Should I get Re-Baptized?

[evangelist6589]

I am trying to join my fiancé's IFB church and perhaps they are more stringed in their membership process than my last IFB church. They say that because I was saved in The Missionary Church (a CM&A affiliated denomination) then my Baptism is questionable. I gave my life to the Lord at the age of five and rededicated my life at age 17. By the Lordship argument I was not saved until age 17, however its not like I have been perfect and have not struggled with certain sins since age 17. The Lordship argument may not be entirely Biblical. Looking at Eph 2:8-10 it would appear that the Lordship argument is refuted to some degree. However I agree with some of the Lordship argument.

Since my association with the Alliance, I have joined Bible Churches, Southern Baptist Churches, and a IFB church and none have asked me to get Baptized again. But if this is a deal breaker I will do so. Its just I do not look forward to getting into cold water.


John

 

[12strings]

1. I would ask them why they think it is questionable...although if being baptized in a baptist church is their policy it may not matter.

2. If you truly believe your first Baptism was as a believer, and valid, you should tell them that and see what they say. Would they want to baptize you again knowing full well that you don't believe it's necessary?

3. You should read this letter by John Piper...it is one of the most helpful things I have ever read regarding Lordship Salvation.

http://www.desiringgod.org/resource...d-concerning-the-so-called-lordship-salvation

I would be interested to know what you think of it.

4. Ultimately it will be your decision.

 

[annsni]

Were you a believer in Jesus Christ when you were baptized? If so, it was a valid baptism and you are not required to be rebaptized.

 

[Aaron]

Ask for a private ceremony with only the baptizer, you and another witness.

 

[evangelist6589]

Were you a believer in Jesus Christ when you were baptized? If so, it was a valid baptism and you are not required to be rebaptized.

Yes I was. I have grown since then but I was.

 

[salzer mtn]

Some Baptist churches in my area will not take letters of recommendations from other Baptist churches but require you to be re-baptized. Not all Baptist believe exactly the same.

 

[evangelist6589]

1. I would ask them why they think it is questionable...although if being baptized in a baptist church is their policy it may not matter.

2. If you truly believe your first Baptism was as a believer, and valid, you should tell them that and see what they say. Would they want to baptize you again knowing full well that you don't believe it's necessary?

3. You should read this letter by John Piper...it is one of the most helpful things I have ever read regarding Lordship Salvation.

http://www.desiringgod.org/resource...d-concerning-the-so-called-lordship-salvation

I would be interested to know what you think of it.

4. Ultimately it will be your decision.

If its a deal breaker I will do so and I may need to get Baptized a second time. Its okay I just do not like cold water, and I do not like legalism.

I am familiar with the Lordship argument and I agree with about half of it. However the Lordship argument does not address the contents of the book.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0802427197/?tag=baptis04-20

What do you think of the book?

 

[evangelist6589]

Some Baptist churches in my area will not take letters of recommendations from other Baptist churches but require you to be re-baptized. Not all Baptist believe exactly the same.

Its okay I will do so if this is a deal breaker. I hate cold water…..

 

[Salty]

I would not be re-baptized. That would be a deal breaker for me.
There is no "Baptist" baptism - only scriptural baptism.
You many want to check out some of the other beliefs of that church. You may find you disagree with some other issues as well.

Would your fiancé consider joining your church?

I will not baptized someone who has previously been scripturally baptized.

 

[salzer mtn]

Its okay I will do so if this is a deal breaker. I hate cold water…..

Tell them you will meet them halfway if they will run a little hot water in the tub.:laugh:

 

[evangelist6589]

I would not be re-baptized. That would be a deal breaker for me.
There is no "Baptist" baptism - only scriptural baptism.
You many want to check out some of the other beliefs of that church. You may find you disagree with some other issues as well.

Would your fiancé consider joining your church?

I will not baptized someone who has previously been scripturally baptized.

She has been there a while but may appear to be naive in some areas. She has learned allot from me since we started dating. She used to think that holding hands and kissing outside of marriage was a sin.

They are big on soul winning which I agree with, however they are arminian in their approach. Not perfect but better than friendship evangelism.

So far these are the only concerns but I may find more. Every church has issues and things I do not agree with I will say.

 

[evangelist6589]

Tell them you will meet them halfway if they will run a little hot water in the tub.:laugh:

Yes I need that...

 

[evangelist6589]

I have introduced her to David Jeremiah and John MacArthur and she has fallen in love with them. She was not born and raised a Bob Jones IFB die hard and got saved only in 2008. Otherwise like many BJU die hards they would not read those authors.

 

[RLBosley]

I am trying to join my fiancé's IFB church and perhaps they are more stringed in their membership process than my last IFB church. They say that because I was saved in The Missionary Church (a CM&A affiliated denomination) then my Baptism is questionable. I gave my life to the Lord at the age of five and rededicated my life at age 17. By the Lordship argument I was not saved until age 17, however its not like I have been perfect and have not struggled with certain sins since age 17. The Lordship argument may not be entirely Biblical. Looking at Eph 2:8-10 it would appear that the Lordship argument is refuted to some degree. However I agree with some of the Lordship argument.

Since my association with the Alliance, I have joined Bible Churches, Southern Baptist Churches, and a IFB church and none have asked me to get Baptized again. But if this is a deal breaker I will do so. Its just I do not look forward to getting into cold water.


