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I personally do not know much about baptismal regeneration but I am glad to hear what everyone thinks.1) I don't believe the Bible teaches Baptismal Regeneration. The idea originates from a misinterpretation from 1 Peter...
1 Pet 3.21 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.
Peter is, I believe, talking about how water baptism *symbolizes* Christ's Salvation. It is certainly not the ritual, nor the water, that purifies from sin. That would be cleansing the "outside of the cup." Internal cleansing is by the Baptism of the Spirit, which John the Baptist said is the superior baptism. It is the Spirit Baptism that unites us with Christ spiritually, and enables us to participate in Christ's virtues, through the Spirit.
2) Justification by Faith is Luther's slightly distorted view of Salvation. It is correct, for the most part, but does not adequately represent the role our own actions play in our justification. We are not justified by any work we have done, but what we do justifies our faith as really linked up with Christ. That is, true faith links up with Christ, spiritually, because we not only believe in him, but we believe what he commanded us to do, to accept him as necessary, and to love both God and our neighbor.
There is a serious problem for the ones who hold to baptismal regeneration in Acts 10, though, because the Spirit fell on the Gentiles while Peter was preaching (which would be "justification by faith in Christ plus nothing"), and Galatians 3-4 teach that God only sends the Spirit into our hearts because we are sons. Clearly, then, they had to already have been sons of God--born of God and infilled with the Spirit, all without water baptism.1) I don't believe the Bible teaches Baptismal Regeneration. The idea originates from a misinterpretation from 1 Peter...
1 Pet 3.21 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.
Peter is, I believe, talking about how water baptism *symbolizes* Christ's Salvation. It is certainly not the ritual, nor the water, that purifies from sin. That would be cleansing the "outside of the cup." Internal cleansing is by the Baptism of the Spirit, which John the Baptist said is the superior baptism. It is the Spirit Baptism that unites us with Christ spiritually, and enables us to participate in Christ's virtues, through the Spirit.
2) Justification by Faith is Luther's slightly distorted view of Salvation. It is correct, for the most part, but does not adequately represent the role our own actions play in our justification. We are not justified by any work we have done, but what we do justifies our faith as really linked up with Christ. That is, true faith links up with Christ, spiritually, because we not only believe in him, but we believe what he commanded us to do, to accept him as necessary, and to love both God and our neighbor.
There is a serious problem for the ones who hold to baptismal regeneration in Acts 10, though, because the Spirit fell on the Gentiles while Peter was preaching (which would be "justification by faith in Christ plus nothing"), and Galatians 3-4 teach that God only sends the Spirit into our hearts because we are sons. Clearly, then, they had to already have been sons of God--born of God and infilled with the Spirit, all without water baptism.
What about when Paul mentions "having been buried with him in baptism" in Colossians 2 and "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death" in Romans 6? Is it possible he doesn't mean "baptism was the instrument" but "it was a figure reflective of what was spiritually going on"?Very true! However, being raised up in Protestant Theology, my biggest bone to pick with Baptismal Regeneration is that Jesus said the work we are to do is to believe in him. In following Jesus' example and his commandments, we do what pleases God for eternal life. It is not in anything we do apart from Christ that justifies us.
Even so, not even all we do in Christ is sufficient to save us. It is only by believing in what he did for us, in legally paying for our sins, that enables us to be saved and to receive eternal life. The idea of doing rituals to be saved is the opposite of what Paul taught. If works of the Law did not save anybody, then neither does performing religious rituals save us.
It is only in believing in what Christ did for us, and then receiving his new life, that enables us to prove our faith by exercising that new life. If we do not actually do what he says, our faith in not authentic, and our so-called "faith" does not obtain eternal life.
Water Baptism is not the key to new life in Christ--it only symbolizes it. And it also provides a public testimony to show others the choice we have made. Christ recommended it to new converts, and to those who had been living in sins. It is not a requirement for salvation, but something that sinners should do to show, publicly, that they've repented and have accepted Christ's new life.
1) I don't believe the Bible teaches Baptismal Regeneration. The idea originates from a misinterpretation from 1 Peter...
If you really think he is an apostate or heretic, I don't think you're allowed to either greet him or wish peace on him.Hello Randy,
The idea originates from the apostles, and was practiced for years before 1 Peter was written..
Your unbelief is noted.
Peace be with you!
There is a serious problem for the ones who hold to baptismal regeneration in Acts 10, though, because the Spirit fell on the Gentiles while Peter was preaching (which would be "justification by faith in Christ plus nothing"), and Galatians 3-4 teach that God only sends the Spirit into our hearts because we are sons. Clearly, then, they had to already have been sons of God--born of God and infilled with the Spirit, all without water baptism.
Acts 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid the water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?There is a serious problem for the ones who hold to baptismal regeneration in Acts 10, though, because the Spirit fell on the Gentiles while Peter was preaching (which would be "justification by faith in Christ plus nothing"), and Galatians 3-4 teach that God only sends the Spirit into our hearts because we are sons. Clearly, then, they had to already have been sons of God--born of God and infilled with the Spirit, all without water baptism.
Water baptism symbolises the death and resurrection of Christ (Col 2:12 & Rom 6:2-4). But Peter clearly says that baptism saves us. That is because it is in baptism that we are saved and regenerated by the Holy Spirit "he saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:5). The NAB has a more literal translation "he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the holy Spirit".1) I don't believe the Bible teaches Baptismal Regeneration. The idea originates from a misinterpretation from 1 Peter...
1 Pet 3.21 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.
Peter is, I believe, talking about how water baptism *symbolizes* Christ's Salvation. It is certainly not the ritual, nor the water, that purifies from sin. That would be cleansing the "outside of the cup."
No it is not. The so-called "Baptism of the Holy Spirit" is an external action not internal.Internal cleansing is by the Baptism of the Spirit, which John the Baptist said is the superior baptism. It is the Spirit Baptism that unites us with Christ spiritually, and enables us to participate in Christ's virtues, through the Spirit.
There is no difference, it's BOTH/AND, not "either/or".Water baptismal regeneration or spirit baptismal regeneration?
There is a difference?
Cant be BOTHThere is no difference, it's BOTH/AND, not "either/or".
Water baptism symbolises the death and resurrection of Christ (Col 2:12 & Rom 6:2-4). But Peter clearly says that baptism saves us. That is because it is in baptism that we are saved and regenerated by the Holy Spirit "he saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:5). The NAB has a more literal translation "he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the holy Spirit".
No it is not. The so-called "Baptism of the Holy Spirit" is an external action not internal.
If you want to get a good handle on this, kindly study the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It teaches baptismal regeneration. I believe Justin Martyr may have started this ball rolling. They sum it up thus:I personally do not know much about baptismal regeneration but I am glad to hear what everyone thinks.
Hello Randy,
The idea originates from the apostles, and was practiced for years before 1 Peter was written..
Your unbelief is noted.
Peace be with you!