Okay here's the situation I was baptized in the church as a baby in the Catholic church anyway my second baptism was around ten years ago when I was 18 or 19 years old in a Protestant church but my heart wasn't truly into it. Does the baptism still count or could I do it again if I chose to do so? Also how many times can a person be baptized?
2007-06-25 08:21:29 · 41 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
One more interting tidbit which could help also is that i'm not a Chroistian anymore and I haven't been for quite awhile. I'm an Agnostic Theist and Freethinker.
2007-06-25 08:27:20 · update #1
A baby has no cognitive feelings or thoughts about being baptised. A teenager does...faking it makes it no less a baptism and doing it over with the right mind is not called for. You can honestly say you have been baptised and the feelings catching up to you is a bonus not a reason for a do over.
I personally believe the one that counts is the first one.
2007-06-25 08:31:37 · answer #1 · answered by Madam Naka 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you are not a believer in Jesus, all you will be doing is getting wet. Baptism is meaningless without faith.
For those who are believers, let's divide this into two categories.
First, in the instance of someone who was baptized before he/she became a Christian. Common examples of this are those who were baptized as infants, or those who were baptized later in life, but did not truly know Jesus as Savior when they were baptized. In these instances, yes, such a person definitely needs to be rebaptized. Again, the Bible states that baptism is post-salvation. The symbolism of baptism is lost if a person has not truly experienced salvation by faith in Jesus Christ.
Second, in the instance of those who were baptized after faith in Christ, but in a method other than immersion. This issue is a little more difficult. It would seem to come down to the fact that such a person did not truly receive baptism. If the method was sprinkling or pouring - it does not fit the definition of baptism. Again, the word baptize means "to submerge in water." However, the Bible nowhere specifically addresses those who have been baptized unbiblically. This issue, then, is a matter of a believer's personal relationship with God. A believer who has been baptized unbiblical should ask the Lord for wisdom (James 1:5). If the believer's conscience is unsure, it would be best to go ahead and be rebaptized, Biblically, to put the conscience at ease (Romans 14:23).
2007-06-25 08:28:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Repent and be baptized is the order that we should live by. If it meant nothing, why did you do it? Make sure you count the cost before you go though another baptism. A good bible study would help. Why be baptized until you know what it means? Blessings to you and hopefully you will come to understand why you need to study the Word.
2007-06-25 08:30:03 · answer #3 · answered by One Wing Eagle Woman 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your heart isn't into Baptism, the you're just getting wet. If your heart is into it, then you only need to be baptized once. *Though some churches make it a requirement to join* My faith behooves me to ask if you know that baptism isn't the same thing as being saved? Baptism is an act of obedience, a physical act that shows that you have died to your old ways and been born again into a new spiritual life. Being saved is only done through repenting of your old life, telling Jesus that you accept Him as your personal Savior, and allowing Him to have control over your life.
If your heart wasn't into baptism, the God knows that. He sees into our hearts just as easily as sighted people can look out of a window.
As for how many time you can get baptized, well I don't believe there is a limit. It doesn't say anywhere in the Bible that you can't get wet.
2007-06-25 08:28:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Faith is not feelings.Feelings come and feelings go. I believe that there is only one baptism and that I got it when I was baptized as an infant.
Are you commited to Christ and His Creed? Are you staying away from mortal sin? If Yes,then don't worry,
Religious experiences should not be collected like stamps. The reality of Baptism is to be lived daily. Have you looked into the Catholic Church as an adult?
2007-06-25 08:28:11 · answer #5 · answered by James O 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Baptism should be something you do as the Lord commanded. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, and admitted and asked Him to forgive your sins, then you are a Christian. You ought to desire to follow the commands of your Lord. Perhaps the first thing Christrians do is to show others how you died to yourself and born again in Christ. This is accomplished through the symbolic act of baptism.
Therefore, an infant does not have the wherewithal to make a decision for Christ. Once you have the ability and choose to accept Christ, then you can agree to a baptism.
You need to ask yourself, were you a Christian when had your second baptism? If so, you fulfilled the command, regardless of how you felt. If not, then it did not count.
Be careful, living a Christian life is not about feelings or how it felt. Rather, being a Christian is all about faith and obedience. Through obedience we demonstrate our love for the Lord and carry out the good deeds He enables us to do. In this he gives us peace and hope, regardless of our circumstances.
2007-06-25 08:33:40 · answer #6 · answered by BowtiePasta 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is only one baptism as there is only one Jesus. The original baptism done by the Catholic Church was valid and there was no need to be re baptized. Yes, Baptism is still baptism even if you did not realize it. This is what the Sacrament of Confirmation is for is to solidify that baptism and acquire more graces.
2007-06-25 08:33:01 · answer #7 · answered by Midge 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
a person is only truly 'baptized' if they are born again and repented of their own selfish ways and sins.... if you were a 'baby' your parents chose your 'faith' and baptized you... you didnt have a choice, therefore it doesnt 'count' for anything if you don't accept it as your baptism.
if you were baptized again at age 18-19... but your heart wasnt 'in it' .. i guess maybe you don't understand what baptism truly is... it is an outward expression of an inward change.
if you are no longer a Christian... then why would it matter either way... as baptism is a Christian action....
2007-06-25 08:32:15 · answer #8 · answered by livinintheword † 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since you were baptized as a baby you were received into God's family, freed from original sin.. You didn't need to get baptized a second time. You did but it meant nothing. However, you're lifestyle should reflect the lifestyle of Christ Himself. You may have drifted away for a season but perhaps God is calling you back into the fold!
2007-06-25 08:31:08 · answer #9 · answered by stpolycarp77 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By The teaching of The True Christian Faith you have not met the requirment of True Baptism.... once, as a truly repentant sinner, is all it takes.... by your own words, this you have not done.
I was baptised at the age of 12... but I did not "mean it" and did it only to keep my grandparents happy... I was Baptised for real at the age of 53... and about a year latter I did the Baptisim by water as a demonstration of my Faith... When one is Truely Baptised there will be no question about whether or not it is for real.... and it need not be in public...it can be in a private place just between God and the individual... as was my "Real" Baptisim
2007-06-25 08:31:41 · answer #10 · answered by idahomike2 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