2013-02-07 Do I need to be re-baptized?

Q: If I was baptized from previous churches, is it possible for me to be baptized for the third time with current church?

RESPONSE: Baptism is water is, from the perspective of the Bible, something that normally takes place only once in the life of a Christian. The Bible’s understanding of baptism is not symbolic of membership into a particular church or denomination, but a baptism into the Christian faith in general. In Ephesians 4:4-6 it says: “There is one body and one Spirit–just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call– one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (ESV) The context of this Scripture is talking about unity in the church of Jesus, and indicates that through baptism we are identified with the body of Christ (a metaphor for the church universal). So to answer your question: if you were baptized in the name of Jesus you do not need to be baptized again because you have already been baptized in the body of Christ.