Baptized Again
By
Shelby G. Floyd
While Paul was beginning his third evangelist tour, Apollos came to Ephesus. The Bible tells us several things about the character and abilities of Apollos as a preacher of the word. (1) He was a learned man; (2) He had a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures; (3) He had been instructed in the way of the Lord; (4) He spoke with great fervor; and (5) He taught about Jesus accurately. These things were all positive and good. However, there was one negative—he knew only the baptism of John:
“Meanwhile a Jew
named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man,
with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way
of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus
accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly
in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to
their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. This means that he baptized people into John’s
baptism” (Acts 18:24-26 NIV).
Paul left Aquila and Priscilla at
Ephesus when he returned to Antioch in Syria, thus ending his second tour.
Unlike some,
When Paul arrived at Ephesus, he found
twelve men who were disciples. They had not received the Holy Spirit because
they had been baptized into John’s baptism. After the great commission was given
(Matthew 28:18-20), John’s baptism was no longer valid. Therefore, Paul “baptized them into the name of the Lord
Jesus” (Acts 19:5).
Who Should Be Re-baptized?
People need to be re-baptized if any of the following are true: (1) They were “baptized” as an infant or small child; (2) They were “baptized” by sprinkling or pouring water on them; (3) They were “baptized” because they were already “saved;” (4) They were “baptized” as was the case of the disciples at Ephesus, into the name of someone other than Christ.
Who Should Be Baptized?
Who then should be baptized? (1) The true subject of baptism is a penitent believer (Mark 16:15-16); The true action of baptism is immersion—a burial in water (Romans 6:4-6; Colossians 2:12); (3) The true purpose of baptism is for or in order to the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21; Acts 22:16); and (4) The true authority and relationship of baptism is in the name of Christ and into a relationship with the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). Those who have thus been baptized according to the scriptures never need to be baptized again. Copyright © 2008 Shelby Floyd All Rights Reserved