Is there ever a justification for being "re-baptized"? I have questioned my baptism. I was very young and really did not comprehend the seriousness of what I was doing. I have considered being baptized again, but some say that it would not be right to be baptized a second time.

Your question is a very legitimate 1. There are some people, even among religious leaders, who oppose whatever class of re-baptism.

For instance, in 1996, the Full general Briefing of the United Methodist Church at a convention conducted in Denver, Colorado debated the matter of re-baptism. A position paper issued by the conference declared that Methodists who were baptized as infants should never be baptized again. The document explicitly stated:

"Whether a baptized babe grows up to exist a professing Christian or not, that baptism stands valid."

This position is flawed in many particulars, having no scriptural support any.

New Testament Precedent for Beingness Immersed a Second Fourth dimension

While on his third missionary entrada, the apostle Paul came to the metropolis of Ephesus. There, he encountered twelve men who formerly had been baptized with the type of baptism administered by John the Baptizer.

I might be inclined to conclude, therefore, that the apostle would accept accepted these men every bit they were and merely organized them into a church.

Merely such was not the case. Subsequently questioning them as to the nature of their earlier baptism and determining that their pre-baptism educational activity on the previous occasion had been lacking in essential details, Paul immersed these men into Christ (see Acts 19:ane-v). A simple understanding of the text reveals that their start baptism was scarce in some way.

And here is an extremely important implication of this case of re-baptism. The instance clearly demonstrates that in order for one's baptism to be valid, accurate teaching and understanding must precede the rite. Otherwise, the act of baptism is a meaningless exercise and non based on faith (Rom. 10:17).

True Baptism — A One-fourth dimension Act

Genuine baptism is needed but one fourth dimension in a person's life. Once a person has been baptized according to the full complement of scriptural instructions, he or she never has the need to repeat this new-birth process (cf. Jn. iii:3-5).

After a person has entered the family unit of Christ through baptism (ane Cor. 12:13; cf. Gal. 3:26-27), he is a part of the church, the household (family) of God (one Tim. 3:15; cf. Eph. two:19-22). The new Christian has access to all of the spiritual benefits of the in-Christ human relationship (Eph. 1:three).

As a son or girl of God within that sacred environment, the Christian prays to the heavenly Father for his or her personal needs by means of prayer (meet Acts 8:22, 24; cf. Jas. v:16) — including forgiveness for sins as we fail to live perfectly earlier God (cf. 1 Jn. 1:eight; 2:one).

Qualifications for Baptism

Unfortunately, in that location are many in today's globe of Christendom that practise a form of what they call "baptism."

When nosotros compare what is practiced and taught by many with what the Bible teaches, nosotros can come across that a variety of doctrinal errors take developed that are non found in God's word. Those corruptions invalidate a baptism and make it of none issue.

Therefore, many who have been administered what was chosen "baptism" simply, in fact is not truthful biblical baptism, need to be baptized again — this time with a more accurate understanding that precedes the result, merely like the case in Acts 19:1-5.

Hither are some situations in which re-baptism would be warranted.

Baptism without religion or understanding

If one was "baptized" equally an baby, thus was lacking personal faith (Mk. 16:sixteen; Acts 11:21), he should repudiate the meaningless earlier rite in which he had no decision-making ability, even though his parents were sincere in subjecting him to the procedure.

In 18-carat faith, he should submit to the command in the proper way. Infants have neither the demand nor the ability to respond to the gospel of Christ.

The same would be truthful for young children likewise young or young to understand their accountability to the plan of salvation.

Information technology is a tender thing to observe immature children who want to please God. But many times, their desire precedes their understanding and accountability for personal sin.

If an adult concludes that they need to be re-baptized because they were baptized equally an infant or as a sincere but immature child, we would encourage them to be immersed in faith and obedience. Thus, they can exist assured of the forgiveness of their sins. Their decision will bring peace of mind and confidence past knowing they are obeying God from the heart with full understanding.

Baptism without immersion

If one was "baptized" in some style other than by immersion, and so he needs to be baptized with the proper class. The give-and-take "baptism" literally translated means immersion, not sprinkling or pouring.

True baptism pictures the burying and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The sinner is buried in h2o and raised from this symbolic grave (cf. Rom. half dozen:3-4; Col. ii:12) just equally the Lord was buried and so raised from the dead.

True baptism validates and proclaims ane's faith in the expiry and resurrection events. Being sprinkled with water or having h2o poured upon the head is no baptism at all. Such substitutes are without sanction in the New Attestation. They are post-apostolic innovations.

Baptism without repentance

Baptism without true repentance is besides ineffectual. I once heard nigh a homo who emerged from the baptismal puddle, turned to his wife, and said: "I hope you're satisfied!"

No who is baptized without proper motive (and other prerequisites) tin have validity in the divine scheme of things. Even John warned those who came to be baptized for a evidence without repentance. Simply God's wrath awaited those who were baptized with such faux pretenses (Mt. iii:7).

Baptism without religion

If i is "baptized" without a audio organized religion, the ritual would be of no avail.

I might feel, for example, that Jesus was a practiced human, perhaps even a "perfect man" — every bit the "Jehovah's Witnesses" criminate. As sincere as these may be, they deny that Christ is the Son of God (i.e., deity).

And yet, for various other reasons, they might desire to exist baptized. Merely baptism grounded on false faith cannot be deemed as 18-carat.

Baptism without purpose

If one has yielded to baptism for some purpose other than that which is supplied by God'southward word, he has not obeyed the Lord.

Baptism is never divers as "an outward sign of an inward grace." It is not a mere representation of redemption for those who have already received forgiveness.

The purpose of baptism is "for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38), to have sins "washed abroad" (Acts 22:xvi), to put the candidate "into Christ" (Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:26-27), or into his "body" (1 Cor. 12:13). At this point, he is "saved" (Mk. 16:16; 1 Pet. 3:21).

The common resistance to the biblical proposition that baptism comes earlier salvation constitutes a bold rejection of the plain testimony of Scripture. 1 cannot be immersed "for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38), if he believes his sins have been remitted already.

Your soul is too valuable, the plan is also simple and the remedy likewise easy to access to gamble — hoping that a onetime "baptism" will be alright in spite of the deficiencies associated therewith.

If yous have whatsoever question about a previous baptism, I would encourage you to be condom and arrange for your baptism according to your informed knowledge.

If we may assist you in this regard, feel free to contact usa for counsel.