Rebaptized: To Be Or Not To Be

[simpleservant]

Hello, I'm a new member here and thought I'd get your input on this one. When I was 12 I was Baptized in the Church of God and later switched to Baptist church because of my wife's involment with her church, (teaching children secratary etc.) I have been going there for 8 years now and still not become a member because they require all other denominations to be rebaptized. I have no say in business meetings, elections, communion, etc. The reasons I've heard for requiring rebaptism range from its a public profession of faith to the previous church didn't have the new testament authority to baptize. Both churches have most of the same doctrines, both baptize in the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, both full immersion. The Church Of God do not believe in sendig letters because they believe only God has the right to give and remove members to a church, not by the vote of a man
My questions are,
1. If you were in this situation would you be rebaptized?
2. Would getting rebaptized only cofirm those who say the C.O.G. didn't have the authority to begin with?
3. Just for those who have said, "sure go ahead, it wont kill you" then is not going against Eph 4:5   "One Lord, one faith, one baptism,"
4. Wouldn't rebaptism under these circumstances be nothing more than a public bath?
I would love to hear your opinions on this matter, Thank you.

[The Crusader]

I myself would not be re-baptised. Ephesians 4:5 is NOT a water baptism. This One Baptism is the Holy Spirit Baptism, which you recieve at the moment you believe. Read 1 Corinthians 12:13.

Your friend & brother

The Crusader

[Reba]

If you wish to join the church fellowship their rules are laid out.

Our salvation is in Him not in water. I do not see any scriptural harm in being rebaptized nor do i see any scriptural support for a second baptisim.

Like many 'things' in scripture ,to me, it is the attitude of the heart.  

No place in scripture do we read to be baptised into the Baptist Church, Church of Christ, Catholic, Luthern, AofG....


Luke 3:16

16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
KJV

1 Cor 1:17

17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
KJV

Matt 20:22

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

We can see clearly from the  words of the LORD baptism does not always relate to water.

[JudgeNot]

simpleservant,
Don't do it - unless, as you said, you simply want a public bath.  
I have been in and out of Baptist churches my entire life and this is the first I've ever heard of rebaptism being "required" or even suggested!  It makes me suspicious of the particular house of worship you attend.  
“To join our private ‘club’ you have to undergo certain hazing rituals…”  
“To join our private ‘cult’ you have to undergo certain hazing rituals…”
Christianity is not a private club, and certainly not a cult.  

[msmjm54]

Ive been faced with the same situation in the Baptist church.
But, not all of them are the same.  Some require you to be re-baptized, while others dont.  They require a letter from the previous Baptist church to be given to the present one.  I had one Baptist church tell me that my baptism from another church is not recognized and will need to be baptized again.
I cant accept this.  To me, if I choose to do this, then Im just as saying that the first time was nothing more than a trial run.  Thats what it leaves me feeling.  And, also, to me, its a form of legalism....mans law, not God's. Something that is expected in that church to be accepted.  I was baptized into Christ, not a building, or this or that organization.  Its like, I also, have a problem with the different churches that offer the Lord's supper only certain Sundays of the month, not every week.  I feel it should be a part of every Sunday worship, it's in remembrance of Him that we do this, not just when its convenient for the church.

God's word says:

Eph 4:5
"One Lord, one faith, one baptism"

For me, it would not be right.  Re-Dedicating my life to Christ is one thing, but re-baptism?  No.