"BAPTISM"
What About "Re-Baptism?"
INTRODUCTION
- In our study of baptism we have seen that it is...
- Essential
- To salvation - Mk 16:16; Ac 2:38; 22:16
- To becoming disciples of Christ - Mt 28:19-20; Ga 3:27
- Immersion, not pouring or sprinkling
- The Greek words can only mean immersion
- Pouring and sprinkling do not fit the FIGURES used to describe
baptism in the NT.
- Scholars are unanimous that immersion was the practice in the
NT
- For penitent believers
- For sinners with faith in the Lord Jesus who have repented of
their sins
- Not infants, who are incapable of faith and repentance
- Another question that is often raised: "Is there ever a need to be
re-baptized?"
- What about those who were sprinkled?
- What about those baptized as infants?
- What about those baptized believing they were already saved?
[This study examines the question of re-baptism, first by noticing...]
- A CASE OF "RE-BAPTISM" IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
- RECORDED IN ACTS 19:1-5...
- Background information is found in Ac 18:24-28
- Apollos had been teaching the baptism of John
- But he himself was taught more accurately by Aquila and
Priscilla
- Paul finds some "disciples" at Ephesus - Ac 19:1-3
- Upon further examination he has them "re-baptized" - Ac 19:4-5
- SOME OBSERVATIONS...
- They had been previously "baptized"
- But their baptism was lacking in some way
- Even though it was immersion
- Even though it was "for the remission of sins" - Mk 1:4
- But their baptism was not in the name of Jesus, i.e., by His
authority - Ac 2:38; 10:48; 19:5
- Which would have been a baptism into the name of the
Father, the Holy Spirit, and the Son - Mt 28:19
- 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...]
- WHEN "RE-BAPTISM" IS APPROPRIATE
- FOUR "ELEMENTS" CONSTITUTE BIBLE BAPTISM...
- The proper mode: a burial (immersion) - Ro 6:3; Col 2:12
- The proper authority: in the name of Christ - Ac 19:5
- The proper purpose: for the remission of sins - Ac 2:38;
22:16
- The proper subject: a penitent believer - Ac 2:38; 8:37;
Mk 16:16
- WHEN ONE ELEMENT WAS LACKING, "RE-BAPTISM" WAS COMMANDED...
- In Ac 19:1-5, the proper authority was lacking
- Even though their previous baptism had the right mode,
purpose, and subject, "re-baptism" was commanded!
- APPLYING WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED...
- If we were baptized by sprinkling or pouring:
- As practiced by Catholics, Lutherans, Presbyterians,
Episcopalians, Methodists and others
- Our baptism lacked the proper mode (immersion)
-- "Re-baptism" would be therefore be necessary
- If we were baptized by the authority of anyone other than
Jesus:
- Such as Ellen G. White (Seventh Day Adventists), The Watch
Tower Society (Jehovah Witnesses), Joseph Smith (Mormons),
and others
- Our baptism was not by the right authority (Jesus Christ)
-- "Re-baptism" would be therefore be necessary
- If we were baptized as a public confession of faith (thinking
we were already saved):
- As practiced by most Baptists, Assemblies Of God and others
- Our baptism was not for the right purpose (remission of
sins)
-- "Re-baptism" would be required to ensure we have been
scripturally baptized
- Finally, if we were baptized but were not penitent believers:
- As is the case when people are baptized...
- When all their friends are doing it
- Because their spouse, fiancé, or parents are pressuring
them to do it (and they do it to please them, not God)
- As infants incapable of faith or repentance
- Our baptism was lacking the right subjects (penitent
believers)
-- Our need for "re-baptism" would be just as great as any
other!
CONCLUSION
- In summarizing what has been said in this study:
- If our baptism lack any of the four essential elements of Bible
baptism...
- The proper mode - immersion
- The proper authority - Jesus Christ
- The proper purpose - for remission of sins
- The proper subject - a penitent believer
- Then "re-baptism" is both appropriate and necessary to ensure
that our sins have been washed away by the blood of Jesus!
- But perhaps I should clarify:
- When one is baptized because their "first" baptism lacked an
essential element...
- It is not really "re-baptism"!
- Technically speaking, the person is being baptized
scripturally for the first time!
- When one has been scripturally baptized once...
- There is never a need to be baptized again!
- For once we have clothed ourselves with Christ in baptism:
- The blood of Christ continually cleanses us of our sins
- 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!