*** w73 6/1 341 Keeping God's Congregation Clean in the Time of His Judgment ***
Would there be need for rebaptism on the part of those abandoning their addiction to tobacco or other harmful product? No, this does not seem necessary. Knowledge brings responsibility and educates the conscience. (1 Tim. 1:13) The congregation gave them to understand that their practice did not prevent them, and they were baptized in accord with that understanding. (Acts 8:36)
Of course, if an individual feels that he presented himself for baptism with a bad conscience due to such practice, he may decide to be rebaptized. That would be his personal decision.*** w62 6/1 332-3 Why Be Baptized? ***
REBAPTISM
NECESSARY?Due to certain circumstances at the time when they got baptized or due to subsequent developments, some have doubts about the validity of their past dedication and baptism, and they wonder if they should be rebaptized. They may have been baptized at an early age or while they were very immature in the truth, or after baptism they became inactive in the ministry for a time. But this does not necessarily mean that we should be rebaptized, even though our immaturity might have later caused a temporary lapse in fulfilling our ministerial responsibilities. But if one submitted to baptism mainly because of emotional factors and without proper understanding, or in order to please ones parents or others, and if this baptism did not symbolize a prior dedication to do Jehovahs will, it would be proper to be baptized again.
We could not imagine Jehovah accepting the dedication of anyone living in an immoral situation or doing at the time of baptism things that would result in his being cut off from Jehovahs favor by disfellowshiping, if he were already in the Christian congregation.
The first baptism could not symbolize a dedication made under proper circumstances that Jehovah could accept.
He should now make a firm resolve to do Jehovahs will and thus dedicate his life to Jehovahs service and then submit to baptism at the earliest opportunity.
