[envisio]

Any advise would be appreciated...

[Conservative4Ever]

To me baptism is purification by Spirit, submergence in Spirit. Spirit of course being God. From what you have stated by your change to a more spiritual thinking and hence lifestyle; I would say you are living your baptism daily. But, if you feel the need to have the ritual of a physical baptism repeated, then by all means do so. It that procedure will lift your heart and renew your spirit, I send my prayer that you will find the right pastor to help you. Sometimes we need the physical concessions to help affirm the spiritual. God bless.

[I want the USA back]

Baptism is done only once. It would make more sense to do it when one is an adult, since as a baby one has no awareness of it.

[Boogieman]

I’m tend to agree with the anabaptists that someone should at least have a basic understanding of Christianity so they can enter into baptism willingly, but I don’t think there is any need for rebaptizing someone just because they were baptized as an infant.

I was baptized as an infant in the Catholic church, and I considered getting rebaptized when I came of age and became a believer, but I really don’t feel like it is necessary. I feel God has already called me out and saved me, so a rebaptism could only be an outward symbol at this point.

[kidd]

Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved.” (Mark 16:15-16). You can only be saved once and therefore should only be baptized once.

By being re-baptized, you would imply that what the Holy Spirit did in your first baptism was not sufficient.

If you were marked out as a child of God at your first baptism, then when you were “genuinely saved” you were brought back to God as a prodigal, not as an outsider.

Therefore you don’t need a second marking, because you were already God’s. And if you think about it, you were not only marked out for the Lord, but predestined, seen by God before you even knew it, and this makes your first baptism something that really shows the wonder and majesty of God in your life. I’d say keep your first baptism as a valid one, and tell of what God has done through it.

[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.

[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!

[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.

[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.

[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.

[Gamecock]

***My research left me with the half-baked conclusion, in the eyes of the Lord, one only needs baptized once.***

I think your research is full baked, and you are correct.

Without reading through the thread I am sure there that will say otherwise, but you are correct.

[dangerdoc]

Baptism is the second act of willful obedience in a Christian’s life. If you feel God is calling you, then I would suggest you obey. If this is an intellectual debate you are having with yourself, pray and meditate on the Word until things are more clear.

[boatbums]

I too was baptized as a baby but it was when I was sixteen and understood and accepted that Jesus died for all my sins and I could be saved by faith in Him and not my own works of righteousness that I wanted to be baptized again. I see my infant baptism as something that was done TO me and count the baptism I underwent when I was older and conscious of what it meant as my TRUE baptism in obedience to God and as a testimony to others of the spiritual change that had happened within me.

I don’t believe water baptism is necessary to be saved as we are washed and made clean by the shed blood of Jesus through faith. Instead, it is an ordinance designed by God for our spiritual growth and concrete point of reference for us to remember that we have been born again as children of the living God by our own act of faith.

“He saved us not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy. He saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our savior; that being justified by His grace we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:5-7)

[PAR35]

in the eyes of the Lord, one only needs baptized once.

Nothing half baked about that. The only question should be was the baptism properly administered - was it Trinitarian in form, and was it administered by someone ordained to do so?

[vladimir998]

“I was baptized as a small child without any realization of what was happening.”

Just like every circumcised baby welcomed into the covenant. It was still valid if valid in the first place. It has nothing to do with what you knew at the time. It has everything to do with what God knew He was doing with His grace for you. If it was a valid baptism then, it still is now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSdTBUfakG8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZOt7dbrpOY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV8uu9-sYSk

[Jeff Chandler]

If the Trinitarian form is used, there is only one Baptism. However, you can publicly confirm your Baptism, just as a married couple can renew their vows. It think it would be a beautiful thing.

[JimRed]

Do it. God’s people will welcome you, and you will feel His presence in your life even more.