Second Baptism

[step_by_step]

I know that the issue of baptism is a very divided one, so I will present the issue as I see it: I see baptism as not a necessity but simply a declaration of putting off the old life and stepping into a new one. Please don't attempt to change my views or my opinions on baptism. That's not what this is for. So don't reply if you have a differing opinion on the issue.

I was baptized when I was 11. If I'm being honest, I only did it because
1) I knew growing up that it was something that should happen but didn't really grasp the reason why
2) my family was asking why I hadn't done it yet

So after my baptism, my faith wasn't all that strong. And I've gone through a lot since then. Lots of ups and downs and backsliding. I am now very solid in how I feel about my faith and I'm ready to move forward and put the past behind me. So I've been considering getting baptized again.

I know it isn't necessary. God recognizes my first confession of faith and knows that I'm devoted to following Him. However, since baptism feels like a symbolic thing, I feel like I need the symbolic action of putting my sin to death and rising again in Christ.

Is this a good idea? Is there any reason I shouldn't do it?

 

[bèlla]

I was christened as a child. My daughter wasn't. After our deliverance we were baptized. It wasn't planned. We returned to church and the announcement was made. We were baptized together. It was captured on film and we received a copy for remembrance.

 

[Pethesedzao]

Th

I know that the issue of baptism is a very divided one, so I will present the issue as I see it: I see baptism as not a necessity but simply a declaration of putting off the old life and stepping into a new one. Please don't attempt to change my views or my opinions on baptism. That's not what this is for. So don't reply if you have a differing opinion on the issue.

I was baptized when I was 11. If I'm being honest, I only did it because
1) I knew growing up that it was something that should happen but didn't really grasp the reason why
2) my family was asking why I hadn't done it yet

So after my baptism, my faith wasn't all that strong. And I've gone through a lot since then. Lots of ups and downs and backsliding. I am now very solid in how I feel about my faith and I'm ready to move forward and put the past behind me. So I've been considering getting baptized again.

I know it isn't necessary. God recognizes my first confession of faith and knows that I'm devoted to following Him. However, since baptism feels like a symbolic thing, I feel like I need the symbolic action of putting my sin to death and rising again in Christ.

Is this a good idea? Is there any reason I shouldn't do it?

There's only one baptism that saves us.

 

[dstamps]

I know that the issue of baptism is a very divided one, so I will present the issue as I see it: I see baptism as not a necessity but simply a declaration of putting off the old life and stepping into a new one. Please don't attempt to change my views or my opinions on baptism. That's not what this is for. So don't reply if you have a differing opinion on the issue.

I was baptized when I was 11. If I'm being honest, I only did it because
1) I knew growing up that it was something that should happen but didn't really grasp the reason why
2) my family was asking why I hadn't done it yet

So after my baptism, my faith wasn't all that strong. And I've gone through a lot since then. Lots of ups and downs and backsliding. I am now very solid in how I feel about my faith and I'm ready to move forward and put the past behind me. So I've been considering getting baptized again.

I know it isn't necessary. God recognizes my first confession of faith and knows that I'm devoted to following Him. However, since baptism feels like a symbolic thing, I feel like I need the symbolic action of putting my sin to death and rising again in Christ.

Is this a good idea? Is there any reason I shouldn't do it?

You can commit to living as Christ in your heart; but it can be a sign of a stronger commitment when we do it before others. It is similar to going to the front of a congregation to confess your sins or a recent sin. Most would find that difficult, and it takes a higher level of dedication to change when it is done.

 

[Dave-W]

Is this a good idea? Is there any reason I shouldn't do it?

There is nothing i scripture to prevent it. THe immersion (tevilah) in the pools (Mikva) as prescribed in the OT (precedent for NT baptism) was routinely done many times.

 

[HTacianas]

I know that the issue of baptism is a very divided one, so I will present the issue as I see it: I see baptism as not a necessity but simply a declaration of putting off the old life and stepping into a new one. Please don't attempt to change my views or my opinions on baptism. That's not what this is for. So don't reply if you have a differing opinion on the issue.

