Slegs eenmaal gedoop - Sans Jamais Le Réitérer

Abstract

Baptized but once - Sans Jamais Le Réitérer
In principle re-baptism is rejected by almost all churches and theologians. However, since some regard infant baptism as invalid, they encourage those who have not been baptized in faith and obedience to have it administered by immersion. On the contrary, it is argued that, no matter what circumstances prevailed, any baptism administered with water in the ‘Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’ by a church official with the power to baptize is indeed valid and should never be repeated. Neither do baptism of confirmation or ‘double baptism’ offer a solution. At the root of the problem a difference of approach towards the covenant of grace is maintained. Churches maintaining the infant baptism tradition should, however, critically view the praxis of their doctrine and consider whether church members are perhaps too readily allowed to present their children for baptism.