Question about Baptism

[Jayaraj.E]

    Dear Brothers  in Christ,

We often conduct  Bible classes for denominational youth  and pastors  here in  India.  when we try to teach them truth , we are coming across with the different kind of people who are having so many questions and doubts in their minds about baptism .   some are obeying the truth but asking why should we take baptism again . already we have taken baptism in our groups . we  answer  them from scriptures and convince them to take baptism again . Here  I  request you all can suggest me few things I am putting my clarifications before you......

 Some of members and pastors of denominational groups saying   they are baptized ( immersed into water ) in the name of Father ,Son and Holy Spirit   They says  "we already obeyed the scriptures so  why  should we take baptism second time?  of course, pattern of worship is difference.  if we can change our worship system that will sufficient . so we change worship pattern t ..second time baptism is not required "

 Is this right  ? pls advise me how  i teach them with scriptures
 
 If we read Act 19 chapter, we can find there about second baptism.

We are convincing them through scriptures But we need more discuss for this problem.

You please add your comments  and send me some material about Baptism topic .
    Please pray for India Evangelism .

    Your Brother in His work,
   E. Jayaraj,  India

[Katherine Gould]

Hello brother,

For clarification...why is is that you believe they need to be baptized again?

Blessings~

IN HIM, Katherine

[Nell Green]

I would ask the same question as katherine...in general depending up extenuating circumstances, we have not practiced second baptism in any of our overseas or stateside settings.

[James Nored]

Jayaraj,

I can tell that you have a good heart and want to do the right thing. Let us examine the passage in question.

Acts 19:1f
1While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when[a] you believed?"
They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."
3So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?"
"John's baptism," they replied.

4Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." 5On hearing this, they were baptized into[b] the name of the Lord Jesus. 6When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues[c] and prophesied. 7There were about twelve men in all.

The problem in this passage was that these disciples had received John's baptism. John's baptism was for repentance and forgiveness of sins, but it was not a baptism into Christ and did not have the promised indwelling of the Spirit. (John the Baptist himself had pointed out that there would be one who would come who was greater than him--Jesus--who would baptize with the Spirit. See Mt. 3:13f).

So these disciples, who did not have the indwelling of the Spirit and had not been baptized, were "baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus."

There is no example of anyone being "re-baptized" because of a different understanding of worship, and this passage cannot be used for this type of re-baptism. Baptism into Jesus' name, or in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit (Mt. 28:20) are biblical baptisms. If we had to be re-baptized every time we learned something new, we would have to be baptized every day. It is also not correct to think that have to get everything right before we are baptized. We are baptized because we need Christ to make us right and to forgive us of our wrongs.

Last Sunday I preached on baptism. When the video file is up, I will post it here and you can watch it if you like. God bless.

[Bill Bowman]

The question as you view it is it necessary to give a reason why you are being baptized. Does God approve of my baptism if the only reason I am being baptized is to obey Christ's command of Matthew 28: 18-20?

What was important in Mat. 28 was that they be baptized in the name of Jesus. That is why they were rebaptized in Acts 19, to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Vs. 5. It was still a baptism of repentance as Paul stated in Acts 26:20.

In Acts 2 the people were told also to repent and given a purpose: for forgiveness of sins. vs. 38
In Acts 8 Philip taught the Eunuch, but nothing is recorded as saying what the purpose was for.
In Acts 8:16 the Samaritans simply were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. No purpose given.
In Acts 9 and 22 Paul was told the purpose was to wash away his sins for baptism.
In Acts 10:43 the purpose of forgiveness of sins in his name was taught to Cornelius concerning believing.
Baptism was administered after the Spirit came on them. This was a special case to convince the people
that Paul was accepted with God, even after all the havoc he created for the Lord's church.
In Acts 16 vs. 14-15 Lydia was baptized. No stated purpose was recorded.
In Acts 16:33 the jailor was told to believe in Jesus and upon that he was baptized. No purpose was recorded.
In Acts 18:8 it says the Corinthians believed and were baptized. No stated purpose.

After reviewing these cases of baptism, some were given the purpose of baptism, what it did for them, and others we don't know what they were told.

Does it make the baptism invalid if I am baptized in the name of Christ but do not believe I get the gift of the Spirit or remission of sins through this action? If I believe because of my belief in the Lord Jesus only I receive these things on that basis, and am baptized just because the Lord wants me to, is my baptism valid?

Remember rebaptism was made necessary because they were not baptized in the name of Christ. What we are considering is being baptized in the right name but for a different reason. I would do what my conscience would say. If I doubt, I would do what it took to erase that doubt. I don't play God.

