Baptized - A Second Time?

[Seeker4]

At 9 years of age, I was baptized in Jesus' name. When I was in my late teens and early 20's, I left the "church" and instead attended a mainstream, trinitarian church. I fell into some sin, but my heart was always soft towards the Lord. My main issues at the time were dealing with bitterness towards hurts I had experienced growing up in the UPC. After a few years, God shook me up and I realized that I could never reconcile the idea of a Trinitarian God in my head. I knew that it was not truth. And the Acts 2:38 message was one that I could never get away from. After repenting, I turned back to the truth and began attending a church that preached the oneness, Acts 2:38 message.

Several years passed and I began to question my baptism. Only because I was so young at the time, and I feel the need to perhaps be baptized again.

This idea has continued to hang around and I have prayed and sought God's wisdom on this. I've lived for God for a long time now and have raised my children in the church. I do not want to cause confusion, but I was wondering and hoping that maybe someone on this forum has felt the same thing or has a different perspective on this.

I question why we encourage young children to be baptized at such a young age, and whether or not they can truly "repent"?

[freeatlast]

We have "rebaptized" some who have story similar to yours Seeker4.

baptism should go hand in hand with a persons profession of faith. Ask your pastor to baptize you. Explain to him that at 9 yrs old you did not comprehend the serious of commiting your life to Christ.

or....wade out into the river and submerse yourself, calling on the name of the Lord.

[gloryseeker]

Originally Posted by Seeker4

At 9 years of age, I was baptized in Jesus' name. When I was in my late teens and early 20's, I left the "church" and instead attended a mainstream, trinitarian church. I fell into some sin, but my heart was always soft towards the Lord. My main issues at the time were dealing with bitterness towards hurts I had experienced growing up in the UPC. After a few years, God shook me up and I realized that I could never reconcile the idea of a Trinitarian God in my head. I knew that it was not truth. And the Acts 2:38 message was one that I could never get away from. After repenting, I turned back to the truth and began attending a church that preached the oneness, Acts 2:38 message.

Several years passed and I began to question my baptism. Only because I was so young at the time, and I feel the need to perhaps be baptized again.

This idea has continued to hang around and I have prayed and sought God's wisdom on this. I've lived for God for a long time now and have raised my children in the church. I do not want to cause confusion, but I was wondering and hoping that maybe someone on this forum has felt the same thing or has a different perspective on this.

I question why we encourage young children to be baptized at such a young age, and whether or not they can truly "repent"?

I got rebaptized (per sa) last November. Was originally baptized when I was 7, now I am 47.

What was the purpose?

......................I was in Israel and wanted to be baptized in the Jordan River................it was cool, even had little fishies nipping at our feet

[MissBrattified]

I don't think it hurts anything to be baptized again, and it can hurt you to walk around with misgivings or doubt about your salvation because you were baptized so young. So go ahead and be baptized again, if it will give you confidence.

As for a young age...I was baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost at the tender age of 6, but it was at my own response--no one pushed me into it. I think if parents push a child into something they don't understand or aren't ready for, it can be a negative, but if a child responds on their own, with basic understanding--then there's nothing wrong with it.

[freeatlast]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

I don't think it hurts anything to be baptized again, and it can hurt you to walk around with misgivings or doubt about your salvation because you were baptized so young. So go ahead and be baptized again, if it will give you confidence.

As for a young age...I was baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost at the tender age of 6, but it was at my own response--no one pushed me into it. I think if parents push a child into something they don't understand or aren't ready for, it can be a negative, but if a child responds on their own, with basic understanding--then there's nothing wrong with it.

ahhhhhhh... that's why you're so sweet.

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Seeker4

At 9 years of age, I was baptized in Jesus' name. When I was in my late teens and early 20's, I left the "church" and instead attended a mainstream, trinitarian church. I fell into some sin, but my heart was always soft towards the Lord. My main issues at the time were dealing with bitterness towards hurts I had experienced growing up in the UPC. After a few years, God shook me up and I realized that I could never reconcile the idea of a Trinitarian God in my head. I knew that it was not truth. And the Acts 2:38 message was one that I could never get away from. After repenting, I turned back to the truth and began attending a church that preached the oneness, Acts 2:38 message.

Several years passed and I began to question my baptism. Only because I was so young at the time, and I feel the need to perhaps be baptized again.

This idea has continued to hang around and I have prayed and sought God's wisdom on this. I've lived for God for a long time now and have raised my children in the church. I do not want to cause confusion, but I was wondering and hoping that maybe someone on this forum has felt the same thing or has a different perspective on this.

I question why we encourage young children to be baptized at such a young age, and whether or not they can truly "repent"?

Dear Seeker,

Like you, I was baptized at a young age and never really understood what sin was, nor grace. I was a Pastor's wife for 15 years, and spent several years after my divorce going to a Trinitarian AOG church. I too am one God and Jesus name baptism all the way - a three-stepper if you would.

A couple years ago I chose to be rebaptized, as an adult, knowing I have sinned, and understanding the reason for baptism from an adult perspective. It was a good experience for me.

