Who Was Baptized Twice In The Bible?
Baptism is an important ritual in Christianity that symbolizes cleansing from sin and being born again into a new life with Christ. But did you know that there is an instance in the Bible where someone was baptized twice?
Keep reading to uncover the fascinating story behind this unique double baptism.
The First Baptism of Jesus
John the Baptist Baptizes Jesus in the Jordan River
The first baptism of Jesus is recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. This baptism took place in the Jordan River and was administered by John the Baptist. John was a prophet sent to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah by preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Mark 1:4).
When Jesus came to be baptized, John recognized him as the One he had been preaching about and said, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” (Matthew 3:14). Jesus responded, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15).
So John consented and baptized Jesus in the Jordan River.
The baptism of Jesus marked the beginning of his public ministry. Though he was sinless, Jesus allowed himself to be baptized in order to identify with sinners and fulfill the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. His baptism also showed his approval of John’s ministry and message.
As Jesus came up out of the water after being baptized, the heavens opened, the Holy Spirit descended on him in the form of a dove and God the Father spoke from heaven saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:16-17).
This event revealed the Trinity – God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit – and confirmed Jesus’ identity as the Son of God.
The Holy Spirit Descends on Jesus After His Baptism
When Jesus came up out of the water after being baptized by John the Baptist, the heavens opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him “like a dove” (Matthew 3:16). All three Synoptic Gospels record this miraculous event, emphasizing the anointing of Jesus for ministry by the Holy Spirit.
The descent of the Holy Spirit on Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah’s anointing by the Spirit of God, such as Isaiah 42:1: “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations.”
It also marked the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry as the Christ or “Anointed One.” The Holy Spirit empowered and equipped Jesus for the work ahead.
The visible manifestation of the Spirit as a dove has symbolic meaning. Doves represent purity, peace and innocence. By descending in the form of a dove, the Holy Spirit signifies that Jesus came to bring purity, peace and reconciliation between God and humanity.
The dove also calls to mind the Spirit’s gentle fluttering wings at creation (Genesis 1:2). Jesus’ baptism ushers in the new creation through the life, death and resurrection of the Son of God.
The baptism of Jesus is one of the most important events at the start of His public ministry. It shows Jesus’ commitment to complete the plan of salvation that began long ago. As the beloved Son of God full of the Holy Spirit, Jesus has the power and authority to preach the gospel, heal the sick, forgive sins and deliver us from evil.
His baptism marks the continuation of God’s covenant relationship with His people through the Messiah.
The Rebaptism of the Ephesian Believers
The book of Acts provides an intriguing account of a group of believers who were baptized twice. This unusual rebaptism story centers around the apostle Paul’s missionary journey to the city of Ephesus, as recorded in Acts 19.
Paul Finds Believers in Ephesus Who Were Baptized by John
When Paul first arrived in Ephesus, he encountered some disciples who had previously been baptized into John the Baptist’s baptism of repentance. John’s baptism was intended to prepare the way for Jesus, so it makes sense that these believers would need to take the next step and be baptized into Christ.
Acts 19:2-3 tells us:
Paul said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied.
Upon discovering that these Ephesian believers did not know about the Holy Spirit or Christian baptism, Paul knew they needed further teaching and discipleship. John’s baptism was incomplete, so re-baptism was necessary for these believers to fully identify with Jesus Christ and receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
These Believers Are Baptized Again in the Name of Jesus
After hearing Paul’s full gospel message, the Ephesian believers were baptized again, this time in the name of the Lord Jesus. Acts 19:5 states:
On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
This rebaptism demonstrated the Ephesian believers’ repentance and faith in Jesus as the Christ. By being baptized again, they publicly declared their acceptance of Him as Savior and Lord.
The rebaptism also allowed these believers to receive the promised Holy Spirit, as described in Acts 19:6:
When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
So this case of rebaptism fulfilled an important purpose. It unified the Ephesian believers’ faith in Jesus, aligned them with the full gospel message, and equipped them with the Holy Spirit to live empowered Christian lives.
The rebaptism of the Ephesian believers teaches us that baptism is not just a one-time event, but an ongoing expression of faith in Jesus. There are rare situations where rebaptism may be biblically warranted, as part of a believer’s spiritual growth and obedience to Jesus.
Examining the Reasons Behind the Rebaptism
John’s Baptism Was a Baptism of Repentance
John the Baptist’s ministry centered around calling people to repentance in preparation for the coming of the Messiah (Mark 1:4). His baptism was an outward sign of inward repentance and cleansing from sin. However, John’s baptism did not institute belief in Jesus as the Messiah and Savior.
So those who were baptized by John needed to be rebaptized into the Christian faith.
Christian Baptism Institutes Belief in Jesus as Savior
When Jesus began His ministry, the meaning of baptism changed. Christian baptism represents belief in Jesus as the Son of God and the Savior of the world (Acts 8:35-38). It also signifies the baptismal candidate’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4).
So those who came to faith in Jesus after John’s baptism needed to be baptized into the Christian faith.
For example, despite being previously baptized by John, the apostle Paul was baptized again after his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:18). This signified his conversion and new life in Christ.
The Ephesian Believers Lacked Knowledge About the Holy Spirit
In Acts 19, Paul encountered some believers in Ephesus who had received John’s baptism but had no knowledge of the Holy Spirit or Christian baptism. After instructing them, they were baptized again in the name of Jesus.
This indicated their newfound faith in Christ and reception of the Spirit (Acts 19:1-6).
So rebaptism was necessary when people lacked proper understanding of the Christian meaning of baptism or the gift of the Holy Spirit that accompanies belief in Jesus. Their subsequent baptism represented full initiation into the Christian faith.
Theological Implications of the Double Baptism
Affirms the Supremacy of Baptism in Jesus’ Name
The account of the disciples of John the Baptist being baptized again in the name of Jesus Christ shows the supremacy and importance of Christian baptism. Though they had already been baptized by John, they still needed to receive baptism in the name of Jesus after believing in Him as the Messiah.
This affirms that baptism in the name of Jesus is vital for new believers to publicly identify themselves with Christ and begin their new life in Him (Acts 19:5). It is not just an optional extra.
Shows the Importance of Receiving the Holy Spirit
The rebaptism of John’s disciples also highlights the crucial importance of receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit in baptism. Though they had repented and been baptized under John’s water baptism, they still had not received the Holy Spirit.
Only after Christian baptism did the Holy Spirit come upon them with supernatural signs like speaking in tongues and prophecy (Acts 19:6). This demonstrates that water baptism alone is not complete without also receiving the Spirit by faith.
Highlights the Incompleteness of John’s Baptism
John’s baptism was limited in that it was only a baptism of repentance and preparation for the coming Messiah. Christian baptism goes further by identifying the believer with Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection.
John himself taught that his baptism would be superseded by a greater baptism from the Messiah, saying “I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” (Mark 1:8). The rebaptism of John’s disciples shows that his baptism alone was incomplete without embracing Jesus as Lord and receiving the Spirit.
Conclusion
While the vast majority of Christians are only baptized once, the unusual rebaptism of the Ephesian believers shows that not all first baptisms result in full salvation and receipt of the Holy Spirit.
Their story reminds us of the supreme importance of being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and solidifying our faith and understanding of His redemptive work.
