Is there ever a justification for being "re-baptized"? I have questioned my baptism. I was very young and actually did non comprehend the seriousness of what I was doing. I accept considered being baptized again, merely some say that it would not exist right to be baptized a 2d fourth dimension.

Your question is a very legitimate one. There are some people, even among religious leaders, who oppose whatsoever form of re-baptism.

For instance, in 1996, the General Conference of the United Methodist Church at a convention conducted in Denver, Colorado debated the matter of re-baptism. A position paper issued by the conference declared that Methodists who were baptized as infants should never be baptized again. The certificate explicitly stated:

"Whether a baptized infant grows up to exist a professing Christian or not, that baptism stands valid."

This position is flawed in many particulars, having no scriptural support whatsoever.

New Testament Precedent for Being Immersed a Second Time

While on his 3rd missionary campaign, the campaigner Paul came to the metropolis of Ephesus. There, he encountered twelve men who formerly had been baptized with the blazon of baptism administered by John the Baptizer.

1 might exist inclined to conclude, therefore, that the campaigner would accept accepted these men equally they were and merely organized them into a church.

But such was not the case. After questioning them every bit to the nature of their before baptism and determining that their pre-baptism instruction on the previous occasion had been lacking in essential details, Paul immersed these men into Christ (run across Acts 19:one-v). A simple understanding of the text reveals that their kickoff baptism was deficient in some fashion.

And hither is an extremely important implication of this example of re-baptism. The case clearly demonstrates that in society for 1'due south baptism to exist valid, accurate pedagogy and agreement must precede the rite. Otherwise, the act of baptism is a meaningless do and non based on religion (Rom. 10:17).

True Baptism — A Ane-time Act

Genuine baptism is needed simply ane fourth dimension in a person'due south life. Once a person has been baptized according to the total complement of scriptural instructions, he or she never has the demand to repeat this new-nascence procedure (cf. Jn. 3:3-five).

After a person has entered the family of Christ through baptism (one Cor. 12:13; cf. Gal. three:26-27), he is a function of the church building, the household (family) of God (1 Tim. iii:fifteen; cf. Eph. two:19-22). The new Christian has access to all of the spiritual benefits of the in-Christ relationship (Eph. ane:iii).

As a son or daughter of God inside that sacred surroundings, the Christian prays to the heavenly Father for his or her personal needs by means of prayer (see Acts 8:22, 24; cf. Jas. v:16) — including forgiveness for sins as we fail to live perfectly before God (cf. 1 Jn. 1:8; 2:ane).

Qualifications for Baptism

Unfortunately, in that location are many in today's world of Christendom that practice a course of what they phone call "baptism."

When we compare what is practiced and taught past many with what the Bible teaches, we tin come across that a variety of doctrinal errors have developed that are not found in God's word. Those corruptions invalidate a baptism and make it of none outcome.

Therefore, many who have been administered what was called "baptism" simply, in fact is non truthful biblical baptism, need to be baptized again — this fourth dimension with a more than accurate understanding that precedes the event, just like the case in Acts 19:i-5.

Here are some situations in which re-baptism would be warranted.

Baptism without religion or agreement

If ane was "baptized" equally an infant, thus was lacking personal religion (Mk. sixteen:16; Acts xi:21), he should repudiate the meaningless earlier rite in which he had no controlling power, fifty-fifty though his parents were sincere in subjecting him to the procedure.

In genuine faith, he should submit to the control in the proper way. Infants accept neither the need nor the ability to respond to the gospel of Christ.

The same would exist truthful for young children also young or immature to understand their accountability to the program of conservancy.

It is a tender affair to observe young children who desire to please God. But many times, their desire precedes their understanding and accountability for personal sin.

If an developed concludes that they need to be re-baptized because they were baptized as an infant or as a sincere only immature kid, we would encourage them to be immersed in organized religion and obedience. Thus, they can be assured of the forgiveness of their sins. Their decision volition bring peace of mind and confidence by knowing they are obeying God from the heart with total understanding.

Baptism without immersion

If one was "baptized" in some mode other than by immersion, then he needs to be baptized with the proper class. The give-and-take "baptism" literally translated means immersion, not sprinkling or pouring.

True baptism pictures the burying and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The sinner is cached in water and raised from this symbolic grave (cf. Rom. half-dozen:3-4; Col. 2:12) only as the Lord was buried and then raised from the expressionless.

True baptism validates and proclaims ane'south faith in the expiry and resurrection events. Being sprinkled with h2o or having water poured upon the head is no baptism at all. Such substitutes are without sanction in the New Testament. They are mail-apostolic innovations.

Baptism without repentance

Baptism without true repentance is as well ineffectual. I once heard virtually a man who emerged from the baptismal pool, turned to his wife, and said: "I promise you're satisfied!"

No who is baptized without proper motive (and other prerequisites) can take validity in the divine scheme of things. Even John warned those who came to be baptized for a show without repentance. Merely God'southward wrath awaited those who were baptized with such false pretenses (Mt. 3:7).

Baptism without faith

If one is "baptized" without a sound faith, the ritual would be of no avail.

1 might feel, for instance, that Jesus was a good human being, perhaps even a "perfect man" — as the "Jehovah's Witnesses" allege. As sincere as these may exist, they deny that Christ is the Son of God (i.eastward., deity).

And yet, for various other reasons, they might desire to be baptized. But baptism grounded on faux organized religion cannot be deemed every bit 18-carat.

Baptism without purpose

If one has yielded to baptism for some purpose other than that which is supplied past God'south discussion, he has not obeyed the Lord.

Baptism is never defined equally "an outward sign of an in grace." It is not a mere representation of redemption for those who have already received forgiveness.

The purpose of baptism is "for the remission of sins" (Acts ii:38), to have sins "washed away" (Acts 22:16), to put the candidate "into Christ" (Rom. 6:3-four; Gal. 3:26-27), or into his "body" (1 Cor. 12:13). At this point, he is "saved" (Mk. 16:sixteen; 1 Pet. iii:21).

The common resistance to the biblical proposition that baptism comes before salvation constitutes a assuming rejection of the patently testimony of Scripture. Ane cannot be immersed "for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38), if he believes his sins have been remitted already.

Your soul is also valuable, the programme is as well elementary and the remedy too easy to admission to gamble — hoping that a former "baptism" will be alright in spite of the deficiencies associated therewith.

If you have any question nearly a previous baptism, I would encourage you to be safe and arrange for your baptism according to your informed knowledge.

If we may assist y'all in this regard, experience gratuitous to contact us for counsel.