Question from Colleen
Hi Debra,
I would like advice on how a person with MCS can get baptized (totally submerged) at a church. I’m allergic to chlorine and would probably be allergic to the other water sanatizers/cleaners (algistat and baquacil which are both chemicals). I also don’t want to risk being a a bacteria laden baptuary due to my weakened immune system. Does anyone have experience with this or advice on how to go about doing this? Thank you!
Debra’s Answer
The first thing that comes to mind for me is to find an outdoor location you like with a suitable water source and ask to be baptized there. After all, the first baptisms were done outdoors, I believe, in a river.
I just searched on “outdoor baptism” and there were a lot of results about people being baptized in all kinds of places, even their own backyard with water in a punch bowl.
Readers, any experiences with this or ideas?
I wish you luck. For baptism you just need the water. It is not necessary to be totally submerged. Rivers and lakes have bacteria in them, too. Buy purified water and have the baptizer pour the water over you from head to toe in a beautiful natural setting. He might use a beautiful urn of some sort. The effect is the same. It’s the faith of the people involved that is important.
I agree that the faith is more important than the water. Love your idea too of using a beautiful urn and purified water.
John,
I love your idea with a beautiful urn and purified water! We spend most of our time at a nearby scenic park so that would be perfect! Thank you for posting your idea! I really do appreciate it!
Sincerely,
Colleen
Praise The Lord Colleen!!! How wonderful:) My Husband , Three sons and I were all publicly baptized together at a beach that was spring fed. Outdoor Baptism is how Our Lord and Savior Jesus was baptized in The Jordan River by John The Baptist. If I were you I would just ask to be Baptized in your closest river or body of water that whomever is Baptizing you feels comfortable baptizing you in because of your very valid health concerns. If you do not feel comfortable asking this person or explaining why to them…My Husband will baptize you !!! :):):) Just ask it will be fine. Let the Good Lord take care of the rest 🙂
Blessings,
Kimberly
Thank you for posting Kimberly! I do appreciate your offer. That is so very sweet of you! I will call around locally to see if I can find someone to perform the baptism. Your baptism at the beach sounds beautiful and so very special having your entire family baptized at the same time! I think John’s idea of using the purified water is what I will do because of my health concerns. I don’t think I will be able to go into the rivers, creeks, etc near our home. Thank you again for your reply!
Sincerely,
Colleen
Hello! Many churches in the United States offer mass baptisms around Easter time. There are usually meeting points at public beaches, lakes or rivers. Try a Google search of your area! Wishing you the best!
Thank you so much!