Are Backsliders Required to be Re-baptized?

[stmatthew]

Baptism is the fulfillment of the old testament circumcision. It is the putting away of the flesh. Once this covenant is accomplished, it can never be undone. Do note that circumcision was administered to babies that had no understand the covenant. So understanding water baptism is not a prerequisite to being baptized. The fact is that it was as the children grew that they were taught about their God, and the intricacies of the covenant.

I do not believe there is any biblical president to be re-baptized. On what grounds can faith be planted if the scriptures do not give a resting place for its seed??

[jwharv]

Originally Posted by stmatthew

Baptism is the fulfillment of the old testament circumcision. It is the putting away of the flesh. Once this covenant is accomplished, it can never be undone. Do note that circumcision was administered to babies that had no understand the covenant. So understanding water baptism is not a prerequisite to being baptized. The fact is that it was as the children grew that they were taught about their God, and the intricacies of the covenant.

I do not believe there is any biblical president to be re-baptized. On what grounds can faith be planted if the scriptures do not give a resting place for its seed??

Then do you believe in infant baptism?

[jwharv]

Originally Posted by jwharv

Then do you believe in infant baptism?

Bump.......................

[stmatthew]

Originally Posted by stmatthew

Baptism is the fulfillment of the old testament circumcision. It is the putting away of the flesh. Once this covenant is accomplished, it can never be undone. Do note that circumcision was administered to babies that had no understand the covenant. So understanding water baptism is not a prerequisite to being baptized. The fact is that it was as the children grew that they were taught about their God, and the intricacies of the covenant.

I do not believe there is any biblical president to be re-baptized. On what grounds can faith be planted if the scriptures do not give a resting place for its seed??

Originally Posted by jwharv

Then do you believe in infant baptism?

No, but I do not believe that the baptisee has to understand all the in's and out's of water baptism in order to obey the commandment. Just as children receive the holy ghost at early ages at times.

ChosenOne,

My understanding of the salvation experience is that we are "born again" through faith, repentance, baptism, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost. You can no more be unborn in the spirit than you can be unborn in the flesh. When you turned your back on God and went into sin you became a rebellious and insubordinate child but you were still a child of God. You had forfeited your inheritance but you were still a child of God. When you came home you did not need to re-enter the womb to be born again again! You simply needed to come to the father in faith and repentance and be restored to your rightful place... no matter how critical the older brother was or how much he condemned you as being unworthy of restoration!

Walk in the faith of Jesus Christ and the efficacy of your new birth experience!

[Falla39]

I still have a feeling that the prodigal son still wanted a "cleansing"

or a "good bath" even though his father may not have said, "Son, you

smell like a pig pen. Get cleaned up and then you can have the best

robe". No, the father was just so glad his son had returned". He had

no doubt been looking down that long road so long and not only looking

but going a distance, looking, longing, just a glimpse of his son. We know

that because when he was yet a GREAT way off, his father saw him, and

had compassion, and RAN , and fell on his neck, and kissed him. Sounds like

a true father to me. I wonder how many prodigals would come home with

that kind of reception from their father! All the time the son is telling his

father how unworthy he is, even to be called his son. but the father is

telling his servants to get the best robe (represents putting on righteous-

ness). The father tells the servants to put it on him. and put a ring (signet

ring, representing the family name) "For as many of you as have been bapti-

zed into Christ have put on Christ".(Gal.3:27) and put shoes on his feet.

I can almost imagine the son saying, "Father, I really need a bath. I feel

so dirty". He had been welcomed back, but he who had been in a "dirty"

enviroment, wanted to be clean or washed to re-enter the clean enviro-

ment to which he had returned. Can you blame him for wanting a cleansing

bath. It doesn't mention the father saying anything about a bath, but I

can assure you, the son was desiring one!!! (my thoughts!)

Maybe he could have been singing:

I wanna be washed in the Blood of the Lamb,
I need a cleansing from the Fountain.
My soul is hungry from this aching within,
I wanna be washed in the Blood of the Lamb.

So if someone has been handed the best robe, wouldn't YOU

want to be clean before putting it on. (Again, my thoughts)!

