What Does the Bible Say About Being Baptized Twice? – 9 Things

If you ever thought about baptism, you may have had the question, “What does the Bible say about being baptized twice?” Baptism is a New Testament ordinance, and in the Bible, there are examples of people being baptized twice. During your own spiritual journey, which includes the rite of baptism as part of the Christian faith, you may have considered being baptized more than once. But like baptism itself, you need to understand the reason for your first baptism before you consider a second baptism.

What makes this question relevant is that the Bible mentions more than one baptism.            

What Does the Bible Say About Being Baptized Twice? — The Four Types of Baptism

The topic of baptism can be confusing since the Bible refers to four different types of baptism, even though the Apostle Paul said in Ephesians 4:5 “One Lord, one faith, one baptism.” (KJV)

Baptism of John the Baptist

The first mention of the word “baptism” is in Matthew 3:7, and it is referring to the baptism of John the Baptist. The Bible describes the water baptism of John the Baptist as “the baptism of repentance,” according to Mark 1:4. “John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” (KJV)

The Cross and Jesus’ Baptism

Later, and before He went to the cross, Jesus asked His disciples a very pointed question.

He said in Matthew 20:22 “But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.” (KJV)

Since Jesus had already been baptized by John, this baptism in which He referred to was a symbolic baptism. Jesus spoke figuratively, using the word “baptism,” to indicate His full and complete immersion into pain and death, especially the soon-coming death on the cross.

Romans 6:3-4 “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (KJV)

Accepting Jesus Christ as Savior is also accepting the trials that accompany our Christian life. Paul alludes to this fact in Romans 6:3 when he said, “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” (KJV).

But just as Christ conquered death, so, too, does the rite of water baptism show both our new life in Jesus Christ, His triumphant resurrection, and our own future resurrection.

The Baptism of the Holy Ghost — Salvation

John the Baptist mentioned the coming Messiah Who would baptize with the Holy Ghost. “I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.” Mark 1:8 (KJV)

This was a direct reference to Jesus Christ. Luke, in the Book of Acts, repeated this statement after the resurrection of Christ in Acts 1:5. “For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” (KJV)

This prophecy was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2:4 (KJV)

This outward testimony of the indwelling Holy Spirit was to publicly show that God had granted salvation to the non-Jews as well as to the Jews. Also, this speaking in the known languages was necessary to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to people all over the world who had come to Jerusalem. The Apostle Paul knew that this outward manifestation of the Holy Spirit, the speaking in tongues, was a temporary occurrence. Later, he said in 1 Corinthians 13:8, “whether there be tongues, they shall cease.” (KJV)

This baptism of the Holy Ghost occurs at the moment of salvation, as written in 1 Corinthians 12:13 “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” (KJV)

Water Baptism

The majority of instances of the word “baptism” in the Bible refers to the concept of water baptism. The word “baptism” comes from the Greek word baptizo, which means “to immerse, to submerge, to make fully wet.” Just knowing the meaning of the Greek word shows how water baptism is to be accomplished. This type of baptism completely eliminates being sprinkled with water and, in turn, eliminates infant baptism.

The Bible does not contradict itself when the Apostle Paul said there was but “one baptism” in Ephesians 4:5. The single baptism that Paul referred to in this verse was the spiritual act of the Holy Spirit putting the new believer into the spiritual body of Jesus Christ. Spiritually, they are immersed, baptized into the body of Christ.

The entrance of the Holy Spirit into our hearts upon accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior is referred to in Romans 8:15. “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” (KJV); and also in Galatians 4:6 “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” (KJV)

This spiritual event, sometimes called the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which occurs at the moment of salvation, is symbolized outwardly by the act of public water baptism.

What Does the Bible Say About Being Baptized Twice? — The Baptism of Jesus

The baptism of the Lord Jesus, our perfect example, is essential to remember. He was baptized once as an adult by immersion by John the Baptist in the Jordan River before He started His public ministry. Matthew 3:16: “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:” (KJV)

Jesus, being the sinless Son of God, did not have any sins, but He, as our example, submitted Himself to getting baptized.

What Does the Bible Say About Being Baptized Twice? — If John the Baptist Baptized You, Then…

Acts 19:3-5: “And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. 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. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (KJV)

This is the one example where adults who had been already baptized the first time by John the Baptist needed to be baptized again, this time as obedient Christians.

Since John the Baptist is no longer alive, his baptism of repentance for the remission of sins to prepare the way and the teachings of Jesus Christ at His first advent, is no longer applicable in this present time.

