Baptism -How Many times?

[Evelyn Blacksher]

How often should a person be baptized? i encounter many who were baptized ,when they accepted CHRIST,but walked away from HIM,now they're back and feel the need to redo it. Some say,every few years they like to be redipped. Some say,they did not do it right the 1st time.

[Archbishop Trevor 'Elihu' Greene]

Let us first address exactly what baptism JESUS spoke of us having in the first place. Water baptism in truth is actually an OT practice and symbolism. It wasn't a N.T. sacrament in origin, just like communion (which is actually a small portion of the entire Passover meal). John the Baptist did water baptism as an OT Prophet. However as an OT Prophet, he said clearly "I indeed baptize you with water, but there comes one mightier than I whose sandles I am not worthy to loose. HE shall baptize you with the HOLY GHOST and with fire". Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, the three friend of Daniel were cast into the fire and the Son of GOD appeared walking with them in the fire. This was an OT typology of the baptism of the HOLY GHOST. So "water baptism" is merely an "outward show of what happens inwardly" when baptized into HIS death, burial and resurrection. Salvation is truly sealed by the baptism of the HOLY SPIRIT (Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 4:30).

Apostle Paul said clearly "there is one LORD, one faith, one baptism"
-If a person has repented and came back to the fold, they don't need to do it over. Its like a prodigal son: they left the location of the family, but they never stopped being blood relatives.

-If a person says they liked to be "redipped", they have the mentality (and false doctrine) of being "refilled with the HOLY SPIRIT". They allowed themselves to be stale in GOD, and what they really need is to be back into GOD's presence. Its like rekindling the flame.

-If a person says "I did it wrong", they really did do it wrong. The RIGHT way is the baptism of the HOLY SPIRIT. If you understand what water baptism is, then you will not focus on how you were dunked in a tub, but focus on being immersed into the fire of GOD's presence.

[Superintendent Elijah Marshall]

Praise the Lord Saints..

This is a very interesting topic. But, let me say this... anyone that wants to be saved, whether they are a new convert, or coming back to the Lord from being a backslider, they go have to be saved according to the standard of God's holy divine Word. Salvation is still salvation, no matter what the situation. In other words, that person go have to repent, and be baptized in water in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins, as Scripture declare in Acts 2:38, and they shall receive (if they truly desire it) the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. Now, according to Scripture they can receive the Baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues before they are baptized in water, but water baptism was never excluded in the process. All 3 were intrugal parts of salvation in the New Testament everywhere someone got saved... they repented, were baptized in water in Jesus name, and received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost and spoke in tongues and some prophesied along with tongue speaking.. Now, to say someone doesnt need to be baptized in water again, is to say they dont have to identify and share in His burial.. that's what salvation is.. since the Blood of Christ is our means of forgiveness and salvation, we have to share in His suffering...

[Superintendent Elijah Marshall]

Romans 6:3-4, declares that we are baptized into Christ, therefore being baptized into His death... Then we are buried with Him, by baptism.. So, once one repents they are crucifying and dying to the old man and his works, and once they are water baptized into Christ (in His name) they are buried with Him, and once they come out of the water and receive the Baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues, that's the power of God to walk in the NEWNESS OF LIFE, according to verse 4. So, ESPECIALLY if they are backslidden, they really need to be re-baptized because they have crucified the Lord afresh (Hebrews 6:6), and they need to re-do the process... if its possible for them to be re-claimed because actually the Scripture says its impossible to renew them again to repentance! But, anyway that might be another topic... But the scripture in Ephesians 4:5, that declares one baptism, does not mean literally or numerically one, or else Scripture would contradict itself when it says that we dont need to lay again the foundation of the doctrine of baptism(S), found in Hebrews 6:2, meaning there is more than one, but that "one baptism" mentioned in Ephesians 4:5, means that all the baptisms work together, for one purpose... Water Baptism, Baptism of the Holy Ghost and Fire, etc...

