Is it necessary to be baptized as an adult, if you were baptized as a baby?

S.T.Ranger · May 27, 2017

syncretic said:
Paul baptized people into the Spirit, with his hands, after they had already been baptized with water.

Actually Paul did not Baptize with the Spirit, because Christ is the Baptizer:

Matthew 3:11-12
King James Version (KJV)

11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

What John is saying here is that he, John, baptized unto repentance, but that Christ would Baptize with the Holy Ghost (which speaks of salvation, Reconciliation, "re-union" with God on an eternal and spiritual level) and with Fire (everlasting destruction).

So the two possibilities in view are eternal life (which Christ came to bestow, John 6) and eternal damnation.

And it must be remembered that those baptized of John did not receive repentance when they were baptized in water, but it was a public profession that they had repented, which is why he rebuked the Jews whose lives did not evidence repentance:

Matthew 3
King James Version (KJV)

5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,

6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

So too, with Christian Baptism, this is not the means by which men are brought into Eternal Union with God, but, just as John's Baptism, a public confession of what has, or should have...already taken place.

Salvation is wholly the Work of Holy God, and men do not contribute to this process...at all. They no more have power to "transfer the Spirit," or, transfer God, than they have the power to save themselves.

God bless.

Desert Snake · May 27, 2017

syncretic said:
Jesu is the only person that can technically baptize anyone. All physical baptism is merely a request, of spiritual baptism.

^

S.T.Ranger said:
Actually Paul did not Baptize with the Spirit, because Christ is the Baptizer:

Matthew 3:11-12
King James Version (KJV)

11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

What John is saying here is that he, John, baptized unto repentance, but that Christ would Baptize with the Holy Ghost (which speaks of salvation, Reconciliation, "re-union" with God on an eternal and spiritual level) and with Fire (everlasting destruction).

So the two possibilities in view are eternal life (which Christ came to bestow, John 6) and eternal damnation.

And it must be remembered that those baptized of John did not receive repentance when they were baptized in water, but it was a public profession that they had repented, which is why he rebuked the Jews whose lives did not evidence repentance:

Matthew 3
King James Version (KJV)

5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,

6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

So too, with Christian Baptism, this is not the means by which men are brought into Eternal Union with God, but, just as John's Baptism, a public confession of what has, or should have...already taken place.

Salvation is wholly the Work of Holy God, and men do not contribute to this process...at all. They no more have power to "transfer the Spirit," or, transfer God, than they have the power to save themselves.

God bless.

S.T.Ranger · May 27, 2017

syncretic said:
Jesu is the only person that can technically baptize anyone. All physical baptism is merely a request, of spiritual baptism.

The "spiritual baptism" is the Baptism with the Holy Ghost, which put simply is "immersion into God," which was the mystery not revealed to the Saints in Ages past:

Colossians 1:25-27
King James Version (KJV)

25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;

26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Despite the context having a focus on Gentile Inclusion, it still remains that it was the hidden wisdom of God, as Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 2.

Ephesians 3
King James Version (KJV)

1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

Again, it is a mystery to all, not just Gentiles.

Paul also states this here:

Romans 16:24-26
King James Version (KJV)

24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

While the Gospel is given in the Old Testament, understanding of the Gospel was not. That is, as Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 2, revelation provided by the Spirit, and specifically the Spirit of Truth spoken of by Christ in John 14 and 16.

Peter also makes this declaration:

1 Peter 1:9-12
King James Version (KJV)

9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

The "Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven" is the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth Christ foretold would be sent when He returned to Heaven, and it is He that brings conviction on the world that those who receive the Gospel might be saved:

John 16:7-9
King James Version (KJV)

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

God bless.

S.T.Ranger · May 27, 2017

syncretic said:
Jesu is the only person that can technically baptize anyone. All physical baptism is merely a request, of spiritual baptism.

^

S.T.Ranger said:
Actually Paul did not Baptize with the Spirit, because Christ is the Baptizer:

Matthew 3:11-12
King James Version (KJV)

11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

What John is saying here is that he, John, baptized unto repentance, but that Christ would Baptize with the Holy Ghost (which speaks of salvation, Reconciliation, "re-union" with God on an eternal and spiritual level) and with Fire (everlasting destruction).

So the two possibilities in view are eternal life (which Christ came to bestow, John 6) and eternal damnation.

And it must be remembered that those baptized of John did not receive repentance when they were baptized in water, but it was a public profession that they had repented, which is why he rebuked the Jews whose lives did not evidence repentance:

Matthew 3
King James Version (KJV)

5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,

6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

So too, with Christian Baptism, this is not the means by which men are brought into Eternal Union with God, but, just as John's Baptism, a public confession of what has, or should have...already taken place.

Salvation is wholly the Work of Holy God, and men do not contribute to this process...at all. They no more have power to "transfer the Spirit," or, transfer God, than they have the power to save themselves.

God bless.

It was this statement...

syncretic said:
Paul baptized people into the Spirit, with his hands, after they had already been baptized with water.

