How can I be baptized in the Church of Christ when I have been baptized before?

Question

Growing up I attend a Baptist Church, where I was also baptized. I was introduced to the Church of Christ by some of my college friends. I am trying to get a better understanding of the church. Some people are telling me that I should be baptized again. Others are telling me that I am okay. How can I when the bible says that there is only one rebirth?

Answer 1

The Bible teaches that we should be baptized "in the name of Christ" and that this baptism is"for the remission of sins"(Acts 2:38).

"In the name of" means by the authority or according to the instructions of Christ. If we follow the teaching of men on baptism, then we are baptized by the authority of man's doctrine, and not according to the authority of Christ. Such is not baptism in the name of Christ.

Most Baptist churches teach that a person believes, is saved and then he should be baptized. Jesus on the other hand said, "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved"(Mark 16:16). These two views are not the same. They are not in the same order!

What would Jesus have said if he had meant, "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved"?

I believe he said what he meant and meant what he said. I believe Jesus. "He that believes not shall be condemned." (Mark 16:16 b)

If you were baptized in a Baptist church, then you were probably baptized according to the instructions that one is saved before baptism, or that you were a Christian, in Christ, before baptism.

Romans 6:3-4 says at baptism we are "Baptized into Christ". Christ's blood was shed at his death. These verses also state that we are "baptized into his death". Finally at baptism we "rise to walk in newness of life". Can you be saved if you have not yet entered "into Christ", contacted his death where the saving blood was, and/or been "born again" into newness of life?

According to the instructions of most Baptist churches you are saved before baptism. But what does the Bible say? Please read these verses closely.

If you were taught wrong then you could not have obeyed correctly. One who is taught salvation before baptism is not following the instructions of Christ and His apostles. If you were baptized in a Baptist church, then you were probably baptized according to Baptist doctrine.

In Acts 19:1-5 there were some who had been baptized according to the wrong authority. (They were baptized according to John's baptism after Christ's baptism had been commanded. The baptism Christ commanded replaced John's baptism.) They were then baptized again. This time they were baptized "in the name of the Lord Jesus."

"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Acts 22:16)

Answer 2

you can get baptized as many times as you like...but make sure that you want to get baptized because you want to, dont get baptized because other people say that you need to...and, before you get baptized, read these verses, ok...
Acts 2:38 " repent and be baptized every one of you in the NAME of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Matthew 28:19-20 "(19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the NAME of the father, and of the Som, and of the Holy Ghost:
(20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.Amen."

Both of these verses mean get baptized in the name of Jesus Christ...Jesus Christ is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost...
the Father is God a spirit, he sent his earthy form, Jesus down to earth( you know that story, and the Holy Ghost is Jesus's(Gods earthy form) spirit after he died...
this can be confusing, so if you have any questions email [e-mail] ...i hope u understand this!!!good luck!!!

Answer 3

well, it won't kill you or make you not saved to be baptized again. baptism is a ritual that represents the spiritual change that has taken place on the inside. it is not the actual death and resurection of the soul, it is only an outward confession.

I love CoC people, but the old traditionalists believe that if you ain't church of christ, you ain't a christian. (not all of them, just the old school ones.) It's up to you whether or not you take part in the ritual a second time. If you feel in your heart that it's wrong, then don't, but if not, then do it too appease your brothers to bring peace.

Answer 4

Yes you are right when you says that there is only one rebirth. Baptism is part of Salvation, But we must understand why we are being baptize, I myself do not understand this, I was baptized in the red sea, yet I opted to be re-baptize for the reason that I now understand and realized the true meaning of baptism.

Baptism is not mere ritual that was commanded to us, its significance is more important and vital in our salvation than the ritual itself. Every person that is subject to baptism must understand fully well why he should undergo such ritual which was commanded of us by Jesus.

Baptism is among the clearest and most articulated doctrines in the New Testament. But when confronted with questions regarding baptism most of religious leaders either state or necessarily imply that baptism is of secondary importance. The popular doctrine is that since you are saved by faith only, baptism is of secondary importance. So we hear: "Go to the church of your choice and be baptized according to the way that they teach you."

The person who refuses to be baptized does so because he/she does not believe the clear commands of God.

The gospels alone demonstrate God's commands that believers be baptized. However, this command was not fully understood or implemented until after the Old Testament law was no longer in effect. This occurred when Jesus died on the cross and ushered in the plan of salvation under which we now live.

In your case, if yoiu really understand the meaning of baptism as pre-requesites in salvation you may chose not to be baptized again.

Answer 5

First of all let me say that I don't know how long You have been in the church, but it seems You need to study your bible because if your going by what friends say you have two strikes on you now, I would suggest a study of acts where the first converts were added to the Lords church. If this sounded blunt it wasn't meant to be. After you come in contact with the truth you must study or at least study with your preacher of elders that know then you can decided for yourself [e-mail]

Answer 6

Being born again happens when you repent and believe that God has forgiven you. Baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins is when you obey and fulfill the command to be baptized as Jesus was himself. You enter the water as a sinner and you rise up out of the water as a new creature in Christ. It's the beginning of your conversion that will continue until the day you die or Jesus returns.

Answer 7

by accepting Jesus as ur saviour u will be rebirth.
by baptizing u declare that
i born in an orthodox family and baptized when i was a baby, but when i met jesus and accepted him as my saviour and decided to follow Him in that time i just became a christian and i get baptized last year, it was wonderful when i declared infront of the church that i will follow jesus from all my heart. there is nothing similar to this.
so what ur first baptizing mean to u, was it a decision from u to be baptized? if u didn't chose to be baptized so its ur opportunity to do so
the bible says believe and baptize

Answer 8

we are constantly growing and evolving as spirtual beings. we are never "saved" at one precise moment. so, unless you were never baptized from ANY christian group, you don't need to get baptized again. you would probably go through something like a Confirmation of Church of Christ beliefs.

Answer 9

Yes, it is fine if you get baptized more than once in your life. In fact, several have done that four times.

They say that the angels in heaven rejoice when one how was lost comes back. If the lost soul has wavered many times, but came back once and for all, would they not be happy about it?

Answer 10

You only are called to be baptized once. I was perfectly happy with my first baptism but went through it a second time to assure my new pastor. and congregation. I did it only to shut them up about it.