Should those who fall away and return to the church be baptized again? - Overview

Question

It is not uncommon for believers to be faithful for years, but "fall away", only to return years later with a reaffirmation of faith. Often this is common with teens who have a "wild" 20's and 30's, but return to the church in their middle age. But it is also plenty common outside of those specific ages.

Once returned to the fold, these new-old-believers often want and attain a second baptism, as a public show of their return to the faith.

Are there any Denominations which address a believer's second baptism? What is an overview of the beliefs on this common occurrence?

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^{Note: This question is about adult believers who've been baptized, leave the faith, but return and desire a second baptism. This question is not about a believer's desire to be baptized despite having been by their parents as an infant.}

Answer 1

"Should they get re-baptized"s off-topic - it's opinion-based. However, here's a sample of what some teach and practice.

In various Churches that I've attended, including Baptist, Evangelical Free, and local community non-denominational Bible Churches, getting baptized again is fairly common.

This is based on the belief that Baptism doesn't save us, but is, instead, an outward sign of obedience to God.

In such denominations, the belief is that being baptized doesn't do anything to save us. Rather, it's a symbolic, outward profession of our faith, and our rebirth in Christ.

(Reference to back that up at Doing Baptism Baptist Style.)

In cases such as that, it's entirely appropriate to go through another baptism. Re-committing your life to Christ is perfectly valid, and to go through a ritual that symbolizes this is perfectly OK, but not required.

They don't see it as necessary because to these groups, baptism wasn't necessary in the first place.

As an analogy, to groups that see Baptism from this perspective, it's no different than renewing your wedding vows.

More specific to your question, there are several denominations that address this. For example, the La Vista Church of Christ has this to say in their article on the topic:

Reading the article makes it apparent that they believe that baptism does have an effect, yet they say that it's appropriate to do a second baptism, and also use the renewing of the vows analogy.

(I'd recommend the full article. This is just the closing paragraph)

Being baptized is compared to the Old Testament practice of being circumcised. "In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead" (Colossians 2:11-12). The very nature of circumcision is an act that can be performed only once. Similarly, baptism is related to marriage. "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish" (Ephesians 5:25-27). Marriage is for life. Some renew their vows, but that renewal doesn't make the original vow of non-effect or say that the couple was any less married prior to the renewal. Renewed vows have no true effect on a marriage, but still some people like to have the reminder.

Answer 2

Most denominations I’ve been involved with would do This:

1) first baptism is valid 2) the backslider doesn’t invalidate the baptism. 3) if you want to get Rebaptised go ahead.