It all comes down to the fact that we do not have cases where God spelled out everything exactly the
same way each time. Some things were not recorded. I personally believe that I should look at baptism like the people in Numbers 21:8-9 did. (Jesus referred to this when explaining the new birth in John 3). If I was bitten by a snake, I would have to look at the pole (I had to do something) and live. When I am baptized, I have Jesus on the Cross in my mind. I took at him, as it were, when I go down in the water. When I come out of the water, I am starting a new life in Him. Praise God.

[Kenneth Ray Rayborn]

James, I look forward to watching the video you mentioned on baptism and/or any other gospel topic!

James Nored said:

Jayaraj,

I can tell that you have a good heart and want to do the right thing. Let us examine the passage in question.

Acts 19:1f
1While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when[a] you believed?"
They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."
3So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?"
"John's baptism," they replied.

4Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." 5On hearing this, they were baptized into[b] the name of the Lord Jesus. 6When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues[c] and prophesied. 7There were about twelve men in all.

The problem in this passage was that these disciples had received John's baptism. John's baptism was for repentance and forgiveness of sins, but it was not a baptism into Christ and did not have the promised indwelling of the Spirit. (John the Baptist himself had pointed out that there would be one who would come who was greater than him--Jesus--who would baptize with the Spirit. See Mt. 3:13f).

So these disciples, who did not have the indwelling of the Spirit and had not been baptized, were "baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus."

There is no example of anyone being "re-baptized" because of a different understanding of worship, and this passage cannot be used for this type of re-baptism. Baptism into Jesus' name, or in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit (Mt. 28:20) are biblical baptisms. If we had to be re-baptized every time we learned something new, we would have to be baptized every day. It is also not correct to think that have to get everything right before we are baptized. We are baptized because we need Christ to make us right and to forgive us of our wrongs.

Last Sunday I preached on baptism. When the video file is up, I will post it here and you can watch it if you like. God bless.

[Kenneth Ray Rayborn]

Your last statement was a beautiful image! Christ on the cross and going down into the watery grave of baptism, raising up a new creature in Christ! We now have dedicated ourselves for/to His purpose in our lives! All I can say is 'Amen!"

Bill Bowman said:

The question as you view it is it necessary to give a reason why you are being baptized. Does God approve of my baptism if the only reason I am being baptized is to obey Christ's command of Matthew 28: 18-20?

What was important in Mat. 28 was that they be baptized in the name of Jesus. That is why they were rebaptized in Acts 19, to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Vs. 5. It was still a baptism of repentance as Paul stated in Acts 26:20.

In Acts 2 the people were told also to repent and given a purpose: for forgiveness of sins. vs. 38
In Acts 8 Philip taught the Eunuch, but nothing is recorded as saying what the purpose was for.
In Acts 8:16 the Samaritans simply were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. No purpose given.
In Acts 9 and 22 Paul was told the purpose was to wash away his sins for baptism.
In Acts 10:43 the purpose of forgiveness of sins in his name was taught to Cornelius concerning believing.
Baptism was administered after the Spirit came on them. This was a special case to convince the people
that Paul was accepted with God, even after all the havoc he created for the Lord's church.
In Acts 16 vs. 14-15 Lydia was baptized. No stated purpose was recorded.
In Acts 16:33 the jailor was told to believe in Jesus and upon that he was baptized. No purpose was recorded.
In Acts 18:8 it says the Corinthians believed and were baptized. No stated purpose.

After reviewing these cases of baptism, some were given the purpose of baptism, what it did for them, and others we don't know what they were told.

Does it make the baptism invalid if I am baptized in the name of Christ but do not believe I get the gift of the Spirit or remission of sins through this action? If I believe because of my belief in the Lord Jesus only I receive these things on that basis, and am baptized just because the Lord wants me to, is my baptism valid?

Remember rebaptism was made necessary because they were not baptized in the name of Christ. What we are considering is being baptized in the right name but for a different reason. I would do what my conscience would say. If I doubt, I would do what it took to erase that doubt. I don't play God.

It all comes down to the fact that we do not have cases where God spelled out everything exactly the
same way each time. Some things were not recorded. I personally believe that I should look at baptism like the people in Numbers 21:8-9 did. (Jesus referred to this when explaining the new birth in John 3). If I was bitten by a snake, I would have to look at the pole (I had to do something) and live. When I am baptized, I have Jesus on the Cross in my mind. I took at him, as it were, when I go down in the water. When I come out of the water, I am starting a new life in Him. Praise God.

