Is in that location ever a justification for being "re-baptized"? I have questioned my baptism. I was very immature 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 exist right to be baptized a 2d fourth dimension.

Your question is a very legitimate one. At that place are some people, even among religious leaders, who oppose whatsoever grade of re-baptism.

For example, in 1996, the General Conference of the United Methodist Church at a convention conducted in Denver, Colorado debated the matter of re-baptism. A position newspaper issued by the conference alleged that Methodists who were baptized every bit infants should never be baptized again. The certificate 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 whatsoever.

New Attestation Precedent for Being Immersed a Second Time

While on his 3rd missionary entrada, the apostle Paul came to the city of Ephesus. There, he encountered twelve men who formerly had been baptized with the type of baptism administered past John the Baptizer.

One might be inclined to conclude, therefore, that the apostle would accept accustomed these men as they were and merely organized them into a church.

Simply such was not the example. After questioning them as to the nature of their earlier baptism and determining that their pre-baptism teaching on the previous occasion had been lacking in essential details, Paul immersed these men into Christ (see Acts 19:one-five). A elementary understanding of the text reveals that their outset baptism was deficient in some style.

And hither is an extremely important implication of this case of re-baptism. The case clearly demonstrates that in guild for one'southward baptism to be valid, accurate teaching and understanding must precede the rite. Otherwise, the act of baptism is a meaningless exercise and not based on religion (Rom. 10:17).

True Baptism — A Erstwhile Act

Genuine baptism is needed simply i time in a person'southward life. In one case 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. 3:3-5).

After a person has entered the family of Christ through baptism (i Cor. 12:13; cf. Gal. 3:26-27), he is a part of the church building, the household (family) of God (1 Tim. 3:15; cf. Eph. 2:19-22). The new Christian has admission to all of the spiritual benefits of the in-Christ relationship (Eph. 1:iii).

Equally a son or daughter of God within that sacred surroundings, the Christian prays to the heavenly Father for his or her personal needs past means of prayer (come across Acts 8:22, 24; cf. Jas. 5:16) — including forgiveness for sins as nosotros neglect to live perfectly earlier God (cf. ane Jn. 1:8; 2:ane).

Qualifications for Baptism

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

When we compare what is practiced and taught by many with what the Bible teaches, nosotros can meet that a variety of doctrinal errors have developed that are non establish in God's word. Those corruptions invalidate a baptism and arrive of none effect.

Therefore, many who have been administered what was chosen "baptism" merely, in fact is not true biblical baptism, need to exist baptized once more — this time with a more than accurate understanding that precedes the upshot, just like the case in Acts 19:1-5.

Here are some situations in which re-baptism would exist warranted.

Baptism without religion or understanding

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

In genuine faith, he should submit to the command in the proper way. Infants have neither the demand nor the power to respond to the gospel of Christ.

The aforementioned would be true for immature children likewise young or immature to sympathise their accountability to the program of conservancy.

It is a tender thing to observe young children who want to please God. Only many times, their desire precedes their understanding and accountability for personal sin.

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

Baptism without immersion

If one was "baptized" in some fashion other than by immersion, then he needs to exist baptized with the proper form. The word "baptism" literally translated means immersion, not sprinkling or pouring.

True baptism pictures the burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The sinner is buried in water and raised from this symbolic grave (cf. Rom. 6:iii-4; Col. two:12) only as the Lord was buried and and then raised from the dead.

Truthful baptism validates and proclaims one'southward faith in the death and resurrection events. Being sprinkled with h2o or having water poured upon the head is no baptism at all. Such substitutes are without sanction in the New Testament. They are post-apostolic innovations.

Baptism without repentance

Baptism without true repentance is also ineffectual. I in one case heard well-nigh a human being who emerged from the baptismal puddle, turned to his wife, and said: "I promise y'all're satisfied!"

No who is baptized without proper motive (and other prerequisites) tin accept validity in the divine scheme of things. Fifty-fifty John warned those who came to be baptized for a show without repentance. Just God'south wrath awaited those who were baptized with such imitation pretenses (Mt. 3:vii).

Baptism without faith

If one is "baptized" without a sound faith, the ritual would be of no avail.

One might feel, for instance, that Jesus was a skillful man, maybe even a "perfect homo" — as the "Jehovah's Witnesses" allege. Every bit sincere as these may be, they deny that Christ is the Son of God (i.e., deity).

And however, for various other reasons, they might desire to be baptized. But baptism grounded on fake religion cannot be accounted as genuine.

Baptism without purpose

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

Baptism is never defined every bit "an outward sign of an in grace." It is non a mere representation of redemption for those who accept already received forgiveness.

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

The common resistance to the biblical suggestion that baptism comes before salvation constitutes a assuming rejection of the obviously testimony of Scripture. Ane cannot be immersed "for the remission of sins" (Acts ii:38), if he believes his sins have been remitted already.

Your soul is besides valuable, the plan is too unproblematic and the remedy too easy to admission to gamble — hoping that a old "baptism" will be alright in spite of the deficiencies associated therewith.

If you have whatsoever question nearly a previous baptism, I would encourage you to exist prophylactic and adjust for your baptism according to your informed knowledge.

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