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Should I be baptized again?

Quick Answer: Some overstress the importance of water baptism even to the point of believing it to be necessary for salvation. You may even be asking yourself, “Should I be baptized again?” However, baptism is simply a symbolic expression of the salvation that occurred within us when we believed (1 Peter 3:21). So, if you’ve been baptized and desire to do so again now that you understand the Gospel better, you have the freedom to do so. But baptism does not cause anything new to happen spiritually. So, the pressure is off, and you are free to decide from the heart!

Diving Deeper: Some have overemphasized the importance of water baptism to the point of believing it is an act necessary for salvation. Yet, Scripture only presents water baptism as a symbol of our salvation in Christ.

In 1 Peter 3:21, Peter presents two types of baptism. First, Peter equates baptism with “an appeal to God for a good conscience – through the resurrection of Christ.” According to Peter, this is the spiritual baptism in to Christ’s resurrection that saves us. Then, the second form of baptism is the physical washing away of dirt from the body. Peter states clearly that this baptism does not save us!

Satan may accuse you of having an insincere baptism. After all, he is the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10). He may even try to convince you that water baptism is necessary for salvation. But we need to take these accusations captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). We are already the righteousness of God in Him, because of what He has done for us (2 Corinthians 5:21). We’ve been perfected by Christ’s death and resurrection, not our water baptism (Hebrews 10:14).

In conclusion, if you were baptized as a child and desire to be re-baptized now as an adult believer, you are free to do so. But either way, the pressure is off, because baptism does not save us or improve our already perfect status with God.

Let’s Make It a Conversation!
1. Have you been water baptized? If so, describe the circumstances surrounding your baptism.
2. What role do you believe water baptism plays in the Christian life?
3. React to this statement: Some treat the physical act of water baptism much like the Judaizers treated circumcision.

 

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