[Kenneth Ray Rayborn]

Adam, your story touched my heart. I am always impressed when a person, like you, wants to do what Christ is telling him to do instead of what a religious group tells them to do/think! I know by talking and studying with people over the years and trying to tell them about Jesus that they sometimes want to believe and do what Jesus has commanded but it would mean they would have to leave their "church", friends and sometimes family members to follow Christ. I am reminded of Christ telling the man who wanted to follow Him but wanted to go bury his father first. To those who don't understand why Jesus said this to the man, it would be considered very cruel and hard to do and would be considered a legitimate excuse! It's not always easy learning the truth about what Jesus wants us to do, giving over control of our lives and following Him! I commend you, Adam, for that!

Adam Gonnerman said:

In January 1995 I was baptized by immersion. It was a wonderful experience, the fruit of an understanding that this was the Lord's will and the right choice. I'd already believed in Christ for a couple of years, even leaving the Catholic church in which I'd been raised at age 17 to become "evangelical." Later in 1995 I came to realize that the Bible teaches baptism as necessary to become a Christian, not "faith only." I spent a very miserable month of October wrestling with the question before I was finally baptized again. It wasn't such a wonderful experience.

Later, while at Harding University, Jimmy Allen was one of my professors. He explained that no one understands everything about baptism when they are baptized (many not getting the fact of the gift of the Holy Spirit). He said that there are many good, Biblical reasons to be baptized and rejected most arguments in favor of rebaptism.

When I tell the story of my journey of discipleship I talk about the January baptism as the point where I became a Christian. If God for some reason counts the second time in October (I doubt it), then all well and good.

I teach baptism as a command of Christ and for the remission of sins and gift of the Holy Spirit. I don't want anyone to be misled or to misunderstand. At the same time I realize that God has a lot of people outside of my faith tradition who He counts as sons and daughters.

In the end, the decision about rebaptism has to be a personal one, but I don't encourage it unless there were glaring deficiencies in the person's first immersion in water.

[Kayla Warner]

I struggle with this also. Some people in my family teach that you become a Christian and receive the Holy Spirit when you accept Jesus and pray a sinners prayer. Then baptism is a command but not required for salvation. It is an outward sign of an inward faith and not when we are forgiven. They themselves have been baptized, but it concerns me that they are teaching this to others. When I have talked with them about the importance of baptism and studied verses, they still disagree. I am genuinely concerned about them. I see how they are teaching about Jesus and people have bibles and can read to see the truth, and that is a good thing. So I guess my question is, should I be so concerned about their salvation if they have already been baptized? And if I don't need to be, do I just pray for the kids at Child Evangelism Fellowship that are hearing they don't need to do a thing but pray a prayer to be saved?

[Eric Johnson]

The New Testament teaches Baptism is for the remission of sins. Not to join a church or if one thinks one is already saved by faith alone and chooses to be baptized as an outward sign of an inward grace such as the Protestant/Evangelical movements do. In fact those types of baptisms aren't baptisms. One has not truly been baptized until it's for the right reason. To have ones sins cleansed from their soul.

The Bible is a love story spanning 1,500 years of God's interaction with His greatest creation - us. It's central theme is the gospel of Jesus Christ (death, burial, resurrection), and its power to save man from Gods judgement to those who believe it (Rom 1:16). But according to the scriptures, just believing the saving message is not enough to become a saint of God in His kingdom. God asks us to obey the gospel with obedient faith in order to make His free gift of grace real in our lives. Below is the unfolding of the great commission spoken in Matthew 28:19-20 for any who desire to be saved.

BIBLICAL BAPTISM INTO CHRIST. This is the work of God (Col 2:11-12) upon the dinner in a matter of seconds.

The sinner has already heard and read the word of God. Romans 10:14-17.

The sinner is already on a path of repenting of her sins. Acts 3:19, 2 Peter 3:9.

The sinner by faith is obedient confessing Christ as the Son of God before witnesses. Acts 8:36,37, Romans 10:10.

The sinner by faith is then buried (into death like Jesus) by immersion in water. Acts 2:38, Romans 6:3, 1Pet 3:21.

The sinners past sins are cleansed by the blood of Christ in the burial. Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, Titus 3:5.

The new Saint is raised a new creature white as snow. Romans 6:4, 2 Cor 5:17.

The new Saint receives the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38, Acts 5:32, Ephesians 1:13.

The new Saint now begins to walk a new life clothed with Christ rejoicing. Acts 8:39, Galatians 3:27, Philippians 4:4, 3 John 1:3,4.