Why re-baptize?

[holyrokker]

My wife and I have been attending a Baptist church for over a year and really love it.
We'd like to become official members, but they require a person to have been baptized with a "believer's" baptism (specifically - dunked)
We both grew up Lutheran and were both baptized as infants, so we don't meet the criteria for membership.
We could just lie, and say that we were "dunked" and make up dates. Nobody would know any different, and we could become members.
Anybody else ever been in a similar experience?

[Sweet Pea]

#1 Lieing is a sin. The church people might not know it is a lie but you and God would and you will ultimately answer to him for it.

#2 Baptism is to show what happened inside to a person when they personally accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. The Bible is clear that a person must understand to acknowledge when they become Christians. Babies can't confess Jesus with their mouths and believe in their hearts because they can't mentally understand it.
Romans 10:9-13
Baptists believes that when a person gets *baptized* as a baby or before they ernestly confess their sins and repent of their sins they were *dunked* not baptized.
If you truly want to follow Christ example you will be baptized. Jesus was fully immersed when he was baptized not sprinkled.

[mesue]

I was baptised as an infant.

When I was saved, I learned what the Bible has to say about baptism.
Baptism for a saved adult is the outward testimony of an inward change.
I have to go to church, and I can explain more afterwards of where in the Bible it teaches about baptism, if you'd like.

[carmi]

I was Lutheran. Twenty years ago I went to a Baptist church got saved. Two weeks later I got baptized but not in order to become a member of that church. I got baptized because I wanted to.

I later went to a different country, found a Baptist church and later became a member. That church had baptism (or as you call it "dunking") as a requirement. They did not ask me to be baptized again but the pastor did ask in which church I was baptized. I told them and they believed me. But I do know that some churches ask for a letter from the church where you got baptized as a verification.

In other words, if you to go ahead with lying to them about a baptism ("dunking") you never had, it could be that you get caught in that lie - because you could not tell them in which church you received that baptism.
From "my" church (the one where I did applied for membership) I know people who would go there regularly for over a year and never asked for membership. I never saw them treated differently. The only difference is that non members can't vote on certain issues.

I also remember regulars who never did get baptized. I don't remember them being treated differently other than that they could not become members of that church.

[mesue]

It is not a requirement to be baptised in our church. To be a member, you have to be saved. To serve in the church, you have to be baptised. This is the first thing Jesus did before He started His ministry.

[arunma]

My wife and I have been attending a Baptist church for over a year and really love it.
We'd like to become official members, but they require a person to have been baptized with a "believer's" baptism (specifically - dunked)
We both grew up Lutheran and were both baptized as infants, so we don't meet the criteria for membership.
We could just lie, and say that we were "dunked" and make up dates. Nobody would know any different, and we could become members.
Anybody else ever been in a similar experience?

Actually, my church has been considering an amendment to our policy which would allow believing Christians to become church members without being baptized. This is predicated on the understanding that they won't try to force infant baptism doctrine on the church, and that they can Biblically defend their position to the elders. Personally I see no reason why anyone should be excluded from fellowship because of his views on a non-essential doctrine. But I still think that baptism is for those who believe in Christ.

[CJD]

Why re-baptize?

My wife and I have been attending a Baptist church for over a year and really love it.
We'd like to become official members, but they require a person to have been baptized with a "believer's" baptism (specifically - dunked)
We both grew up Lutheran and were both baptized as infants, so we don't meet the criteria for membership.
We could just lie, and say that we were "dunked" and make up dates. Nobody would know any different, and we could become members.
Anybody else ever been in a similar experience?
I was raised Baptist. I now attend a non-denom church, but the beliefs of our church are beliefs that I happen to agree with (well...there is one that I don't completely agree with). The Baptists have what is called the "Believer's Baptism" that to be baptisted you have to have Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. Believers baptism is very symbolic. When going under the water you are dieing to your old self and with Christ, while under water you are buried with Christ, and when you come up again it stands for the ressurection of Christ and becomeing a new creation. Dying to the old self and becoming a new creation in Christ. It means much more than "being dunked". It's a public testimony saying that you chose to live for Christ.

You become a member of the Baptist church when you go through the believer's baptisim. It's different than infant baptism. As an infant, you cannot choice to follow Christ and the parents make that desicion of baptism for you. There are no Bible verses that back up infant baptism, however, the believer's baptism is biblical.

