Barbara Kibler

kdg teacher,wife,mom of 4,

[J.D. Greear @jdgreear]

These two things—spontaneous baptism and rigorous baptismal examination—do not have to be opposed. Summit Church regularly does spontaneous baptisms; we also require baptismal candidates to go through a comprehensive interview with a trained counselor on the spot before they can get in the tub. We end up turning a number of people way—or at least slowing them down to make sure they properly understand what they’re doing. I’m so glad we do it that way—many people come to genuine faith in Christ during those on the spot interviews. It’s arguably our church’s most effective evangelistic strategy.

My bigger concern here is that this approach, while well-intended, offers a pragmatic solution to a perceived problem rather than relying on the biblical model, which is ironic given that it comes from our friends at 9 Marks.

The simple fact, as others have pointed out, is that EVERY single baptism we see in the New Testament is spontaneous. Every. Single. One. Without exception. Of course, the concern to not give false assurance is legitimate and pastorally wise. The question is whether we will pursue a biblical solution to this challenge or a pragmatic one… If we want to follow the biblical model, we will use spontaneous baptism calls AND instill a process that seeks to validate whether a profession of faith is real.

Will we make mistakes? Of course. I’m pretty sure it’s unavoidable. In Acts 2 Peter gave an invitation for a spontaneous baptism and 3000 responded. The total membership of the church at that point was 120, so with 3000 respondees that means each believer had to counsel no less than 25 people that day. That’s >6 candidates per person every hour for 4 hours straight. You can’t tell me a few people didn’t slip into the baptismal that day that “weren’t ready to be baptized” — people like Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8), who had to be rebuked post-baptism and called again to repentance.

We work especially hard to vet confessions of faith, but there’s simply no way to avoid all mistakes. And any conscientious pastor will tell you that happens, no matter how long you take in the baptism catechumen process.

I appreciate the concern raised here, but let’s embrace the sufficiency of Scripture and practice baptism the biblical way!

[Barbara Kibler @bkibs]

@WhitakerWSFCS Way to go Sarah!!!! 💜

[Barbara Kibler @bkibs]

@AndrewKibler Horrific.

[Barbara Kibler @bkibs]

@cspan @AndrewKibler @SenThomTillis Finally.

[Barbara Kibler @bkibs]

@AmyKHolliday How horrible.

[Wonder of Science @wonderofscience]

Tumbleweeds are the dried remains of a flowering plant that has detached from its roots to disperse seeds.

📽: Jason Winters

[Barbara Kibler @bkibs]

https://t.co/0q8iOBhAqX

[Andrew Kibler @AndrewKibler]

WOW!!! Those two former mountaineers put together a concert in 28 days and raised over 24.5 million dollars in one night for disaster relief in western NC. Just mind boggling and astounding. #concertforcarolina

[Barbara Kibler @bkibs]

@AndrewKibler It was awesome.

[Daniel Beasley @DowntownDGB]

FLORIDA EVACUEES 🚨
If you are headed North to escape the Cat 5 coming in and need a safe place to be, I have 5 acres available just off I-75N where we have WiFi, a generator, Laundry, parking , RV space some electrical and water hook-ups. Pets and large animals welcome. We can make it work just hit my DM’s or just reply below for directions. God Bless be safe ! 🇺🇸

[President Biden Archived @POTUS46Archive]

America has the strongest economy in the world.

[Wonder of Science @wonderofscience]

Almost all internet traffic is transmitted via submarine cables, which have a total length of around 1.3 million kilometers, or about three times the distance from the Earth to the Moon.

📽: Tyler Morgan-Wall

[Barbara Kibler @bkibs]

@politvidchannel Good. Bye

[Barbara Kibler @bkibs]

https://t.co/ONFRktMUi1

[Barbara Kibler @bkibs]

https://t.co/esaG2uU5S3

[Barbara Kibler @bkibs]

@RpsAgainstTrump Pride goes before a fall

[Barbara Kibler @bkibs]

@Damaan4u33 A

[Amy Kibler Holliday @AmyKHolliday]

This. 10000% this.

[Barbara Kibler @bkibs]

@WXII Congratulations

[Wonder of Science @wonderofscience]

Beautiful bioluminescence of the microscopic organism known as sea sparkles (Noctiluca scintillans).