Vanity: Freeper Advice: Thoughts on 2nd Baptism

10/6/15 | DG

[envisio]

I have read a little and did some research on baptism and if there is a need to get baptized as an adult after being baptized as a child.

I looked for the Church’s standing on it and I looked for scripture written about it. My research left me with the half-baked conclusion, in the eyes of the Lord, one only needs baptized once.

I was baptized as a small child without any realization of what was happening. In the 40 years to follow there were plenty of times I was lost, sinning, doing the devils deeds with the liquor and the drugs and the whores and on all fours in the parkinglot puking only to repeat it again the next day for years in my 20s. I never got into any real trouble; no felonies or violence, just drunken antics of a stupid 20something year old. Of course, as we get older, we settle down and put away our childish behavior to be adults. In no way will my wild youth define my legacy since then.

Recent events have tested my faith and questioned a merciful God. Ultimately those events brought me closer to God, and it was my wife’s wish that I completely give my life to Christ. She did and I am quite sure she is sitting by His side right now, praying that I do the same.

I am a sinner. I have confessed my sins and asked for forgiveness. I have accepted Jesus Christ as my savior. I want to complete it with water. I want to get baptized again, but I don’t want it to be vain. I don’t want to do it for myself as a vain show that’s not necessary just to make me feel better. I want to do it because God wants me to do it.

So, since you folks are far more learned on the teachings of the bible, and FReepdom is unmatched in advice dealing with church and God, my question is… Even if the original baptism was done at a time when I did not know what was happening… Is a second baptism common? Is it vain? Will it make me complete in my transition to being born again? Is it necessary?

[Engraved-on-His-hands]

You’re very welcome. Not to add to much to the conversation, but here is a quick breakdown of what the Bible teaches about baptism:

a. Baptism is for the remission of sins. (Acts 2:38; cf. Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3)
b. There is one baptism. (Ephesians 4:5)
c. We are buried with Christ in baptism. (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12)
d. Through faith, we are raised with Christ (Colossians 2:12; cf. Romans 6:4)
e. It (baptism) was administered to those who believed. (Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12; 18:8)
f. It was administered to those who received the word. (Acts 2:41)
g. It was administered to those who repented. (Acts 2:38)
h. Through baptism our sins are washed away. (Acts 22:16)
i. Through baptism we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)
j. We are baptized into Christ. (Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27)
k. In baptism we “put on Christ”. (Galatians 3:27)
l. We are baptized into the death of Christ. (Romans 6:3)
m. We are baptized into the one body (the church). (I Corinthians 12:13 [vid. Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:23])
n. We are baptized into death, so that we may walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4)
o. Baptism saves, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. (I Peter 3:21; cf. Mark 16:16)

[Greetings_Puny_Humans]

John’s baptism still wasn’t Christian baptism, otherwise there would have been no need to re-baptize them, as occurred to John’s disciples in Acts.

[Amendment10]

"If you subscribe to the Apostle’s Creed or the more definitive Nicene Creed then a second baptism is a no no."

In all examples of baptism in the NT, being baptized was the choice of the believer. Corrections welcome.

[Responsibility2nd]

Baptism is not a requirement to enter into Heaven.
Case in point - The criminal on the right of Jesus on Calvary, he acknowledged Jesus as Christ and Jesus replied, on this day I will see you in Paradise.
That criminal wasn’t baptized

 

 

How could he be baptised? Christ had not yet died for his sins.

 

And if baptism is not a requirement, then why did Christ require it? (Great Commission) Why did Peter tell the people in Acts Chapter 2 to be baptized? And why is it required all thought the New Testament?

Not a requirement? You need to read your Bible.

[thackney]

Personally, I find it troubling to believe that God's Baptism “didn't take”.

We are all sinners. We remain sinners after Baptism. We will always depend on God's grace.

Perhaps my distaste of the re-baptism is from Christian Churches that view previous Baptism in another denomination isn't good enough and needs to be redone in their flavor.

Personally, I find the idea to reaffirm a baptism a better idea for a new public statement. It may seem like semantics, but I find the reaffirmation more a support of the original baptism.

[chajin]

One more thing: if you're going to do it, do it today...

http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3345389/posts

[Slyfox]

Baptism is a gift from God. In the New Testament, when baptism took place it involved the family, which included all the family members including young children and babies. That is why the Catholic Church baptizes babies.

If you were baptized as a child then you don't need to be baptized again. you have already become a member of the Church.

When a person enters the Catholic Church and has been baptized previously, that baptism is honored.

[Responsibility2nd]

Thanks for posting that.

