How do I convince someone to be baptized again when they think their past baptism is good enough?
Question:
Hi again, brother Jeffrey,
I had asked for your help before regarding beverages. Thank you so much for the help because it gives me clarity on what to do. I moved out from the church where I used to worship because I heard from the leader of that church that it's OK to drink alcohol inside the house, and I saw him smoking and so was so discouraged by his action.
Anyway, can I ask you another question regarding baptism? Can you help me explain baptism to someone, without hurting his feelings? I want to encourage him to be baptized in the church of Christ. Their reason for not being baptized again is because they are already baptized at the Baptist church they are attending. They said they were not baptized into the Baptist church but into the name of Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Your reply will be a great help to me as a brother in Christ. Thank you in advance and God bless.
Answer:
I'm glad you are making progress in your walk with God.
In regards to your friends, there are more fundamental problems that need to be addressed first. Encouraging your friends to be baptized for the right reasons while they continue to attend a denomination that doesn't teach the truth of the Bible won't do them much good.
Make the point that baptism is for the purpose of removing sin (Acts 22:16; I Peter 3:21). If they think that this is the reason they were baptized, then you don't have room to disagree since you weren't there nor do you know their hearts. But if they wish to say that baptism is unnecessary for salvation, then you have things to talk about with them. The point is that they say they were baptized into Christ, which would be correct even though you and I know that Baptist doctrine says the purpose of baptism is for becoming a member.
But being baptized into Christ means they claim to accept Jesus as Lord (Luke 6:46). From there you can discuss things like instrumental music in worship, which the Lord did not command. Or you can talk about inherited sins, which Ezekiel 18:20 contradicts. Or the idea that once you are saved you cannot lose your salvation, though Paul talks of several who did.
What I hope you see is that there are many topics that need to be discussed because they go to the fundamental view of the Bible's authority and application in our lives. Perhaps they will see that the Baptist church they are attending isn't teaching the full truth. It is then that you can once again discuss whether they think they were baptized for the right reason or not.
"But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will" (II Timothy 2:23-26).
Response:
Good Day Bro. Jeffrey,
Thank you so much for your reply and for the suggestion on what to do on this matter. I really love the questions and answers portion of your website. It gives me a clear understanding of this situation.
Take care always and God bless us all.
Your brother in Christ,
