Is it considered a sin to be baptized a second time? Is it possible to baptize a child Is it possible to be baptized twice.

IN Lately quite often in the list of the most popular Internet queries you can see the phrase - "under what conditions can you cross a person."

People are interested in this issue from different angles and positions. Many Christians who were baptized in childhood, when they were in an unconscious age, as adults, would like to once again experience this important process from the point of view of religion. Now already understanding the essence, realizing each stage of the process of baptism.

Some parents would like to baptize the child again, taking other godparents, father or mother, because for some reason the former ones do not satisfy them.

From a human point of view, this problem is understandable, let's try to answer the question of how the church relates to rebaptism, what the clergy say, what they would like to warn the flock about.

Can I be baptized again?

The Church highlights the following points that underlie the desire to rebaptize the person himself or his heirs.

The first moment is connected with the acquisition of a new name. People for whom this factor is decisive believe that the new name received as a result of this important Christian rite will not be known to anyone except higher powers, and that this may save them from dangerous or harmful magical effects in the future.

The clergy warn that people baptized in the Orthodox or Catholic faith should fight their superstitions regarding the evil eye or inflicting damage on the "old", famous name. Baptism, in Christianity, is a rebirth to spiritual life, faith in man, in the victory of good, in eternal life for the righteous. Occultism, faith in otherworldly forces, in white or black magic, is contrary to faith in God, is incompatible and unacceptable.

The second, rather large category of people who come to church asking for another rite of baptism rests on a different message. Its meaning is that a person is sinful, for a certain period of time he can commit many acts that are incompatible with the image of a true believer. In this regard, people believe that re-baptism will free them from "accumulated sins."

The clergy explain the essence of the rite in this way - it refers to the most important church sacraments, is associated with a triple immersion (or dousing), means bodily dying and rebirth to spiritual life. Relying on this church postulate, people try to remove their sins in this way.

A conversation with a priest may help a person understand the essence of the problem, find a way out, not wash away sins in the process of a new baptism, but, indeed, repent, confess and begin to lead a righteous life.

Third group of people, baptized in infancy, either does not remember this Christian rite at all, or remembers it in a distorted form.

On the one hand, their desire is quite understandable and justified, on the other hand, the church unambiguously takes the position that baptism can take place only once, and all attempts to relive this Christian rite again do not matter.

One can come across the opinion that baptism for the first time took place without triple immersion in water, but only through dousing, that is, not according to the “full program”. However, the ministers of the Christian cult, relying on the dogmas of the church, talk about the equal admission of dipping and dousing during an important church sacrament.

Replacing godparents

As we can see, there are many reasons why adults would like to go through the sacrament of baptism again. Some of them are associated with belief in otherworldly forces and the occult, others with the desire to be cleansed of sins in the fastest and surest way, and others - to go through the ceremony again, with the careful fulfillment of all conditions.

The answer of the clergy in any case is the same, the sacrament of baptism should not take place a second time, since it does not carry the power that they are trying to attribute to it.

There is another group of people who also ask questions about re-baptism, but not about them personally, but about the baptism of children. And the main reason is the replacement of godparents. It is known that a great responsibility is placed on them, together with their relatives, to help in educating the godson (the younger generation) in the spirit of a true Christian, a believing person.

For many reasons God-parents sometimes they cannot fulfill their duties, for example, due to a change of residence, a break in relations with the godson's parents, etc. So mom and dad are thinking about whether they should take other godparents for their child. The answer of the clergy in this case will be negative.

sacrament of baptism- a rite that can take place only once in a lifetime, and parents who become godparents during this rite must also fulfill their mission, regardless of distances, unfavorable relationships and other problems.

Is it possible to be baptized a second time, we see from the words of one of the main Orthodox prayers, which is called "The Symbol of Faith". It is pronounced during the Divine Liturgy, as well as during the celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism. This prayer contains the following words: "I confess one Baptism for the remission of sins." This means that we must be aware of the great power of the Sacrament of Baptism. According to the canons Orthodox Church Every person should be baptized once in their life. If he has defiled his conscience with various sinful deeds, then he can wash it in the Sacrament of Confession or Repentance. This Sacrament is figuratively called the second Baptism, since with heartfelt repentance for one's sins during Confession, a person receives forgiveness from God himself.

Is it possible to be baptized a second time? Are there exceptions?