Do I think it necessary to be rebaptized? NO. Do I think that children should be made to wait to be baptized? Absolutely not. I think every child reaches the age of accountability at different ages/stages, but children are tender-hearted and so trusting, as God tell us to be when coming to him no matter what age. Some children die untimely deaths and if they have repented and want to be baptized - I believe they should be.

As for you, if you truly feel you want a fresh start, and want to be baptized as an adult then I think you should be. You will FEEL better, as I did.

Blessings, Rhoni

[Mercy]

I kind of went through the same thing. I was baptized in Jesus' name the 1st time at 14. Then again at 24 because as an adult, and really making the decision to live for God, I felt like the first time I didnt do it out repentance, I did it our of fear. It was 1991 and Desert Storm was going on and I felt like the world was about to end and I wasnt saved.

The pastor of the church I attended re-baptized me even though he explained it wasn't "necessary" that I do it. As he prayed about it he said God spoke to him though Matt 3:15.


A month later I recieved the baptism of the HG.

Originally Posted by Seeker4

At 9 years of age, I was baptized in Jesus' name. When I was in my late teens and early 20's, I left the "church" and instead attended a mainstream, trinitarian church. I fell into some sin, but my heart was always soft towards the Lord. My main issues at the time were dealing with bitterness towards hurts I had experienced growing up in the UPC. After a few years, God shook me up and I realized that I could never reconcile the idea of a Trinitarian God in my head. I knew that it was not truth. And the Acts 2:38 message was one that I could never get away from. After repenting, I turned back to the truth and began attending a church that preached the oneness, Acts 2:38 message.

Several years passed and I began to question my baptism. Only because I was so young at the time, and I feel the need to perhaps be baptized again.

This idea has continued to hang around and I have prayed and sought God's wisdom on this. I've lived for God for a long time now and have raised my children in the church. I do not want to cause confusion, but I was wondering and hoping that maybe someone on this forum has felt the same thing or has a different perspective on this.

I question why we encourage young children to be baptized at such a young age, and whether or not they can truly "repent"?

[*AQuietPlace*]

It's a personal decision. I was baptized very young and barely remembered it (it was my own choice, though, and God had definitely been moving in my heart - to this day I distinctly remember the first time God tugged on my heart). When I was a teen, I decided to be re-baptized, since I understood baptism more, and wanted an experience I could remember.

For me, honestly.... if I had it to do over, I wouldn't do it over. It was like my immediate thought after baptism was - that wasn't necessary. It wasn't a special thing that I remembered.... I actually felt rather silly.

So, it's really up to you. If it will be a special thing for you, go ahead. But I don't think it's necessary at all.

[Falla39]

Originally Posted by Seeker4

At 9 years of age, I was baptized in Jesus' name. When I was in my late teens and early 20's, I left the "church" and instead attended a mainstream, trinitarian church. I fell into some sin, but my heart was always soft towards the Lord. My main issues at the time were dealing with bitterness towards hurts I had experienced growing up in the UPC. After a few years, God shook me up and I realized that I could never reconcile the idea of a Trinitarian God in my head. I knew that it was not truth. And the Acts 2:38 message was one that I could never get away from. After repenting, I turned back to the truth and began attending a church that preached the oneness, Acts 2:38 message.

Several years passed and I began to question my baptism. Only because I was so young at the time, and I feel the need to perhaps be baptized again.

This idea has continued to hang around and I have prayed and sought God's wisdom on this. I've lived for God for a long time now and have raised my children in the church. I do not want to cause confusion, but I was wondering and hoping that maybe someone on this forum has felt the same thing or has a different perspective on this.

I question why we encourage young children to be baptized at such a young age, and whether or not they can truly "repent"?

http://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com...ead.php?t=5357

Perhaps this link to a thread started in June 2007 might be helpful! I can
tell you that there have been many who have felt the desire to be re-
baptized in Jesus Name, after becoming adults and had previously been
baptized as a small or young child. Paul said he did childish things as a
child, but when he became an adult, he put away childish things. Being
re-baptized, especially when one has been out into the world for years
and have lived in sin, etc., to me is not childish.

I have seen those who don't believe in a God of a "second chance". When
I was a young person I didn't think too much about it. But as I grew older
I thought "who would not be in favor or who would not want to believe in
a God of a second chance"? Then it dawned on me that it could possibly
be someone who had never or had never felt THEY needed one. I believe
another chance to make things right, would sound SO Wonderful to the one
who needed that second chance.

To the adult who realized they probably didn't understand or realize just
what sin was about as a child, the realization that they could be "re-bapt-
ized again " as an adult who had been in sin and be assured their sins had
been washed away, would no doubt sound wonderful. Just because some-
one doesn't feel they would want to be re-baptized, doesn't mean someone
else would feel the same way. I believe that the Holy Ghost will lead and
direct in the matter, if you will seek HIM for your answer. He knows each
individual life and understands our desires and why we feel the way we do.

http://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com...ead.php?t=5747

http://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com...ead.php?t=8651


Falla39