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multiple baptisms - 10/25/2008 1:26:47 AM
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slimon11
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Hello, I hope you are all having a good evening.
During a small group bible study, I was surprised to hear how many ladies in my group had been baptised several times. Maybe once in a catholic church as a baby, then maybe again when they married in their husband's church and, then again at the church we are currently attending (a nondemon church).
Another lady stated that she was baptised a second time after a divorce. I understand wanting to make a new start with Christ, wanting to be clean of the past and the power of being the new creation He intented after a hard time...but, something about this didn't seem right.
Another said she really didn't "get it" when she was baptised the first time so she wanted to do it again.
I was in my teens when I was baptised. I believed but wasn't ready to walk in His ways. Now that I try to do His will, I feel alive and in tune with the spirit and no need to be baptised again....I am having a hard time understanding where my friends are coming from...
I just like to hear more thoughts on these ideas.
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RE: multiple baptisms - 10/25/2008 1:50:16 AM
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misty35
Posts: 614
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From: Arkansas
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quote:
ORIGINAL: slimon11
Hello, I hope you are all having a good evening.
During a small group bible study, I was surprised to hear how many ladies in my group had been baptised several times. Maybe once in a catholic church as a baby, then maybe again when they married in their husband's church and, then again at the church we are currently attending (a nondemon church).
Another lady stated that she was baptised a second time after a divorce. I understand wanting to make a new start with Christ, wanting to be clean of the past and the power of being the new creation He intented after a hard time...but, something about this didn't seem right.
Another said she really didn't "get it" when she was baptised the first time so she wanted to do it again.
I was in my teens when I was baptised. I believed but wasn't ready to walk in His ways. Now that I try to do His will, I feel alive and in tune with the spirit and no need to be baptised again....I am having a hard time understanding where my friends are coming from...
I just like to hear more thoughts on these ideas.
Hi,
I can understand completely where your question comes from, and Im only going to speak from my own experience, that I witnessed. My mother was saved many years ago, and was baptised then, but she fell away from Christ for many years. When she rededicated her life to Christ, it was like being saved all over again, and it was something that she wanted to acknowledge to the world, the washing away of her sins, a new life. It wasnt something that she had to do, and she was well aware of this, but she "wanted" to do this. So maybe thats what some have experienced also. Thats just my thought on it, I hope it helped some.
Misty
_____________________________
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 
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RE: multiple baptisms - 10/25/2008 1:58:40 AM
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Death_Venom
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Hello:
Let me just state for the record that "baptism" is outward expression of inward emotion. From what I understand Christ when discussing baptism used the imperative greek word (essentially commanding to be baptised) so that the world see our commitment to Christ.
I have only been baptised once-and at this point do not know if I will baptised again. Should I feel the desire then I would probaly be baptised a 2nd time.
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RE: multiple baptisms - 10/25/2008 2:03:54 AM
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bravjim
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Misty's reply was pretty good. I would just like to add that there is much controversy as to whether the sprinkling of water on a baby is an act of obedience on that particular persons part. There is nothing wrong with being sprinkled with a baby, but baptism is symbolic of a new life in Christ, through the death, burial, and resurrection. It is also symbolic of our immersion in the Holy Spirit, as well as a statement to a church of our salvation and rebirth into the family of God. Your friends may have been being baptised more than once because of one of these reasons as well. John the baptist also baptised people for the repentance of sin, which kind of fits Misty's description above. I firmly believe that once you are saved and baptised by immersion, that the act of obedience is complete as far as baptism goes. Someone who decides to change churches may also decide to be baptised into that congregation. Again, it's not necessary to satisfy God's requirement of baptism though.
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RE: multiple baptisms - 10/25/2008 4:46:13 AM
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Liveloved
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The Lord is the one who needs to lead us in this decision. I was baptized as an infant. However many years later, the Lord led me to be baptized as a believer. So I was.
I have known people who are led to receive baptism over and over and over again---being led by people rather than the Lord. So it's important that we listen for His voice, His will in the matter, and let the opinions of man be set aside.
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RE: multiple baptisms - 10/25/2008 11:15:12 AM
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RJR_fan
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quote:
Let me just state for the record that "baptism" is outward expression of inward emotion.
Not an externally valid sacrament? Not a formal placing of oneself or one's infant into God's keeping? Only a feeling? 