[mesue]

... Personally I see no reason why anyone should be excluded from fellowship because of his views on a non-essential doctrine. But I still think that baptism is for those who believe in Christ.
Baptism a non-essemtial doctrine? :scratch:

[arunma]

From "my" church (the one where I did applied for membership) I know people who would go there regularly for over a year and never asked for membership. I never saw them treated differently. The only difference is that non members can't vote on certain issues.

Same here. Technically I'm not a member of my church (though I will become one if I end up going to grad school in Minneapolis next year). The only difference is that I can't vote on any issues that are raised. Other than that, those of us who aren't members can participate in all church activities. As far as I know, most Baptist churches take a similar approach to membership.

[MrJim]

Actually, my church has been considering an amendment to our policy which would allow believing Christians to become church members without being baptized. This is predicated on the understanding that they won't try to force infant baptism doctrine on the church, and that they can Biblically defend their position to the elders. Personally I see no reason why anyone should be excluded from fellowship because of his views on a non-essential doctrine. But I still think that baptism is for those who believe in Christ.

This very thing is being talked about in some of the more liberal mennonite churches. One teacher fighting hard against it says that at some point those that are accepted into membership with their infant baptism are going to say that since their baptism was accepted then they want their children to have the same. And I can hear old Myron saying "And don't be so naive to think it can't happen."

Baptism was so serious that anabaptists were killed because they refused to baptize their children and be rebaptized (rebaptised is what anabaptist means). And now it's an "unessential" doctrine? :doh: Gotta love Sola Scriptura and private interpretation!!!

[Flynmonkie]

My wife and I have been attending a Baptist church for over a year and really love it.
We'd like to become official members, but they require a person to have been baptized with a "believer's" baptism (specifically - dunked)
We both grew up Lutheran and were both baptized as infants, so we don't meet the criteria for membership.
We could just lie, and say that we were "dunked" and make up dates. Nobody would know any different, and we could become members.
Anybody else ever been in a similar experience?

:wave:
I am really surprised they are doing this. My church also requires baptism for membership. I was by choice baptized at the age of 8-9 years old. I did not have to do anything but make a statement. But I did not realize if you affirm baptism by another denomination they don’t consider it. I just found out that my church also does this. To which I do not really agree. Their attitude is why wouldn’t you want to be if you know it makes other members feel more secure in your commitment? Yikes.. this bugs me. Why should the other members be so concerned about something that I believe is an act that makes no difference to God when it comes to ones heart condition.

If you really like this church, I would go ahead and "rebaptise". To me even though I am a Baptist. I believe it has more to do with "showing yourself honest amongst men" than having anything to do with true salvation. IE, just because you never were baptized does not mean you are not saved. But I do believe it pleases God that we do this amongst each other for fellowship. I love watching others publicly profess in this manner – but any other manner brings me to tears too! I will leave my humble opinion at that. ;) But I wouldn't lie about it - then why bother joining if you don't plan to involve yourself in the church? You know? Just my thoughts.. :)

[arunma]

Flynmonkie, I'm fairly certain that most Baptist churches will recognize any believer's baptism from another church. Right?

[mesue]

...Baptism was so serious that anabaptists were killed because they refused to baptize their children and be rebaptized (rebaptised is what anabaptist means). And now it's an "unessential" doctrine? :doh: Gotta love Sola Scriptura and private interpretation!!!
But, does infant baptism count? I mean, if baptism is a public testimony that you are going to serve Jesus, how can an infant make such a statement?

[Flynmonkie]

Flynmonkie, I'm fairly certain that most Baptist churches will recognize any believer's baptism from another church. Right?
Yes a believer’s baptism I guess by their definition from a SBC church. No not my church I guess. I am not really sure I can just draw from experience when I met with them regarding my membership. I remember that the Church I was baptized in was not a SBC church, but a Christian church the person working with me when signing papers for membership made a special point that where I grew up early years and then in my teens were "good" churches, but where I was Baptized even though the name of the church included Christian (it is where I attended school) they are “not so sure” about. (I am not so sure about that place either but a Baptism is a Baptism it was done for the same reasons the Baptist Church does it?) He asked if they were Christian. He did make a special point that they would accept a statement, but seemed pretty firm on the thought that if it was not done as an adult it should be done again. They are requiring my husband to be baptized at this church before membership is allowed. Even though the church he attended was Christian. (Non-denominational) I think because I can remember distinctly why and how etc they accepted it. But I just look at it if they required me to “do it over” how much choice would I have. I think it is a lot of hoopla for nothing. I think it could harm the gospel more than help. This is something that someone should want to do, not be a requirement to fellowship (membership and inclusion). But I know others have all sorts of ideas about it. It seems to be a loosing battle so I don’t fight it.

