehensible ideas, and partaking in rituals. It is not
surprising that the Pentecostalism started with its emphasis on personal
salvation apart from community, in America. This is not believer’s baptism
It is simply that this generation have the chance of hearing the gospel and
have a chance to make a choice to learn about Jesus only as an adult. If early
church was any guide, we should baptize these seekers immediately and make
them disciples.
211