Can you be baptized twice?

Question

I am a Catholic, but I have alot of friends who are non catholic, and that is very fine by me. I attend service at their church when invited, and do the same. I have been engaging in an online bible study (WBS) and they insist on baptism by immersion. I enjoy the bible study as it helps me in my knowledge about the Word, but how do I continue without being pressurized into a second baptism? Why dont we immerse in the Catholic church? It would save us some criticism. Finally, is there anything wrong with a Catholic wanting to be baptized a SECOND time in the Catholic church, out of nothing else but to show a true sense of repentance?

Answer 1

Well here is the Catholic Answer.

Baptism causes an ontological change in an individual in a permanent and indelible way that destroys the stain of original sin. As such it cannot be repeated. A baptized individual is reborn through water and the Spirit into the family of God.

In fact the Catholic Church forbids one from being re baptized and it is considered a great sacrilege because one is willfully rejecting what God has already given.

It is not true that baptism by immersion is necessary. The Catholic Church has always allowed non-immersion baptism. Let me quote from the earliest Catechism, the Didache

""Chapter 7. Concerning Baptism. And concerning baptism, baptize this way: Having first said all these things, baptize into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in living water. But if you have no living water, baptize into other water; and if you cannot do so in cold water, do so in warm. But if you have neither, pour out water three times upon the head into the name of Father and Son and Holy Spirit. But before the baptism let the baptizer fast, and the baptized, and whoever else can; but you shall order the baptized to fast one or two days before. ""

Baptism by immersion has always been a common practice of the Catholic Church, though it was more so pre 1300. It is still used today and you can find modern Catholic Churches that do immersion.

While you are doing your scripture studies let me suggest that you also enjoy www.scripturecatholic.com as well as the wonderful Navarre Bible commentaries. The Faith of the Early Fathers by William Jurgens is also a wonderful series. All these things can really help your faith come alive as you begin to experience in a deeper way the 2000 years of Catholic teaching of scripture.

Answer 2

Until the mid 1500's the Catholic church did baptize by immersion. If you go to Europe and look in the basement of the churches still there, you will find the old baptistries where they did it. Baptism comes from the word baptismos, which means immersion, total immersion. It signifies the death, burial and ressurection of Jesus. How can you be buried in a little water pouring over your forehead? Or by sprinkling as some churches do? I doubt the catholic churh will re-baptize you or do it by immersion but it is a choice you have to make and not let the church tell you what to do in that area. You need to learn to make your own decisions, not let anyone tell you what to think or believe. Study your bible and you will see that the Catholic church does not teach the same things that are in the bible but put their own twist on things. I grew up a Catholic so I know what I am talking about. I am not putting them or any other church down when I say this. Do what the bible says to do and you can't go wrong. If God were standing in front of you and the pope was right beside Him, God said you should jump up and down and sing a song of praise to Him but the Pope said you should lay down and cover your face, which would you do? I would do as God said as HE is the One that made me, that saved me and will take me to Heaven. The pope is not as many see him but a man himself with the same tendencies as me and he will die just like me. Study your bible and do what it says to do. Men are fallible, will make mistakes, but God will never make a mistake. Check out the site below and do some of the studies on there. You will get only the bible and will understand many more things better than you ever have.

Answer 3

Greetings in Christ;

More often then not, people who come for Baptism where I am located have no "documentation" to formally verify the Sacrament. Most do not even know a possible church where they may have been baptised. As a precaution against the possibility that they could be wrong and were not baptised, I usually baptise and confirm and give them first Communion all at the same time. It makes for a very long liturgy, but personally I beleive that the waters of Baptism are there to renew our faith, after all most churchs still have Holy Water Fonts to sign ourselves as we enter or leave. This is the same water, blest by a priest that was used at baptism. Each time we enter a church we adress the Trinty through reciting the Sign of Cross and in a unique way reafirm our baptism.

I hope this helps.

Pax Dominus Sit Semper Vobiscum

Bp. David

Answer 4

There is no purpose in being baptized twice. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward change which if sincere, should be a permanent change. People can insist on anything they wish but they are not God. Baptism does not save. It is part of the symbolism of all Christian churches. Salvation comes from personal acceptance of Jesus Christ as the sacrifice for one's sins. God knows your heart. You don't need to put on a show for everyone else.

Answer 5

There's nothing wrong with being baptized twice. All baptism is is an outward expression of an inward change. It's a sign to show that you have accepted Jesus Christ as your presonal Lord and Savior symbolizing the death of the old you (going under the water) and the birth of the new your ( Coming out of the water). I know plenty of people who were baptized young had never made a commitment to Jesus, and when they were old enough to understand God's grace, were baptized again.

Answer 6

Many Christian churches do not recognize the baptisms of others. In your bible studies, you should search out information on baptisms and pray about them. Did Jesus get baptised by immersion? He set the example of what we are required to do in that instance. If you pray and discover that you need to be baptised by immersion, then maybe you should think about finding a new church.

Answer 7

I like you was "christened" as a baby but still felt the need to Baptize myself out of repentance, when I returned to the Lord after years of living my life with little or no consideration for him or his word.
I dont see anything wrong with a second baptism, what I do think is important, is that you make the decision for yourself and that you follow your heart.
Peace, Love and Light.

Answer 8

I do not know why the Catholic church would have a problem with it. In other churches I have seen people baptized more than once as a sign to themselves that they are refreshed in repentance and a new walk with God.

Answer 9

What you are calling first baptism I guess is sprinkling of water. If that is true, it's not biblical and it's not baptism. Baptism is by immersion and it is done once in a life time.

Mat 3:5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
Mat 3:6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

Mat 3:13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
Mat 3:14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
Mat 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
Mat 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

You can see that John the Baptist baptisted all that came to him in river Jodan, even Jesus Christ was baptised in river Jodan.

Answer 10

Unless you ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, there is no point in being baptized in the first place. I know the Catholic church don't want you to read the Bible, but you should do it any way to learn what God wants you to do.