Scriptural Reference:
"For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—
and we were all given the one Spirit to drink"
1 Corinthians 12:13

"And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be Baptised and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’"
Acts 22:16

"having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in
the working of God, who raised him from the dead"
Colossians 2:12

Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one
coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”
Acts 19:4

Reflection: How many times can someone be Baptised? What is the deference between baby baptism and adult baptism? Can someone enter heaven if they have not been Baptised? How would that work with some churches such as the Salvation Army who do not actively Baptise their members? These questions will be contentious and I'll attempt to address in this short scriptural reflection. In doing so I may upset some people.

To begin with I'll give a very short and brief back story to my faith journey. Growing up in Palo Alto California I was aware there were many churches in my small college city. This intrigued me as they all couldn't be right. So I went about visiting them. From my youthful research I found some offered food and drink after church. Some gave juice and bread as communion. Some gave real wine and bread at communion. As for the Catholics, the had funny little wafers that stuck to the roof of y mouth. Not sure about the drink as it was in a cup shared and I never got to try it. Later in life I attended various churches and for many reasons I was encouraged to be Baptised in several conflicting denominations. It was deemed at the time that other baptisms were not some how up to the standards of the denomination I was attending. Now looking back I find some bewildered and confronted by my many baptisms. Stating in their moral outrage that I could only be Baptised once. And that would have to do. Though My understanding is that we are not saved by baptism. We are Baptised as on open public sign of our faith. So for me it seem odd that there has been a human limit placed on such a public declaration of ones faith.

Baby Vs Adult Baptism: There are churches where they will Baptise a child or baby. They do this with a certain level of ritualistic ceremony. They will later say that once Baptised the child would not be Baptised again. For me this sounds counterproductive. Baptism is meant to be a public expression of a commitment to faith. How could a child know why they are being Baptised? It is said that the act is meant as the parents acknowledgment to bring the child up in a Christian home. So if this is the case the child later should be able to make the choice of faith and be Baptised So for me a baby or child baptism is only good for declaring the faith of the parents. Children have no proper understanding of faithful commitment. It takes an adult to be aware, understand and make such a profound commitment.

How many times can someone be Baptised? As mentioned above, I was Baptised numerous times. Since baptism in itself is not salvation, I would say there is really now limit placed on this act. This is where the legalists will jump up and start arguing that there is only one baptism. They may even try and twist scripture to prove that we are not saved if we are not Baptised In both cases there are faults. Jesus did say go preach and Baptise in His name. But he did not say that those who were not Baptised would not enter heaven. How would those who attend the Salvation Army ever enter heaven? We are all called to follow Jesus the Christ and to follow His teaching and commandments. Though this whole baptism issue has become nothing more than a divisive thorn. Something akin to the many stumbling blocks the Pharisees placed before the Jewish people.

This reflection is getting a bit long winded. So I'll try and sum things up. We have considered the difference between baby and adult baptism and hopefully have concluded that baby baptism is only good for the parents. It's adult baptism that is important for the individual as they need to be aware of what they are committing to. Although multiple baptisms are not the norm when it comes to shared traditions and ecumenical cannons; there is no concrete biblical evidence to say there could only be one and only one baptism. The very act and purpose of being Baptised is as an open public show of ones faith. As for whether or not you can enter heaven if you are not Baptised? Jesus the Christ told us to go, preach, convert and Baptise Though there really isn't any solid connection between conversion and baptism. If there were we would find those who attend the Salvation Army in Hell. Not a nice picture to embrace and still claim Christian love.

Prayer:
Lord, my Redeemer,
In your name,
I claim my salvation.

In your name,
I'm baptised in faith.

In your name,
I follow your teachings.

In your name,
I'll preach the Gospel.
Amen