Why can’t we be re-baptized if we fall away from the church?

(Hint: There is only one baptism.)

Paul says: “There is…one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” (Ephesians 4:5)

All other baptisms are pretenders; they don’t count.

Once we’re baptized, the grace that baptism gives us is ours (even if we’re not actively using or benefiting from it).

Baptism grants us forgiveness and new life in Christ — a treasure that lasts forever.

Even if someone loses their faith and no longer experiences the benefits of baptism, it still remains.

Why? Because it doesn’t depend on us; it’s based on the work of Jesus Christ.

Think of it this way: If someone gifted you a car but you never drove it, that wouldn’t change the fact that the car is still yours.

Similarly, in baptism, we receive a lifelong treasure, including:
Forgiveness of sins through the sacrifice of Christ
A new identity — we are made new
Union with Christ’s death so that we can also share in His resurrection

This gift is always there; it doesn’t disappear even if:
I renounce the faith
I declare myself an atheist
I feel anger toward God and leave the church for a time

Because this gift is permanent, we don’t need to re-baptize those who’ve fallen away and returned to the faith.

Instead, we remind them of what they already possess in Christ: forgiveness and the promise of eternal life.

Contributor Chris Brademeyer is Pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Oakes, ND.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #baptism

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