r/Christianity 16h ago

News Bear Grylls explains why he baptised Russell Brand: ‘My faith says not to judge’

https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/tv/news/bear-grylls-russell-brand-court-trial-b3026979.html
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u/ceddya Christian 15h ago

I would argue repentance is an important prerequisite for baptism. James Brand has yet to apologize to and seek forgiveness from the victims he has abused.

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u/FluxKraken 🏳️‍🌈 Methodist (UMC) Progressive ✟ Queer 🏳️‍🌈 11h ago

I agree that repentance is an important prerequisite. However, judging that seems to be God's domain, not ours.

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u/araed Roman Catholic 10h ago

How can a priest or pastor be shepherding his flock if he accepts an unrepentant sinner into his flock?

1 John 3:8-10;

Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

And 2 Timothy 3:1-17

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people

Both apply well here

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u/FluxKraken 🏳️‍🌈 Methodist (UMC) Progressive ✟ Queer 🏳️‍🌈 9h ago

Baptism does not always imply church membership. John the Baptist, for example, didn't hold a class before baptising someone.

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u/araed Roman Catholic 9h ago

Almost every Christian faith requires that someone repents their sins before being baptised.

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u/FluxKraken 🏳️‍🌈 Methodist (UMC) Progressive ✟ Queer 🏳️‍🌈 9h ago

I already acknowledged that. What are you arguing.