Although there seems to be no move to
rebaptize in Jesus' name all of those disciples who had received John's baptism, that option presents itself as the church expands beyond its initial membership.
mention the Donatist Council of 336 only in passing, yet it witnessed Donatus's capitulation to Mauretanian bishops who refused to
rebaptize converts from Catholicism.
Rebaptize them?--caused a great controversy in the church.
However, the opportunity to
rebaptize the daughter of a Puritan minister, a man the Jesuits styled an egregious heretic, a "wolf in shepherd's clothing, whose flock they had captivated for the safety of their souls, was especially noteworthy (J.
It would be once again to deny him his humanity, to
rebaptize him in the name of literary criticism.
Cohen's mincing voice and anti-gay message were intended to
rebaptize Poland before its debate on the bill legalizing same-sex civil unions.
When receiving converts from the Catholic Church, they repeat the holy sacrament of baptism; yet they do not
rebaptize members of their own connection who have received this sacrament from clergy polluted by acts of criminality or adultery (M 7.14, line 209).
"With the Council of Constantinople," Canisius continues, "we must say: 'I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.' And with Augustine: 'To
rebaptize a heretical person is entirely a sin, but to
rebaptize a Catholic is a most monstrous crime,' which, consequently, imperial laws in fact forbid." (76) Against the adversaries who clamor against the church's rule to administer the Eucharist to the laity in only one kind, Canisius insists that neither faith nor sacraments can effect salvation "except for those who persist in the unity of the church." That is why Augustine said: "Without unifying love (sine charitate unitatis) all the sacraments of Christ entail judgment, not salvation" (Against the Letters of Petilian 3.40.46).
However, at the church business meeting of April 20, 1854, Kalley "demonstrate[d] that Papist baptism is not Christian, therefore, on conversion, Romanists must be re-baptized as if they were gentiles." (58) This change of policy against infant baptism was to have far-reaching effects in Brazil, where most evangelical churches still
rebaptize.
But he did this not in order to establish a new church practice, but rather "owing to their ignorance." If it was necessary to
rebaptize everyone who relapsed into sin, "we would constantly require a lake or river in readiness." Article II.
Dorgan writes that it is "not unusual" for Old Regular Baptists to defer until "their forties or fifties." (11) Some demand immersion of professing, pedo-baptized Christians who seek Baptist church membership; some "
rebaptize" those whose immersion was outside the Baptist fold ("alien immersion"); and others recognize varying baptismal forms, receiving members based on their profession of faith.