Baptist Rituals

QUESTION:

Hi, my name is ___________.  I'm doing a project in my religion class about the Baptist church.  I have searched all over the internet for information on the baptist riturals.  ie: birth,coming of age, marriage, death etc.  If you could please write me back as soon as possible with some information on any of these riturals or can lead me to a website where I could find some of this information I would be very grateful.  Thanks a lot....
 

ANSWER:

Concerning information on Baptist rituals, let me say, the reason why you will find very little about them is because basically Bible believers don't have rituals.

 

When Jesus died on the cross, all the Old testament ceremonies (bringing a lamb every year to the Temple, the priesthood, etc), died as well.
 
See Romans 10:4  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
 
Concerning the birth of a child, we dedicate our children in the following manner.
The parents of the child (not any god-parents) make a promise before God to love that child, and raise them in a home that honours the Lord Jesus.
 
See Ephesians 6:4  And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Notice that it is referring to the father, not to some god-parents, to train the child in the love and care (nurture) of the Lord.
Concerning coming of age, there is nothing that needs to be done ceremonially. The main emphasis in the Bible is for a person to get born again - an inside birth that is spiritual, and by the faith of that individual in the finished work of Jesus on the cross in their place. That moment, the person's life is changed, converted, and transformed. It can happen at 5 years old, or 95 years old. All it takes is a surrendered heart to the grace of God. That is the most important time of any person's life!
 
Jesus said emphatically to a very religious man in John 3:7  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.  (Look at all of John chapter 3)
 
Marriage does have a ceremony. It is a public testimony about two people's vow to each other of commitment to each other for life. It is not extravegant, but rather simple, and focused on just the Groom and Bride.
 
Baptism is also a type of a ceremony. It only happens to a person who has become born again. It involves that person being immersed in a river or lake, or ocean (as long as they can go all the way under), to testify publically that they have lined up their life with the Saviour who died, was buried (gone under), and resurrected again for their sins. No sprinkling can reflect Christ's death, burial and resurrection. Only total immersion can. All baptisms for the first 500 years of Christianity were by immersion.
 
There are LOTS of Scritpures that I can give you, but only if you want more detailed information.
 
At Death, a simple ceremony is conducted, not for the dead person, but for the living. We have no prayers for the dead because they are already either in heaven, or in hell - there are no second chances. The funeral is an opportunity to encourage the living to repent, and trust only Jesus Christ before it is too late.
 
Luke 9:60  Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.