[A.W. Bowman]

Question: Does your remark, "the bible is completed there are no new words from God" include Acts 2:17 (1) And it shall be in the last days, saith God, I will pour forth of my Spirit upon all flesh: And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream dreams: (1) Joe 2:28 ff) 18 Yea and on my (1) servants and on my (2) handmaidens in those days Will I pour forth of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. (1) Gr bondmen (2) Gr bondmaidens) All of which imply receiving direct revelations from God.

and such as

1 Corinthians 12:8 For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom; and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit: ...

which are all "words from God" via His Spirit, the same source as the original texts of the Bible. Perhaps your fingers got ahead of your thoughts - as it so often happens with me! LOLOL

[Evangelist Altha Fugett]

PRAISE GOD! me too!

[Preacher]

Baptism is simply God washing away sins through his spirit...internally giving us a new heart and a new living spirit the old dead spirit is washed away with its sins and dead works and we have been given a new heart that disires to please God and do his will..we have been wshed by the spirit of God...this has nothing to do with H20 but the spirit of God..being baptised by the one baptism that counts...the baptism of the holy spirit.
GB

[Archbishop Trevor 'Elihu' Greene]

I would have to disagree with you, Bishop Marshall. The Book of Acts is a book of History, not a book of doctrine. Just because it was done in such manner in the Book of Acts, doesn't mean that it as done perfectly. The Feast of Pentecost that day was the first day of the new covenant in CHRIST JESUS. Apostle Paul clearly said that baptism of the HOLY SPIRIT was not an option, but a requirement, being the seal of your salvation (Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 4:30). If it is the seal, then you are not considered saved without it: you are literally outside the covenant.

Water baptism is not a requirement at all in the NT. Apostle Paul didn't do it to his disciples (1st Corinthians 1:14-18). Did JESUS baptize HIS disciples in water? Did HE even baptize ANYONE in water?? No, because HE was prophesied not to do so by water, but by the HOLY SPIRIT (John 4:1-2).The only requirement found in JESUS' doctrine and the Apostles' doctrine is that you be baptized, but by the HOLY SPIRIT. Water is the optional one, but we have made that seem more important than the HOLY GHOST!

I have no problem with baptizing in the name of the LORD JESUS, or in the name of YHWH GOD the FATHER, the LORD JESUS, and the HOLY SPIRIT. Many people argue that if you do that then you ain't doing it "in JESUS name". Thats nonsense! JESUS name is mentioned! So either way, its all good to the glory of GOD the FATHER.

Speaking in tongues is another issue: No scripture in the Bible backs up the doctrine of tongues being "the evidence of a person being filled". If a person is truly HOLY GHOST filled, then they would live a life and talk a talk full of love, wouldn't they? Well, if thats true, then what does 1st Corinthians 13 say?

What does Apostle Paul say about the gift of tongues?

1st Corinthians 12:4-11

4Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

5And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

6And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

7But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

8For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

9To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

10To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

11But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will.
(by those lines, do all people have the same gifts, tongues included? Don't go by what traditional Pentecostal doctrine says, go by the Bible itself.)

1st Corinthians 12:28-31
28And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

29Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

30Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

31But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
Paul asked some interesting questions to spirit-filled believers. Lets ask answer them:

Are all Apostles? no
Are all Prophets? no
Are all Teachers? no
Are all workers of miracles? no
Have all the gifts of healing? no
do all speak with tongues?______ (Note: if the first few are no, then what do you think this one is?)
do all interpret?______ (Note: if the first few are no, then what do you think this one is?)

Those questions were meant to all have the answer N-O! To answer yes to any of those is to either 1) be ignorant, 2) in denial of the truth, or 3) you just aren't answering seriously.

False Prophets can talk in tongues, prophesy, heal the sick, and even raise the dead. True believers however are able to be recognized by the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT, not the gifts. JESUS said "you shall know them by the FRUIT they bare".

The truth is the truth. Before you answer, please take a moment to read the scriptures for yourself, and go by the teachings of the Apostles.

