Question about baptism

[jtbrock]

I have a question about baptism. Not about whether it is necessary or important. I understand that is it.
the issue is, is I was baptized when I was a baby (sprinkling) in the Presbyterian church. I was told that didn't count because it wasn't my decision and don't remember it.
Later in life I joined the Mormon faith and was baptized by full immersion into that church when I was 28. I have left that church and now attend a mainstream Christian church (loosely Baptist affiliation). I realize now that the Mormon church does have the proper authority so the baptism didn't really count, (or so I've been told)
Do I need to get baptized again in this new church? It seems wrong to keep getting baptized just because the last 2 times I got baptized it "didn't count".
I'm not against getting baptized again it's just I keep thinking "how many times do I have to go through this before it sticks?" (don't mean to sound facetious but that's what if feels like sometimes)

 

[farout]

I have a question about baptism. Not about whether it is necessary or important. I understand that is it.
the issue is, is I was baptized when I was a baby (sprinkling) in the Presbyterian church. I was told that didn't count because it wasn't my decision and don't remember it.
Later in life I joined the Mormon faith and was baptized by full immersion into that church when I was 28. I have left that church and now attend a mainstream Christian church (loosely Baptist affiliation). I realize now that the Mormon church does have the proper authority so the baptism didn't really count, (or so I've been told)
Do I need to get baptized again in this new church? It seems wrong to keep getting baptized just because the last 2 times I got baptized it "didn't count".
I'm not against getting baptized again it's just I keep thinking "how many times do I have to go through this before it sticks?" (don't mean to sound facetious but that's what if feels like sometimes)

Neither time were you baptized as a genuinely Born Again believer of Jesus Christ right? Have you come to the point that you know that without Christ becoming your payment for your sins that you will go to hell? Have you asked Jesus to forgive you and that you want to repent of your sins and are willing to follow Him? If you answer these questions is yes than you need to be Baptised as an outward confession of an inward change. I dearly hope you answered yes to my questions. Thank you for asking this question, I pray you will grow in Jesus Christ.

 

[BeStill&Know]

I have a question about baptism. Not about whether it is necessary or important. I understand that is it.
the issue is, is I was baptized when I was a baby (sprinkling) in the Presbyterian church. I was told that didn't count because it wasn't my decision and don't remember it.
Later in life I joined the Mormon faith and was baptized by full immersion into that church when I was 28. I have left that church and now attend a mainstream Christian church (loosely Baptist affiliation). I realize now that the Mormon church does have the proper authority so the baptism didn't really count, (or so I've been told)
Do I need to get baptized again in this new church? It seems wrong to keep getting baptized just because the last 2 times I got baptized it "didn't count".
I'm not against getting baptized again it's just I keep thinking "how many times do I have to go through this before it sticks?" (don't mean to sound facetious but that's what if feels like sometimes)

IMHO it seems you are looking at this from a human point of view, while Jesus looks at our heart.
Did you get baptize into the mormon faith, what was in your heart at the time you made your decision to be re-baptize? Infant baptism I don't recall is mentioned in God's Word. We should look at it more as a dedication by our parents to submit us to God. Their heart was in the right place. Of course an infant can not make the necessary decisions for baptism.
What would please the Lord? Then do that.

 

[GracetotheHumble]

Your infant baptism was sufficient.

The scripture says that this promise (baptism) is for children in Acts 2:39:

For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

 

[football5680]

Your infant baptism was sufficient.

The scripture says that this promise (baptism) is for children in Acts 2:39:

For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

This would be my answer and the writings of the Early Church fathers supports this.

 

[faroukfarouk]

I have a question about baptism. Not about whether it is necessary or important. I understand that is it.
the issue is, is I was baptized when I was a baby (sprinkling) in the Presbyterian church. I was told that didn't count because it wasn't my decision and don't remember it.
Later in life I joined the Mormon faith and was baptized by full immersion into that church when I was 28. I have left that church and now attend a mainstream Christian church (loosely Baptist affiliation). I realize now that the Mormon church does have the proper authority so the baptism didn't really count, (or so I've been told)
Do I need to get baptized again in this new church? It seems wrong to keep getting baptized just because the last 2 times I got baptized it "didn't count".
I'm not against getting baptized again it's just I keep thinking "how many times do I have to go through this before it sticks?" (don't mean to sound facetious but that's what if feels like sometimes)

The pattern is in Acts 2.41-42; the order of things in chronology is significant in the passage.

 

[ViaCrucis]

I have a question about baptism. Not about whether it is necessary or important. I understand that is it.
the issue is, is I was baptized when I was a baby (sprinkling) in the Presbyterian church. I was told that didn't count because it wasn't my decision and don't remember it.
Later in life I joined the Mormon faith and was baptized by full immersion into that church when I was 28. I have left that church and now attend a mainstream Christian church (loosely Baptist affiliation). I realize now that the Mormon church does have the proper authority so the baptism didn't really count, (or so I've been told)
Do I need to get baptized again in this new church? It seems wrong to keep getting baptized just because the last 2 times I got baptized it "didn't count".
I'm not against getting baptized again it's just I keep thinking "how many times do I have to go through this before it sticks?" (don't mean to sound facetious but that's what if feels like sometimes)

From your Baptist-ish church's position, yes, you'll need to receive another baptism.