Blessings,

Falla39

[stmatthew]

Originally Posted by Falla39

I still have a feeling that the prodigal son still wanted a "cleansing"

or a "good bath" even though his father may not have said, "Son, you

smell like a pig pen. Get cleaned up and then you can have the best

robe". No, the father was just so glad his son had returned". He had

no doubt been looking down that long road so long and not only looking

but going a distance, looking, longing, just a glimpse of his son. We know

that because when he was yet a GREAT way off, his father saw him, and

had compassion, and RAN , and fell on his neck, and kissed him. Sounds like

a true father to me. I wonder how many prodigals would come home with

that kind of reception from their father! All the time the son is telling his

father how unworthy he is, even to be called his son. but the father is

telling his servants to get the best robe (represents putting on righteous-

ness). The father tells the servants to put it on him. and put a ring (signet

ring, representing the family name) "For as many of you as have been bapti-

zed into Christ have put on Christ".(Gal.3:27) and put shoes on his feet.

I can almost imagine the son saying, "Father, I really need a bath. I feel

so dirty". He had been welcomed back, but he who had been in a "dirty"

enviroment, wanted to be clean or washed to re-enter the clean enviro-

ment to which he had returned. Can you blame him for wanting a cleansing

bath. It doesn't mention the father saying anything about a bath, but I

can assure you, the son was desiring one!!! (my thoughts!)

Maybe he could have been singing:

I wanna be washed in the Blood of the Lamb,
I need a cleansing from the Fountain.
My soul is hungry from this aching within,
I wanna be washed in the Blood of the Lamb.

So if someone has been handed the best robe, wouldn't YOU

want to be clean before putting it on. (Again, my thoughts)!

Blessings,

Falla39

The Sacraments of the Lords Supper and foot washing is what a believer would act upon in order to find a fresh cleansing from the journey.

Water Baptism is a one time experience. As PhilJones has stated, you can never be unborn, so to attempted rebirth would do violence to the Word of God.There remaineth no more sacrifice. It is already accomplished. The fact is that faith needs to be put in the initial work of God. If you can't put faith in the initial work, I seriously doubt that a "second" baptism will do any good.

Again, the crossing of the red sea (baptism unto Moses) was not something that was done multiple times. The earth was only baptized one time (in the flood), with God promising not to do it again with water. Fire was the next baptism the earth would be promised.

[chosenbyone]

This was the first time that I have had a chance to log on today. First of all, I want to thank Rhoni, Sister Falla and others for their heartfelt posts that they took the time to write here. I have felt truly blessed to have such wonderful people that have taken time to pray with and for me regarding this subject. Rhoni, do you think that next week, Saturday, would work for you and Brother S. to meet with me? Just drop me a line or call me tomorrow evening. I wanted to thank you for being such a dear friend. I listened to your CD last night and I can't wait for you to hear the songs. I wanted to share with you and Sis. Falla what happened last night, so look for my email.

Brother Jones, I have always admired you though we have never met and I appreciated seeing that you wrote your comments on this thread. One day, I hope that we would have a chance to meet for coffee and talk about our wonderful Lord and Savior.

StMatthew, I would never want to do violence to the Word of God. The Word has guided me through many years and many situations. It has always been precious to me and Jesus has always used His Word to direct me in all areas of my life. I have enjoyed reading your posts here on AFF and have always been impressed with your knowledge and class. Would you do me a favor? Would you give me scriptural references to establish your statement that if I were to be re-baptized that I would do violence to the Word? I would greatly appreciate your time and effort in doing that for me.

There were many incidents written in the Word where the Lord instructed people to do things that were "out of the norm" and they faced the onslaught of the skeptics in their day. If those that received their healing and deliverances had listened to the naysayers, we would not have had so many wonderful stories that we read in the Bible that have brought faith to so many of us.

My life and my will is in the hands of the Lord and not in the opinions, though appreciated, of those that haven't heard from God regarding my particular circumstance.

May the Lord bless you fully and may health and happiness overflow in your life.

chosen

[Sherri]

Follow your heart, CO. We will all be praying for you!

[chosenbyone]

Originally Posted by Sherri

Follow your heart, CO. We will all be praying for you!

Thank you so very much, Sherri. I told someone yesterday how gracious you were and I have enjoyed your sweet personality that you have brought to this forum.

I pray that the presence of Jesus surrounds you everyday of your life.

Bless you...