John

Depends on the reason for the re-baptism.

Is it truly because you were not born again when you were first baptized? (And keep in mind that one can "believe" in Jesus and still not be born again) If so then absolutely you should be re-baptized. That, in fact is what I will be doing in two weeks from Sunday.:godisgood:

Or is it because they believe in some "baptist bride" theology with a "baptist-only" baptism requirement? If so then I wouldn't be re-baptized and I'd find a new church.

 

[Salty]

They are big on soul winning which I agree with, however they are arminian in their approach. Not perfect but better than friendship evangelism. .

So I don't get off OP, why is that

So far these are the only concerns but I may find more. Every church has issues and things I do not agree with I will say.

Have you taken a good look at the church constitution and doctrine statement? Ask questions, insist on a direct answer to your questions.

Or the two of you could find another church....

 

[InTheLight]

Were you a believer in Jesus Christ when you were baptized? If so, it was a valid baptism and you are not required to be rebaptized.

Yes I was. I have grown since then but I was.

Done.

A core element of Baptist beliefs is "believer's baptism". Since you had believer's baptism there is no need to get re-baptized.

Have you given this church a reason for them to think you weren't saved when you were baptized as a child? If not, why do they keep insisting you get re-baptized? Are they opening questioning your salvation? (Talk about a deal breaker for joining their church!)

 

[evangelist6589]

So I don't get off OP, why is that


Have you taken a good look at the church constitution and doctrine statement? Ask questions, insist on a direct answer to your questions.

Or the two of you could find another church....

Hmm…

They believe in the autonomy of the local church..

Remind me of that one again. Thanks.

They are also big on separation as most IFB churches are. This would explain why they would never teach The Way of the Master.

 

[Tom Butler]

To be a valid baptism, it must meet the following criteria:
1. Proper subject
2. Proper design
3. Proper mode
4. Proper administrator.

Most of us can agree on the first three.
Proper subject--a professing believer
Proper design--to picture the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus
Proper mode--Immersion.

The proper administrator is a bit stickier. The quick answer is a true New Testament church. But that begs the question, how do we define a NT church? And, what erroneous doctrines and practices would disqualify?

Local congregations will decide for themselves. My own church will accept as valid, the baptism of churches of like faith and order. By definition, that would include most Baptist churches, but not all. Free-Will Baptist and General Baptists, for example. We have accepted the baptism of some congregations who do not identify themselves as Baptist, but whose doctrines and practices are similar.

Obviously we would not accept the baptism of someone who had been sprinkled (wrong mode); nor would we accept the baptism of a group which holds to baptismal regeneration (wrong design) (RCC or Church of Christ, for instance).

I can remember many years ago when my congregation would not accept any baptism from an IFB church (not like order, that is, not Southern Baptist). We changed that policy eventually.

We still would require anyone to be baptized who came out of the Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran or Cumberland Presbyterian churches.

The fact is, many Baptist churches hold that they are not true New Testament churches, and that's why their baptisms are in-valid.

Bottom line, it's not what you think about your baptism. It's what that congregation thinks. Wanna join them? Let 'em dunk you. Otherwise, find a church that recognizes your baptism.

 

[evangelist6589]

To be a valid baptism, it must meet the following criteria:
1. Proper subject
2. Proper design
3. Proper mode
4. Proper administrator.

Most of us can agree on the first three.
Proper subject--a professing believer
Proper design--to picture the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus
Proper mode--Immersion.

The proper administrator is a bit stickier. The quick answer is a true New Testament church. But that begs the question, how do we define a NT church? And, what erroneous doctrines and practices would disqualify?

Local congregations will decide for themselves. My own church will accept as valid, the baptism of churches of like faith and order. By definition, that would include most Baptist churches, but not all. Free-Will Baptist and General Baptists, for example. We have accepted the baptism of some congregations who do not identify themselves as Baptist, but whose doctrines and practices are similar.

Obviously we would not accept the baptism of someone who had been sprinkled (wrong mode); nor would we accept the baptism of a group which holds to baptismal regeneration (wrong design) (RCC or Church of Christ, for instance).

I can remember many years ago when my congregation would not accept any baptism from an IFB church (not like order, that is, not Southern Baptist). We changed that policy eventually.

We still would require anyone to be baptized who came out of the Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran or Cumberland Presbyterian churches.

The fact is, many Baptist churches hold that they are not true New Testament churches, and that's why their baptisms are in-valid.

Bottom line, it's not what you think about your baptism. It's what that congregation thinks. Wanna join them? Let 'em dunk you. Otherwise, find a church that recognizes your baptism.

If it was a cult, or a Catholic church then the Baptism would not be valid. Also if it was done by sprinkling, then yes. But yes I may need to get re-baptized as it does not matter what I think in the least as my Baptism was done in a Weslyian church.

 

[evangelist6589]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missionary_Church

The Missionary Church is a Trinitarian body that believes the Bible is the inspired Word of God and authoritative in all matters of faith; that "salvation is the result of genuine repentance of sin and faith in the atoning work of Christ"; and that the "church is composed of all believers in the Lord Jesus who have been vitally united by faith to Christ". They hold two Christian ordinances: baptism (by immersion) and the Lord's Supper, which are outward signs, not a means of salvation.

They hold to the essentials of the faith so I don't know what the big deal is of this church.