From a more traditional Christian perspective, your baptism as an infant is all that matters. So from the perspective of the historic Christian Church you are a baptized, born-again Christian. Your departure from a heretical sect (Mormonism) simply means rejecting those heretical beliefs and embracing orthodox Christianity. Once baptized, always baptized.

Of course your Baptist-ish church will disagree, as will anyone here who disagrees with the historic understanding of Holy Baptism.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[graceandpeace]

From your Baptist-ish church's position, yes, you'll need to receive another baptism.

From a more traditional Christian perspective, your baptism as an infant is all that matters. So from the perspective of the historic Christian Church you are a baptized, born-again Christian. Your departure from a heretical sect (Mormonism) simply means rejecting those heretical beliefs and embracing orthodox Christianity. Once baptized, always baptized.

Of course your Baptist-ish church will disagree, as will anyone here who disagrees with the historic understanding of Holy Baptism.

-CryptoLutheran

^This sums it up quite well, jtbrock.

Traditionally, most of the world's Christians have accepted & practiced infant baptism - so from a traditional perspective, your baptism in the Presbyterian church is sufficient & baptism itself cannot be repeated. "We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins," says the Nicene Creed (emphasis mine).

Because Baptist churches don't accept or practice infant baptism, your church may ask you to be baptized in their denomination. From their perspective it would be your only "legitimate" baptism.

I think this possibility is unfortunate, but if you want to remain with the denomination you may want to discuss the matter with the pastor/leadership.

Let us know if we could be of further help.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

I have a question about baptism. Not about whether it is necessary or important. I understand that is it.
the issue is, is I was baptized when I was a baby (sprinkling) in the Presbyterian church. I was told that didn't count because it wasn't my decision and don't remember it.
Later in life I joined the Mormon faith and was baptized by full immersion into that church when I was 28. I have left that church and now attend a mainstream Christian church (loosely Baptist affiliation). I realize now that the Mormon church does have the proper authority so the baptism didn't really count, (or so I've been told)
Do I need to get baptized again in this new church? It seems wrong to keep getting baptized just because the last 2 times I got baptized it "didn't count".
I'm not against getting baptized again it's just I keep thinking "how many times do I have to go through this before it sticks?" (don't mean to sound facetious but that's what if feels like sometimes)

Hello Jtbrock,

I too was baptized as a Presbyterian when I was a teenager, and then again later by 'total immersion' in a Southern Baptist church when I became a Christian "for real," so I can understand some of the problematic aspects in where you're coming from.

Without repeating what others have already suggested, I'd just say that I think your early, Presbyterian baptism is sufficient as long as you continue to pick up the reigns of your Christian faith and keep living under the Lordship of Christ. With this in mind, you don't have much to worry about with the way in which you've been baptized.

2PhiloVoid

 

[Albion]

jtbrock,

As ViaCrucis says, if your Baptistic church says you will need to be rebaptized, then practically speaking, you WILL have to be rebaptized. If you want to belong to that congregation, that is.

The majority of Christian churches consider infant baptism valid and the mode of applying the water not critical. The objection to the Mormon baptism, OTOH, was because they don't believe in the standard Christian belief in the Trinity--an objection that most other Christian churches would also raise, if not the one concerning "sprinkling" or the age of the person being baptized.

 

[farout]

Your infant baptism was sufficient.

The scripture says that this promise (baptism) is for children in Acts 2:39:

For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

So even though he was baptized for the wrong reason and even the wrong religion that makes it ok? That does not fit what Scripture indicates. Why or how did you come to your conclusion?

 

[Albion]

So even though he was baptized for the wrong reason

That would be your personal opinion, I take it. There was nothing in the OP about the author, jtbrock, thinking there was any "wrong reason."

 

[GracetotheHumble]

So even though he was baptized for the wrong reason and even the wrong religion that makes it ok? That does not fit what Scripture indicates. Why or how did you come to your conclusion?

What makes you believe he was baptized into the wrong religion and for the wrong reason. He was baptized into Christianity for the remission of sins.

 

[aiki]

I have a question about baptism. Not about whether it is necessary or important. I understand that is it.
the issue is, is I was baptized when I was a baby (sprinkling) in the Presbyterian church. I was told that didn't count because it wasn't my decision and don't remember it.
Later in life I joined the Mormon faith and was baptized by full immersion into that church when I was 28. I have left that church and now attend a mainstream Christian church (loosely Baptist affiliation). I realize now that the Mormon church does have the proper authority so the baptism didn't really count, (or so I've been told)
Do I need to get baptized again in this new church? It seems wrong to keep getting baptized just because the last 2 times I got baptized it "didn't count".
I'm not against getting baptized again it's just I keep thinking "how many times do I have to go through this before it sticks?" (don't mean to sound facetious but that's what if feels like sometimes)

It doesn't matter what the personal opinion of folks might be and it doesn't matter what "historic tradition" might indicate; what really matters is what the Bible says. And what does the Bible say about baptism?

