Coming to a group of disciples in Ephesus, the apostle asked regarding their conversion to the Lord. As the conversation progressed, it was evident to Paul that they had not learned the whole truth. Finally, he inquired, "Into what then were you baptized?" Let us focus on these disciples for a few moments, and then make some present day applications.

Note Concerning The Twelve Disciples
They had been baptized. In response to Paul's question, they responded, "Into John's baptism." Of John's baptism, we know that the mode was immersion (John 3:23). We are told that John's baptism affected the remission of sins (Mark 1:4). However, their baptism was invalid on the basis that it was not by the proper authority (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; 10:48; 19:5). John's baptism, though valid and accepted at one time, was no longer the baptism required. They needed to be baptized in the name of (by the authority of) Jesus Christ.

Their first baptism lacked an element which was essential, and therefore, it was necessary for them to be 're-baptized' (though it was not really a 're-baptism', in the sense that they had not been correctly baptized the first time. This was their first (and only) baptism into Christ). Let us consider then, from this fact...

When Is 'Re-Baptism' Necessary?
To fully understand and appreciate when it is necessary for someone to be re-baptized, we must first know what the essential elements of Bible baptism are. There is a proper subject, mode, authority and purpose of baptism. If any of these elements of an individuals baptism do not match up with the word of God, re-baptism is in order.

The SUBJECT of baptism is the penitent believer (Acts 2:38; Acts 8:37). If a person receives baptism in any other state, then it is not Bible baptism. For instance, infant baptism is not Bible baptism, since an infant has neither the capacity to believe nor to repent. Jesus said, "He who believes and is baptized shall be saved..." (Mark 16:16). If a person has been baptized, but had neither faith nor a penitent heart, he has merely gotten wet.

The MODE of baptism is a burial (Romans 6:3; Colossians 2:11-12). The English word baptism is a transliteration of the Greek baptisma meaning to immerse or submerge. Though man may use the word baptism to describe the actions of sprinkling and pouring water, these are not 'baptism'. If a person has not been fully immersed in water, he has not received the baptism spoken of in the Bible.

The AUTHORITY by which baptism is to be performed is the name of Christ (Acts 19:5; Acts 2:38). This does not necessitate a formulated statement "...in the name of Jesus Christ...", but is an acknowledgement of the authority by which an individual is baptized. The statement "...in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit..." is a parallel statement. It affirms the Lord God as being the authority by which baptism is done.

The PURPOSE of baptism is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16). Baptism is not a public confession of faith, as some affirm, nor is it an act of obedience by those who are already saved, but is the means by which our sins are removed (Colossians 2:11-12), and we become saved (1 Peter 3:21). If a person is baptized for any reason than to receive the forgiveness of sins, it was not the baptism commanded by the Lord.

Analyzing One's Baptism
The people of Acts 19 needed to be baptized. Though their previous baptism was right in regard to subject, mode and purpose, it was by the wrong authority. Upon hearing that their baptism fell short of the Lord's command in some fashion, "...they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus."

Have you been baptized? If not, you need to be. If yes, was it according to the Bible pattern? If in one point your baptism differs from the word of the Lord, you have not been Biblically baptized, and thus are not saved. If you will submit to the baptism spoken of in the Bible, the Lord will wash away your sins, adding you to His church as a saved individual (Acts 2:41, 47).

Click here for this week's Answering The Atheist
Who prophesied about the potter's field? Matthew 27:9-10 mentions Jeremiah as the prophet, however, no such prophecy is found in Jeremiah. The prophecy is found in Zechariah 11:12-13.