Our feelings trump God's kingdom. How American.
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RE: multiple baptisms - 10/25/2008 11:39:25 AM
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Ps103
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"One Lord, one faith one baptism..."
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RE: multiple baptisms - 10/25/2008 12:02:03 PM
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greatdivide46
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quote:
ORIGINAL: misty35
quote:
ORIGINAL: Ps103
"One Lord, one faith one baptism..."
Yes absolutely....one baptism in the Holy Spirit, but the Bible does not say, "You should only be baptised once," as referring to the question for this thread that is. If so, I would like to read the Scripture.
Technically the reception of the Holy Spirit or the powerful gifts of the Holy is not a baptism. It is receiving the Holy Spirit or receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but calling it a baptism is a figure of speech. Jesus uses another figure of speech, i.e., drinking of the Spirit, to refer to the same thing.
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The reflections of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD -- Proverbs 16:1
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RE: multiple baptisms - 10/25/2008 12:07:35 PM
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misty35
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quote:
ORIGINAL: greatdivide46
quote:
ORIGINAL: misty35
quote:
ORIGINAL: Ps103
"One Lord, one faith one baptism..."
Yes absolutely....one baptism in the Holy Spirit, but the Bible does not say, "You should only be baptised once," as referring to the question for this thread that is. If so, I would like to read the Scripture.
Technically the reception of the Holy Spirit or the powerful gifts of the Holy is not a baptism. It is receiving the Holy Spirit or receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but calling it a baptism is a figure of speech. Jesus uses another figure of speech, i.e., drinking of the Spirit, to refer to the same thing.
Good morning Greatdivide46
Arent we discussing this over in another thread? lol. No sarcasm intended there, Im being serious, I think this is close to what we are talking about.
Oh and btw, I agree with you on this.
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"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7
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RE: multiple baptisms - 10/25/2008 12:18:19 PM
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PastorPatricia
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Baptism is an outward expression of an inward grace, feelings really aren't valid, My take on being baptized more than once is that you are in fact saying that God didn't get it right the first time.
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But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. Is. 12:24
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RE: multiple baptisms - 10/25/2008 12:25:57 PM
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misty35
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quote:
ORIGINAL: PastorPatricia
Baptism is an outward expression of an inward grace, feelings really aren't valid, My take on being baptized more than once is that you are in fact saying that God didn't get it right the first time.
Really?? Thats interesting to know. So when my mother was saved years ago, and was baptised, but she fell away for a while, and when she rededicated her life to Christ, and got baptised again, (years later).....my mother was saying that, "God didnt get it right?" So your speaking for my mother? A woman that you dont know the first thing about. I find that to be very very interesting. But to correct you from my point of view, and from knowing my mother, she has never claimed nor will she ever claim, that God has ever gotten anything wrong, she is a Woman of God, who serves the Lord with all her heart and soul.
_____________________________
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7
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RE: multiple baptisms - 10/25/2008 12:55:53 PM
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rcjames
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Why in the world would one person want to be Baptized more that once???
I personally interpret Scripture to say that Baptism comes after salvation; so in my thinking baby baptism will not cut it.
If a person is Baptized after they think they are saved at some stage in their lives; then realize later that they were not saved; then re-baptism after true salvation is in order.
Thanks
RC
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RE: multiple baptisms - 10/25/2008 1:25:43 PM
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GraceBro
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"one Lord, one faith, one baptism.." Ephesians 4:5
There is only one baptism that matters. That is the baptism of the Holy Spirit into the family of God at the time of salvation. It is the life of God, lost in Adam, restored to every believer. Water baptism is just a symbolic representation of this one time act. It is not required once, much less multiple times. Water baptism was originally started by the Jews when a Gentile was converted to Judaism. It was carried over into the early church do the misunderstanding by the first Christians, most of whom were Jewish converts, who believed an individual first had to become a Jew before they could be saved. And the practice has stood the test of time since the first century. Most likely, the multiple baptisms you are explaining are individuals who, one, don't have a full understanding of what salvation is. And, two, they are just following the prescribed formula in which to gain membership into a particular denomination. There is nothing wrong with being water baptised. It can be a great experience for those involved. But regardless of how many times one is baptised, the water only represents the identification we have already received through faith in Christ.
