Yes, that’s right. Spencer Pratt (most known for his role on The Hills as the jerk boyfriend/fiancé/and now husband of Heidi Montague) was baptized on national television by self proclaimed born-again Christian Stephen Baldwin. WHAT?! This act was first seen Monday June 1, 2009 when the show “I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!” debuted drawing in approximately 6.4 million viewers. According to Wikipedia the show is “about celebrities live in jungle conditions with few comforts and have to earn human essentials”. Now, you are probably wondering why on earth did Pratt choose to do this?! … maybe it was to make his wife Heidi happy … maybe it was for publicity…. maybe it was to “be washed clean of his filth” as he stated moments before getting dunked in the river… or maybe it was for some other reason. I don’t know Spencer’s heart, only God does, so I won’t try and figure out what his true motivation was. However, I would like to clear up two common myths about baptism and also share why many believers choose to get baptized.
Myth #1: Baptism will wash away sins (or as Pratt stated “clean you of your filth”.)
Truth: The act of baptism does not save us or wash away our sins. Only the blood of Christ cleanses us from sin. 1 John 1:7 "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. "
Myth #2: Getting baptized allows a person to go to heaven.
Truth: The only requirement for getting to heaven is to believe that Jesus is your personal Lord and savior. (John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Ephesians 2:8-9). Baptism is not a requirement for salvation, it is simply the outward testimony of a believer's inward faith. Romans 6:3-4 says “Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." You are "crucified" (standing upright in water), you are "buried" (immersed into the water), and you are "resurrected into life" (raised out of the water). See also Corinthians 12:13.
Why do believers choose to get baptized?
#1 Cuz all the cool kids are doing it!!!!
And by cool kids, I mean Jesus. "At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan." Mark 1:9
#2 Cuz Jesus told us to!
Jesus’s love language is obedience, and following his commands shows our love for Him (Jesus said "If you love me, you will obey what I command. " John 14:15) Jesus also said, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Matthew 28:19-20.
#3 Cuz it shows you are a believer!
In the OT, Jewish people would get circumcised (ouch) as an outward symbol of their faith, whereas Christians get baptized as an outward symbol of their faith! Acts 18:8"...many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized."
CONFESSION: I have not been baptized, YET. I am hoping to do so before I leave DC. Details to follow soon.
Myth #1: Baptism will wash away sins (or as Pratt stated “clean you of your filth”.)
Truth: The act of baptism does not save us or wash away our sins. Only the blood of Christ cleanses us from sin. 1 John 1:7 "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. "
Myth #2: Getting baptized allows a person to go to heaven.
Truth: The only requirement for getting to heaven is to believe that Jesus is your personal Lord and savior. (John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Ephesians 2:8-9). Baptism is not a requirement for salvation, it is simply the outward testimony of a believer's inward faith. Romans 6:3-4 says “Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." You are "crucified" (standing upright in water), you are "buried" (immersed into the water), and you are "resurrected into life" (raised out of the water). See also Corinthians 12:13.
Why do believers choose to get baptized?
#1 Cuz all the cool kids are doing it!!!!
And by cool kids, I mean Jesus. "At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan." Mark 1:9
#2 Cuz Jesus told us to!
Jesus’s love language is obedience, and following his commands shows our love for Him (Jesus said "If you love me, you will obey what I command. " John 14:15) Jesus also said, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Matthew 28:19-20.
#3 Cuz it shows you are a believer!
In the OT, Jewish people would get circumcised (ouch) as an outward symbol of their faith, whereas Christians get baptized as an outward symbol of their faith! Acts 18:8"...many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized."
CONFESSION: I have not been baptized, YET. I am hoping to do so before I leave DC. Details to follow soon.
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Love the Hills link and shout-out. Yes, not sure about Spencer but you are right - God is the ultimate judge! love your posts!
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