...that led to the response.

You clarify with...

syncretic said:
Jesu is the only person that can technically baptize anyone. All physical baptism is merely a request, of spiritual baptism.

...to which I agree completely.

God bless.

lostwanderingsoul · May 27, 2017

There is no record in the Bible of infants being baptized. The indications are that a person must first believe and then be baptized. No infant can believe. This is an invention of the church which like so many other ways picks what it wants from the Bible and then makes up the rest for it's own purposes.

Adamski · May 28, 2017

S.T.Ranger said:
We do see, however, a conscious decision for profession of Christ involved in certain baptismal events:

That was long winded, I know my bible. Yes that is for adult new Christians we also see entire house hold get baptized
Anyway this is just your opinion with nothing to back it up
I have 2000 years of church teaching and tradition

Acts 19
King James Version (KJV)

1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Baptism following belief in Christ is the logical conclusion we reach from what Scripture teaches. I would point out that here we see both water Baptism and the Baptism with the Holy Ghost.

We see Cornelius baptized after hearing the Gospel:

Acts 10:34-40
King James Version (KJV)

34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all)

37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:

40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;

Then he is baptized, both with the Holy Ghost, as well as in water:

44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

It is Peter, after seeing that they had been Baptized with the Holy Ghost, who calls for them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.

That this is the time they are saved in seen in Peter's commentary:

Acts 11:12-18
King James Version (KJV)

12 And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:

13 And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;

14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.

15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.

16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?

18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

Water Baptism follows the Baptism with the Holy Ghost, which is more simply stated as "immersion into God," for it is the time at which men are reconciled to God, and brought into Eternal Union with Him.

One can baptize a baby, but, men do not transfer the Holy Ghost in salvific effect. Salvation is the result of trusting Christ by coming into obedience to the Gospel. When a baby is baptized, they do not become regenerated, they simply get wet. The same is true of those who are baptized but have not yet been saved.

God bless.

Desert Snake · May 28, 2017

lostwanderingsoul said:
There is no record in the Bible of infants being baptized. The indications are that a person must first believe and then be baptized. No infant can believe. This is an invention of the church which like so many other ways picks what it wants from the Bible and then makes up the rest for it's own purposes.

It would almost seem as if many of these "christian" churches, are working hand in hand with secularism, /promoting secularism.
Notice how some churches promote the idea, that we are already in the Messianic age? Anyone can read their bibles, and note that this clearly isnt indicated by scripture. This also would correlate to telling Christians, that the OT has been fulfilled completely, another obvious falsehood. How can anyone think that the Temple has been rebuilt, and is in proper governance?

lostwanderingsoul · May 28, 2017

The obvious answer is that the churches of this world are controlled by Satan and not God. God leaves clear instructions in the Bible and the churches go out of their way to teach something different.

S.T.Ranger · May 29, 2017

Adamski said:
That was long winded,

Not really. It will take about two minutes to read.

Adamski said:
I know my bible.

Good, then you can deny the relevance of the Scripture quoted and deny the points made in regards to that Scripture?

Adamski said:
Yes that is for adult new Christians we also see entire house hold get baptized

Doesn't change the fact that a conscious decision to trust Christ is always the demand upon the natural man.

Doesn't change the fact that Christ, not men, is the Baptizer, and the only One Who can Baptize with the Holy Ghost.

If you truly believe men can baptize an infant and they are either saved, regenerate, or receive the Holy Ghost at that time then you also believe men can become the sons of God apart from any participation on their part. This is similar to "healers," who claim they can heal, yet they are not walking through hospitals healing people. Why not simply baptize men against their will and "save them?" And when a child becomes a teenager and exhibits the rebellion of his natural condition, why not just baptize them again? And when the natural man is lying on his death bed, after a life of rejecting Jesus Christ...why not just baptize them to ensure they are going to Heaven to be in the presence of God, rather than into Hades?

The simple requirement that is always constant is that men must believe on Jesus Christ, and it is not possible for an infant to do that.

Adamski said:
Anyway this is just your opinion with nothing to back it up

The Scripture quoted states what "my opinion" states.

If you would like to counter those opinions, please do so with Scripture.

Adamski said:
I have 2000 years of church teaching and tradition

And that is part of the problem, my friend. Try reading your Bible instead of commentaries. Read the Books of the Bible, not books about the Bible.

Show me Baptismal Regeneration from Scripture, if you don't mind.

God bless.

metis · May 29, 2017

Because of he large numbers of children dying during one of the early plagues, the CC chose to allow for more infant baptisms by separating out the "confirmation" part of the ceremony until later in life. Historians estimate that as many as 1/3 of all children in Europe my have died from one of these early plagues.

Richard Dunn · Feb 22, 2019

Deidre said:
Just curious on something. I was baptized in the Catholic Church as a baby, but when I left Christianity a few years ago and returned to it over a year ago, I feel like my faith is different for me, now. Like I ''own'' it, like it is truly a representative part of my life, without all the nonsense I had been indoctrinated to believe, growing up. Talking with a friend recently, she said that it would be good to be baptized again, because as a baby, we don't have the ability to offer our consent, but as adults, we do.

