rebaptism?

Probably not technically required, but I don't see any harm in doing so. Much like a still-married couple re-affirming their vows.

It's not generally done to rebaptise. But a reaffirmation of your baptismal promises would be very normal, at least in my tradition.

worshipjunkie said:

I was baptized when I was 15. It was my choice, I had been a Christian for about five years then, and it was done properly (i.e. Trinitarian)
But after apostizing for such a long period of time, I would really like to get rebaptized, especially since I understand what baptism is so much more now. But is that done? I know ultimately I need to discuss it with my pastor but I just wanted some opinions in the meantime. Has anyone been rebaptized?

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For Pentecostals, absolutely! You can get baptized as much and as often as you want. You only really need to do it once though. Pentecostals regard water baptism as an ordinance, not a sacrament.

worshipjunkie said:

I was baptized when I was 15. It was my choice, I had been a Christian for about five years then, and it was done properly (i.e. Trinitarian)
But after apostizing for such a long period of time, I would really like to get rebaptized, especially since I understand what baptism is so much more now. But is that done? I know ultimately I need to discuss it with my pastor but I just wanted some opinions in the meantime. Has anyone been rebaptized?

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I would be against it, because the vital part of baptism is to declare Jesus is your Lord to the public, not getting yourself wet. If you have done it, there is really no need to rebaptize. If you think you never made Jesus your Lord seriously and rebaptize, the public won't understand and think it is normal to take baptism lightly, and they, Christian or non-Christian, might (re)baptize as they want to. Baptism is no playground, for it is God who commands us to baptize.

Ephesians 4
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

My Mormon baptism was wrong; therefore I was baptized in a Christian church afterwards.

I believe in one God, Father Almighty, Creator of
heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of
God, begotten of the Father before all ages;

Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten,
not created, of one essence with the Father
through Whom all things were made.

Who for us men and for our salvation
came down from heaven and was incarnate
of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man.

He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate,
and suffered and was buried;

And He rose on the third day,
according to the Scriptures.

He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father;

And He will come again with glory to judge the living
and dead. His kingdom shall have no end.

And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Creator of life,
Who proceeds from the Father, Who together with the
Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, Who
spoke through the prophets.

In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.

I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

I look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the age to come.

Amen.

First Council of Nicaea 325

1 Peter 3:21 says that baptism is a pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It means that you cannot be baptised again unless you renounce the former baptism (which maybe that is what you are wanting to do).

Otoh, the fact that you are still faithful is evidence that you have had a saving faith before making the commitment to the second baptism - I would caution against renouncing that saving faith. It could give an opportunity for regret to work against you if in future you find yourself thinking that life was better before the rebaptism.

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it" sort of thing.

What do you feel was wrong with the first baptism that would explain why you fell away? .. are you sure that there is not another explanation, such as the prodigal son (for one idea, is all. An investigation could provide other answers).

jason_delisle said:

For Pentecostals, absolutely! You can get baptized as much and as often as you want. You only really need to do it once though. Pentecostals regard water baptism as an ordinance, not a sacrament.

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@worshipjunkie I just wanted to add that on this forum there are numerous denominations with differing positions of baptism. Some believe in "pedobaptism" or infant baptism. These denominations include Catholics, Methodists, Orthodox to name a few. Others believe in "credobaptism" (confession of faith required). Denominations that practice credobaptism are your off-shoots of the Anabaptist movement like Baptists. Some denominations that I cannot think of at the moment do not believe water baptism is required at all for various reasons. Some denominations regard baptism as a sacrament (a sign/rite which results in God's grace being conveyed to the individual), others regard baptism as an ordinance in which the act of water baptism is a symbolic reenactment of the gospel message that Christ lived, died, was raised from the dead, ascended to heaven, and will someday return. Rather than a requirement for salvation, denominations who regard baptism as an ordinance view it as a visual aid to help us better understand and appreciate what Jesus Christ accomplished for us in His redemptive work.

I noticed on your profile that you are Pentecostal so I assumed that you are looking for what the Pentecostal answer. Pentecostals believe that there are two baptisms. The first is the baptism by the fire of the Holy Spirit. This is the saving baptism once someone is saved and they are filled with the Holy Spirit. The second baptism is by water. Although not required for salvation, Pentecostals view water baptism as an ordinance because Jesus Himself was baptized and he also commanded Christians to do so in the Great Commission. In other words, Pentecostals baptize by water not in order to be saved. They are baptized by water as one of the first acts of obedience to the Lord after they are saved. Pentecostals justify water baptism as an ordinance for a couple reasons. First, the thief on the cross was never baptized yet he was saved. Second, John the Baptist when asked if he was the Messiah said that he baptized with water for repentance but there will be one who is more powerful than him that will baptize by the Holy Spirit with fire (Matthew 3:11). I would once again mention that this is a highly debatable topic that will result in a variety of biblical answers depending on someone's denominational background. I recommend that you should post this question in the Pentecostal/Assemblies of God forum for more specific answers.

