I saw a banner at the top of this religious forum inviting people to learn how they can be certified, (licensed)
to perform baptisms and weddings?!

Pastors and Ministers go to college to get a degree that gives them the authority to baptize and perform weddings........or do they just take courses?

How can it be that simple? That has always bothered me..........the fact that clergy can take courses to perform such sacred ordinances as baptisms and weddings. Especially baptisms.

The Scriptures teach us we must be baptized to enter into the kingdom of heaven. So we then know how important that ordinance is. The Savior himself was baptized by John the Baptist, and the Savior was perfect. Yet he set the example for us to follow and went down into the waters of baptism.

My husband and I were married by the City Mayor in the little town we lived in. Now he I would guess is licensed by law to perform marriages. And what about the Ministers and Pastors? They are licensed by Colleges? Which authority would you think more binding? Marriage by a Mayor or Judge, or by a Minister or Pastor?

I guess some people say it's just a piece of paper, a marriage license. But according to the Bible we are to honor and obey the laws of our land. So that would include being married by someone who is licensed to do so, according to the law.

Rose , Where in the bible does it say we have to be baptized in order to enter heaven?I was taught that the only way to heaven was through Jesus.

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Originally posted by Laura:
Rose , Where in the bible does it say we have to be baptized in order to enter heaven?I was taught that the only way to heaven was through Jesus.

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Laura,
Why did Jesus command John the Baptist to baptize Jesus, when Jesus was perfect? ( Because Jesus was our example. Every thing that he said and did, while on this earth, was to set the example of what we should say and do. )

John 3:5
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. ( Water, as in baptized, Spirit, as in receive the Holy Ghost.)

I have to agree with Rose here.

I have heard this scripture before, it was Jesus saying , no one gets to my father eecept through me, without a personal relationship and accepting Jesus as our saviour , that gets you to be in Heaven with him, is what stands out in my mind.So anyone who is not baptized doesnt get to be with Jesus in Gods kingdom?How about a child , some religions baptize children as babies or a certian age when they are old enough to understand , or what about people that dont relize they should be baptized.I myself have been baptized and my husband, and one of my children at the age of 7.I have a daughter that was only dedicated and one daughter that is 7 but woudl like to have her wiat until she is alittle older to understand more.Some people dont see a child baptized and would hav eit done again as an adult.What do you do in these situations?