Is it possible to be baptized a second time, people who are not sure that they have preserved the grace of the Sacrament of Baptism ask. Perhaps such a desire appears in a person when he feels that he has fallen away from the teachings of the Orthodox Church. In this case, his sincere repentance and participation in confession is required. The only exception is when we don't know for sure whether the person was baptized. During the Soviet era, many people secretly baptized their children because they feared persecution. They did their best to hide this fact. If they did not lead a church life, did not take communion with their children and did not take them to church, then when these children grew up, they often did not know for sure whether they were baptized. It is impossible to baptize a person twice, therefore, in order not to perform the Sacrament of Baptism twice, the priests during the Baptism of a person about whom it is not known whether he was baptized or not, utter an additional phrase. They say: "Not yet baptized." This means “if not baptized”, then the servant of God or the servant of God is baptized, - and the name of the person is called, - in the name of the Father, amen, and the Son, amen, and the Holy Spirit, amen. The rules of Baptism suggest that this Sacrament is complete and perfect. Therefore, it can be performed only once in a person's life.

“I was spoiled, and my grandmother said that she herself strong defense there will be a second baptism" - this is not the beginning of a joke, but words from a real life story. Very often people turn to priests with the same question: is it possible to be baptized a second time? Such a formulation of the question testifies to a deep misunderstanding of the sacrament of baptism as such.

In this article, we will figure out why you need to be baptized at all, debunk myths about re-baptism, and also consider situations in which the first baptism is considered invalid.

Why is a person baptized?

Baptism is the sacrament of entering the Church and being born again. The Gospel says:

Whoever is not born of water and the Spirit cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).

In baptismal waters, a person is reborn: he dies for a sinful life and is born for an eternal one. Before God, the person being baptized makes vows (the godparents act on behalf of the child) to renounce Satan—the sinful life—and be united with Christ.

If someone regards the sacrament of entering the Church as a formal act, some kind of semi-magical ritual - he was baptized and without work on himself became clean, healthy, happy - he is deeply mistaken.

The Sacrament of Baptism is the first step into the Church. It is followed by unceasing work on spiritual perfection, repentance, confession, Communion. To paraphrase a well-known saying, called himself a Christian - be one. And don't expect a mandatory reward in this life. Christians are rewarded in Heaven. After all, what can be higher than the Kingdom of Heaven, the bliss of being with God?

One baptism

As we are born only once in a lifetime, so we are born for eternal life in the sacrament of baptism only once. The Creed clearly states:

I confess one baptism for the remission of sins.

After that, the question “Is it possible to be baptized a second time?” should be gone for most people. But no: the myths are too persistent.

Is it possible to be baptized a second time? - the most common myths

Because of their sinfulness, people seek profit in everything, including in the Church. Because of this, many myths have arisen related to the question “Can I be baptized a second time?”. Consider the most common.

1. Rebaptism Protects Against Corruption

People often turn to priests with a request to perform the sacrament of baptism over them a second time. What's the explanation? The grace of the Holy Spirit will descend on them, and no witchcraft actions will harm them.

The second option is that in the sacrament a person will be given a new name, not known to those who wish to bring damage to him. So it turns out that the ill-wisher will "conjure" a person with an old name, and, accordingly, will not be able to harm the person who was baptized again.

Isn't it crazy? If you are a Christian, then a priori you will not turn to various psychics who talk about the benefits of re-baptism. If you live like a Christian and take communion regularly, then demonic tricks (damage, evil eye - whatever they are called) will not be able to harm you.

2. Is it possible for a child to be baptized a second time if the godparents do not cope with their duties?

Sometimes parents, mostly mothers, come to the temple with a request to re-baptize their child, but with new godparents. What reason? Godparents allegedly do not cope with their duties: they moved to another city, they do not visit the child, what can we say about spiritual education ...

So is it possible for a child to be baptized a second time if he is “unlucky” with godparents? Dear parents, no and no again. If you bring your son or daughter to the Church from infancy, then you take responsibility for their spiritual growth. First of all, you, and only then the recipients.

Do you live according to the commandments, do you commune yourself and partake of a child? Do you pray and teach this to your child? Do you read Holy Scripture at home? If you answer “No” to most of the questions, then the godfather, no matter how wonderful he may be, will not be able to spiritually educate your his child.