What Does the Bible Say About Being Baptized Twice? — Related to Salvation

The Apostle Peter preached about baptism. Before His ascension into heaven, Jesus Christ told Peter and the other apostles, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” Matthew 28:19 (KJV)

In the Book of Acts, Peter preached about salvation and the rite of baptism as a result of their salvation. He said in Acts 2:38, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (KJV)

But baptism, while it is related to salvation, is not a necessary requirement for salvation and the resulting eternal life. When the Holy Spirit convicted the Philippian jailor, he asked Paul and Silas, “What must I do to be saved?” Their answer was simply, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Acts 16:31 (KJV)

That same night after his conversion, the jailor, and the other members of his family who were new believers, were baptized. “And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.” Acts 16:33 (KJV)

There was no mention about being baptized more than one time.

What Does the Bible Say About Being Baptized Twice? — Who Should Get Baptized?

Every adult who has been saved through the blood of Jesus Christ, should obediently follow Him in getting baptized. This symbolic act of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is a public testimony of our inward salvation. Obeying God helps to give us a good conscience toward Him. The Apostle Peter said this in 1 Peter 3:21 “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (KJV)

Our baptism is also a silent testimony of our faith and the resurrection of Christ, according to the Apostle Paul, when he said in Romans 6:5 “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.” (KJV)

What Does the Bible Say About Being Baptized Twice? — Backslidden State

Some Christians think that if they “walk away” from God and don’t live a good Christian testimony, they should be baptized again after getting right with God as a sign of a new commitment. There is no Scripture forbidding this, but there is also no Scripture promoting this act either. Baptism reflects a single event of salvation. Therefore, baptism itself is also a one-time event for a new Christian.

What Does the Bible Say About Being Baptized Twice? — Infant Baptism

The Roman Catholic Church and various Protestant denominations, promote the sprinkling of newborn infants and calls this “baptism” in an attempt to remove original sin. God, in His Word, His instructions to mankind, never mentions sprinkling babies with water to remove sin. Rather, King David, who lost his infant son, said these comforting words, “I shall go to him…” 2 Samuel 12:23 (KJV)

Neither David nor Jesus Christ ever mentioned anything about baptizing babies. Their innocent souls are automatically accepted into heaven at death, regardless of whether they were sprinkled as an infant or not.

If you were baptized as an infant and later accepted Christ Jesus as your Savior from hell, you should follow the example of Jesus Christ and get baptized the second time. This second baptism is a public declaration of faith. The first time, as an infant, you had no ability to either accept or reject Jesus Christ. Infant baptism is not a public declaration of faith; therefore, it is not a Bible-based baptism.

As an adult Christian believer, it is important to be obedient and to follow Jesus Christ in public water baptism, even if you were sprinkled as a baby. This is one modern-day example of an adult getting rebaptized.

What Does the Bible Say About Being Baptized Twice? — Different Denominations

Some denominations insist that new members who desire to join their church get baptized by them, even if they have been baptized as a Christian in another church. There are no biblical examples of this, and quite frankly, this concept goes against Biblical teachings, and was part of the early church. Requiring that Christians get rebaptized in order to join a church actually cheapens the rite of baptism. Asking a church’s leadership if you need to get rebaptized to join their church is a good question to ask if you have already been baptized as a Christian.

The only time a Christian may consider getting rebaptized is if they were baptized as an adult through sprinkling, which is unbiblical. Once they realize the Biblical pattern is being immersed in water, they may want to be rebaptized in this manner. But after being baptized by immersion, this will be a part of their Christian testimony of salvation, and there is no need to be baptized again.

What Does the Bible Say About Being Baptized Twice? — A Shame?

The writer of Hebrews indicates that if true Christian believers get rebaptized it is actually putting Jesus Christ to an open shame. Here are his words from Hebrews 6:1-6: “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

And this will we do, if God permit. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” (KJV)

The act of baptism is part of the foundation of our Christian faith. One cannot build upon a house’s foundation by continually laying and rebuilding the foundation. This passage in Hebrews says that a Christian cannot build a strong, spiritual faith by continually laying the foundation of their Christian beliefs, in this instance, being biblically baptized more than once. According to this Scripture passage, doing so is crucifying Christ Jesus again, and God says this is an open shame. You don’t want to be a part of shaming Christ Jesus.

If you have been baptized as a Christian believer, strive to have a good testimony and share the good news of the forgiveness of sins that was granted to you through your salvation through Christ. If you are a Christian believer and you have never followed Jesus Christ in believer’s baptism, don’t neglect this act of obedience. Seek out someone in your Christian community who will baptize you.

For more information from the Bible about baptism, check out 20 Wonderful Bible Verses About Baptism.

Sharing is caring!