Rebaptism

Today my sister was rebaptized. To some, this may seem outrageous. To my dad, it definitely did. However, there is another side to this. I have had mixed feelings about it for awhile, but it has been something I have also at least considered for myself. My sisters and I were all baptized as infants. This was one of the many things my parents disagreed upon. My dad was raised Lutheran; my mother baptist. When they got married they compromised on Methodist. My mother was very opposed to infant baptism, but began to be okay with the idea once she realized it is somewhat more of a dedication to the church and the idea that the church will guide the child in the ways of life and God.
Today I was made a complete believer in rebaptism. At my sister's church, it is one of the "campus churches" where you have a minister who preaches at a church and many different areas watch from a screen. It really is a wonderful concept, and the minister is incredible. Well, today they were having a massive baptism after the service, so the service was on baptism.
He pointed out that every baptism in the Bible was by complete submersion. He also said that the Greek word for baptism literally meant under water (don't quote me on the exact translation..I forgot to write it down..sorry...but that was the general idea) as opposed to "raino" which means to "sprinkle" as in infant baptisms for example.
He also pointed out something that really hit home with me. He was saying that many people feel that if they decide to rededicate their lives to Christ, it means that they must get rebaptized; however, this is not the case. On the other hand, there are many reasons many people should be rebaptized. The example he gave was actually his own personal experience. He stated that at the age of 5, he, the ADD kid that he was, got excited when the minister opened the alter to prayer, and so he went and kneeled. The minister proceeded to put his hand on his shoulder, and said to pray a certain prayer. Upon completion, he stated that the little boy was now saved and would go to Heaven instead of Hell. He said, he had no concept of what Hell even was. A couple of years later, someone at church (a different church) asked if he had been saved. The idea in his head was that "oh, yeah, definitely I got saved because "preacher" said so!". However, then he was asked if he was baptized by submersion, and he said no. So, he was then baptized a second time. A third time, a few years later, he began to have an understanding of what a life with Christ really meant and what being baptized was all about. In this case, he was then baptized a third time. Out of three times, only once did he actually have any idea of what it actually meant and the impact it had on his life.
My sisters and I, all having been baptized as infants, had a completely different experience. Our parents made the decision for us. It was not ours to make. Now, my dad would say, and has said to me, that if I was to ever get rebaptized it would mean I did not believe it actually worked the first time. That has stuck in my head for years. The preacher today mentioned that he has people say they do not want to get rebaptized because it would upset their parents (I thought it was rather amusing my dad was there today for this reason but have yet to talk to him about his opinion on the service). The minister pointed out, however, that we dishonor God when we go against what he wants to please our parents. Yes, the Bible says honor your mother and father. In no way, does this mean do not honor God's will.
It was an eye opening service that I will remember for the rest of my life. I am not ready to get rebaptized, but I have decided that one day I will. It also makes me believe I am now more Baptist than I am a Methodist (I have considered myself half and half for a long time now).
Anyway, I hate to admit this, but this is where things didn't go so well today. I actually missed my sister's baptism! (no, i will never admit that to her) Well, as you already know, I've been sick for a couple of weeks. Well, in the service (please keep in mind I've done basically nothing but sit and watch tv for two weeks) I started getting really hot. I started fanning myself hoping it would cool me down. It kept getting worse. I started sweating (my head was already completely pounding again because of the music and lights from earlier). Everyone had been asked to stand. I did. Aaaaand then quickly changed my mind. I got very lightheaded and even hotter. My stepmom was sitting behind me and tapped me asking if I was ok. I remember that she was a blur to me at that point but I told her I was ok. Fortunately, the service ended a few minutes later. Of course my family was very concerned at that point and I simply excused myself and went to the bathroom. There were peppermints in there and I definitely ate a couple of those just incase it was my bloodsugar (although I'd had cereal and a coffee less than three hours earlier). Well, by the time I got outside to the baptismal pool, there's my little sister climbing out of the pool. :( I was really sad. Not only that, but my other sister had followed me into the bathroom incase I fell out, and so she missed it as well.
Well, then everyone is standing around talking and the sun is beaming down on me when I was already not able to cool down while inside. Pictures were taken and then people were trying to figure out where to go to lunch. My stepmom looks at me and starts to panic saying I'm going completely pale. Well, I am olive complexioned, so this was definitely not a good sign. She walked me to my car and told me to turn on the AC and gave my sanitizing wipes to wipe on my arms, legs, and neck (alcohol cool body temperature..which I didn't learn until my patient a few weeks ago had a temp of 103). It started working fairly quickly and by the time everyone was ready to leave, I starting to come to again. When I got into the restaurant there was a burst of cool air in the waiting area. I sat there for several minutes. Everyone was freezing but I was feeling fantastic finally. My color came back quickly. I've never fainted, but I'm pretty sure I was only minutes from doing so today.
Now, does this have anything to do with everything that has been going on lately? Honestly, it is a possibility. I am THINKING though that it was simply a hormonal thing even though I have never had a "hot flash" like that before. I mean this was intense. I am praying that's all it was, but it does still scare me and I wonder if I should mention it to the neurologist this week or not.
Anyway, that's my update. I am praying I have the strength to go to work tomorrow night. My mom told me this morning she was unaware I hadn't been back to work since she'd seen me, so now she is concerned for not only my health but my finances as I am. I NEED to be able to make it to work tomorrow. Today was not a hopeful look into the future, but I am going to continue to pray for healing and good news this week. Good news to me would mean they would find what is going on and that it is very easily curable or treatable. That's what my prayer is.