Does baptism give continual cleansing?
Question:
Hello,
I hope you are well.
I have a question for you. I was baptized several years ago and when I was baptized I felt like my heart was not into it completely. I went into the baptism knowing that there were sins that I was not going to give up and was going to continue in them. I feel like I was only going through the motions. Now I have doubts that the baptism will be OK. Does this warrant being baptized again or does this baptism promote continual cleansing, and God is OK with it?
Thanks.
Answer:
When people decide to become a follower of Christ and are baptized, they don't know everything and they are not strong, perfect Christians. There is growth to be done. "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (II Peter 3:18). In that growth, we will learn that some things we thought were acceptable or didn't matter are actually wrong. We then repent of those sins and ask God for forgiveness (I John 1:9). A Christian doesn't have to re-enter the covenant to be forgiven. He appeals to the blood of the covenant for additional mercy.
I'm glad to hear that you are increasing in your faith and your commitment to God. Continue to grow.
Question:
What happens if you are baptized but you do not repent before baptism? This is something I have been questioning. Did I go down a dry sinner and come up a wet sinner?
Answer:
Repentance is required before baptism. It is a change of mind regarding sin and a change of behavior. It does not mean that the person being baptized will never sin again, but it does mean that the person intends to stop their sins and fight against sin. If you knew you were in sin prior to baptism but had no intentions to give up those sins, then, yes, you got wet but you did not enter the covenant with Christ.
