WHAT ABOUT RE-BAPTISM?

What about re-baptism?

I have often been asked: “I was baptized as a young person. Now I am

not sure I knew what I was doing. Should I be baptized again?”

“I was baptized as an infant in the _____ Church. Must I be baptized again?”

Short answer – Baptism (real, biblical baptism) is only done once and does not need to be repeated.

What about re-baptism?

If your first “baptism” was valid, scriptural, and biblical – there is no need to repeat it.

If your first “baptism” was not valid, scriptural, and biblical – then you have not been baptized as the Bible directs.

Acts 19:3-5

3 And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?" So they said, "Into John's baptism."

4 Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus."

5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

3 Important Questions

How do I know if my first “baptism” was vaild and biblical?

There are three vital issues that you must decide.

(1)WHAT was done at your baptism?

(2)WHEN were you baptized?

(3)WHY were you baptized?

WHAT was done at your baptism?

Baptism is – immersion, burial in water Romans 6:4 Therefore we were buried with

Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Colossians 2:12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

WHAT was done at your baptism?

IF your previous baptism was by sprinkling or pouring - - -

THEN it was not the baptism commanded in the New Testament.

THEN – You need to be baptized into Christ.

WHEN were you baptized?

This question asks if you were an infant, a very young child, a teen, an adult?

This question is important because of the requirements for a biblical baptism.

WHEN were you baptized?

Baptism is for those who BELIEVE Mark 16:16 He who believes and is baptized

will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

Acts 8:36-37 36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" 37 Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."

WHEN were you baptized?

Baptism is for those who REPENT Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them,

"Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

WHEN were you baptized?

Baptism is for those who CONFESS Romans 10:9-10 9 that if you confess

with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

WHEN were you baptized?

Baptism is for those who: BELIEVE REPENT CONFESS These are required BEFORE one is

baptized.

WHEN were you baptized?

This means the person ready to be baptized must be able to:

Know that they are a sinner Know that Jesus is the Christ Know that Jesus died for their sins Decide to turn away from sin Express their faith in Christ

WHEN were you baptized?

IF your previous baptism was done BEFORE you were able to have faith, repent of sins, confess with your mouth:

THEN your baptism was not what God commands for one to be ready to be baptized.

THEN you need to be baptized as the New Testament commands.

WHY were you baptized?

The purpose for baptism is also important.

God tells us WHAT to do, WHEN we are ready to do it.

God also explains the reason for baptism.

WHY were you baptized?

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 22:16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.'

WHY were you baptized?

1 Peter 3:21 There is also an antitype which now saves us--baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Romans 6:4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

WHY were you baptized?

Acts 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.

Mark 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

WHY were you baptized?

IF you were baptized for some other reason – to join a church, because you were already saved, because your parents took you as an infant, etc.

THEN you were baptized for the wrong reason.

THEN you need to be baptized for the proper reason given in the New Testament.

Should you be re-baptized?

IF your baptism was what the New Testament commands – being baptized again will accomplish nothing.

IF your baptism was NOT what the Bible commands – you need to be baptized as directed in the New Testament.

What if I am not sure?

IF you are not sure – have doubts, wonder, can't be sure, can't remember:

Being re-baptized can remove the lingering doubt – Then you can be sure of your salvation and eternal life.

Is my child too young?

How young is TOO young? We mature at different ages. I can not

answer if one is too young and should wait until they are older.

I WOULD RATHER “BAPTIZE” A PERSON TWICE – THAN NOT AT ALL.