Is restitution necessary to be baptized(forgiven).

[Sean]

I saw an Apostolic Church in Hawaii that demanded in their pre baptism indoctrination program, saying that a candidate for baptism MUST perform restitution as much as possible(imagine the implications), to all that they have offended, before they can be considered "truly repented" and therefore find remission of sins during the baptism process. A good friend of mine also said his 1st pastor was taught that doctrine as a new convert, turned himself in for former crimes, and went to prison.

I would like to see anyones' input here, for or against it...(I personally am against it.)

[PastorTLArt]

All I can say is Im thankful that salvation comes through Grace not water!!!

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Sean

I saw an Apostolic Church in Hawaii that demanded in their pre baptism indoctrination program, saying that a candidate for baptism MUST perform restitution as much as possible(imagine the implications), to all that they have offended, before they can be considered "truly repented" and therefore find remission of sins during the baptism process. A good friend of mine also said his 1st pastor was taught that doctrine as a new convert, turned himself in for former crimes, and went to prison.

I would like to see anyones' input here, for or against it...(I personally am against it.)

I don't believe restitution was ever required before baptism in Scripture. Repentance yes, restitution no. Besides, wouldn't it be a better witness to have a brother who is born again, signed, sealed, and delivered seek you out and give restitution because he's saved... instead of finding out the only reason why he sought you out for restitution was so that his church would accept him and baptize him???

After being born again (the Acts 2:38 experience) a believer begins a journey of sanctification. Restitution should by all means be a part of this journey wherever it might apply. But it's part of the journey... not a requirement to embark on the journey.

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by Sean

I saw an Apostolic Church in Hawaii that demanded in their pre baptism indoctrination program, saying that a candidate for baptism MUST perform restitution as much as possible(imagine the implications), to all that they have offended, before they can be considered "truly repented" and therefore find remission of sins during the baptism process. A good friend of mine also said his 1st pastor was taught that doctrine as a new convert, turned himself in for former crimes, and went to prison.

I would like to see anyones' input here, for or against it...(I personally am against it.)

Is there a precedent in NT scripture for this doctrine? I can find none. I believe the Lord may convict us of things in our past that can be made right, but it is not right to make a doctrine out of it.

[Esaias]

Restitution is part of repentence. A person may refuse baptism to someone if they sincerely believe the person's faith and repentence is defective. And perhaps this may require restitution.

But the scriptural requisite for baptism is "believing with your whole heart."

[Sean]

I agree that there is NO N.T. precedence for restitution prior to baptism. However, it was an O.T. requirement to find "salvation by the works of the Law"..(ie, Zacchaeus, etc.), but at Pentecost and after, we see no mention of it.

FYI, I went fishing today and my(minister) buddy told me he knows ministers that believe in restitution, it is more of a prevalent doctrine than we realize.

[FlamingZword]

Originally Posted by Sean

I saw an Apostolic Church in Hawaii that demanded in their pre baptism indoctrination program, saying that a candidate for baptism MUST perform restitution as much as possible(imagine the implications), to all that they have offended, before they can be considered "truly repented" and therefore find remission of sins during the baptism process. A good friend of mine also said his 1st pastor was taught that doctrine as a new convert, turned himself in for former crimes, and went to prison.

I would like to see anyones' input here, for or against it...(I personally am against it.)

I would like to provide input, but I can't since I am terrified that if my post disagrees with yours, you might put a dying curse upon me.

[good samaritan]

How can you make restitution for all the things you've done wrong. I don't even know what all I have done wrong before coming to Christ. I have done so much. If you feel led to go to someone and make things right by all means do so, but we would go crazy feeling like we are to make a payment for our past mistakes.
If restitution was necessary we would be making our own sins right and that takes away from the purpose of Jesus on this earth. This doctrine is ludicrous. Some things should be left to personal convictions. I wouldn't want to be the one denying baptism from that person. Who are we to judge the sincerity of another person's repentance.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by FlamingZword

I would like to provide input, but I can't since I am terrified that if my post disagrees with yours, you might put a dying curse upon me.

Oh stop it!....

The Lord may just take care of you by missing the rapture or something, I have no specifics about you.(I'm sure it all depends on how defiant you are to the Holy Ghost, ie... joking about all the souls that have been lost over tithes, etc.)

[Sean]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

How can you make restitution for all the things you've done wrong. I don't even know what all I have done wrong before coming to Christ. I have done so much. If you feel led to go to someone and make things right by all means do so, but we would go crazy feeling like we are to make a payment for our past mistakes.
If restitution was necessary we would be making our own sins right and that takes away from the purpose of Jesus on this earth. This doctrine is ludicrous. Some things should be left to personal convictions. I wouldn't want to be the one denying baptism from that person. Who are we to judge the sincerity of another person's repentance.

These folks teach "merited" repentance by the individual, not solely on the NAME of Jesus to remit sins. They are clearly mixing the old and new covenants together to come to this conclusion.

I wanted to do this thread to give folks an understanding about this subject, if in fact they encounter this doctrine.