The Scriptures are clear that baptism is necessary for salvation. Jesus taught Nicodemus that he “must be born again” of “water and of the Spirit” (John 3:7,5). He also said that one who “believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16). Not only that, but throughout the book of Acts when a person was told what to do to be saved, it always included baptism (Acts 2:38; 8:12,37,38; 9:6,18; 10:48; 16:15; 18:8). With this knowledge, some have made the decision to be baptized on that teaching alone. In other words, there are times when people are baptized without fully understanding the nature of baptism, the steps leading to it, and the commitment involved.
Through the years it has been common to hear people say, “I was just baptized because everyone else was doing it.” Others have admitted they were baptized to please their family members or friends. Still others, have been baptized to be accepted as a member of a denomination. It is in these situations that many find themselves with a need to be “re-baptized.” The inspired example of some in a similar condition involves the 12 men of Ephesus who were students of John the Baptist (Acts 19). These men had been taught the necessity of baptism for the forgiveness of sins and were baptized with John’s baptism after Jesus had died (Mark 1:4). That was a problem because John’s baptism required faith that Jesus would die for sins in the future, whereas Christian baptism is based upon faith that Jesus has died for sin (Acts 19:4). So, these men were not taught correctly. They knew nothing about the connection between baptism and the blood of Jesus (Rev. 1:5) and nothing about the Holy Spirit—His gifts and how He dwells in those who are Christians (Acts 19:2; 2:38; 1 Cor. 3:16). Upon learning the truth they were all “re-baptized” with the proper knowledge (Acts 19:5).
It could be that some find themselves in the same situation today. If a person is baptized in a denomination, they have done so with the wrong teaching. Even if they believe their baptism was possibly for the remission of sins, they were still not taught correctly concerning worship and the uniqueness of the Lord’s church being undivided (1 Cor. 1:10). In this case, they need to be “re-baptized.” Others may not have been immersed as the New Testament requires (Rom. 6:3,4) or they may not have done it with the right attitude of truly repenting and giving up their old lives (Col. 3:5,10; Eph. 4:22-24).
Salvation is a serious matter and each one of us should examine ourselves thoroughly to make sure we have followed God’s plan in the right way. God requires full faith and repentance before a person is baptized (Acts 16:31; 17:30), along with an understanding of the cleansing blood of Jesus through His sacrifice and the one church for which He died. Do you need to be re-baptized?
~Derrick Coble
Through the years it has been common to hear people say, “I was just baptized because everyone else was doing it.” Others have admitted they were baptized to please their family members or friends. Still others, have been baptized to be accepted as a member of a denomination. It is in these situations that many find themselves with a need to be “re-baptized.” The inspired example of some in a similar condition involves the 12 men of Ephesus who were students of John the Baptist (Acts 19). These men had been taught the necessity of baptism for the forgiveness of sins and were baptized with John’s baptism after Jesus had died (Mark 1:4). That was a problem because John’s baptism required faith that Jesus would die for sins in the future, whereas Christian baptism is based upon faith that Jesus has died for sin (Acts 19:4). So, these men were not taught correctly. They knew nothing about the connection between baptism and the blood of Jesus (Rev. 1:5) and nothing about the Holy Spirit—His gifts and how He dwells in those who are Christians (Acts 19:2; 2:38; 1 Cor. 3:16). Upon learning the truth they were all “re-baptized” with the proper knowledge (Acts 19:5).
It could be that some find themselves in the same situation today. If a person is baptized in a denomination, they have done so with the wrong teaching. Even if they believe their baptism was possibly for the remission of sins, they were still not taught correctly concerning worship and the uniqueness of the Lord’s church being undivided (1 Cor. 1:10). In this case, they need to be “re-baptized.” Others may not have been immersed as the New Testament requires (Rom. 6:3,4) or they may not have done it with the right attitude of truly repenting and giving up their old lives (Col. 3:5,10; Eph. 4:22-24).
Salvation is a serious matter and each one of us should examine ourselves thoroughly to make sure we have followed God’s plan in the right way. God requires full faith and repentance before a person is baptized (Acts 16:31; 17:30), along with an understanding of the cleansing blood of Jesus through His sacrifice and the one church for which He died. Do you need to be re-baptized?
~Derrick Coble