Answer: According to Scripture, baptism should be performed only once in a person’s lifetime, provided they meet the following two essential conditions:

1. The person must understand the meaning of baptism and have repented:

Baptism symbolizes the burial of the old self and the resurrection to a new life. This is not just a symbolic act but a profound spiritual transformation. The Bible teaches that baptism is not simply a ritual but an essential step in embracing the gospel and identifying with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Romans 6:3–4 (NIV) says,

Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Baptism represents the death of the old sinful nature (our old self), burial with Christ, and resurrection to a new, transformed life. For this reason, the person must truly understand the significance of this spiritual act before being baptized.

If a person understands the purpose of baptism—to publicly declare their faith in Christ, to die to sin, and to live in newness of life in Christ—then that is the first condition for the validity of their baptism.

Jesus Himself emphasized the importance of repentance before baptism. In Mark 1:15, He said, “The time has come,” He said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Repentance is a necessary part of baptism because baptism symbolizes the washing away of sin and the turning from an old life to a new one in Christ.

This is why children, who do not yet have the capacity to understand the gospel or make a conscious decision to follow Christ, are not baptized. Instead, they may receive the laying on of hands as a blessing, as seen in Mark 10:16: “And He took the children in His arms, placed His hands on them, and blessed them.” Therefore, a person baptized as a child must be baptized again once they come to a full understanding of the gospel and make a personal decision to follow Jesus.

2. The type of baptism performed:

This is the second critical condition. If a person was baptized in the manner described in the Bible—through immersion in water and in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19)—then their baptism is valid. The word “baptize” (Greek: baptizo) literally means to “immerse” or “dip.” Therefore, the proper form of baptism is by full immersion, which symbolizes the total burial of the old self and the rising up into new life in Christ.

Matthew 28:19 (NIV) records Jesus’ command to His disciples:

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Similarly, Acts 2:38 (NIV) teaches that baptism is in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins:

Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Thus, baptism must be done in the name of the Triune God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) or in the name of Jesus Christ, as both are consistent with biblical teaching.

If a person was baptized using a small amount of water (e.g., sprinkling or pouring), even if they had repented of their sins, they must be baptized again by full immersion, as the Bible does not support sprinkling or pouring as valid forms of baptism. The act of immersion itself serves as a vivid picture of being buried with Christ and raised to new life, as Romans 6:4 explains.

Acts 19:3–5 (NIV) also illustrates this point when the Apostle Paul encounters believers who were baptized by John but had not yet been baptized in the name of Jesus:

So Paul asked, ‘Then what baptism did you receive?’ ‘John’s baptism,’ they replied. 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.’ On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

These early Christians had been baptized in John’s baptism, which was a baptism of repentance, but they had not yet received the correct baptism in the name of Jesus. After understanding the full gospel, they were baptized again in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Why is it important to be baptized correctly?

The Bible teaches that baptism is not just a ritual, but a powerful means by which God works to spiritually transform us. 1 Peter 3:21 (NIV) says,

And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Baptism is a means of grace that strengthens a believer’s faith. It represents the believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, as well as their commitment to live a new life in Him. It’s important to remember that baptism itself does not save us—it’s faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that saves us (Ephesians 2:8-9). However, baptism is the outward sign of that inner transformation, a necessary step in fully surrendering to Christ.

The Bible also emphasizes that those who have been properly baptized should live out their faith steadfastly. Colossians 2:12 (NIV) reminds us,

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.

This verse shows that baptism is a sign of our faith in God’s work in our lives. It’s meant to empower us to live according to the will of God, in the new life that Christ has provided.

What if I was baptized incorrectly?

If your baptism was not done according to the teachings of Scripture (such as by sprinkling or in the name of someone other than Jesus), it is not a sin to be re-baptized. In fact, it is recommended that you receive baptism again in the proper biblical manner to ensure it aligns with the teachings of Jesus and His apostles.

As seen in Acts 19:5, the believers who had received the wrong baptism were re-baptized in the name of Jesus. Therefore, if your baptism was not fully in accordance with Scripture, it is advisable to undergo baptism again in the correct manner.

Conclusion:

Baptism is a sacred act that signifies a believer’s identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. If you were baptized correctly, with full immersion and in the name of the Lord Jesus, there is no need to be baptized again. However, if your baptism did not meet the biblical standard, it’s important to undergo baptism again in the proper manner.

If you haven’t been baptized yet or want to be re-baptized, please contact us at 0789001312. We’ll help you understand the significance of baptism and, if you’re in our area, we’ll baptize you for free.

May God bless you abundantly.

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Answer: Rachel’s infertility was not the result of any personal sin or failure on her part, but rather a divine act with deeper spiritual implications. As we look at the Scriptures, we can discern at least two key reasons why God chose to shut her womb.

