would you ReBaptize...

[whateveristrue]

I have a question for Pastors. It seems that believer's baptism by immersion is the most popular and accurate form of Baptism these days. And probably the most Biblical as well.

Now if you had somebody enter your Church who received believer's baptism (meaning he understood the reason for it) at another Church... but was baptized by another method (ie. sprinkling or pouring) ... Would you accept this person into your Church? or would you insist on re-Baptizing him ??

If you are Baptist, I already know where you stand on the issue. How about sombody else?

 

[P_G]

I hold to full imsersion baptism in Live water (no fish tanks!)

but if you were baptised as a believer I would accept it. What do I do with someone who was baptized in prison lets say where they do not allow a full imersion?

Now if some one truely wanted to and came to me to be re-baptized because of what ever reason I would do so.

Sometimes we even permit a family baptisim or baptisim of renewal as part of a covenant blessing

Shalom

PG

 

[handmaiden97]

Im going to through a loop into your question...where in the bible does it instruct pastors to do the baptizing? It doesn't. As beleivers in Christ we are to preach the gospel baptize believers and disciple others. I am not a pastor, have never baptised anyone, but if someone asked me to I would gladly do so. If they had been baptized before but had come to a fuller understanding of baptism or wanted to rededicate their lives I think it would be perfectly acceptable...

I was rebaptized and am grateful for the opertunity to do so. 1st time was a sprinkling at a small child I was not a beleiver yet so dont think it really counts. the 2cnd time I was a beleiver and got baptised by immersion cause I was told I should.....it was a few years later that I came to an understandign of baptism and what it signified and felt God asking me to be rebaptized. I am glad I did and look back on that experience as my baptism! I dont think it is necesarry for people to be rebaptized it they have already been baptized as a believer but I dont think there is anything wrong with it either....now if the same person gets baptized every year....it is time to talk to them and find out why? and share with them why it is not needed

 

[whateveristrue]

Im going to through a loop into your question...where in the bible does it instruct pastors to do the baptizing? It doesn't. As beleivers in Christ we are to preach the gospel baptize believers and disciple others. I am not a pastor, have never baptised anyone, but if someone asked me to I would gladly do so. If they had been baptized before but had come to a fuller understanding of baptism or wanted to rededicate their lives I think it would be perfectly acceptable...

I was rebaptized and am grateful for the opertunity to do so. 1st time was a sprinkling at a small child I was not a beleiver yet so dont think it really counts. the 2cnd time I was a beleiver and got baptised by immersion cause I was told I should.....it was a few years later that I came to an understandign of baptism and what it signified and felt God asking me to be rebaptized. I am glad I did and look back on that experience as my baptism! I dont think it is necesarry for people to be rebaptized it they have already been baptized as a believer but I dont think there is anything wrong with it either....now if the same person gets baptized every year....it is time to talk to them and find out why? and share with them why it is not needed

Thank you for your response, and I think your view makes a lot of sense. However, the issue I'm trying to get at is... If someone was baptized as a believer and fully understood the reason behind it...

and then moves to another church. And then the pastor demands this person be re-baptized, because it was not done by immersion the first time. This is not about the person feeling the need to do so again, but it's about a group of politicians within the church saying it must be done their way, or it doesn't count.
Again this is purely external.

Do you think this is godly?

 

[handmaiden97]

I see what you mean...like to be a member here you have to be baptized our way....no I dont think that is right...but I do think baptism by immersion is the scripteral way to do it...so I would encourage a person to consider being rebaptized by immersion, but no definatly dont think it is right to require it...

I met one person who had to be rebaptized cause their church felt you should say in the name of Jesus rather then in the name of the father son and Holy Spirit....they did it to become members, but I would not of done it!

 

[whateveristrue]

I see what you mean...like to be a member here you have to be baptized our way....no I dont think that is right...but I do think baptism by immersion is the scripteral way to do it...so I would encourage a person to consider being rebaptized by immersion, but no definatly dont think it is right to require it...

I met one person who had to be rebaptized cause their church felt you should say in the name of Jesus rather then in the name of the father son and Holy Spirit....they did it to become members, but I would not of done it!

You're probably right; that immersion is the most scriptural way to do it... but I think other ways symbolize it too, maybe not as well.. but it's still baptism. I have a problem with people saying their way is the only way acceptable to God. I don't think that's right.

I don't know if I'd encourage somebody to be baptized again though, granted that this person was baptized as a believer. In the Bible, baptism was always connected to conversion, so it really should be for new believers, right? And for the person who gets baptized again and again... isn't that making a mockery out of it? I always thought baptism should be a one time thing.