If you’re baptism was valid, which it sounds like it was I personally wouldn’t want to be baptised again, because to me that would be like declaring my baptism wasn’t valid, I’d look instead at something like reaffirming my baptismal promises, to show my recommitment to my original baptism.

Views on baptism can be very different denomination to denomination and also very personal. Before speaking to your pastor I’d suggest praying about it too so that when you talk to your pastor you can tell them if God’s given you any insight on another baptism/reaffirmation or any other pathway.

Irrespective of what you do, it is heartening to read that you not only returned but have grown so much as a Christian

Please do let us know what path you take, if you do get baptised again or reaffirm I’d really like to pray for the occasion

Hello, worshipjunkie

What Paidiske said in post 3.

Baptism is indelible. You can fall away from the faith for awhile, but you are still one who has been baptized. If you return to the faith, you may reaffirm your baptismal vows, go to confession, be confirmed, or something else, depending upon your particular denomination, but there is no such thing as a re-baptism or a second baptism, even though some churches practice such things.

Repentance and a resolve to live a better life is what God requires in your case, not a reenactment of your baptism. You have been one of His all the while you were away. You just fell off the rails for awhile like many a disobedient child but never ceased to be the child of your heavenly Father.

worshipjunkie said:

I was baptized when I was 15. It was my choice, I had been a Christian for about five years then, and it was done properly (i.e. Trinitarian)
But after apostizing for such a long period of time, I would really like to get rebaptized, especially since I understand what baptism is so much more now. But is that done? I know ultimately I need to discuss it with my pastor but I just wanted some opinions in the meantime. Has anyone been rebaptized?

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Baptism is ultimately a public display that you are dead to your old ways and you are now come to life in Christ. I think it would be fitting your situation!

worshipjunkie said:

I was baptized when I was 15. It was my choice, I had been a Christian for about five years then, and it was done properly (i.e. Trinitarian)
But after apostizing for such a long period of time, I would really like to get rebaptized, especially since I understand what baptism is so much more now. But is that done? I know ultimately I need to discuss it with my pastor but I just wanted some opinions in the meantime. Has anyone been rebaptized?

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So what is the improper method? That aside, there is no issue with being baptized a second time. In many cases people have been baptized as children, and no I don't want to get into a discussion on it, and have later come to faith in Christ, the first baptism had no personal knowledge of what they did, and were baptized again. There is nothing wrong with it. Repentance and baptism go hand in hand.

worshipjunkie said:

I was baptized when I was 15. It was my choice, I had been a Christian for about five years then, and it was done properly (i.e. Trinitarian)
But after apostizing for such a long period of time, I would really like to get rebaptized, especially since I understand what baptism is so much more now. But is that done? I know ultimately I need to discuss it with my pastor but I just wanted some opinions in the meantime. Has anyone been rebaptized?

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I was baptized when I was about 5 or 6 years old then when I was 38 I repented and turned to The Lord and was baptized again. It definitely was a more meaningful experience the second time because I understood what it actually meant and it was my decision and was heart felt unlike when I was a child and was told that I must be baptized. From my personal experience it was much more meaningful the second time.

worshipjunkie said:

I was baptized when I was 15. It was my choice, I had been a Christian for about five years then, and it was done properly (i.e. Trinitarian)
But after apostizing for such a long period of time, I would really like to get rebaptized, especially since I understand what baptism is so much more now. But is that done? I know ultimately I need to discuss it with my pastor but I just wanted some opinions in the meantime. Has anyone been rebaptized?

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When you were first ater baptized did you repent beforehand? If not, then definitely get water baptized again, especially if you have not been Spirit baptized and you desire Spirit Baptism. There is an order we must follow in order achieve Spirit baptism, which all Christians should seek no matter the denomination as it is God putting His Spirit in you.
Water baptism is more than just a public display as many people believe. It has spiritual components which far too many Christians pass off. Water Baptism is a cleansing of your sins, and the old man dies with Christ on the cross. We are dead and buried. Jesus did not make it up just so we could look funny getting wet in a river or pool. The reason why so many Christians pass off water baptism as nothing is because many of them do not repent beforehand and therefore it achieves practically nothing for them. If more Christians understood Water Baptism, there would be more seasoned Christians getting dunked at our churches. Good luck and God Bless!!