Re-baptised?

[Kuv]

When I was 1 year old, my parents decided that I should be baptised in a Catholic church. As I grew older, I lost my connection with God because I did not feel as if I belong there. I stopped coming to church because it did not fill me the way it should have.

One day my girlfriend took me to a Baptist youth group. I started going (and have been going ever since) to the services there. It is there I found myself reconnected to God. I truly believe that I belong there.
My question is: Should I get baptised again?

 

[Diakoneo]

Let me ask you this:

Have you realized your sin, called upon God to save you, accepted the free gift of salvation that God offers because of the sacrifice of Christ? Have you prayed earnestly to be forgiven - have you called on the name of the Lord to be saved? Do you believe in your heart, and have you confessed with your lips? Have you made Jesus your personal Lord and Savior?

If you have - then yes be baptised. If you have not, then don't (they may not do it anyway) because it would be as pointless as the first time, when it was done to you.

 

[ZiSunka]

I was baptized catholic as a baby, then rebaptized as a Believing adult. Being rebaptized changed my life. I very highly recommend being baptized a Believer's baptism because it is entirely different than infant baptism. I even recommend it for catholics. It is a spiritual experience you will never forget because it shows God you are willing to be obedient to his commandments.

 

[Stinker]

Believers baptism is such a fantastic expereince! I don't think I'll ever forget the date of that event. If one is an unbaptized believer, they should be seeking to be baptized.

 

[arunma]

What everyone (especially Stinker) said. Baptism is an excellent experience. I was never baptized as a child, so I'd have had to be adult baptized no matter what denomination I joined. But I don't think any Christian should be denied the experience of baptism.

 

[Crazy Liz]

Several questions I would suggest you consider:

1) Is baptism intended to be a one-time event? If so, being re-baptized would be exceptional, although not necessarily wrong. Do you, your family or your church think being baptized a second time is wrong? If exceptional but not wrong, what makes your situation exceptional?

2) Do you view this as a re-baptism, or do you think, like the early Anabaptists, that baptism really is no baptism unless it is freely and knowingly chosen? If you believe your infant baptism was no baptism, that would mean a baptism now would not be a re-baptism, but your original baptism.

3) Do you or your church view a re-baptism after a baptism that was in some way deficient according to the customs of your congregation (this often includes believer's baptism that is not by full immersion) as a means of correcting the defect in the earlier baptism, or as an act of obedience to please and accommodate the requirements of your new congregation?

I think these are the three main approaches taken by most Christians to questions of re-baptism. A fourth might be not to think of baptism as a one-time event. Jewish women do it once a month. Some Christians do it over and over again. Many Christian pilgrims to Israel desire to be baptized in the Jordan, and think nothing of the fact that they have already been baptized before. I think being baptiszed in water only once in a lifetime is a Christian tradition, but not one that is unequivocally taught in scripture.

I would suggest you try these four ideas on for size and see what seems right to you, as well as discussing it with your family and with your pastor.

 

[arunma]

You know, this reminds me of a documentary I once saw on television, in which a large group of people were lining up to be baptized in the Jordan river. I find it hard to believe that all of these people were newly converted Christians who traveled all the way to Israel to be baptized (unfortunately, the documentary didn't spend much time covering this). So I figure that these people are baptized Christians who just wanted the experience of being baptized in the same water where John baptized Jesus. That would suggest that many people do see baptism as something that can be repeated.

But as long as I'm sharing this, does anyone happen to know it is commonplace for baptized Christians to seek another baptism in Christian holy sites?

 

[Kuv]

Thank you all for your posts.

Yes, I have accepted Jesus as my Lord and Saviour, I have repent for all my sins and am doing my best at resisting all temptations I am given. I also believe I am a good Christian.
The second baptism (better yet, the real baptism) is an expirience whitch I would like to have. I would like to willingly say "Yes, I accept Jesus! I want to follow him!". I wasn't sure whether or not it was necessary/wrong. Just wanted your thoughts on the situation.

 

[Diakoneo]

Thank you all for your posts.

Yes, I have accepted Jesus as my Lord and Saviour, I have repent for all my sins and am doing my best at resisting all temptations I am given. I also believe I am a good Christian.
The second baptism (better yet, the real baptism) is an expirience whitch I would like to have. I would like to willingly say "Yes, I accept Jesus! I want to follow him!". I wasn't sure whether or not it was necessary/wrong. Just wanted your thoughts on the situation.

You're there bro. Step into the water and follow Him in believer's baptism. Let us know as the plan progresses.

 

[Kuv]

Don't know if you remember me, but I just wanted to let you all know that I talked to my pastor, took some time to pray and decided that I am going to get baptised this Easter!!!

 

[mesue]

Don't know if you remember me, but I just wanted to let you all know that I talked to my pastor, took some time to pray and decided that I am going to get baptised this Easter!!!

 

[meh]

Don't know if you remember me, but I just wanted to let you all know that I talked to my pastor, took some time to pray and decided that I am going to get baptised this Easter!!!

That is so exciting!!

 

[newbeliever02072005]

Don't know if you remember me, but I just wanted to let you all know that I talked to my pastor, took some time to pray and decided that I am going to get baptised this Easter!!!

Awesome!!! Praying that this day goes well for you!

 

[RED that's ME]

Awesome thanks for sharing

 

[JPPT1974]

You know I got saved again for real on my third try
On Easters Day in 1994!!
Way to go my friend!

 

[constance]

YAAAY! I'm proud of you!

And - you're not getting re-baptized. You're choosing to be baptized. Remember that!

Constance

 

[Diane_Windsor]

Don't know if you remember me, but I just wanted to let you all know that I talked to my pastor, took some time to pray and decided that I am going to get baptised this Easter!!!

Good for you. I'm glad that you have come to a decision.

God Bless,
Diane

 

[Kuv]

And - you're not getting re-baptized. You're choosing to be baptized. Remember that!

I know that very well now.
Thank you all for being so happy for me. I remember the last time people got baptized. Many of the brothers and sisters I knew had such a fantastic experience! I just wanted to be there with them. I can't wait... Only 15 more days ad 18 hours to go!

 

[trichchic]

I was baptized twice, once in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost; and the other time in the name of Jesus. Is there a right way and a wrong way? Or is one way better than the other?

 

[thepianist]

Thank you all for your posts.

Yes, I have accepted Jesus as my Lord and Saviour, I have repent for all my sins and am doing my best at resisting all temptations I am given. I also believe I am a good Christian.
The second baptism (better yet, the real baptism) is an expirience whitch I would like to have. I would like to willingly say "Yes, I accept Jesus! I want to follow him!". I wasn't sure whether or not it was necessary/wrong. Just wanted your thoughts on the situation.

Since you are now born again, then you should definitely be baptized - now it will be an act of obedience which is what it's supposed to be. You will never regret it, my friend!!!