1. To Humble Rachel and Strengthen Leah

The Bible reveals that Rachel was the one Jacob loved more deeply, while Leah was unloved (Genesis 29:30). This led to a complex dynamic in their family. God’s decision to close Rachel’s womb, despite her yearning for children, served multiple purposes in God’s sovereign plan.

First, it seems God allowed Leah to bear children before Rachel in order to shift the focus of Jacob’s affections. The Lord had a purpose in giving Leah children when Rachel was barren. By doing this, God wanted to establish Leah’s role in His redemptive plan, as her children would form the twelve tribes of Israel.

God’s sovereign choice to shut Rachel’s womb shows that His plans are not always in line with our desires, but are designed for His glory and for the good of His people. God’s delay in granting Rachel’s request for children also served to humble her, reminding her that human desires must ultimately submit to God’s perfect will.

Genesis 29:31-32

When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren. So Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben, for she said, ‘The LORD has surely looked on my affliction. Now therefore my husband will love me.

This passage indicates that Leah’s affliction (being unloved by Jacob) was not unnoticed by God. He responded by giving her children, showing His mercy and favor to the one who was despised. Meanwhile, Rachel’s barrenness served to highlight Leah’s blessings, as her sons were seen as a way to win Jacob’s love. This situation might have caused Rachel to wrestle with jealousy, pride, and a sense of inadequacy, but it also taught her that true fulfillment comes from God’s timing and plan, not from human relationships.

James 4:6

But He gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

God’s humbling of Rachel through her infertility was not a punishment but a way to redirect her trust away from human circumstances (like Jacob’s affection) and onto His sovereignty. Similarly, Leah, who was initially overshadowed by her sister, became a vessel of God’s grace, bearing children through whom the Messiah would eventually come.

2. To Honor the One Who Would Be Born Later: Joseph

The second reason for Rachel’s long wait before conceiving was that God was preparing her to bear the child who would become a key figure in God’s redemptive story. While Rachel suffered in silence, her eventual pregnancy would bring forth Joseph, a man who would play a pivotal role in God’s plan for Israel’s preservation during the famine (Genesis 41:46).

Joseph’s birth is a reminder that God’s delays are often not about punishment or denial but preparation. Joseph was not just any child; he was the one whom God would use to preserve the people of Israel in Egypt. His eventual rise to power in Egypt (second only to Pharaoh) would ensure the survival of God’s covenant people, showing that God’s delays are often tied to His larger plan of salvation.

Genesis 30:22-24

Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb. And she conceived and bore a son and said, ‘God has taken away my reproach.’ So she called his name Joseph, and said, ‘The LORD shall add to me another son.

The name “Joseph” means “God will add” or “God has taken away my reproach.” Rachel’s joy at his birth was not only due to the child itself but because God had answered her prayer and removed the social stigma of infertility. But Joseph’s birth was also a prophetic sign that God was working out a larger plan. Through Joseph, God would bring about the salvation of Israel, just as Christ, the ultimate “Joseph,” would one day bring salvation to all who believe.

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

Even though Rachel had to wait for many years, God was working everything out for her good, just as He works all things for the good of those who love Him. Sometimes, what seems like a delay is actually God setting the stage for something greater than we could ever imagine.

3. A Lesson on Trusting God’s Timing

Rachel’s story teaches us a profound lesson about trusting God’s timing. Although Rachel longed for children and saw her sister Leah multiply, she was forced to wait. Her wait was long, but it was not in vain. In God’s perfect timing, she would bear Joseph, whose story would become a key part of God’s redemptive plan for Israel.

Psalm 27:14

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

The Bible often calls believers to wait on the Lord. Waiting is not passive; it is an active trust in God’s plan, even when we don’t see immediate results. Rachel’s story is a testimony to the power of God’s perfect timing.

Sometimes we may find ourselves waiting for answers, for children, or for other desires of our hearts. Like Rachel, we might wonder why God has not yet answered our prayers. But in the waiting, God is developing our faith and preparing us for His best. His delays are not denials but opportunities for growth.

4. The Greater Picture of Redemption

Ultimately, Rachel’s struggle with infertility and the birth of Joseph is a microcosm of God’s larger redemptive plan. Just as God waited until the right time to give Rachel the child she desired, so He also waited for the right time to send His Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem the world.

Galatians 4:4-5

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

In the fullness of time, God sent Jesus, the ultimate “Joseph,” who, like Joseph in the Old Testament, would save God’s people from destruction. Rachel’s wait for Joseph mirrors our wait for Christ, and it teaches us that in God’s timing, He will always provide exactly what we need, in His perfect plan.

Conclusion:

Rachel’s story is a powerful reminder that God’s delays are not in vain. While waiting, we are being shaped and prepared for something greater. In the midst of our struggles, God’s sovereignty reigns, and His timing is always perfect. Just as He eventually answered Rachel’s prayer, He will answer ours—in His time and in His way, for His glory.

