Re-baptism?

[kiwiria]

I was raised Evangelical Lutheran, and have always been taught that baptism is a sacrament that should only be performed once in a life-time, yet I hear of many other denominations that require people to be re-baptised before they become members of that church

Comments

[failegaidin]

I'm American Baptist, and we generally don't go for more than one baptism either. The few times I've seen it, it was because they were baptized as infants, and wanted to make it their own choice when they were old enough (in fact, that was my case).

[kiwiria]

That's when we (Lutherans) would have a confirmation ceremony instead - reaffirming the belief we were baptised into, but this time making it our own decision.

[failegaidin]

We don't have confirmation.

[redstar826]

The few times I've seen it, it was because they were baptized as infants, and wanted to make it their own choice when they were old enough (in fact, that was my case).

Same here. I was baptized as a baby in the Catholic Church, and then did it again as an adult when part of a different church. It wasn't a requirement though. It was more of a "this is a public statement about what I choose to believe" kind of thing.

[log_junkie]

Catholics also believe in one Baptism and do not require "re-baptism" to join the faith if the first is considered legitimate (it usually is). I think the issue is very different for Catholics and Lutherans vs. some Protestant denominations. For Catholics, there are three rites of initiation: Baptism, Communion, and Confirmation. For some Protestants, Baptism is the equivalent of our Confirmation, so it would make sense for it to happen as an adult and have to happen more than once for it to be "valid" at their church. Not saying I agree with this, but I do see why these things happen.

[chaz_lehmann]

If as the Scriptures teach (and Lutherans confess), it is the Lord who does the baptism, then what does it say if you are "baptized" a second time.

Well, I'll submit this answer: God didn't do it right the first time, or the first time wasn't real, or I don't think God is the one that does it because I do it.

Whatever the reason a second baptism denies the first. That ain't good.

[policraticus]

What if you were baptized into a church you have come to believe is not just normally heterodox but actively heretical? Suppose I was baptized as a Mormon or Jehovah's Witness, does that baptism have the same efficecy as one from a Lutheran or a Methodist?

[chaz_lehmann]

That "baptism" is not a baptism. Since Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses deny the true God taught in the Scriptures, when they say they're putting the name of "god" on you, it is actually the name of the false satanic god of their imaginations. Your baptism in the Christian church would not be a rebaptism, rather it would be your first baptism.

[mintogrubb]

What about those people who had 'John's baptism' in the New Testament?

I grant you that some people's kinowledge of God iss incomplete, and may even be 'false', but unless the deception is deliberate, than I would hesitate to call it 'satanic'. To me, it is just misinformed.

[napoleonofnerds]

The Nicene Creed says that we acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. In historic Church practice the sacrament, as well as confirmation, marriage (except in the case of death), and holy orders are only given once because they impart an indelible character on the soul. Catholics practice what we call "conditional baptism" when it is unclear if the person has been baptised or unclear if the baptism is valid. It takes the form "If you are not baptised, I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." That's the closest we get to baptising again, and we tend to say that's all anybody else should do if they question the validity of a prior baptism.

[kiwiria]

Thank you. That describes my personal opinion of baptism "to a T" and I'm always troubled when I find denominations that require re-baptism before being allowed membership in their church.

[catholic_heart]

Catholics do not re-baptize, either, so long as the first baptism was done validly, meaning with water and in the Trinitarian formula. But if someone has been baptized in another Christian church and then decides to become Catholic, they are not re-baptized, for the same reason you mentioned.

[arago_sama]

Can one be re-baptized in the RCC if they desire it?

[catholic_heart]

No, because to do so would deny the efficacy of Christ in the original baptism. As napoleanofnerds indicated above, there is such a thing as a conditional baptism when there is uncertainty as to the validity of the original baptism (usually to do with an improper form, like not using the Trinitarian formula), but that is not a second baptism, only a conditional one in case the first was not valid. But if one has been validly baptized, they cannot be rebaptized in the Catholic Church. There is one baptism and that causes one to be born into the one Church.

[amergina]

While you can't be re-baptized in the RCC, you *can* renew your baptismal vows...