I was baptized unbiblically. Do I need to be rebaptized?

Answer

The Bible is very clear about baptism. There are two crucial points we all need to comprehend. (1) Baptism should occur after a person has accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, relying on Him solely for salvation. (2) Baptism should be done by immersion. The term baptize literally means to “immerse / submerge in water.” Immersion baptism is the only method that effectively portrays what baptism signifies—believers dying, being buried with Christ, and rising to a new life (Romans 6:3-4).

Keeping these two key points in mind, what about individuals who were baptized in a non-biblical manner? To clarify, let’s categorize this into two groups. First, in the case of someone who was baptized before becoming a Christian. Common examples include those baptized as infants or those baptized later in life without truly knowing Jesus as their Savior at the time. In these cases, such individuals indeed need to be rebaptized. Once again, the Bible teaches that baptism follows salvation. The symbolism of baptism is meaningless if a person has not genuinely experienced salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

Second, for those who were baptized after believing in Christ but not by immersion. This situation is more complex. It appears that such individuals did not truly receive baptism. If the method involved sprinkling or pouring, it does not align with the definition of baptism. Once more, baptize means “to submerge in water.” However, the Bible does not specifically address those who have been baptized without immersion. Therefore, this matter pertains to a believer’s personal relationship with God. A believer who has been baptized in a non-biblical way should seek wisdom from the Lord «If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth toAll men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” , (James 1:5). If the believer’s conscience is unsure, it would be best to go ahead and be rebaptized biblically to put the conscience at ease “And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” , (Romans 14:23).