I recently had a conversation with a friend who was thinking about getting re-baptized. She had been baptized as an infant in a presbyterian church, but somehow she feels it is good to do so again as a “believer”. I use to think like that. In fact, I was baptized as an adult TWICE. The first time was in high school and the second time was in college. The reason I decided to get baptized again in college was because I wasn’t sure if I was a “true believer” when I went down into the water the first time. Baptism was suppose to be a sign of my faith and committment to Jesus. It was my public profession of faith and the first step in my obedience to Him. This was how I once thought. So when my friend told me she was considering getting re-baptized, I knew where she was coming from. It’s a bit ironic though since both my friend and her parents attend PCA churches. As a presbyterian myself, I encouraged her not to be re-baptized and to consider what her actions would imply about the nature of baptism. First, by getting baptized again, she would be implying that infant baptism is not valid. By her actions, baptism is only valid if the one being baptized is “saved” and professes true faith. I don’t think you will find any proof in Scripture for such qualifications. Second, she is implying that baptism is about us and our faith in Jesus. As important as that is, this is not what baptism is about. Baptism is not so much a sign of our faith and trust in God as it’s a sign and a seal of God’s faithfulness to our parents, to us, and to our children to a thousand generations. It is God publicly professing and affirming His covenant faithfulness to His people. That’s what baptism is about. It’s about God, not us.
Food For Thought:
What is my friend saying about God if she decided to get re-baptized?
What is she saying about those christians who were baptized as infants?
If it’s about us, what’s keeping someone from getting baptized a third or fourth time?
What makes baptism valid?
