If Someone Feels the Need to Be Baptized Again Does That Mean the First One Didnt Count
Baptism, often called "the showtime step of obedience" in following Jesus, is ane of the oldest elements of the Christian faith, and represents your personal declaration of faith in Jesus Christ.
Lots of people feel as though they want torunto their baptism because they're so excited to declare their organized religion to the globe. This may or may not be you, simply as a new laic, y'all can rely on your gut to tell yous when you're set—even if y'all don't experience like you have information technology all figured out but however. God calls us to exist baptized and the Holy Spirit leads u.s. to the h2o.
It's All About Identity
Identity. How exercise nosotros define it? How practise we identify ourselves? Be it by our ethnicity, our heritage, our sexuality, or even by our interests, our identity is really important to usa. Christians have ever understood that there is something greater that impacts all these things we use to identify ourselves. The Christian identity is formed primarily in and through Jesus Christ.
The Campaigner Paul, one of the primeval Christian teachers writes:
Paul understood that his identity changed the moment he believed in Jesus. Paul had been a devout Jewish homo, merely Jesus changed his identity in a profound way. Everything nigh him changed, and he wanted to let others know that.
Today nosotros might utilise Instagram to let the earth know who we are, to declare our identity. In Jesus and Paul'due south time however, they had baptism. It was a mutual practice in the ancient world, a manner to publicly say, in effect, "This is who I am; I am ane of these." In fact, baptism is so important, even Jesus Himself—who was without sin—was baptized. He did this to identify with sinners and "carry out all that God requires" (Matthew three:15).
Here'south what the Christian Basics Bible has to say almost why baptism is so of import:
"From the beginning of the church's beingness, baptism was the way someone expressed their newfound faith in Jesus. Although adopted from Judaism, it was given new significance, no longer simply symbolizing cleansing but also speaking of the person's identification with Jesus' death and resurrection. Jesus allowable his disciples to cognominate all who believed in him. Baptism serves as a sign of repentance, faith, and the desire to offset life again."
And so baptism was a common exercise for declaring identity in the ancient world, and Jesus commanded information technology (y'all tin find that in Matthew 28:19-xx); but it tin seem weird to us today. Perhaps you had never heard of baptism before you came to faith in Christ, or perhaps yous were baptized as a baby and yous wonder if that still "counts." These are all perfectly normal feelings and questions, then it's a good affair we aren't in this on our ain.
Baptism and the Church
When y'all became a laic in Jesus you probably didn't do then on your ain. Someone—a friend, family member, mentor—helped you along. Chances are there is a church that helped also, and that's where you should start your baptism journey. Baptism identifies u.s.a. with Christ, just it also identifies us with His people—His church.
Different denominations and churches handle baptism in diverse ways, but no affair where you lot go to church, baptism is important. Being a Christian is not something we can, or should, do on our own. We are members of the body of Christ together (in other words, nosotros are the church working together for the Lord), and your baptism signifies that bond you at present take with your fellow church building members.
Many churches take special classes to help you prepare for your baptism, clear up any questions you have, and set the time and date. Talk to the pastor or leaders of your church most how they view baptism and what your next steps should be. So go become baptized!
What is a baptism? What will happen to me?
During your baptism, something similar to this will happen (carry in heed that the format may change depending on your church or denomination):
- Yous will exist asked by your pastor to give a announcement of faith. Oftentimes this includes a series of questions and answers that have been discussed beforehand. Sometimes yous're asked to privately confess your sins before God or to give a testimony (tell how you came to know Jesus).
- The pastor gives a short proclamation, oft with words such as, "I at present baptize y'all in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." You will be gently submerged under water and brought up over again immediately or perhaps sprinkled with water.
But What About . . . ?
You probably still have a ton of questions. Maybe you aren't entirely convinced near your ain baptism yet or feel like you don't sympathize information technology all. Perhaps you wonder about babies or people on their deathbed who come to faith only can't be baptized. Whatever questions you have, just remember that baptism is nigh what God has done for us through Jesus, and nosotros know that nosotros can trust Him. And so, go talk to your pastor; ask your questions.And so. Get. Baptized. You lot won't regret it.
When you do decide to get baptized, permit u.s. know! The team would honey to pray for yous and celebrate with you! Here's our email: unfoldingfaithmail@gmail.com we await frontwards to hearing your story.
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Source: https://www.tyndale.com/sites/unfoldingfaithblog/2018/08/07/what-is-baptism/
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