Grace and Peace
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RE: multiple baptisms - 10/25/2008 1:27:19 PM
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misty35
Posts: 614
Joined: 9/22/2008
From: Arkansas
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quote:
ORIGINAL: GraceBro
"one Lord, one faith, one baptism.." Ephesians 4:5
There is only one baptism that matters. That is the baptism of the Holy Spirit into the family of God at the time of salvation. It is the life of God, lost in Adam, restored to every believer. Water baptism is just a symbolic representation of this one time act. It is not required once, much less multiple times. Water baptism was originally started by the Jews when a Gentile was converted to Judaism. It was carried over into the early church do the misunderstanding by the first Christians, most of whom were Jewish converts, who believed an individual first had to become a Jew before they could be saved. And the practice has stood the test of time since the first century. Most likely, the multiple baptisms you are explaining are individuals who, one, don't have a full understanding of what salvation is. And, two, they are just following the prescribed formula in which to gain membership into a particular denomination. There is nothing wrong with being water baptised. It can be a great experience for those involved. But regardless of how many times one is baptised, the water only represents the identification we have already received through faith in Christ.
Grace and Peace
AMEN!!
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"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7
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RE: multiple baptisms - 10/25/2008 1:43:19 PM
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deermousie
Posts: 1947
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I was baptized into a cult and into a different Jesus (not the real one -see Galatians about "different Jesus" and "different gospel" - there are counterfeits out there) when I was a kid. So when I got saved in my twenties, I was baptized into the real Jesus. I will not be baptized again. If I were trying to join a church that insisted I did, I would look for fellowship elsewhere. We are baptized into Christ's death, not church membership of some building.
Go to www.biblegateway.com and do a word search on baptism. There's a lot more to this than we're touching here. We are baptized into Christ's death and born again into His eternal life. If it's eternal, how would we need to get it again? It didn't end the first time. God warns us with stern words to not crucify Christ a second time.
Baptism is a spiritually efficacious act that God commands we do, and feelings aren't a part of it. There can be feelings, but they don't make anything happen but are a result of something important happening (and usually we don't get the whole picture. It doesn't matter - God said do it and we do it, and figure it out later or see the completed picture in heaven).
We do not contort our theology to prevent hurting the feelings of people who might or might not not be getting it right (we're all sinners, after all), but do it as best as we know how to obey God. If doing the right thing hurts people's feelings, then that's a sacrifice we make to surrender all to God. God must be first in our consideration.
If every person were offended by me, I pray God would give me grace to follow hard after Him anyway, regardless of consequences. May God bless us all. 
< Message edited by deermousie -- 10/25/2008 2:17:18 PM >
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RE: multiple baptisms - 10/25/2008 2:44:46 PM
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PastorPatricia
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Misty 35 I'm really sorry you were so offended - that was not my intention. I stand by my statement that we only need to be baptized once that multiple baptisms are unnecessary because God doesn't make mistakes and all is accomplished that needs to be at your first baptism
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But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. Is. 12:24
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RE: multiple baptisms - 10/25/2008 5:41:08 PM
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DaveW
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There are several baptisms listed in the NT: Christian water baptism, John's baptism, baptism in the Holy Spirit (and no, that was not just a figure of speech), baptism of fire, baptism of suffering.
They all have the mikvah of the Temple in Jerusalem as their ancestor. The priests were required to wash with water to perform their duties. Men and women had to wash with water after sexual activity before coming into the temple. Wives needed to wash with water after their monthly cycle before resuming marital relations with their husbands. These were all done in mikvah pools. The Temple Mount excavations have unearthed over 1500 of these pools. In saying someone had to be dipped/immersed after coming to faith, this process is the first thing that would come to mind for any observant Jew in the first century.
So - did it happen more than once? Of course. Women had to go to a mikvah pool every month. Priests had to dip at least once a day, perhaps several times a day.
The statement "One Lord One Faith One baptism, One God and father of all" was an overall statement to the entire body of New Covenant believers. It had nothing to do with how many times someone gets dipped. If you want to look at it that way, you could also say that if Joe got baptized there is the one baptism and Sam, Julie, Bob, Vladimir, Pam, and Raoul cannot be baptized because it violates a "one baptism" principle. The text says nothing about one "per person."