In view of these facts - there are still those who argue that baptism is not necessary.

They may as well ignore the need to repent. Or confess.

[Agamemnon]

Since Baptism is a Biblically based sacrament let's look to Scripture for the answer.

The Apostle Paul writes in Colossians 2:11-12,

"11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead."

What this is saying is that as circumcision identified the child with the family of Israel, baptism is an identification with the family of Christ. Baptism means identification. One doesn't contemplate getting "re-circumcised." One similarly need not necessarily be concerned with re-baptism

The meaning of the baptism accorded a child is important, however.

If your parents were Christians when you were baptized as a child, and you were baptized in a Christian ceremony of baptism, your are identified with the larger family of Christ. If on the other hand you were baptized as child in a Catholic church, the ceremony is believed to be impactful upon your eternal salvation. Failure to be baptized destines you to hell, in the Catholic tradition. But this is not supported in Scripture.

Since the meaning of the infant baptism in a Catholic church is a very different ceremony from the relationship Paul makes, getting baptized is a recommended course, because the first one, while a church sacrament, is not the biblical ceremony, or a biblical sacrament.

Others here have written about the "believer's" baptism as the essential ceremony. For those not baptized in a Christian ceremony as a child who come to belief in Christ as an adult, baptism is certainly appropriate. "Believer's baptism" is the form of baptism practiced by John the Baptist. However, recall that Christ was baptized by John the Baptist, and he asked Christ, "why do I need to baptize you -- of all people?"

Christ's baptism was a sign of identification with the Father and it was done in obedience to Him.

Summary:

1. Christian baptism as a child doesn't need to be repeated as a faith claiming adult.

2. A Catholic "baptism" should be repeated as the meaning of the Catholic ceremony is not biblically sound.

3. A "believer's baptism" as an adult is appropriate for one who becomes a Christian and did not experience Christian baptism as a child.

4. Adult "believer's baptism" is not the only legitimate baptism one may have.

Hope this helps!

FReegards!

[stars & stripes forever]

[Baptism is a public affirmation of your following Jesus Christ.]

Treat the 2nd baptism as a re-dedication of your life to JESUS CHRIST.

[DesertRhino]

My daughter says that sometimes she thinks they didn’t hold me under long enough. Said something like they should have scrubbed with a brush, and maybe held me under till bubbles came up.
Kids,,,,

[DesertRhino]

Not required, but there isn’t anything wrong with doing it again. Sounds like you have the right reasons. Go for it.

[sparklite2]

A little history ...

The early princes of the church practiced infant baptism because they feared if dying unbaptized, one went to hell.

That worked for a while until someone pointed out that sinning after being baptized was more serious than sins committed before being in a state of grace.

God’s Catch-22.

Finally, to get around this, a means was invented/postulated where sins committed after baptism could be purged after death via Purgatory.

Now it was complete. Infant baptism provided insurance for life eternal and Purgatory fixed sinning in a state of grace.

[silverleaf]

Many churches say no, one baptism is a baptism

Even the Catholic church recognizes a protestant baptism as a baptism

[DesertRhino]

Don’t let these sea lawyers BS you out of it. If you want to do it again, for the reasons you stated, do you think Jesus would be upset? I don’t.
And anyways, the baptism itself does nothing. That’s an outward sign, something you do out of love.
The acceptance of Christ is the only requirement.
The soldier on the battlefield who asks Jesus into his heart but never has a chance to get baptized.
Think he isn’t saved?

If it isn’t a condition of salvation, you can do it again and again.

[buffaloguy]

My second baptism was very helpful in separating my new Jesus is my Lord and Savior self from my former lukewarm self.

I would recommend it. It made a huge difference in my life.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

“...it should be Baptism for the remission of sins.”

Greek

BECAUSE OF the remission of sins.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

“How do you know he wasn’t baptized by John the Baptist?”

Better not to make stuff up and pretend it is true...

[amorphous]

I know many who have lately. Especially those who've made a pilgramige to Israel and visited the River Jordan. My suggestion would be to follow what the Holy Spirit is telling you and read God's word in making your decision - don't listen to so called experts of one religion or another. Most of what they know on the matter comes from traditions corrupted over time. The word of the LORD and the Holy Spirit will always be true.

There are many references in both the OT and NT concerning the washing of garments, annointing with oils. Do your own research and let the Holy Spirit be your guide.

The last chapter in the NT:

(NLT) Rev. 22:14 Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life.

[AppyPappy]

Better not to say “this event never happen” unless you can prove it never happened.