[Superintendent Elijah Marshall]

Bro.Trevor,

Yes, the book of Acts, is a book of history.. but Christ gave the command to baptize with water to His disciples in Matthew 28:19, if it was optional, then He would not have told them to do so. Plus, you have to remember that Mark 16:16.. that declares that he that believes AND IS BAPTIZED shall be saved. Now, let me help you with something right quick... DONT declare that water baptism is optional when the Word of God declares that when you are baptized you are BURIED WITH HIM by baptism INTO HIS DEATH.. so when we are baptized, we identify as a partaker of His burial.. and you MUST identify with his death, burial and resurrection in order to be saved because that's the process He went through to purchase our salvation... so it's not an option. And though Acts is a book of history, the Apostles of the Lord Jesus, and the ones appointed Apostles after them, were given apostolic authority by Christ HIMSELF to operate the Church and govern the Church based on His teachings and ordinances. So, whatever we see the Apostles doing in the ASPECT of doctrine, IS OF GOD... and is the pattern and example we should follow after...Remember that Paul declared in Galatians 1:8-9, that if anyone preached any OTHER GOSPEL

[Superintendent Elijah Marshall]

EXCEPT that which the Apostles had declared to them (FROM THE LORD, WHO IS THE ORIGINATOR OF THE DOCTRINE), he would be accursed. And what you are saying about water baptism being an option, and the Scriptures dont say anything about tongues being the evidence of one being filled, thats blasphemy brother.. EVERYWHERE someone received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost... tongues followed as an sign or evidence that the Baptism in the Holy Ghost had occured... EVERYWHERE.. Now, find me one Scripture where they did not speak in tongues after the Holy Ghost was received, and I'll gladly repent... but you wont find it.. Now, what other pattern should we follow when God gave the command and blessing to the apostles, they obeyed the command and set forth order in the Lord's Church WITH THE HOLY GHOST IN THEM AS THEIR GUIDE.. now you're saying we dont have to go by that pattern... I believe I'll stick with the Book brother, you're saying something outside the Word...

[Archbishop Trevor 'Elihu' Greene]

That was according to your faith Rev. I respect that.....

[Preacher]

Mathew 721"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

NOTE THE HIGHLITED WORDS WHO DID JESUS SAY WAS EVIL?
THE ONE'S DOING THE MIRACLES ,AFTER GOD HAD CEASED TO USE THEM..
GOD BLES

[A.W. Bowman]

What is missing from most baptism discussions is “why baptisms in the first place? Where did the practice originate and for what purpose(s)? Who instituted the rite and what was it designed to accomplish? How were baptisms performed, i.e., what was the ritual and how was it to be accomplished?

Romans 6 with emphases on verses 4-6, 1 Peter 3:21-22, & Ephesians 4:5-6.

Why did people submit to the baptism of John?

Without understanding the first century rituals of baptism, no one actually “knows” why baptisms are performed today – except as a generalized idea (see the above scriptural references) and simply because one is instructed to be baptized (Mark 1:4-5 & Mark 16:16). Even so, I submit that most do not actually understand what they are doing or why (again, except that it is an instruction to be obeyed). That, BTW is another O.T. concept, “obedience to the word even when you can’t understand it”.

Here are three excellent resources with which to start your studies.

THE JEWISH BACKGROUND OF CHRISTIAN BAPTISM http://www.haydid.org/ronimmer.htm
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Sam Soleyn
http://www.soleyn.com/download_audio.html

Files No. 32-35
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Baptism--Jewish
http://www.biblehistory.com/Baptism%20Jewish.html

After careful study, you might want to continue your investigation with additional Messianic and Jewish sites to obtain a consensus of the baptismal teaching, for example, women normally undergo a Tevilah once a month and after child birth. There are some conflicting material and ideas concerning the mikvah ceremonies, even among different sects of Judaism. However, the basic (underling) purpose of baptisms remain uniform. Plus the fact that almost no Christian group or church performs baptisms as the founding church did during the first three centuries.

The one additional note not usually brought out in most articles on baptisms, and that is important for Christians to be aware of, is that when one becomes a student (disciple, Talmid) of a rabbi, the new student performs a baptismal ritual, taking on the name of the rabbi (Matthew 28:19-20). This forms a distinct relationship between the teacher and the student - not unlike between a father and son.

I hope this short introduction and basic reference material helps some in understanding a little more of what it is we are actually doing when we are baptized in (into, the taking upon ourselves the mantel of) the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the son of our God (Adonai Yeshua HaMaschiah ben Elohim, and to likewise become the children of God.