I was baptized when I was 11. If I'm being honest, I only did it because
1) I knew growing up that it was something that should happen but didn't really grasp the reason why
2) my family was asking why I hadn't done it yet

So after my baptism, my faith wasn't all that strong. And I've gone through a lot since then. Lots of ups and downs and backsliding. I am now very solid in how I feel about my faith and I'm ready to move forward and put the past behind me. So I've been considering getting baptized again.

I know it isn't necessary. God recognizes my first confession of faith and knows that I'm devoted to following Him. However, since baptism feels like a symbolic thing, I feel like I need the symbolic action of putting my sin to death and rising again in Christ.

Is this a good idea? Is there any reason I shouldn't do it?

It is a violation of the Nicene Creed. "We believe in one baptism for the remission of sins".

Provided that you were baptized using the Trinitarian formula it is considered a serious error to be baptized again.

 

[step_by_step]

Th

There's only one baptism that saves us.

Again, I'm not trying to argue or debate the logistics of baptism on this thread

 

[Albion]

I know that the issue of baptism is a very divided one, so I will present the issue as I see it: I see baptism as not a necessity but simply a declaration of putting off the old life and stepping into a new one. Please don't attempt to change my views or my opinions on baptism. That's not what this is for. So don't reply if you have a differing opinion on the issue.

I was baptized when I was 11. If I'm being honest, I only did it because
1) I knew growing up that it was something that should happen but didn't really grasp the reason why
2) my family was asking why I hadn't done it yet

So after my baptism, my faith wasn't all that strong. And I've gone through a lot since then. Lots of ups and downs and backsliding. I am now very solid in how I feel about my faith and I'm ready to move forward and put the past behind me. So I've been considering getting baptized again.

I know it isn't necessary. God recognizes my first confession of faith and knows that I'm devoted to following Him. However, since baptism feels like a symbolic thing, I feel like I need the symbolic action of putting my sin to death and rising again in Christ.

Is this a good idea? Is there any reason I shouldn't do it?

The reason for not doing it is the most basic and obvious one--you have already been baptized. The sacrament, whatever you think of it elsewise, is not a shot in the arm that can be done over and over again as needed. It is an indelible joining of a person to Christs church.

This is why, incidentally, the older churches that perhaps place more importance on Baptism than some others have another way of addressing the problem you raise. For Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, and others, its Confirmation. Then for some there is also private Confession of sins.

Anyway, think of a rebaptism, so called, as like a reaffirmation of vows that some married persons have after being married for twenty or more years. They don't suppose that their first wedding vows were inoperative, do they? No. Unfortunately, the churches that practice second baptisms or rebaptisms DO suppose that the first one was not indelible.

 

[step_by_step]

The reason for not doing it is the most basic and obvious one--you have already been baptized. The sacrament, whatever you think of it elsewise, is not a shot in the arm that can be done over and over again as needed. It is an indelible joining of a person to Christs church.

This is why, incidentally, the older churches that perhaps place more importance on Baptism than some others have another way of addressing the problem you raise. For Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, and others, its Confirmation. Then for some there is also private Confession of sins.

Anyway, think of a rebaptism, so called, as like a reaffirmation of vows that some married persons have after being married for twenty or more years. They don't suppose that their first wedding vows were inoperative, do they? No. Unfortunately, the churches that practice second baptisms or rebaptisms DO suppose that the first one was not indelible.

Well that's how I see it, not that my first baptism is void or didn't take because I know that it did. But rather I'd like to do it as a re-dedication, to say before my church and my family again that I am dedicated to Christ

 

[Albion]

Well, I was going in part by what you said in the first post about seeing Baptism as symbolic. If it were only symbolic, then a second baptism would probably be logical.

In any case, I would suppose that your plan depends on what church/denomination is involved. For half of them, it would be impermissible for the reasons already mentioned and some ceremony other than a mock baptism might be called for. A public reaffirmation of faith, for instance. With the other churches of Christendom, a rebaptism would be considered a valid baptism.

So I am just thinking aloud here, not knowing which church or congregation in question it would be. And I certainly do not want to interfere with your decision, but I am responding to the request in your original post to give reasons for or against.

