Should I Be Rebaptized?

Acts 19: 1-5 contains an interesting story of some disciples that Paul encountered in Ephesus. Let's take a look at the text... And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”  And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John's baptism.”  And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.”  On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Paul meets these disciples and a discussion begins. Somewhere along the way, something is said that prompts Paul to ask if they received the Holy Spirit when they "believed". I am sure they gave him a puzzled look as they said that they had never heard of the Holy Spirit. Let's pull over and park and make sure we are on the same page... Paul meets some disciples, these disciples say something that concerns Paul and so he questions their conversion. They believe in Jesus, but something is missing. So, Paul asks them if they had received the Holy Spirit and they say that they had never heard of the Spirit. Ok, ok.

Depending on your religious background, Paul's next question could cause you some heartburn. When these disciples say that they have no knowledge of the Spirit, Paul asks them about their baptism. Strange? They didn't have the Holy Spirit and Paul asks about their baptism. Paul is connecting the receiving of the Holy Spirit with baptism. Let's keep reading... they say that they only knew of John's baptism. (read Mark 1:4) Someone had visited Ephesus and taught about the baptism of John. They had a partial understanding of the truth, but it was incomplete. Paul could have left it there and said God would work it out. He could have thought, "they believe in Jesus and that is enough". He could have, but he didn't.

It was and is important for disciples to be on the same page when it comes to doctrine. He knew that if he didn't confront this and teach them the truth about baptism, sooner or later, there would be a split in the church in Ephesus. Just look around, how many different belief systems do we have today? All caused by a different understanding of doctrine. Paul didn't want that and so he taught them about baptism that is accompanied by the Spirit. (Acts 2:37-41) He could have left them believing something wrong and they could have refused to listen to this "different" teaching. They could have said that they were baptized once and that was enough. But they didn't! They were open to learn truth and when confronted with it, they were obedient.

When Paul finished teaching them about Jesus and their need to be baptized for the remission of their sins and receive the Holy Spirit, they jumped in (so to speak). He wouldn't let them remain in error and they were open to truth. That is a great example for us today. Those that understand the truth must be willing to confront error and those in error must by open to learn the truth. If we were all like that, there would be one church... just like we find in the Bible. Instead, we don't confront error and we aren't willing to confront the things we believe that don't line up with scripture and we have thousands of denominations.

What about you? Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you were baptized? Or were you taught to say a prayer? I have read the Bible through many times looking for a person that was told to "pray Jesus into their heart" and am yet to find one. If you know of one, please send me a comment so that I may learn about it. Instead, every person is told the same thing... believe, be baptized and receive the Spirit. Over and over, all the way through the book of Acts... believe, be baptized and receive the Spirit. Paul told these disciples that had a partial understanding the same thing and they were rebaptized. Do you need to be immersed for the forgiveness of your sins and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit? If so, let me know and I will get you in touch with someone that can help you study and help you become a baptized believer. May God bless you in your decision.

Check out what Francis Chan has to say on the subject.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Is8QnxviOI