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Baptised....again?

Discussion in '2003 Archive' started by BrianT, Nov 23, 2003.

  1. BrianT

    BrianT New Member

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    An old man at our church is undergoing baptism, but may have been baptized before - he can't remember.

    Should he be baptised?

    Does it matter if someone is baptised more than once, knowingly or unknowingly?
     
  2. Helen

    Helen <img src =/Helen2.gif>

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    Don't worry about it, Brian. Baptism is an outward sign of what the Lord has done inside. If he feels he wants to make sure he has given that public testimony, God bless him.
     
  3. dianetavegia

    dianetavegia Guest

    Helen is 100% right. It's a symbol of an inward change and if he's unsure or for whatever reason, no harm done!

    Diane
     
  4. computerjunkie

    computerjunkie New Member

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    I counseled with a lady just this morning who came forward saying she had been baptized when she was in 6th grade, but within the last 3 weeks had actually invited Christ into her life and it was REAL! She shared how her life had been changed just in the last 3 weeks! (She asked if it was OK to invite Christ to be her personal Lord and Savior if she was home by herself, just her and God and her Bible. I said absolutely it was.)

    She said she wanted to be baptized because she didn't feel she totally understood what she was doing the first time. I told her it was perfectly OK, and she will be baptized next Sunday! To her, it is her public profession of what Christ has done in her life...and I see nothing wrong with that!

    CJ
     
  5. Pastor_Bob

    Pastor_Bob Well-Known Member

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    I look at it this way, how many times do we as parents pull out a picture of our son or daughter and show them to others? Probably many times; especially when we become grandparents.

    I'm quite sure that our Heavenly Father doesn't mind us showing a picture of His Son's death, burial, and resurrection. Even though it may be unnecessary, for the gentleman's peace of mind, I would encourage him to be baptized.

    On the other hand, I wouldn't baptize a person who knows they have been baptized just for the sake of baptizing them. Baptism is a sacred ordinance of the church and not to be approached lightly.

    [​IMG]
     
  6. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    On occasion, I will "re" Baptize someone as a public testimony (at their request).

    I've baptized some in the Jordan who were baptized in the baptistry here in the states before. They want that experience, walking where Jesus walked.

    Of course, on some tours we foolwo the motto: "I ran today where Jesus ran". It can get hectic over there trying to visit everything possible on a limited time frame.

    (I've led 8 groups in Israel + others in Greece, Turkey or Egypt. And one in Jordan)
     
  7. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    I believe both Bryan's and CJ's cases are valid reasons for baptism. Other than that, I will not re-baptize. Let the individual stand before the congregation and give witness to the Lord's redeeming grace.

    I want to be certain they understand that baptism is not efficacious and has no redeeming quality.

    There are some churches that dunk people too soon and without a full understanding of what baptism is and that is where the problem lies. We are at fault; not them.

    Let's be more careful about whom we baptize and when. We are in grave danger of making a mockery out of baptism.

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
  8. computerjunkie

    computerjunkie New Member

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    Jim, I totally agree.

    Before we baptize anyone in our church, they must share their "faith story" about how/when they were saved with either a staff person or a trained counselor. They must also attend a new members' class where baptism is discussed in depth.

    Children, 6th grade and under must attend a childrens' membership class where the trained teacher makes absolutely SURE they know what they are doing, and why. If there is ANY doubt in the mind of the teacher, the child must talk to our Childrens' Minister to make sure they understand what they are doing.

    This may sound "legalistic" to some, but it is our way of making sure baptism follows a true salvation experience, and hopefully, it helps us not "make a mockery out of baptism".

    CJ
     
  9. massdak

    massdak Active Member
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    not to be a party pooper but this sounds suspicious to me. it sounds as if she is depending on her act for salvation. it also sounds like she is concerned on how the right form is for salvation. anyway see that she understands that it is not where she says the right words or if she is at home or not, but if she has trusted in the record God gave about His Son in the scriptures. her faith in the finished work of Christ is what she needs to depend on, other wise a person can invite, pray, ask, beg until they are blue in the face and it will do no good. it is faith in Christ.
     
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