What do you think? For those who have been baptized as infants, did you go through another baptism when you were ''born again?''

*I posted this in the Christianity DIR section, but thought I'd post it here too in case there are people who wish to add their thoughts but my not do so if it's in the DIR section

The practice of appetizing, violates the principle of salvation through faith, by grace, and it is an example of the belief in salvation by works, which the bible condemns, in many places.
We are not saved by anything we can do or endure, nay, even a million years in purgatory will not remove one iota of sin before God, only the blood of Christ can do that. We receive salvation on the day of judgement if Christ concludes that we bore Him true faith in this life, and that is a question of did we feed the hungry, cloth the naked, visit the sick and imprisoned?
Most importantly did we repent of our sins?

Deidre · Feb 22, 2019

Richard Dunn said:
The practice of appetizing, violates the principle of salvation through faith, by grace, and it is an example of the belief in salvation by works, which the bible condemns, in many places.
We are not saved by anything we can do or endure, nay, even a million years in purgatory will not remove one iota of sin before God, only the blood of Christ can do that. We receive salvation on the day of judgement if Christ concludes that we bore Him true faith in this life, and that is a question of did we feed the hungry, cloth the naked, visit the sick and imprisoned?
Most importantly did we repent of our sins?

I don't disagree, but what do you make of Christians then who ''know'' that they have salvation, that they are going to heaven in the afterlife? (Preachers who state for example ''you can be confident that you're going to heaven'' etc)

Richard Dunn · Feb 22, 2019

You can only be confident of salvation, if you remain fervent in the practice of the faith.

IndigoChild5559 · Feb 27, 2019

Okay, I know I really shouldn't be butting in with my non-Christians opinion here, but it's just so hard or me not to think this question isn't a bit like asking, "If a person is circumcised as a child, do they need to be re-circumcised as an adult?"

Jedster · Feb 27, 2019

IndigoChild5559 said:
Okay, I know I really shouldn't be butting in with my non-Christians opinion here, but it's just so hard or me not to think this question isn't a bit like asking, "If a person is circumcised as a child, do they need to be re-circumcised as an adult?"

Maybe it's because, as a child, one cannot make an informed commitment, (unlike circumcision)

IndigoChild5559 · Feb 27, 2019

Jedster said:
Maybe it's because, as a child, one cannot make an informed commitment, (unlike circumcision)

I'm not sure what you mean. Do you think that baby Jewish boys make an informed commitment before we circumcise them on the eighth day? We bring them into the covenant before they are old enough to choose. They can always, when they are older, choose to violate it.

So how is it different than baptizing a baby? I assume that the baptizing parent intends to raise it in the faith. The child, when it is older, can alway choose to reject the faith it has been raised in. It's not like it is being locked in and the key being thrown away.

To the best of my understanding, Christianity considers the gospel a covenant (the "new" covenant), and baptism is the initiating rite of that covenant, no different than circumcision being the initiating rite for Israel's covenant.

But perhaps I've said too much. Like I stated in my first post, not my religion.

Jedster · Feb 27, 2019

IndigoChild5559 said:
I'm not sure what you mean. Do you think that baby Jewish boys make an informed commitment before we circumcise them on the eighth day?

No.(from first hand experience)

We bring them into the covenant before they are old enough to choose. They can always, when they are older, choose to violate it.
So how is it different than baptizing a baby?
Yes, they can become non-observant, but cannot become uncircumcised (unlike with baptism)

Richard Dunn · Feb 27, 2019

Deidre said:
Just curious on something. I was baptized in the Catholic Church as a baby, but when I left Christianity a few years ago and returned to it over a year ago, I feel like my faith is different for me, now. Like I ''own'' it, like it is truly a representative part of my life, without all the nonsense I had been indoctrinated to believe, growing up. Talking with a friend recently, she said that it would be good to be baptized again, because as a baby, we don't have the ability to offer our consent, but as adults, we do.

What do you think? For those who have been baptized as infants, did you go through another baptism when you were ''born again?''

*I posted this in the Christianity DIR section, but thought I'd post it here too in case there are people who wish to add their thoughts but my not do so if it's in the DIR section

The answer to your question is No! We are not saved by anything we do or by anything we suffer. We are saved entirely by what God has done for us. I too was raised Catholic; however, years latter I learned the meaning of "Saved by Faith Alone, Through Grace'. Our good works are the fruit of our faith but they can not take away the burden of our sin before God. The only thing that can do that is Christ's sacrifice on Calvary, and we can receive the benefit of that on the day of judgement, if Christ judges that we bore Him true faith in this life.

Is it necessary to be baptized as an adult, if you were baptized as a baby?

S.T.Ranger

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Desert Snake

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lostwanderingsoul

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Adamski

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metis

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IndigoChild5559

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