This blog is a part of the “Dear Pam” series. The following is a question from an anonymous sister:
I was baptized when I was a teenager. Does this baptism “hold any weight” in Gods eyes? Do I need to get re-baptized? I feel like I am filled with the Holy Spirit, and have prayed in tongues for a few years now, but I know at the time of getting baptized I didn’t know exactly what any of that meant
Dearest Sister,
I get this question often. In fact, my husband and I had this very conversation 20 years ago. He was baptized as a child and I never was. We had started attending an incredible church and entered a new season of spiritual growth. It was natural to question his baptism and my lack thereof.

I think the most important thing to remember is that baptism is deeply meaningful. It’s about the heart and the relationship with God, not just the ceremony itself. Baptism is a public declaration of faith and a symbolic act of dying to one’s old life and being raised to new life in Christ (Romans 6:3-4). However, the “weight of baptism” isn’t about how much you understood at the time, but about the genuine desire to follow Jesus and the sanctification that happens after.
As you decide to re-baptize or not, I suggest spending time in prayer, discussing this with your pastor, and studying the Word. Here are some key points from the Bible about baptism:
- Jesus’ Baptism: In Matthew 3:13-17, Jesus Himself was baptized by John the Baptist, not because He needed to repent, but to “fulfill all righteousness.” This shows that Jesus affirmed the practice of baptism.
- Jesus’ Command to Baptize: In Matthew 28:19, during the Great Commission, Jesus tells His disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” This establishes baptism as an essential part of the Christian faith.
- Repentance and Baptism: In Acts 2:38, Peter tells the people to “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” Baptism is closely associated with repentance and receiving forgiveness.
- Baptism as a Symbol of Death, Burial, and Resurrection: In Romans 6:3-4, Paul compares baptism to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. It’s seen as a way for believers to spiritually identify with Christ’s death and resurrection. He writes, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”
- Baptism and Salvation: In Mark 16:16, Jesus says, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” This is often cited to show the connection between belief in Jesus and the act of baptism in the salvation process.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, it’s a personal decision. If you feel you need to be re-baptized as a way to publicly affirm your faith then go for it! However, if you believe your initial baptism was genuine then there is no need to repeat. It’s a point of rememberance of how far Christ has brought you since then.
As for my house, my husband and I decided to be baptized together. It was a first for me and a repeat for him. We were newlyweds and it was an amazing time in Christ for us; something I will always cherish. I was grateful for a pastor that shepherded us well during that time of our life.
To submit your own “Dear Pam” for a future blog: https://thepambailey.com/dear-pam
Be the first to comment