Introduction

• First of all, if you have been baptized, and then committed some sin, that by itself does not mean you need to be baptized again.
  • Acts 8:12-23
  • I John 1:9

Back when you were baptized …

… did you understand that you were personally guilty of sin?

• Acts 2:38
• I Peter 3:21
• Acts 9:5-6, 9; 22:16; 2:23, 36-38
• People in the Bible felt relief and joy after baptism
  • Acts 2:46; 8:39; 9:19; 16:34

… did you know the good news?

• Matthew 28:18-20
• Acts 2:40-41; 8:12, 35
• Romans 6:3

… were you truly convinced?

• Mark 16:15-16 – Belief is a prerequisite of baptism.
• Acts 2, 8; 17:2-4, 11-12; 18:8
• Hebrews 11:6
• Romans 10:8-10 – The true believer is able to confess Jesus as Lord.
• John 12:42-43

… did you start a new life?

• Acts 2:38-42
• Ezekiel 18:30-32
• Jonah 3:4-10; Matthew 12:41
• Acts 26:20; 8:13, 18
• Romans 6:4

The Bible itself does NOT give any of these reasons to be baptized:

• To make my family or friends happy.
• Because it seems like a grown-up thing to do.
• I want to start taking the Lord’s Supper.
• Someone told me, “It’s about time,” even though I wasn’t ready.
• Someone else got baptized and I didn’t want to feel left out.
• To join a denomination.
• To accomplish something other than obeying God’s plan to put on Christ and receive forgiveness of sins.