[lucypevensie]

In our baptist church you would have to be "re"baptised, but only if you were not initially baptised by immersion (you were sprinkled). We get lots of new members who've been already immersed as believers, whether in another denomination or another church or down by the riverside or whatever. They don't have to be immersed again in our church. But infant sprinkling baptism doesn't really signify the same thing as believers immersion baptism. That's why they'd have to be immersed.

[RED that's ME]

Flynmonkie, I'm fairly certain that most Baptist churches will recognize any believer's baptism from another church. Right?
I'm not Flynmonkie but I don't know of ANY Baptist churches that will accept a baptism that it outside of what the Bible teaches. Baptism is the first step AFTER becoming a christian. Like it was already said here, a person must acknowledge they are a sinner and repent of their sins. Baptism is the first act of obedience to what God ask. It shows that we have died with Christ, buried and resurrected to a new life. A baby doesn't understand the concepts of being a christian or baptism. Any other type baptism is just getting "wet" by what mainstream Baptists believes the Bible teaches. My grandfather is a retired Baptist minister and I've been in a lot of Baptist churches. :angel:

[arunma]

I'm not Flynmonkie but I don't know of ANY Baptist churches that will accept a baptism that it outside of what the Bible teaches. Baptism is the first step AFTER becoming a christian. Like it was already said here, a person must acknowledge they are a sinner and repent of their sins. Baptism is the first act of obedience to what God ask. It shows that we have died with Christ, buried and resurrected to a new life. A baby doesn't understand the concepts of being a christian or baptism. Any other type baptism is just getting "wet" by what mainstream Baptists believes the Bible teaches. My grandfather is a retired Baptist minister and I've been in a lot of Baptist churches. :angel:

I think you may have misunderstood me. Here's what I meant to say. If someone is adult baptized in a Baptist church, and then moves to a new church, will that church make him be rebaptized? I would think not, but I just wanted to know if any churches do this.

[Flynmonkie]

I'm not Flynmonkie but I don't know of ANY Baptist churches that will accept a baptism that it outside of what the Bible teaches.:angel:
Yes, that is what I am saying ;) I thought? My church was even suspect of my Baptism (total immersion) because the church was not Baptist (A Christian church that was quite a bit stricter than the Baptists). But I explained the act and why I did it.. They took a written statement because they did not contact this church for records (they should have those?) Or my word for it, as proof for membership qualifications.

Ok I am confused.... what did I say wrong?

[arunma]

Ok I am confused.... what did I say wrong?

Everything! :P

But seriously, I think the issue is that I phrased my own question rather poorly.

[Flynmonkie]

:scratch: Totally lost me on this conversation;
Arunma says: “All Baptist churches will accept believers baptism”
Monkie says: “Not mine - scrutinized everything about my total immersion baptism because it was not at a Baptist church”
Red says : “I am not Flynmonkie and they don't accept all.”
What does this have to do with what I posted- that is where I am missing the point..not sure how to respond or if I am to respond

Oh well, I have no problems being wrong - but sure is a hard thing to prove now isn't it~! :P

Just someone fill me in on what’s going on later---I think I am overworked. :sigh:

[arunma]

By "believer's baptism," I was referring to adult baptism.

[Flynmonkie]

But I see children up there all the time.. Young children.. What is the earliest age Baptists feel one can be baptized? I always thought it was an age of understanding somewhat the act itself meant?

[Schroeder]

My wife and I have been attending a Baptist church for over a year and really love it.
We'd like to become official members, but they require a person to have been baptized with a "believer's" baptism (specifically - dunked)
We both grew up Lutheran and were both baptized as infants, so we don't meet the criteria for membership.
We could just lie, and say that we were "dunked" and make up dates. Nobody would know any different, and we could become members.
Anybody else ever been in a similar experience? why dont you just do as they ask for membership to their church. The church of God didnt reguire such a thing but oh well all there own. Doing it wont change anything and if you like the church why not just do it.

