(Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:26-27)
In Acts 19:1-5; Apostle Paul was in the city of Ephesus, and met twelve men that had been baptized with the baptism of John the Baptist. He questioned them on the nature of the baptism, and found that their baptism lack some essentials; like right instructions and purpose; he re-baptized them.
Many believe that hearing the right words, believing in them and repenting, generally precede baptism.
But some believe that the purpose of baptism is for the remission of sins, while some believe that it is an act of obedience that symbolize faith. Others believe that it is an outward symbol to show a dedication to do God’s will; while some believe that it is only to strengthen the faith placed in a believer, and so on.
Though generally, many with these views agree that baptism is commanded to be carried out by God. Hence, irrespective of the purpose it is perceived to serve, it is a commandment of God.
Obedience to commands is generally backed by motives. And for God, the motive for obedience is one’s submission to God’s will (John 14:15).
The issue of motive (actual reason) behind carrying out a baptism have not really been looked closely. But it is very important to acceptable baptism.
I remember a case, where a visitor to a particular church disappeared after baptism. He visited the church, and requested for some financial assistance. He was wrongly told that money collected were meant for baptized members only. Thus, after a week, he submitted for baptism and was later given some monetary assistance. But he left after collecting the assistance.
Now, if he happens to go back to the church and tell them that he actually submitted for baptism because he wanted the assistance, can he be seen to have been baptized or will he need to be re-baptized?
Many went into baptism with different motives different from their submission to God’s will. Some range from submission to pressure from relatives or friends, pressure from potential spouse, pressure of monetary gain, and so on.
It should be of note that pretending to have the right motive, and playing along to carry out an instruction amounts to hypocrisy; and hypocrisy is sin (1 Peter 2:1). And God treat sin in the way of Uzzah (2 Samuel 6: 6 &7) and in the way of Nadab & Abihu (Leviticus 10:1&2).
Thus, baptism that lacks the right motive can be said to be an activity done in vain; just like give-to-be-seen (Matthew 6:1). And, anyone that hope that a former “baptism” is fine in spite of motive issues should know that the plan is easy, and it cost nothing but submission to God's will. And that in the past God overlooked ignorance, but now commanded all to repent (Acts 17:30).
Hence, if there is any doubt in our mind regarding a previous “baptism,” we should do that which is right-RE-BAPTIZE!
Well done brother