Thoughts?
32 Responses to “World First? Internet Baptism by Flamingo Road”
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- - October 1, 2009
[...] Social Media” for my own presentation, I was intrigued to read Gavin’s comment on the “online baptism” post at ChurchCrunch: “I’ve been a part of some worship communities a few years back which actually did some [...]
- - October 10, 2009
[...] online? Some people think so, as evidenced by Flamingo Road’s internet baptism as posted on Church Crunch. How about communion? Can that be administered online and still embody the New Testament concept of [...]
It’s not the first and the story on the first one I saw is incredible.
This is a guy from Auburn Alabama who baptized a lady last year. About a week or two after the baptism she died an unexpected death. Pretty crazy story of God’s grace.
wow! thanks for this!
I think it makes a mockery of baptism to turn it into an internet spectacle. I really think this is pushing the online church thing a bit too far.
I probably should clarify the point i'm making here. I'm not bothered that a baptism may have needed to happen for some reason without a pastor present in the same location (although certainly good if they are). It also doesn't bother me that such an event may be internet streamed for friends and family who are unable to attend in person. What is bothering me about this is putting this up on youtube for people with no connection to this women to watch. It risks trivializing it down to a spectator show for peoples entertainment and curiosity. "World's first internet baptism" as the title sounds a bit too freakshowish for me.
perhaps the title could have been adjusted?
That would be a good start but even with the title change there is still the issue of turning it into an online spectacle.
but even if it becomes one, is that still ok? from one perspective you could see it as an opportunity for more people to witness a baptism.
They actually called the family on a real phone. Thought that was kinda ironic.
My first reaction was to dismiss this as some sort of theological stretch. But you know what? It's not. It's all there. The Spirit was there with her. She understood the decision she was making. She went underwater. Why should this be a mockery? Nay….I think it was apostolic. And as the time draws even closer for the Lord to return and the Holy Spirit is being poured out I think we'll see people in all kinds of situations come forward to be baptized as well, many of those online.
I love this story. It's about the heart and the spirit as well as the body. And talk about telling the WORLD of your decision to follow Jesus!
That was seriously wonderful.
One could get into all sorts of theological debates about reasons, motivations, and intent to the point that its very easy to analyze this situation to death. But the reality is that it was public, it was theologically sound in regards to the specific person involved, and she was immersed (Sorry its the Baptist coming through)
If anything this is a unique manner in which to conduct this sacred ceremony in a much more public sphere which is extremely Biblical. Should it be a new standard, absolutely not. But when and where its needed or appropriate, if it can be accomplished while still honoring God – why not?
mama always said if you don't have anything nice to say….
teehee!
1. That's weird.
2. I think I'm with Rodlie on this one.
After all, if baptism is a public declaration of faith by a symbolic act, then she declared it to way more people than I did.
pretty cool way to to it, huh?
I'm right along with Daniel and Rodlie, too. Taken aback at first, then examined biblically… no quarrels.
Side note though… why (as I've found no biblical grounds for its 'necessity') is it that an ordained minister has to be the one baptizing? To have someone 'be his hands' there?
I agree that there doesn't seem to be a need for a "professional" to do the baptism. I know of a church in Chicago where the pastor prays over the person and says the "words" but it is actually the person in the church that has had the most to do with leading the person to Christ that does the baptism. That model seems to be what is going on here.
I like it and find nothing wrong with this. That is, as long as the Church did this out of simple obedience to Christ and not in a way to pursue "coolness" – as in "look how cool we are – we do baptisms online".
agreed.
To me it looks like if she is attending the Church Online, as many other people that is calling their computer their home church, why not be also baptized in front of your computer? Also, Baptism it is a PUBLIC demonstration of faith, what can be more public that YouTube? Baptism is not about salvation, it is a step of obedience, and public commitment of walking on Jesus steps. I give this five stars (Of five)…
haha! rocking the comments and ratings!
Don't forget the benefits for those people who have family internationally…
To live overseas, away from your family/friends, and still be able to have them share in your baptism LIVE!!!! Wow!! That is an incredible testament to the power of today's technology – why shouldn't this be harnessed and used for the church?
I'm all for it!
SWEET! I'm all for it too.
I am so proud to be part of a church that is able to reach so many people around the world. It’s great that the church is adapting to our modern day world in how we reach people,while keeping God’s message consistent, rather than just having people adapt to what the “traditional” church teaches. I’m glad Jesus didn’t mandate how to do everything, so that we would have true opportunity to be creative. I’m Proud of this God-follower taking that step and not being ashamed of the entire world knowing that she “put on the God jersey”. Way to go God in all that you’re doing!
Our mission: spread the good news to the world. If that's what this church is doing, who are we to judge them? Surely the angels in heaven are singing of this baptism. Too many times we get too theological, keep it simple and just share via through internet or not. Whatever works for the greater purpose, I'm all for it!
i've been a part of some worship communities a few years back which actually did some baptism via the internet within the virtual worlds there. i'm not a fan of them as i see a sacrament needing some physical proximity to it. however, from what i am told the instances i knew of, people eventually went to counseling or into a church community through the encouragement of the SL community that they were baptized in
My first thoughts on this were that this is simply wrong, making a mockery of Baptism. But the more I have thought about it, I think that this is actually great. A woman was Baptized through this ministry, and her Baptism has been a more public proclamation than most are. I think my initial reaction was based simply on how different it is from how I typically consider Baptism happening. But why is a Baptism being done on video any different than one in front of a congregation? Both have the individual expressing their faith through Baptism. Actually this is great in that it helps us to see that 'Online Ministry' can truly have an impact in a persons life.
amazing how that “gut reation” might just be wrong…