Historically it is a demarcation of separation. Everyone needs to be obedient in this command to be baptized. If you feel you need to have a break from your previous life, go ahead and get "rebaptized."
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RE: multiple baptisms - 10/25/2008 6:33:12 PM
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deermousie
Posts: 1947
Joined: 9/26/2007
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quote:
ORIGINAL: deermousie
Go to www.biblegateway.com and do a word search on baptism. There's a lot more to this than we're touching here. We are baptized into Christ's death and born again into His eternal life. If it's eternal, how would we need to get it again? It didn't end the first time. God warns us with stern words to not crucify Christ a second time.
OK, time for me to 'fess up - I got it wrong. I was working off Hebrews 6 where it says:
Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits.
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God and put Him to an open shame.
I didn't notice that it was talking about baptism, and then was talking about renewal of faith, not baptism. It changed the subject and I didn't follow it.
If a person falls away from faith, it says it is impossible to renew them to repentence. No mention of baptism. And apparently (unless the word renewal is a legal term and not an action word) if a person comes back to faith, this whole set of verses don't apply to them because it says "impossible." If you're in faith, then the impossible didn't happen to you. Unless it's a legal term and I'm not getting the grammar. Anyone know for sure?
Another part of the problem is that I was working off Heb. 6, which a lot of bibical scholars can't agreee on what it means. With what little training I've had, I'm over my head here. So I withdraw my comment and ask your forgiveness.
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RE: multiple baptisms - 10/25/2008 6:59:02 PM
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Liveloved
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Once again I will say this must be the Lord's leading. . . not man's suggestion. . . not feeling like it needs to be done a certain way, etc. So I really do question whether we hear from the Lord? or do we let our feelings lead us and confuse that with the Lord's leading? or do we just justify whatever we want and say it was the Lord?
I'm not pointing these questions at any one person but just the topic and discussion in general. It seems that humans are really good at defending whatever they do.
I was first baptized as an infant. It was my parent's desire to commit me to the Lord and ask for His grace to be upon my life. The Lord honored their desire. I am His.
He led me to be baptized again forty four years later. It was not something I thought about or really prayed about. It was truly His doing. And I did it. I was baptized in a river with my husband and son.
It was His doing. And He does not make mistakes.
Why? I don't know. I trust the Lord with this. He honored my first baptism. And He honored the second baptism. I will do as He leads and leave my feelings out of it.
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RE: multiple baptisms - 10/25/2008 8:08:05 PM
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misty35
Posts: 614
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From: Arkansas
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quote:
ORIGINAL: deermousie
quote:
ORIGINAL: deermousie
Go to www.biblegateway.com and do a word search on baptism. There's a lot more to this than we're touching here. We are baptized into Christ's death and born again into His eternal life. If it's eternal, how would we need to get it again? It didn't end the first time. God warns us with stern words to not crucify Christ a second time.
OK, time for me to 'fess up - I got it wrong. I was working off Hebrews 6 where it says:
Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits.
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God and put Him to an open shame.
I didn't notice that it was talking about baptism, and then was talking about renewal of faith, not baptism. It changed the subject and I didn't follow it.
If a person falls away from faith, it says it is impossible to renew them to repentence. No mention of baptism. And apparently (unless the word renewal is a legal term and not an action word) if a person comes back to faith, this whole set of verses don't apply to them because it says "impossible." If you're in faith, then the impossible didn't happen to you. Unless it's a legal term and I'm not getting the grammar. Anyone know for sure?
Another part of the problem is that I was working off Heb. 6, which a lot of bibical scholars can't agreee on what it means. With what little training I've had, I'm over my head here. So I withdraw my comment and ask your forgiveness.
Deermousie,
I just read Hebrew 6:6
And what it means is: This verse points to the danger of the Hebrew Christians returning to Judaism and thus committing apostasy. Some apply this verse today superficial believers who renounce their Christianity, or to unbelievers who come close to salvation and then turn away. Either way, those who reject Christ will not be saved. Christ dies once for all. He will not be crucified again. Apart from His Cross, there is no other possible way to salvation. The author is warning against hardness of heart that would make repentance inconceivable for the sinner.
< Message edited by misty35 -- 10/25/2008 8:16:02 PM >
_____________________________
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7
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