Baptism: Here to there

[ComesoonmyLORD]

Here's a good question that I was recently asked. If I'm a member of a First Baptist Church, in which I was baptized, and decide to attend and become a member of the church of Christ, do I have to be baptized again?

I wasn't real sure how to answer.

[JDIBe]

That's a difficult question. The best I can do for you is to point you here...

I Peter 3:20-21

20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

Apparently, what saves you is not the water itself, (there is nothing magical in the water), but the believer's heart and mind during the process.

I would contend:
1. It doesn't matter where you were baptised.
2. It doesn't matter who baptised you.
3. It doesn't matter what the person baptizing you thought it was for.

What does matter infinitely however, is what YOU thought it was for, and I would contend that was to access the Blood of Jesus for remission of sins.

So, if your friend was baptised for membership purposes or as an outward symbol, I would recommend a study of Scriptures dealing with baptism and decide from there.
(BTW, I don't believe in "re-baptism". Either you are or you're not. Everything else is just getting wet.)

But there are others here with a different view of baptism and I'm sure they will chime in shortly.

Good luck.

[WesWoodell]

I wouldn't make an issue of it personally. If you were baptized as an infant I'd try to discuss it with you, but not if you were baptized as a believer.

[Frame1520]

I wouldn't make an issue of it personally. If you were baptized as an infant I'd try to discuss it with you, but not if you were baptized as a believer.
^
I concur with Wes.

[HeyHomie]

^
I concur with Wes.

I concur with Frame1520

Let me also add that I don't know what method they use in Baptist churches, but if you weren't immersed (fully dunked under the water) then another baptism is in order.

[Frame1520]

I concur with Frame1520

Let me also add that I don't know what method they use in Baptist churches, but if you weren't immersed (fully dunked under the water) then another baptism is in order.
I concur with HeyHomie...lol. You guys make it easy, I don't even have to expound anymore, just concur! :D

[- DRA -]

That's a difficult question. The best I can do for you is to point you here...

I Peter 3:20-21

20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

Apparently, what saves you is not the water itself, (there is nothing magical in the water), but the believer's heart and mind during the process.

I would contend:
1. It doesn't matter where you were baptised.
2. It doesn't matter who baptised you.
3. It doesn't matter what the person baptizing you thought it was for.

What does matter infinitely however, is what YOU thought it was for, and I would contend that was to access the Blood of Jesus for remission of sins.

So, if your friend was baptised for membership purposes or as an outward symbol, I would recommend a study of Scriptures dealing with baptism and decide from there.
(BTW, I don't believe in "re-baptism". Either you are or you're not. Everything else is just getting wet.)

But there are others here with a different view of baptism and I'm sure they will chime in shortly.

Good luck.

:amen:

Good points. Without faith, all one gets is wet.

Colossians 2:12-13 says, "Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses (ESV).

[Mary of Bethany]

I've never known any Baptist church that didn't baptize by immersion (once), in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Unless that's changed since the early '90s, that was always a hallmark of Baptist belief - that baptism was for believers, and by immersion only.

Mary

[cremi]

Here's a good question that I was recently asked. If I'm a member of a First Baptist Church, in which I was baptized, and decide to attend and become a member of the church of Christ, do I have to be baptized again?

I wasn't real sure how to answer.I was actually in this exact situation and was told that my baptism in the Baptist church didn't count, because it wasn't done "for remission of sins", even though I was fully immersed. So I was baptized again...however...

Looking back now, I do not believe it was necessary. I was really trying to please man, more than listen to the Spirit's leading on the issue. My spiritual growth had been going on long before I ever went to a church of Christ and long before I was baptized in a church of Christ "for remission of sins". Unfortunately, many members at the local coC that I attended, had scared me and convinced me that I was on my way to hell unless I was baptized again...oh...and I couldn't officially become a member there unless I was baptized again. I was very young and really just wanted to do what was right.

[ComesoonmyLORD]

Thanks guys. This particular person is a close friend whom I've been studying with for a good while. He attends and has attended a Baptist church his whole life. In studying with him over a period of almost a year, we've discussed so many issues. The issues of faith only, the Lord's Supper, etc. He has visited my church a few times and in the last few weeks has really gotten interested in the differences in our two churches. I know that he was baptized when he was 11 years old and that he was fully immersed, that he knew what he was doing (at least as much as an 11 year old knows) he says he knew he was lost and that he needed a savior and that Jesus Christ is that savior and the son of God, he says he was baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. I think he is questioning some things in his church such as the Lord's Supper and is feeling that partaking of it on the first day of the week is biblical, which it is. I wonder though if my church will take the stance of "you must be re-baptized". I'm afraid that will scare him away.

[WesWoodell]

I hope they'll leave him alone.

[constance]

I agree with Wes, Frame, and HeyHomie (hey, this is like a reunion!)

[Frame1520]

I agree with Wes, Frame, and HeyHomie (hey, this is like a reunion!)
All in the family! (of God) lol!