 

[Albion]

We might argue that it does--but only if the person were to die moments after being baptized. Since no one ever answers the question with that scenario in mind, we don't say that baptism saves, period.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

Well that's how I see it, not that my first baptism is void or didn't take because I know that it did. But rather I'd like to do it as a re-dedication, to say before my church and my family again that I am dedicated to Christ

I see nothing wrong with this as long as you don't fall away again thus making it of "none effect". If you believe this will seal your regeneration, then your heart may not be in the right place. The baptism of the Holy Spirit does this. Lastly and more important is do you really think this is for the Lord or for you?
Blessings

 

[crossnote]

The baptism that saves...

Romans 6:1-5 (KJV) What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

1 Corinthians 12:13 (KJV) For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

All others are symbolic.

 

[Dave-W]

Well that's how I see it, not that my first baptism is void or didn't take because I know that it did. But rather I'd like to do it as a re-dedication, to say before my church and my family again that I am dedicated to Christ

So go for it already.

 

[eleos1954]

I know that the issue of baptism is a very divided one, so I will present the issue as I see it: I see baptism as not a necessity but simply a declaration of putting off the old life and stepping into a new one. Please don't attempt to change my views or my opinions on baptism. That's not what this is for. So don't reply if you have a differing opinion on the issue.

I was baptized when I was 11. If I'm being honest, I only did it because
1) I knew growing up that it was something that should happen but didn't really grasp the reason why
2) my family was asking why I hadn't done it yet

So after my baptism, my faith wasn't all that strong. And I've gone through a lot since then. Lots of ups and downs and backsliding. I am now very solid in how I feel about my faith and I'm ready to move forward and put the past behind me. So I've been considering getting baptized again.

I know it isn't necessary. God recognizes my first confession of faith and knows that I'm devoted to following Him. However, since baptism feels like a symbolic thing, I feel like I need the symbolic action of putting my sin to death and rising again in Christ.

Is this a good idea? Is there any reason I shouldn't do it?

It is not unusual for people to decide to get baptized again ... sounds like you are being led to do so ... so .... do so.

Nothing wrong with it ... but .. of course there will be others that believe differently.

Will God have a problem with a sincere heart? Of course not.

God Bless.

 

[Stone-n-Steel]

I know that the issue of baptism is a very divided one, so I will present the issue as I see it: I see baptism as not a necessity but simply a declaration of putting off the old life and stepping into a new one. Please don't attempt to change my views or my opinions on baptism. That's not what this is for. So don't reply if you have a differing opinion on the issue.

I was baptized when I was 11. If I'm being honest, I only did it because
1) I knew growing up that it was something that should happen but didn't really grasp the reason why
2) my family was asking why I hadn't done it yet

So after my baptism, my faith wasn't all that strong. And I've gone through a lot since then. Lots of ups and downs and backsliding. I am now very solid in how I feel about my faith and I'm ready to move forward and put the past behind me. So I've been considering getting baptized again.

I know it isn't necessary. God recognizes my first confession of faith and knows that I'm devoted to following Him. However, since baptism feels like a symbolic thing, I feel like I need the symbolic action of putting my sin to death and rising again in Christ.

Is this a good idea? Is there any reason I shouldn't do it?

I also don't think the water rite is a necessity. Perhaps in your case I would recommend you do the ritual and declare your commitment to living a life that honors God. For the benefit of others that are present I would make sure you tell people that and ask for support in your walk with Christ. Also don't forget the washing of water by the word that Paul talks about.

As Paul says "Grace and Mercy to you"

 

[Not David]

Baptism is not something that you do, it's something God does for us, by rebaptizing, you are saying what God did wasn't important.

 

[martymonster]

It doesn't matter how many water baptisms you do, it's still only symbolic of the first baptism.


Joh 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

 

[chilehed]

Please don't attempt to change my views or my opinions on baptism.
...
s this a good idea? Is there any reason I shouldn't do it?

Make up your mind.

 

[GingerBeer]

I know it isn't necessary. God recognizes my first confession of faith and knows that I'm devoted to following Him. However, since baptism feels like a symbolic thing, I feel like I need the symbolic action of putting my sin to death and rising again in Christ.

Is this a good idea? Is there any reason I shouldn't do it?

Scripture says that there's one baptism - There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call - one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
(Ephesians 4:4-6) - and that doesn't leave room for a second baptism.