{"id":21287,"date":"2026-05-28T12:13:54","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T10:13:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cgk.nl\/?p=21287"},"modified":"2026-05-28T12:13:57","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T10:13:57","slug":"baptism-in-the-far-north","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cgk.nl\/en\/niet-gecategoriseerd\/de-doop-in-het-hoge-noorden\/","title":{"rendered":"Baptism in the far north"},"content":{"rendered":"

Baptism was instituted by Jesus himself and is therefore served all over the world. The form of baptisms and how they are prepared differ. What is baptism like in an area above the Arctic Circle?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adult baptism<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The evangelists we support in the far north belong to so-called non-registered Baptists. They are adherents of adult baptism by immersion. They see baptism as an outward confirmation of conversion: \u201cThat is the most important thing. Without it, baptism is not possible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Announcement of baptism<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

When someone comes to faith in the Lord Jesus, at some point the question of baptism becomes topical. In principle, it makes no difference whether it is a young man or woman brought up in a Christian family or a man or woman converted from the world. At some point, the person will go to the leader of the congregation asking, \u2018I want to be baptised. A process then takes effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preparation<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

That process involves, first of all, the church leader\/elder speaking to the person (individually, but more often in groups) in depth about the meaning of baptism. Is the person aware that in baptism he is breaking with his old life of idolatry, alcoholism, disobedience and the like? Other aspects of repentance and the foundations of the Christian faith also come up in conversations, as do the rules that apply within the church. It is somewhere similar to our confessional catechism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consent by the environment<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Before the date is set, another important step takes place: persons close to the prospective baptised person are asked whether the person has shown \u2018fruit corresponding to conversion\u2019 in their lives. These may be family members, or friends, but also (unbelieving) colleagues. Finally, the congregation must approve the person's baptism. This takes place in a meeting of the congregation where the person who wants to be baptised first gives a personal testimony himself\/herself. The congregation may then ask him\/her questions. These can be general (\u2018who is the Lord Jesus for you?\u2019) but also very personal (\u2018we know you as someone who smoked and drank a lot, are you really free of that?\u2019, \u2018how is your relationship with your unbelieving husband?\u2019). Then the congregation, without the person himself being present, decides whether the person will be admitted to baptism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The day of baptism<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

It makes a big difference whether someone is baptised in winter or summer. In winter, one makes a hole in the ice. After all: baptism takes place in natural water, Baptists believe. In summer, of course, there is no need to carve such a hole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Dipping