Before I Leave AFF

[berkeley]

Before I leave AFF (coming back at the end of the yr) I have a question to ask, but first I will state this:
When I was 15 yrs old I repented of my sins, I was filled with the Holy Ghost, and I was baptized in Jesus' name. But, I NEVER lived a victorious Christian life.
Eleven years later , I am ready for a new beginning.

Here is the question:
Is it acceptable to be baptized again? I mean, for the sake of my conscience? To symbolize a new start?

[Praxeas]

it's not biblical, but are you doing so strictly for your own self symbolically?

[berkeley]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

it's not biblical, but are you doing so strictly for your own self symbolically?

Right. It's a "self" thing. Symbolically, and for the sake of my conscience.

[Ron]

Hey Bro, I don't have any advice except to say being re baptized is a personal thing & everybody's story is different!

You are in my prayers, & I do care!

Keep in touch!

[berkeley]

Thanks!

[Shawn]

Good luck Bryan.
Let me know how everything is workingout for you.

[scotty]

It is acceptable. I know some who have done so.

I have done what you are doing, its not easy.

Recieved the Holy Ghost and was baptized as a teenager, then walked away from it all at age 20. Always thinking that "when I get ready to go back , I know the way" I found out later , that is a huge wall of pride to knock down.

You will be in my prayers. There are many revelations ahead of you, take them in stride.

From a blog I wrote earlier:


Revelations.

1) Something revealed or disclosed esp, a striking disclosure, as of something not before realized.

2) God's disclosure of Himself and His will to His creatures.

While considering what my list of New Years Resolutions would consist of, I received a revelation that needed to be resolute. Yeah, I'm a little off my rocker, but hear me out.

The beginning of this year found me searching for direction. Physically, spiritually, financially, mentally and emotionally. I found myself standing in a place I have never stood in my life and the only thing I knew for certain was that, God is here. Right here, with me, in me, around me and in complete control...IF.....I would only let HIM have it.

In the joy of my new revelation I sat down to draw up my plans to resolve it. Then it hit me. You just did!

A resolution is something you set your mind to resolving. To quit smoking, get in shape, get out of debt, etc. etc. Thing is, in order to resolve something, you must first have a revelation to resolute! You had to have a revelation that to keep smoking is going to kill you or a revelation that you’re out of shape or too far in debt. Once you receive this revelation, then you know you have to set out to resolve it, which is the point of a revelation! You see, the resolution is the actual admittance and action put forth by the revelation. There for the resolution is not a year long process because the actions you’re taking are because of your resolve brought forth by a revelation!

Ok, now. Here is the revelation I received. Mans revelations are received due to hindsight. After all, no one resolves to not start smoking this year. Nobody resolves to stay out of debt in the up coming year. It's only once one wakes up hacking does one receive ones revelation that maybe one should quit smoking. Only when over our heads in debt do we resolve to do something about it.

With God it’s no different. When our lives are struggling, we suddenly seek out the revelations that God may have that will help us through. It's not till we are in the valley do we seek Gods revelations as to how to climb to the next mountain. But is this the way God intended it? I say no!

God gave us the book of Revelations because HE wanted us to be prepared for what is to come ahead of time, not after we are in the middle of it. Am I saying we should not have any valleys or struggles? Not at all, but I am saying that God will reveal to us what we need in order that we don't remain there very long.

There for my New Years Resolution is: To seek and receive all the Revelations God may have for me in my life! I want to know "ahead" of time what God wants to reveal to me. What does HE want to show me, teach me? What deliverances are ahead for me? What does God want to disclose to me?

I will resolve to find out.

[Sister Alvear]

praying for you...I would say IF ou feel to do so!

[ManOfWord]

It IS biblical.......from a Jewish perspective. Baptism, in Judaism was done on many occasions in the life of a Jew and is still practiced today among the orthodox. The reason it was done, was for cleansing. While I don't have a "revolving" baptismal service where people get re-baptized all the time, I will do it when it is important to the person being baptized.

Yes, there is that FIRST time when we give our lives to the Lord and nothing can replace that or take it away. However, when it is important for the person, knowing it is not against biblical teaching or practice, I will re-baptize. I don't do it frequently, so it is not something I teach about that people should on a regular basis. But, again, I will when it is important to the person.

[Sherri]

There's nothing wrong at all with being rebaptized! We rebaptize people who have walked away from the Lord and want to make a new start. We also will rebaptize people who got baptized at a very early age and might not have fully understood what they were doing at the time.