And I think it's correct to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirt.. because that's what it says in the great commission.

 

[AllTalkNoAction]

The word means to immerse or dip as a garment which is being dyed a different colour.
Bible descriptions show people getting into and coming out of water and there being "much water there", it symbolises burial. 1 Peter 3v20-21 relates baptism to the Flood which was NOT just a sprinkling !

Here are 4 questions people often ask, with the bible answers:-

Q - Who should get baptised ?

A - it is the first think commanded to people when they profess belief in Jesus Christ
Acts 8:35: Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
:36: And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what hinders me to be baptized?
:37: And Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, you may
(see also Matt.28v18-19, Mark 16v16, Acts 2v37-38, 8v12, 10v47-48, 19v1-6)



Q - Why bother ?

A - Jesus did it saying "Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becomes us to fulfil all righteousness" (Matt.3v15)
Showing that he was not relying on his natural abilities that he inherited from Adam through Mary, but on His Father who annointed Him with the Holy Spirit to reveal God's nature.

It shows that you choose to obey God rather than your own opinion of
what seems right or feels right to you. It is a putting down, indeed, a burial of the natural man.
(see also Romans 6v3-4, Colossians 2v12). God wants us to show that we have no confidence in our natural selves to be righteous, there is *another life*, so water baptism should go hand-in-hand with receiving the Holy Spirit - the new birth, evidenced by a new tongue (Acts 2v4, 10v44-48, 19v1-6).

Getting baptised *with this understanding* will help you and give you a "clear conscience" so that you can go forward without doubt or confusion.

"baptism does now save us . . . the answer of a good conscience toward God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 3v21)


Q - does it matter who/what church baptises me ?

A - Yes ! Paul's first question to people seeking baptism was:-
"Unto what then were ye baptized?" (Acts 19v3)
These people hadn't been taught properly about receiving the Holy Spirit so Paul told them and re-baptised them and followed this with prayer for them to receive the Holy Spirit.
That's what it means to "baptise in the name of Jesus" / "in the name of
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit". (Matt. 28v19)
You are seeking to enter into the Family of God through Jesus death and by receiving the Holy Spirit.
We see here in Acts 19, as in earlier cases (Acts 10v44-48 -Gentiles and
Acts 2v4-Jews) that all knew precisely when they receive the Spirit !
- they speak in tongues - just like a voice was heard when Jesus was
anointed, or like a baby cries when it is born (see also Galatians 4v6,
John 3v8).



Q - When should a believer get baptised ?

A - a.s.a.p.! The apostles never made people wait to do what God wants !:-
Acts 22:16: And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
(see also Acts 2v37-38, 10v44-48...)
Note: "calling on the name of The Lord" is praying to receive the Holy Spirit. Some people say that any believer who is baptised has already received the Spirit but the above scriptures show that they are sepatare events (see also Acts 8v12-18).


* * * *

You don't have to do it publicly, it's between you and God, not other people.
Neither is it some sort of vow to God that you will be a perfect christian !
- God says you won't, but he asks you to believe he can perfect you and
your faith in him, like a child learning to walk.

 

[whateveristrue]

The word means to immerse or dip as a garment which is being dyed a different colour.
Bible descriptions show people getting into and coming out of water and there being "much water there", it symbolises burial. 1 Peter 3v20-21 relates baptism to the Flood which was NOT just a sprinkling !

Your opinion is noted. And you are right, there is not much of a defense for sprinkling. But for our brothers & sisters in Christ who were baptized with a genuine heart, and the right motives... and who's only flaw was that they got sprinkled; only becuase they didn't know any better at the time when they were converted. I think we ought not to hold this against them.

Because I think God looked at their heart, and accepted their baptism, even though it was sprinkling.

 

[PassionateWorshipper]

Does the believer feel that the baptism they had was sufficient? Was it an outward (public) symbolic act of their inward heart change as a result of salvation by the Lord Jesus Christ? If yes, and the believer is satisfied that God accepts the witness of their baptism, then let them be. If the believer is wrestling with some aspect of it, let them be rebaptized so their conscience is at peace. If it is another man's opinion, the believer should not be forced to comply. It is, after all, before God that they stand or fall, not man, not a denomination, not a church's dogma.

Blessings.

 

[AllTalkNoAction]

. . . But for our brothers & sisters in Christ who were baptized with a genuine heart, and the right motives... and who's only flaw was that they got sprinkled; only becuase they didn't know any better at the time when they were converted. . . .

If they were sprinkled they were bnot *actually* baptised, they were relying on the teaching of men, God does expect them to follow him and he will bring it to their attention if they want to do this.

There is only a problem if they refuse baptism (immersion) as a believer.