An individual, by way of a private e-mail message, asked me to respond to the following question:
"Why do we re-baptize when I've heard over and over again that is what Communion is every three months?"
I believe the Seventh-day Adventist Church engages in and endorses rebaptism for the following reason:
"And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have you received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus." Acts 19:1-5.
Notice in verse three when Paul asked the discples unto what had they been baptized, they replied: "Unto John's baptism." Paul goes on to explain in verse four that John baptized with the baptism of repentance telling the people that they should believe on the one who was to come after him, namely Jesus Christ. And verse five tells us that when these disciples heard this THEY WERE BAPTIZED AGAIN, this time, in the name of Jesus Christ.
The institution of the Lord's Supper, or Holy Communion, is documented in the New Testament in four places: Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:19, 20; and 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. In no instance is there any inference that rebaptism is what Communion is each time Communion is engaged in. The Bible very clearly tells us what the Lord's Supper symbolizes:
"For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew [margin, proclaim] the Lord's death till he come." 1 Corinthians 11:26.
The ordinance of foot-washing, which is a part of Holy Communion in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, has traditionally been held by many as a "mini" rebaptism each time it is performed. The Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual on page 74, in quoting Ellen G. White from The Desire of Ages, states the following:
"'Now having washed the disciples' feet, He said, "'I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.'" In these words Christ was not merely enjoining the practice of hospitality. More was meant than the washing of the feet of guests to remove the dust of travel. Christ was here instituting a religious service. By the act of our Lord this...ceremony was made a consecrated ordinance. It was to be observed by the disciples, THAT THEY MIGHT EVER KEEP IN MIND HIS LESSONS OF HUMILITY AND SERVICE (Emphasis mine throughout).
"'This ordinance is Christ's appointed preparation for the sacramental service. While pride, variance, and strife for supremacy are cherished, the heart cannot enter into fellowship with Christ. We are not prepared to receive the communion of His body and His blood. Therefore it was that Jesus appointed THE MEMORIAL OF HIS HUMILITY to be first observed.'--The Desire of Ages, p. 650."
As can be clearly seen from The Desire of Ages, in instituting the ordinance of foot-washing, Christ was instituting a religious service to be known as the ordinance of humility. Those who refer to foot-washing--or to any aspect of Holy Communion, for that matter--as a type of rebaptism do so out of tradition.
In reference to rebaptism by immersion, Mrs. White says the following:
"Not to Be Made a Testing Question for New Believers.--The subject of rebaptism should be handled with the greatest of care....Those who place the subject of rebaptism in the front, making it of as such as much importance as the Sabbath question, are not leaving the right impression upon the minds and correctly representing the subject....
"Those who lift the cross of the Sabbath have a tremendous battle to fight with self and with selfish interests which would interpose between their souls and God. Then when they have taken this great step and their feet have been planted upon the platform of eternal truth, they must have time to become accustomed to their new position, and not be hurried on the question of rebaptism. No one should become a conscience for another or urge and press rebaptism.
"Let none of our zealous brethren overdo this matter. They will be in danger of getting before the Lord and making tests for others which the Lord has not bidden them to make. It is not the work of any of our teachers to urge rebaptism upon anyone. It is their business to lay down the great principles of Bible truths, especially is this the case in regard to rebaptism. Then let God do the work of convincing the mind and heart..." (Ev 372-374).
M.A.