It is symbolic of the believer's identification with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection. Paul the apostle explains:

Romans 6:3-5
3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
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.
5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,

Every born-again believer has died with Christ, been buried with him, and been raised in newness of spiritual life. Baptism illustrates this spiritual reality. Was this the purpose of your last two baptisms? I don't see how the first infant baptism can illustrate your identification with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection. An infant can't identify with anything, really, nor can it in its spiritually unregenerate state be united with Christ in anything. And there is certainly no instance of infant baptism in Scripture.

As for the Mormon baptism, well, the religion is a cult and it seems to me that would have a significant bearing on the value of the baptisms it performs. What's more, Mormonism takes a very Roman Catholic view of baptism, which is that it is salvific. Mormonism, in contradiction to the explicit declaration of Scripture, teaches that baptism is an act of obedience by which one obtains salvation. This is works-salvation, which the Bible flatly denies.

Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

It seems to me, then, that so far your baptisms have been unbiblical in purpose. Should you be baptized again? Well, as BeStill&know has explained,

"What would please the Lord? Then do that."

Selah.

 

[ViaCrucis]

So even though he was baptized for the wrong reason and even the wrong religion that makes it ok? That does not fit what Scripture indicates. Why or how did you come to your conclusion?

His baptism as a child in the Presbyterian church was not for the wrong reasons and it wasn't the wrong religion. It was normal Christian Baptism. And it therefore contains and conveys and delivers all the certain promises with which God has attached to it in Scripture.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[jtbrock]

Thanks to everyone for your responses. It certainly gives me a lot to think about.

I know with all my heart, that mormonism is a cult. A very dangerous cult that I was a member of for 18 years. They taught that my infant baptism was not sufficient and as someone posted above, they taught that baptism is a requirement for salvation. One of the first initial steps actually. I realize that my baptism into the Mormon church was for the wrong reasons and am quite content to call that one null and void.

so, as has been mentioned above, most people believe that my infant baptism was sufficient. I tend to agree.
the church I attend now, I am not a member of, I just attend because I like the pastor and the music. I have no intention of joining or making a membership commitment any time soon--the reason for that is a whole other topic of discussion.

I realize as well that the Baptists will want me to get baptized again but from reading your posts, I honestly don't think this is necessary so, if the Baptists force my hand, then I will go elsewhere, I will not be coerced into doing something i don't agree with (as I did many many times as a mormon).

Thanks again for all your posts. It has been very informative.

 

[GracetotheHumble]

if the Baptists force my hand, then I will go elsewhere

There are a myriad of Churches who practice infant baptism where you would be welcome and who would accept your baptism.

 

[Albion]

if the Baptists force my hand, then I will go elsewhere, I will not be coerced into doing something i don't agree with (as I did many many times as a mormon).

Sounds like a good plan. Some congregations are quite happy to have a regular visitor show up indefinitely without actually joining, and they will even give him positions of responsibility. No problem; he's just not a voting member.

But others--driven by their own doctrinal convictions--will begin to press that visitor to join (meaning, to be rebaptised, in this case). You are probably making the correct decision to see "how it goes" with this particular congregation.

 

[jtbrock]

the church I go to now (i'm not an official member, I just attend) doesn't push too much on getting baptized. they do encourage everyone to be baptized (of course) but they don't keep pushing which is good. they leave it up to each individual to make the decision. It is a personal decision after all. I think you can even be a full fledged member without being baptized. it's not a prerequisite.
(The Mormons demand it before you can join the church--you can visit their meetings for a while but they will hound you to your grave to get baptized)

 

[bling]

Christian water baptism as seen in scripture: Is always adult (there are only two examples that “might include infants” but nothing definite, all the others are adult believers) water immersion to be a physical outward representation of what had or is happening spiritually in the person being baptized. It is mainly to help the individual being baptized to better grasp what is going on, but it can “witness” to others observing the baptism. It has the elements of going down under the water (burying the old man), placing your dependence in another; the person baptizing you (surrendering your life to God), being washed (having your sins washed away), rising out of the water (rising from the dead), and stepping forth out onto the earth (a new person). The person is walking out into the hugs of his new family. It is also a sign of your humility, since it is a humbling act anyone can simple allow someone to do it to them (so not a work) and since humility has been shown in the accept of charity (God’s free gift of undeserving forgiveness) it should just support and add to the memory of that acceptance. To refuse Christian water baptism when it is readily available might mean you are not ready to handle other responsibility like having the indwelling Holy Spirit.

The Western “Christian” Churches are all over the board, but other countries experiencing sever persecution of Christians (Underground churches: China, Southeast Asia, some of India, Iran) are for as far as I can see consistently requiring adult believer immersion baptism. These churches are growing rapidly (estimated at 100 million in China).