In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit

[juan77]

I hope to get a genuine and peaceful answer, as discension arose between brothers regarding the topic on water baptism.

May God forgive me for starting something that led to discension between brothers.

With that in mind, I would like to know is it wrong in they eyes of the LORD to be baptised more than once?

I was baptized as a baby, but as I grew older I came to realise that baptism is a decision I must make. It is a decision of whether I want to be sold out for Jesus Christ or not.

According to Romans 5:20 - 6:14 if I decide to get baptised, I decide to die to my old self and then to live Christ.

I've then made my choice and was baptised May 9, 2004 by submersion under water.

I went down into the water and as I came up it literally felt as if my own skin stayed behind in the water and that I came up out of the water with a new skin. I felt like a new person. When I got to the changerooms I fell down on my knees and cried for minutes before God. It was tears of amazement and pure joy.

All went well - really well! I was growing in Christ at a rocketfire pace. God used me in unimaginable ways.

But then, without realising it, I backslide

My old sinful nature started to take over again. I've picked up my old sinful habits again and hated myself for doing so.

But God took hold of me once again! I was overwelmed by the realisation that God had not forgotten me. He started using me again in ways that could only be of Him. With His guidance and by His grace I threw those old dirty habits down the drain. I had no side effects, no cravings, nothing!!! PRAISE GOD!!!

This happened about two months ago. But I still feel dirty - as one who needs a bath.

My conscience keeps bothering me - "Should I be baptized again?"

As far as I know Jesus was only baptised once, and where He and John baptised there were always much water!

I can't find any scripture stating that I may not be baptised more than once. Only thing I can think of is to follow the example of Jesus and that is that to be baptised once is enough. But why then the need in me to be washed? (I'm talking about spiritual washing now. I do bath twice a day at home, with soap and shampoo and stuff. )

I've decised that Jesus Christ is the only One for me, the Only Way to live by, my Only Eternal Love!!!

May God bless you and lead you as you ponder about my question.

[EricH]

Jaun,

I am in the same boat as you are. When I was a baby my parents had me baptized. I came to saving faith in Jesus in Highschool. Because baptism is a public testimony of the work that Jesus did in my life, I decided to do it again. Not because I thought it would add anything to the work of Jesus, but because I wanted to make that public profession

Neither baptism added anything to my relationship with God.

Baptism will not make your relationship with God right. It will neither save you, or strenghthen your relationship once you are saved. If you are currently a Chrisitian and feeling distant from Jesus, go to Him with it. Confess all known sin, and start doing the thing you know He wants you to do. Rebaptizing will not practically help to remove ongoing sin.

[Floatingaxe]

I hope to get a genuine and peaceful answer, as discension arose between brothers regarding the topic on water baptism.

May God forgive me for starting something that led to discension between brothers.

With that in mind, I would like to know is it wrong in they eyes of the LORD to be baptised more than once?

I was baptized as a baby, but as I grew older I came to realise that baptism is a decision I must make. It is a decision of whether I want to be sold out for Jesus Christ or not.

According to Romans 5:20 - 6:14 if I decide to get baptised, I decide to die to my old self and then to live Christ.

I've then made my choice and was baptised May 9, 2004 by submersion under water.

I went down into the water and as I came up it literally felt as if my own skin stayed behind in the water and that I came up out of the water with a new skin. I felt like a new person. When I got to the changerooms I fell down on my knees and cried for minutes before God. It was tears of amazement and pure joy.

All went well - really well! I was growing in Christ at a rocketfire pace. God used me in unimaginable ways.

But then, without realising it, I backslide

My old sinful nature started to take over again. I've picked up my old sinful habits again and hated myself for doing so.

But God took hold of me once again! I was overwelmed by the realisation that God had not forgotten me. He started using me again in ways that could only be of Him. With His guidance and by His grace I threw those old dirty habits down the drain. I had no side effects, no cravings, nothing!!! PRAISE GOD!!!

This happened about two months ago. But I still feel dirty - as one who needs a bath.

My conscience keeps bothering me - "Should I be baptized again?"

As far as I know Jesus was only baptised once, and where He and John baptised there were always much water!

