Do I Need To Be Baptized Again
As an infant I was baptized by water. However, I really did not come to know Christ until about 8 years ago. I am wondering what the biblical perspective is on infant baptism and re-baptism when you become a believer.
Q. As an infant I was baptized by water. However, I really did not come to know Christ until about 8 years ago. And since then, I have strived to serve Him well in all that I do. I am on fire for God’s purposes and I pray daily to be used more effectively to expand His kingdom.
I know many of the clergy in town and there are all kinds of views about water baptism and what it means and how often it should be done. I have come to a personal understanding that water baptism (even infant baptism) is a public display that shows that you are accepted the Church. I guess it seems to me that it is a promise by Jesus that you will find Him through the Church if you seek Him.
That being said, I am wondering what the biblical perspective is on infant baptism and re-baptism when you become a believer. I hesitate to be re-baptized because I don’t know if there is a biblical mandate or inference to do so. If infant water baptism is a promise from God to have the Church accept us if we seek His face, then His one and first promise is more than good enough for me. Is there really any biblical reason to be re-baptized even if I feel the Holy Spirit burning brightly in my life?
A. The sprinkling you received as a child was not really a baptism. It was more like a christening or dedication. You didn’t make an informed decision to accept the Lord into your life. And it’s not the church accepting us, it’s us accepting the Lord and His death in our place that matters. Some believe that adult baptism is required for salvation and others don’t. The best advice I can give you is that if you feel the Holy Spirit prompting you to be baptized, then do it.
I was sprinkled as an infant and baptized by immersion when I was born again at age 40, even though I don’t believe baptism is required for salvation. I was excited about my new faith and wanted the world to know it.