And in general: the meaning of baptism is in the rebirth of a person, the descent of the grace of the Holy Spirit on him, entry into the Church. During the service, the child received all this. The task of parents is to help their son or daughter not to lose these gifts and move towards God.

3. Is it possible for a person to be baptized a second time if he was “automatically” baptized in childhood?

What if my grandmother baptized me as a child, but I did not live like a Christian and did not believe in God for many years? And then came to faith and decided to completely change? Is it possible for a person to be baptized a second time in such a situation? In this example, many will recognize themselves.

There is no point in rebaptism. The person is already in the Church, let him improve further Christian life, visits the temple, takes communion.

At a conscious age, only those people who themselves came to God and were not baptized in childhood begin the sacrament of baptism.

The only condition for the second baptism

Re-baptism is possible only in one situation: if the first baptism is declared invalid. 47 apostolic rule speaks of the responsibility of the priests. It is considered a sin:

1. the second baptism, if the first was true;
2. the priest's refusal to perform the sacrament, if the first was not true (performed by schismatics, heretics).

The rule itself is:

A bishop or presbyter, if he truly baptizes him who is baptized again, or if he does not baptize the defiled from the ungodly: let him be cast out, as if he laughs at the cross and the death of the Lord, and does not distinguish between priests and false priests.

Is it possible to baptize a person a second time? The priest answers the question:

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The day of baptism is an important event in a person's life, even if it happened in infancy. On this day, a person becomes complete Orthodox Christian. The rite through triple immersion in water calls the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Is it possible to be baptized a second time, people who are not sure that they have preserved the grace of the Sacrament of Baptism ask. Perhaps such a desire appears in a person when he feels that he has fallen away from the teachings of the Orthodox Church. In this case, his sincere repentance and participation in confession is required. The only exception is when we don't know for sure whether the person was baptized. During the Soviet era, many people secretly baptized their children because they feared persecution. They did their best to hide this fact. If they did not lead a church life, did not take communion with their children and did not take them to church, then when these children grew up, they often did not know for sure whether they were baptized. It is impossible to baptize a person twice, therefore, in order not to perform the Sacrament of Baptism twice, the priests during the Baptism of a person about whom it is not known whether he was baptized or not, utter an additional phrase. They say: "Not yet baptized." This means “if not baptized,” then a servant of God or a servant of God is baptized, and the name of the person is called, in the name of the Father, amen, and of the Son, amen, and of the Holy Spirit, amen. The rules of Baptism suggest that this Sacrament is complete and perfect. Therefore, it can be performed only once in a person's life.

What is Baptism and why is it necessary?

- Baptism is a sacred act in which a believer in Christ, through threefold immersion of the body in water with the invocation of the name of the Holy Trinity, is washed from original sin, as well as from all the sins committed by him before Baptism, spiritually dies for a carnal, sinful life and, being born again clothed in the grace of God for a holy life, according to the Gospel. The apostle says: “We were buried with Him through baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4).

Without Baptism, one cannot enter the Church of Christ and become a partaker of the grace of life.

How many times can you be baptized?

– Baptism is a spiritual birth, which, like the birth of the flesh, cannot be repeated. Just as the outward appearance of a person is laid down once and for all during bodily birth, so Baptism places an indelible seal on the soul that cannot be erased, even if a person has committed an innumerable number of sins.

What should a person do who does not know if he has been baptized and has no one to ask about it?

- If an adult who wants to be baptized does not know for sure whether he was baptized in childhood or whether he was baptized by a layman, but it is not known whether this was done correctly, then in this case one should accept Baptism from a priest, warning him of his doubts.

Who can be a godfather?

- Grandparents, brothers, sisters, friends, acquaintances can be godparents. They must be baptized and believers. The godparents of one child in the future can no longer marry each other, because they are spiritual relatives.

Who can't be a godmother?

- Godparents cannot be:

1. children (the recipient must be at least 15 years old, the recipient must be at least 13 years old);
2. immoral and insane people (mentally ill);
3. non-Orthodox;
4. husband and wife are of the same person being baptized;
5. monks and nuns;
6. Parents cannot be the guardians of their children.

Who needs to hold a child at Baptism?

- During the entire Sacrament of Baptism, the baby is held in the arms of the godparents. When a boy is baptized, before immersion in the font, the child usually holds godmother, A Godfather- after that. If a girl is baptized, then at first the godfather holds her in her arms, and the godmother takes her from the font.