I can't find any scripture stating that I may not be baptised more than once. Only thing I can think of is to follow the example of Jesus and that is that to be baptised once is enough. But why then the need in me to be washed? (I'm talking about spiritual washing now. I do bath twice a day at home, with soap and shampoo and stuff. )

I've decised that Jesus Christ is the only One for me, the Only Way to live by, my Only Eternal Love!!!

May God bless you and lead you as you ponder about my question.

As I stated in that other thread, it is not wrong to be baptized again if you are seeking to re-consecrate yourself totally to Jesus Christ after a period of rebellion, or lukewarmness. My husband did it.

Now, after reading your post here, I need to mention one thing for the sake of others--be careful that it is not the voice of the enemy condemning you! He can easily whisper condemnation into your ear, and cause you to think that you are "unclean" or "soiled" and in need of another baptism--performing a "work" toward a righteous standing with God. That is a tactic of the enemy. Being prayerful about this. God warns us about works. Rededicating yourself to Christ does not have to involve a re-baptism, but it is not wrong if you do. Pray, and discuss this with your spiritual authority first.

Blessings!

[Leonard]

Each must answer to his own conscience, friend.

[juan77]

Erich, FloatingAxe, Leonard, thank you. I'm glad this time we could keep the discussion on baptism peaceful.

May our conscience belong fully to God and may the answers be worthy and acceptable to God.

Well, its midnight here where I am.

Speak to you all at another occasion.

God Bless!!!

[Guest jckduboise]

You did what was right in your heart. No need to ask man if getting baptized a second time was a wrong thing for you to do. We don't know God's will for you.

You were blessed by your obedience in this matter.

[juan77]

YES, you may be baptized more than once. Every year if you like. If it helps in deepening your walk with the Lord, go for it. It is biblical... actually. Not necessary for salvation, but baptism more than once is biblical. OT, but still valid. It's God's word.

Will you please tell me where in OT I can find scripture referring to baptizm? I only seem to find it in NT.

[HAZARD]

There is not one word in the entire Bible that mentions Infant baptism or any such practice. It is very clear from Scripture that baptism is only required after men have repented of their sins and have been born of the Spirit of God. There is no express command for infants to be baptized untill they become responsible agents and turn to God and have their sins, as adults, remitted. Salvation is a personal experience and children must become old enough to accept salvation before they are commanded to be baptized.

Children, untill they become responsible, even though their parents are unsaved, will be taken to Heaven if they die before accountability just as much as those of saved parents. Read Matthew 18:1-10; 19:14).

Scripture demands faith and repentance as being necessary before baptism and this no child can do untill he is old enough to understand sin and what to do to be saved.

Infant baptism became prominent when churches began teaching baptism and other sacraments to save the soul and remit sin. Such practice makes it impossible to obey Christs command later without admitting infant-baptism was of no benifit. Since there are so many Scriptural reasons why infant-baptism should not be practiced and since it has no efficay it would be best to wait untill the child turns to God by faith and repents of sins of their own free will before it becomes baptised.

Baptism is a symbol of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and it is a testimony to all the world that the individual has been saved from a life of sin and that the individual is now walking in newness of life.

It is only people who are followers of Jesus that are commanded to be baptized. (Read Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; and Acts 2:38-39).

The repentant thief on the cross at Jesus crucifiction was never baptized yet Jesus told him that "To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43).

So the truth is Baptism alone is actually not necessary for salvation. The purpose of baptism is not to save the soul, sanctify one, or make us children of God, Jesus did that through His death and resurrection. The sole purpose of baptism is plainly taught as being figurative and not litterally a clensing from sin.

The palsied man of Matt. 9:1-7 was saved without water baptism: "Jesus seeing their faith [not their water baptism] said . . . thy sins be forgiven thee . . . the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins." Jesus did not baptize one person in all His ministry but He did remit sins of many people (John 4:2). This is sufficient proof that sins can be remitted without water baptism. There are many cases of remission of sins and healing which were done by faith without water baptism (Matt. 9:22; Mark 5:34; 10:52; Luke 7:48' 17:19; 18:42; Acts 3:16).

An unnamed woman sinner was forgiven her sins before and without water baptism. Jesus said, "Her sins, which are many are forgiven . . . thy sins be forgiven . . . thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace (Luke 7:36-50).

If Jesus did this to adult sinners why would He expect Children to be baptized to guarantee entry to heaven? many mmore scriptures fill the Bible showing adults being saved without water baptism.