What About "Re-Baptism?"

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                              "BAPTISM"

                       What About "Re-Baptism?"

INTRODUCTION

1. In our study of baptism we have seen that it is...
   a. Essential
      1) To salvation - Mk 16:16; Ac 2:38; 22:16
      2) To becoming disciples of Christ - Mt 28:19-20; Ga 3:27
   b. Immersion, not pouring or sprinkling
      1) The Greek words can only mean immersion
      2) Pouring and sprinkling do not fit the FIGURES used to describe
         baptism in the NT.
      3) Scholars are unanimous that immersion was the practice in the
         NT
   c. For penitent believers
      1) For sinners with faith in the Lord Jesus who have repented of
         their sins
      2) Not infants, who are incapable of faith and repentance

2. Another question that is often raised:  "Is there ever a need to be
   re-baptized?"
   a. What about those who were sprinkled?
   b. What about those baptized as infants?
   c. What about those baptized believing they were already saved?

[This study examines the question of re-baptism, first by noticing...]

I. A CASE OF "RE-BAPTISM" IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

   A. RECORDED IN ACTS 19:1-5...
      1. Background information is found in Ac 18:24-28
         a. Apollos had been teaching the baptism of John
         b. But he himself was taught more accurately by Aquila and
            Priscilla
      2. Paul finds some "disciples" at Ephesus - Ac 19:1-3
      3. Upon further examination he has them "re-baptized" - Ac 19:4-5

   B. SOME OBSERVATIONS...
      1. They had been previously "baptized"
      2. But their baptism was lacking in some way
         a. Even though it was immersion
         b. Even though it was "for the remission of sins" - Mk 1:4
      3. But their baptism was not in the name of Jesus, i.e., by His
         authority - Ac 2:38; 10:48; 19:5
         a. Which would have been a baptism into the name of the 
            Father, the Holy Spirit, and the Son - Mt 28:19
         b. Which would have been a baptism into the death of Christ,
            by which they would have been clothed with Christ - Ro 6:
            3-7; Ga 3:27
   -- Because their first "baptism" lacked an essential element, 
      "re-baptism" was necessary!

[May we not conclude that if an earlier "baptism" lacks some essential
element, then "re-baptism" is necessary?  To determine whether 
"re-baptism" is required of us, consider...]

II. WHEN "RE-BAPTISM" IS APPROPRIATE

   A. FOUR "ELEMENTS" CONSTITUTE BIBLE BAPTISM...
      1. The proper mode:  a burial (immersion) - Ro 6:3; Col 2:12
      2. The proper authority:  in the name of Christ - Ac 19:5
      3. The proper purpose:  for the remission of sins - Ac 2:38; 
         22:16
      4. The proper subject:  a penitent believer - Ac 2:38; 8:37; 
         Mk 16:16

   B. WHEN ONE ELEMENT WAS LACKING, "RE-BAPTISM" WAS COMMANDED...
      1. In Ac 19:1-5, the proper authority was lacking
      2. Even though their previous baptism had the right mode, 
         purpose, and subject, "re-baptism" was commanded!

   C. APPLYING WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED...
      1. If we were baptized by sprinkling or pouring:
         a. As practiced by Catholics, Lutherans, Presbyterians,
            Episcopalians, Methodists and others
         b. Our baptism lacked the proper mode (immersion)
         -- "Re-baptism" would be therefore be necessary
      2. If we were baptized by the authority of anyone other than
         Jesus:
         a. Such as Ellen G. White (Seventh Day Adventists), The Watch
            Tower Society (Jehovah Witnesses), Joseph Smith (Mormons),
            and others
         b. Our baptism was not by the right authority (Jesus Christ)
         -- "Re-baptism" would be therefore be necessary
      3. If we were baptized as a public confession of faith (thinking
         we were already saved):
         a. As practiced by most Baptists, Assemblies Of God and others
         b. Our baptism was not for the right purpose (remission of
            sins)
         -- "Re-baptism" would be required to ensure we have been 
            scripturally baptized
      4. Finally, if we were baptized but were not penitent believers:
         a. As is the case when people are baptized...
            1) When all their friends are doing it
            2) Because their spouse, fianc‚, or parents are pressuring
               them to do it (and they do it to please them, not God)
            3) As infants incapable of faith or repentance
         b. Our baptism was lacking the right subjects (penitent
            believers)
         -- Our need for "re-baptism" would be just as great as any
            other!

CONCLUSION

1. In summarizing what has been said in this study:
   a. If our baptism lack any of the four essential elements of Bible
      baptism...
      1) The proper mode - immersion
      2) The proper authority - Jesus Christ
      3) The proper purpose - for remission of sins
      4) The proper subject - a penitent believer
   b. Then "re-baptism" is both appropriate and necessary to ensure
      that our sins have been washed away by the blood of Jesus!

2. But perhaps I should clarify:
   a. When one is baptized because their "first" baptism lacked an
      essential element...
      1) It is not really "re-baptism"!
      2) Technically speaking, the person is being baptized 
         scripturally for the first time!
   b. When one has been scripturally baptized once...
      1) There is never a need to be baptized again!
      2) For once we have clothed ourselves with Christ in baptism:
         a) The blood of Christ continually cleanses us of our sins
         b) As we repent and confess our sins to God in prayer 
            - Ac 8:22; 1Jn 1:9

Have you been scripturally baptized?  If you desire assistance, please
feel free to let me know!  May God bless you in your efforts to do His
Will!
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