Is it possible to be baptized at 50-60 years old?

You can be baptized at any age.

Wouldn't it be better to postpone Baptism until the time when the child himself can consciously say that he believes in God?

Some have asked whether it would not be better to postpone Baptism until the time when the child can consciously say that he believes in God? Not better. Indeed, in the Sacrament of Baptism, the child receives a special grace that will help him in life. He becomes a member of the Church and can therefore be a participant in the holy sacraments. Including the Sacraments of the Eucharist - to partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ.

Every person, if possible, should have godparents. Moreover, children should have godparents, because they are baptized according to the faith of their parents and godparents.

How many times do you need to be baptized when entering the temple and when leaving it?

Usually, when entering the temple and when leaving it, the worshiper is baptized and bows three times. The number three symbolizes the Holy Trinity. Upon entering the temple, the main thing to do is to approach and kiss the temple icon or the icon of the holiday, which lies on the central lectern in the middle of the church. This is usually done like this: we bow twice with the sign of the cross, kiss the icon, and after that - another bow with the sign of the cross. Kissing a temple icon or an icon of a holiday, we seem to greet the owner of the house - God himself or the heavenly patron of the church (for example, St. Nicholas).

Do I need to pre-register for Baptism?

You don't need to sign up in advance.

You must have with you:

• Child's birth certificate
• Certificate of completion of public speaking
• Christening shirt, diaper
• Cross
• Towel
• For adults being baptized and large children (who are already walking): swimsuit and rubber slippers.

Reader question:

Save me, God!
Father, help with advice in a difficult spiritual situation and clarify doubts if they are false.
My daughter and I were baptized almost twenty-five years ago when my daughter was six years old. They invited a priest to the house, because the girl was sick. The godmother agreed to be the wife of my own brother, whom at that time I did not know well enough, but believed in the kindness of family relations.

Years passed, during which the godmother did not show much attention and warmth to the goddaughter. But we tried not to pay attention to it, not to exact or condemn her in any way! And after the death of my brother, his widow - the godmother of my daughter - began to show such unspeakable hatred for the relatives of her late husband (for my old father, for me, for my daughter), that at first I could not believe what it was at all Maybe. The reason is purely material: property claims to the share of the inheritance.

Hatred towards us is expressed in curses, dirty SMS messages on phones. Both I and my daughter, of course, pray for her softening evil heart for the Lord to enlighten her mind. But the daughter is worried: she is afraid that, having SUCH a godmother, she is poorly protected from any misfortunes and troubles on the worldly plane (health problems).

What to do in this case? And is it necessary (is it possible), as I heard, to be re-baptized by finding a different godmother?

Elena

Archpriest Andrey Efanov answers:

Dear Elena, you will forgive me for my harshness, but, having a 25-year period of church life, it would be time to deal with some things. If not, I strongly advise you and your daughter to read the Law of God, the Gospel with interpretations in order to lay a solid foundation in knowledge about your Orthodox faith. Godparents cannot be changed. This time. Re-baptism is also not allowed. This is two.

The spiritual life of a godmother does not affect godchildren in any way. In a sense, a negligent godmother can teach something to the wrong child, but her personal state does not affect the state of the godchildren. The essence of the responsibility of the cross -.

The godmother is not a charm, not a talisman, not some kind of supernatural guardian creature, but a mentor in faith who can pray especially strongly for godchildren.

So you are doing the right thing, that you pray for her, pray also in the Church, give a church commemoration, but the life of the godmother cannot affect the health of your daughter.

I would advise you and your daughter - once again - to better study your faith, if everything is not all right with this, to establish a regular church life, confession, communion, see a doctor in order to undergo an examination and take an active position in relation to your health - not only take medicines, but also follow a healthy diet, change the daily routine, maybe go in for sports and so on, in general, take care of your health and do it, especially since my daughter is still young, she is barely 30 years old! Strength, patience.

Well, about property matters, you will talk openly with your godmother- what does she claim, what does she want, what are the options for solving these issues. Without unnecessary emotions and some secrets and intrigues, but simply and openly, it is necessary - consult with a lawyer what and how can and should be done.

An archive of all questions can be found. If you have not found the question that interests you, you can always ask it.

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