De-Baptism

There's been quite a few articles written lately about a trend in England where people, apparently 100,000 plus, are becoming de-baptized.  The current attention probably comes from the fact that National Secular Society is selling official certificates to denounce baptism.  (They're the same group who did a bus ad campaign with the slogan, "There's probably no God.  Stop worrying and enjoy life")  The Church of England has brought a little of the attention to themselves as well telling folks who want to be taken off the baptism records the church doesn't remove names, but can make amendments if someone makes a public statement saying they want to be de-baptized.

In all of the publicity, there are some real issues to look at.  Of course there's the debate of infant versus adult baptisms.  Those who are fans of child dedications say baptism should be reserved for when someone is old enough to make their own commitment to Christ.  In the child baptism realm,de -baptism is sort of the natural opposite to making a commitment to Christ as an adult.  Parents made a decision for the child.  They grow up and are old enough to say they don't believe.  While it's not what we would hope for, it's what happens.  And there are eternal consequences.

For me, I'm less concerned about how many people buy a de-baptism certificate and more focused about how to reach out to these people who are clearly in need.  One of the Christian responses I've seen online is the "I am a Christian" campaign.  It's a website where people can declare their faith.  But is this the right response?  Is it appropriate to say, "Oh you don't believe?  Tough for you.  I do.  I'm saved. See, my name's on a website"  I would guess it's this kind of reaction that turned off many of the de-baptism folks in the first place.

What are your thoughts on the de-baptism movement?  How should we react as Christians?

Login to comment

Comments (21)

It's actually a an acknowledgment of the Church. If God really did not exist there would not be any need to be de-Baptized. A good response might be to talk to people that have gone through this about their views of God, the Church, etc. What is it that they are reacting to? what do they think they are separating themselves from?
In Matthew 3: 13 through 17, explains the baptism of Jesus by John. Do you really think that Jesus needed to be baptized? No, but as in verse 15 Jesus says "Let it be so now, it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then as I read on I realize that you should be baptized to be accepted into the family of God. I'm sure that there will be those who will be accepted by God on the day of judgement, who will profess their sins and repent, but we need to do this to show others. It is an outward expression of the inward love we have for God and Christ Jesus. Encourage all to be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. In God's Grace John
John,

I need some clarification on your statement that I do not understand please. You said that, I'm sure that there "will" be those who "will" be accepted by God on the day of judgement, who "will" profess their sins and repent

Are you saying that there will still be a chance to be saved after death if only if they profess their sins and repent at the day of judgment?
Pray for wisdom and guidance, then engage these people as led by the Spirit and present Scripture to them. If they make an informed decision to reject Christ... really all we can do is pray. If they make a mis- or mal- informed decision, pray that the Spirit will speak to their hearts.
this is indeed alarming at the same time very challenging on the part of professing christians. these people who want to be "de-baptized" are declaring their unbelief publicly, in the same way that christians declare their salvation and faith in God and their allegiance to the church. it is really indeed a battle.

but this also poses a unique opportunity for us to engage this people in a meaningful dialogue. we as christians will learn a lot from them it terms of their discontent, frustration and pain that led them to a need to broadcast their stand against the church. then we can truly understand where they're coming from. and hopefully, we can heal together in the light of God's truth and by the leading of the Holy Spirit. this is a tedious process and we should be wise in making these steps. this should not result in another culture war, where we further alienate them from the true faith and we fall into pride instead of being salt and light to them.

i believe this is going to be, if not already, a worldwide phenomenon.

I fear for those who feel the need to de-baptize but I don't think the "I am a Christian" campaign is going to change their minds. It's no more than an internet "lapel cross pin". Its all about what's in your heart. Some of the most vocal Christians I've known are those that think their words will erase the sin they carry in their heart. What matters is a heart that responds to GOD, a life lived pure before the LORD- one that can stand before the throne of GOD and say they lived faithfully what GOD asked of them.
My short version "Honor God,Finish Well"
A valid Baptism is permanent at whatever age it is conferred; therefore, it cannot be removed, nor replaced by another, "better" one, later. Furthermore, it is JESUS Who truly baptizes. The minister--whether clergy or lay--is merely His instrument. Thus, the minister's personal holiness is irrelevant, insofar as the Baptism's validity goes.
I think that there are different responses, which will probably vary depending on the person involved, and your particular theology around paedo-baptism.

If the person involved was baptised as a child, then there is a school of thought that the baptism is actually an act of dedication and promise by the parents, and that being "de-baptised" should really be a decision by their parents, not them. Being officially de-baptised is, no doubt, a really hurtful thing for the parents.

If the person involved was baptised as an adult, then this is a very sad thing, but I don't think trying to prevent them making this statement is likely to bear any fruit.

Interestingly, the Church of England now has an official service of "re-dedication by immersion" to allow for people that were baptised as infants to confirm their faith through an official service of immersion. It's not all bad news ;)
One of the things that I most appreciate about the sacrament of baptism is the covenant that the receiving congregation makes. In this respect, baptism is not just about the individual person, but the community as a whole, as it promises to nurture this person in the Christian faith, incorporating the person into the community of faith (and, thereby, into further enjoyment of God’s grace).
Furthermore, the church understands that we make these promises on the part of the church universal—that is, everyone in the church makes this covenant, whether or not they are present at the particular baptism ceremony. (Of course it has a particular efficacy in the local congregation where that promise will be fulfilled.)
A person cannot be “de-baptized” because it’s not just about him/her! The church has promised itself to support that person—a promise that may not ever be vitiated by the person's wish to become "de-baptized."
That said, Jerod’s question is spot on: how do we reach out to these persons? Well, we can start by remembering to keep our promises.
I'm sorry but no, you will have to repent and accept Jesus as your savior before you die. As in the criminal on the cross, even though he had little faith he saw the injustice that was around him and asked the one who saves us all to remember him. None of us know the relationship of others to Christ and it has been said that you may be surprized who is there in heaven when you arrive. You have to proclaim your love of God and Jesus, then repent and accept by faith all that is righteous before you die. In God's Grace John
Would this be considered blaspheming the Holy Spirit? If so, scary to think about. It's sad that apparently the church has done so much to turn people against us. I feel sorry for these people, and hope that one day they will realize their error and come back to Christ.
I dont know if I consider this blasphemy. All they're doing is publicly rejecting God. If that's blespheming the Holy Spirit than we're guilty of that every time we sin.

See the latest in:

Promotion

promo 1 promo 2
promo 3 promo 4

Donate Now