May this truth strengthen your faith as you continue to trust in God’s perfect timing. And may we all learn to wait patiently for the good things He has in store.

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Question: Jesus said that when an evil spirit leaves a person and later returns, finding the house swept and decorated, it may bring seven other spirits worse than itself. What does it mean for the house to be “swept and decorated”? Do demons prefer clean places?

Answer: Let’s start by reading the relevant verses to understand the full context:

Luke 11:24-26

When an unclean spirit goes out of a person, it passes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds it swept and decorated. Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that person is worse than the first.

To better understand the meaning of “swept and decorated,” we must first recognize what the “house” refers to in a spiritual sense.

The Body as a Temple of the Holy Spirit

The Scriptures make it clear that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. This concept is foundational to understanding what it means to be spiritually “swept and decorated.”

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

1 Corinthians 3:16

Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?

The imagery of the body being a “temple” conveys the idea that our bodies are designed to house the Holy Spirit. If the Holy Spirit is not present, the body can be filled with other influences, specifically demonic forces. The fact that our bodies are temples indicates that they are to be kept pure, set apart for God’s glory, and inhabited by His Spirit.

If the Holy Spirit does not dwell within us, there is a spiritual vacuum that demons are eager to occupy. This is why the “house” Jesus refers to in Luke 11:24-26 is our physical body, which, without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, becomes a target for demonic spirits.

The Meaning of “Swept and Decorated”

When Jesus speaks of the house being “swept and decorated,” He is illustrating the state of a person’s spiritual life after deliverance or an attempt to purify oneself. To be “swept” suggests a cleaning process, the removal of evil or impure influences from one’s life. However, simply cleaning or purging the house (body) is not enough; it must be “decorated” with the right things—namely, the Holy Spirit and holiness.

Matthew 12:43-45

When an unclean spirit goes out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but it finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.

In this passage, Jesus highlights that just cleaning the house (one’s life) without filling it with the right spirit leads to greater danger. The house (body) must not remain empty, or it becomes a place of greater demonic activity.

In theological terms, the “sweeping” represents an attempt at self-purification or an effort to rid oneself of sin or demonic influence. But if the house is not filled with the presence of God, the effort is incomplete, and the demons will return, bringing with them even more powerful forces.

The Role of Adornment: What Does It Mean to “Decorate” the House?

To understand what it means to “decorate” the house, we can turn to other parts of the Bible that talk about how we should adorn ourselves spiritually. The Bible offers guidance on the appropriate kind of “decorations” for God’s temple.

1 Peter 3:3-4

Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.

This passage highlights that God values inner beauty over outward adornment. External adornment—like jewelry, elaborate hairstyles, or extravagant clothing—can be seen as a form of “decoration” that distracts from the inner spiritual reality. While the world values these external decorations, the Bible teaches that true beauty lies in a heart that is gentle, peaceful, and humble.

In the context of Luke 11:25-26, “decorating” one’s house spiritually refers to how a person fills their life after an initial cleansing. If one merely engages in external behavior modification—such as adopting a certain appearance or trying to live morally without inward transformation—the house (body) will remain vulnerable. The demonic forces are drawn to superficial “decorations” because they are signs of vanity and pride, not the humility and purity that God desires.

Demonic Decorations: What Are They?

When we focus on external appearance—adornments like excessive jewelry, revealing clothing, or other worldly signs of vanity—these can be considered “demonic decorations” because they reflect the values of a fallen world, rooted in pride, self-glorification, and materialism. Demons are attracted to these things because they are expressions of rebellion against God’s ways, and they find these empty pursuits conducive to their influence.

1 John 2:16

For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

These verses emphasize the need to reject worldly values and conform to God’s will. When our adornment is based on worldly standards, we are spiritually vulnerable, allowing demonic spirits to invade and corrupt us.

True Adornment: A Heart Transformed by God

In contrast, the Bible emphasizes that true adornment is not external but internal. It’s the transformation of the heart through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Colossians 3:12-14

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

These virtues—compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, and love—are the true adornments that make our lives pleasing to God. These virtues reflect the character of Christ, and when our lives are filled with them, we create a spiritual environment that repels demonic forces and welcomes the Holy Spirit.

Conclusion: Filling the House with God’s Spirit

In summary, the “sweeping” of the house represents an effort to rid oneself of sin or demonic influence, while the “decorating” of the house refers to how we fill our lives afterward. If we leave our lives empty—focused only on external appearances and worldly pursuits—our lives remain open to demonic influence. Instead, we must “decorate” our lives with the presence of the Holy Spirit, which fills us with Christ-like virtues, peace, and holiness. Only then can our lives be true temples of God, protected from the return of evil spirits.

Ephesians 5:18-20

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

By being filled with the Holy Spirit, we ensure that our spiritual house remains protected, clean, and truly decorated according to God’s will.

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