The four photos shared show the pair in the water off the edge of a yacht, praying before the baptism, holding hands with one another and with Pastor Judah Smith who evidently performed the baptism, being submerged under the water, and praying after they’ve emerged.

It is the second time Bieber has been baptised. The star was also baptised in professional basketball player Tyson Chandler’s bathtub in 2014.

“The choices he had made ― he got to a place where he was like, ‘I want to start fresh.’” Pastor Carl Lentz told reporters at the time.

But, with paparazzi following Bieber’s every move, finding a location for the baptism proved difficult.

Finally, Chandler, who is more than seven feet tall, offered the extra large bathtub he had  that could not only accomodate his height, but also, it seems, a baptism. Bieber was baptised by Lentz in the early morning hours.

Baptising people twice is relatively rare: most Christian denominations recognise Baptisms in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Baptising a person twice in the same denomination is very unusual. So why the second baptism?

Well, it’s no secret that Bieber’s faith has matured in recent years.

“I am now very focused on repairing some of the deep rooted issues that I have as most of us have, so that I don’t fall apart, so that I can sustain my marriage and be the father I want to be,” wrote Bieber, in an instagram post in March 2019.

And, the couple have been open about wanting Christ to be central in their relationship as a married couple.

“Relationships are hard and love isn’t always easy but thank you Jesus for showing me how! Every day is a learning process, trying to be more like him, patient, kind, selfless, boy I got a long way! But gods grace is sufficient !” Bieber said, in a post on the couple’s first Thanksgiving as a married couple.

Perhaps the reason for couple’s baptism – and for Bieber’s repeat of the sacred rite – is as simple as the Biebers wanting to undergo the rite again with a deeper understanding of its importance and as partners in life and in faith.