[MrJim]

But, does infant baptism count? I mean, if baptism is a public testimony that you are going to serve Jesus, how can an infant make such a statement?

Of course it didn't count with the anabaptists-that's why they rebaptized.

[RED that's ME]

I think you may have misunderstood me. Here's what I meant to say. If someone is adult baptized in a Baptist church, and then moves to a new church, will that church make him be rebaptized? I would think not, but I just wanted to know if any churches do this.

If a person was baptized Biblically, there's no reason why they should be required to do it again. The reason why many churches want to make sure new members have been baptized is that, if they are will/have followed Jesus in the first commmandment to be baptized they should have no problem continuing. When we follow Christ commandments, we will be blessed.

Red says : “I am not Flynmonkie and they don't accept all.”
What does this have to do with what I posted- that is where I am missing the point..not sure how to respond or if I am to respond

Oh well, I have no problems being wrong - but sure is a hard thing to prove now isn't it~! :P

Just someone fill me in on what’s going on later---I think I am overworked. :sigh:

I didn't mean to confuse anyone. :blush:

/me gives Flynmonkie cheesecake. :pink:

http://www.smilieland.com/graphics2/desser036.gif

[mesue]

Of course it didn't count with the anabaptists-that's why they rebaptized.
:scratch: What's the first baptism for?

[Flynmonkie]

I didn't mean to confuse anyone. :blush:

* RED that's ME gives Flynmonkie cheesecake. :pink:

http://www.smilieland.com/graphics2/desser036.gif
I am easily confused! But I think I need the coffee more! Thanks!

[MrJim]

:scratch: What's the first baptism for?

First baptism is the "invalid" infant baptism

The second would be the rebaptism

[mesue]

First baptism is the "invalid" infant baptism

The second would be the rebaptism
I was baptized RC and knew that was invalid.
:scratch: Now I'm confused. Anabaptists knowingly perform an "invalid" baptism on infants? And this is scriptural ... how?

[2LivIsChrist]

Its like that at my church to, but i see no problem with it. Baptism is making a testimony of dying in christ, and rising again with Christ. Becoming a member is a big decision. Maybe you should pray about it, and see if you should get baptised. If you do get baptised you want to mean it, and not just do it to do it.

[Hisbygrace]

I was baptised as an infant.

When I was saved, I learned what the Bible has to say about baptism.
Baptism for a saved adult is the outward testimony of an inward change.
I have to go to church, and I can explain more afterwards of where in the Bible it teaches about baptism, if you'd like.

I agree. An infant cannot reckonize sin and so cannot repent. But as an adult you reconize that you are a sinner and that you need to repent. Baptism is a symbol of your death to sin and ressurection to new life. Do not lie. It would be much easier to have an adult baptism. :hug:

[MrJim]

I was baptized RC and knew that was invalid.
:scratch: Now I'm confused. Anabaptists knowingly perform an "invalid" baptism on infants? And this is scriptural ... how?

:doh: :doh:

No you're not getting it.

They were called anabaptists because they took catholic-baptized people and rebaptized upon confession of faith.

Anabaptist don't baptize people 2 times. But if you come from a denom that baptized infants they would require a believer's baptism.

You're just messin' with my head, ain'tcha;)

[mesue]

:doh: :doh:

No you're not getting it.

They were called anabaptists because they took catholic-baptized people and rebaptized upon confession of faith.

Anabaptist don't baptize people 2 times. But if you come from a denom that baptized infants they would require a believer's baptism.

You're just messin' with my head, ain'tcha;)
Oh, then ... I guess I'm an Anabaptist. I was Catholic and baptized as an infant. I chose to be Biblically baptized after I was saved. It was not a requirement to join my church. It was, however, a condition to serve in the church. This was something I found out after I was baptized. But this seems only right. It was the first thing Jesus did before He started His ministry.
I wasn't trying to mess with your head, I'm just stupid when it comes to things like different religions, except Roman Catholicism because that's how I was raised.

[JPPT1974]

I was baptized SBC.
And that I feel as though after you go under the water and rise above the water, your sins are washed away.
And that you are beginning your walk with the Lord.