Re-Baptized?

“Rebaptism?”

Ever heard of someone being “re-baptized?”

This is a pretty loaded, controversial phrase to some people.

My first experience with this was finding out one of my grandmothers was “re-baptized.”

Some would say that there’s no way it’s even possible. (Semantics; We know what people mean when they say it; Let’s not be so self-righteous we can’t meet people where they are in their understanding)

Some are resistant, because they’ve already been baptized for some reason (more on that particular thought later).

But have you thought about it for yourself? Ever done it before?

· Is it even possible? (Semantics iss

A person can be baptized for many reasons… some right, but many wrong.

· Which is what makes this conversation a bit confusing…

· Maybe to join a particular church; To please a family member; Because they’re pressured… But by virtue of the fact we’re having this discussion, it means most people realize there are reasons/rationale that are right, and others that aren’t.

What is a person to do when they realize they may not have been baptized for the right reason?

In our text we read of some people who were baptized, but apparently didn’t know all they needed to know when they were. I think we can learn some thing from them that can help us in this discussion today.

Everything starts with Apollos in Ephesus in …

Acts 18:24–26 ESV

24 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

Apollos was eloquent and knowledgeable… but he had a giant hole in his knowledge.

Apollos taught and baptized (which we can infer) only the baptism of John.

Priscilla and Aquila take him aside and explain things to him more accurately concerning baptism..

Must have explained what Paul refers to as the “one baptism” of —we know it as “baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” ()

Ephesians 4:5 ESV

one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

Apparently Apollos left some folks behind whom he’d taught. Paul runs into them in .

Acts 19:1–7 ESV

1 And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. 7 There were about twelve men in all.

V. 2, Notice that Paul immediately questions what they’d heard… (Holy Spirit)

V. 3, He then questions them on the reason they were baptized… (John’s baptism)

V. 4, He then explains the problem—they’d been baptized with the wrong baptism!

V. 5, Their response—they are baptized (again) with the correct baptism.

V. 6, Paul lays his hands on them and gives them the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit (which only an apostle could do).

In our text there are two baptisms: The “baptism of John” and the “baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Both are similar in some points—Jesus, repentance, immersion. But they are different in one major point—THE CROSS.

John’s baptism looked forward to the coming Christ. Baptism in the name of Jesus Christ looks back to Christ’s death and resurrection.

Both are similar in some points—Jesus, repentance, immersion. But they are different in one major point—THE CROSS.

The events of the cross had yet to happen in John’s day.

John’s baptism was looking forward to what Jesus WOULD do.

THUS, after the cross, John’s baptism was no longer valid.

Some things only have value if used within a certain window of time…

Foods “expire” at a certain point, and spoil or lose flavor.

Special coupon for discount or free item at store/restaurant (has a date on it).

Continental/Confederate currency—can’t cash it in at the bank! (Only value to a collector)

Such is true of John’s baptism—was only valid within a certain window of time!

Acts 19:1–7 ESV

And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. There were about twelve men in all.

· V. 2, Notice that Paul immediately questions what they’d heard… (Holy Spirit)

· V. 3, He then questions them on the reason they were baptized… (John’s baptism)

This whole episode shows us that...

· V. 4, He then explains the problem—they’d been baptized with the wrong baptism!

· V. 5, Their response—they are baptized (again) with the correct baptism.

· V. 6, Paul lays his hands on them and gives them the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit (which only an apostle could do).

Baptism must be accompanied by faith and a proper understanding or it is of no value.

—faith in the powerful working of God

Colossians 2:11–12 ESV

In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.

John’s Baptism and Baptism in Jesus name were physically identical—but the reason for each was different.

Not having the proper understanding or reason for baptism is what makes all the difference!

A person can have the same problem today as those twelve men in Ephesus:

++Baptized “because of” the forgiveness of sins

++Baptized as an “outward sign” of commitment

++Baptized to join a particular church

++Baptized as an infant

Most of these are physically identical to baptism “in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins,” but since they are not being done for the right reasons, they are not valid!

What must you do? (If you have these concerns/questions)

· Examine yourself: Why were you baptized? What was your understanding THEN, in the moment? (Don’t confuse that with what you know NOW).

· BUT, make sure you aren’t just being paranoid… (Did I lock the door?)

· Don’t be ashamed to be sure! (Ephesians weren’t; Story of Jessie)

Baptism must be accompanied by faith and a proper understanding or it is of no value.

If you have this concern, don’t keep it to yourself! Talk to myself or the elders. It’s too important!

Don’t die without being sure!