The Plan of Salvation for a Backslider

[freeatlast]

Originally Posted by Sept5SavedTeen

I don't know... I mean, I guess what's most important is that the person knows with full assurance that they're saved. I mean, you may say, "You don't need to be rebaptized." But if I've been backslidden for a long while and then come back, then I may need to be rebaptized for conscious sake. Also, if we're not baptismal regenerationists then we don't believe it's solely baptism that washes away sin but the faith accompanied by the obedience. I mean, I can't dunk someone in water, in JESUS' name, against their will and they be saved.

GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex

The plan of salvation for a back slider ALEX is simplt found in 1 John 1:9

Can't get any clearer.

A couple years ago we did baptize again a young man of about 20 years old.

He had been baptized in Jesus name at maybe 8 or 9 years old and said he never really knew what he was doing or why he was being baptized.

In such a case I feel that it might be appropiate to rebaptize someone.

At worse ya got em wet. At best you have helped them to express their renewed or new found faith in Christ.

[Timmy]

Originally Posted by Timmy

What, nobody's read Hebrews 6:4-6? We're doomed!

Anybody actually believe Heb 6:4-6? Well, of course you do, so let me rephrase: to whom does it apply, if not to the ordinary, every-day backslider? (Or does it?)

[1Corinth2v4]

Originally Posted by Sept5SavedTeen

But if I've been backslidden for a long while and then come back, then I may need to be rebaptized for conscious sake.

Wow.....re-baptized for conscious sake?

"Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son"

The prodigal son, which resided within the father's house (kingdom) backslid. After his confession and repentance to the father, this prodigal son was restored. No fancy actions were mandated, just a simple confession.

I respectfully suggest that you study 1 John 1:9 and other related mercy/forgiveness material.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Timmy

Anybody actually believe Heb 6:4-6? Well, of course you do, so let me rephrase: to whom does it apply, if not to the ordinary, every-day backslider? (Or does it?)

Possibly could apply only to someone who was actively practicing Judaism of the first centuries by offering animal sacrifices, then accepted Jesus as the lamb of God and quit offering animal sacrifices, and then repudiated Jesus as the lamb of God and went back to offering animal sacrifices and trusting in that as his salvation.

[OneAccord]

Originally Posted by Sept5SavedTeen

This was posted by someone in a 1-step vs. 3-step debate here on AFF. This question was sort of ignored due to all the other bickering going on. So, I'll ask it here. If a saved person (meaning has completed Acts 2:38 and is living holy) backslides, must they obey Acts 2:38 all over again if they want to be saved? To what extent can we backslide. We have "citizenship" in a spiritual sense, one way or another. We are children of GOD and in HIS Kingdom now if we are in Christ. Before this we were children of disobedience and of the devil and outside of the Kingdom. Can one go from darkness, then light, then darkness (as they were in darkness before) and then light again? I look forward to the responses!

GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex

There are some churches and groups that teach that a backslider must complete all three steps (Acts 2:38) in order to be restored to their place in Christ. They base this belief on Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

I think that should be left up to the restored brother os sister- if they have been out of fellowship with God for awhile and had committed sins that cause them to feel they should be rebaptized, then, they should be permitted to be re-baptized. Since baptism (IMO), is "the answer of a good conscience toward God, 1Pe 3:21, if it eases the conscience of the restored brother or sister to be baptized, they should be- of their free will, and not because it is required or mandated.