the meaning of baptism

Randy Kluth said:

To me, consenting to be baptized is like making a confession. We are confessing that we have (past tense) committed our lives to Christ. We got saved when we first made that confession, but then make public confession of the same. The baptism itself is a statement of what we've chosen to do, dying to our sinful life and yielding our members to righteousness through Christ.

It is both a confession and a dramatic presentation to the world of what we've chosen to do. The Church sacramentalized this confession by including it in services so that all Christians could be witness to the commitment.

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Though Christ THROUGH Paul did not teach that WATER IMMERSED BAPTISM is a requirement to enter eternal life, water baptism is a great way to bring glory to GOD.
As yet, I have not been water baptised

In the very first Christian sermon, when they asked Peter what should we do, did he say: Walk to the front of the crowd, confess your sins and ask Jesus into your heart? No, he said: Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. There was no confession; they weren't even instructed that they should confess.

It's also known as Mikvah in Judaism.

Randy Kluth said:

Don't worry. Beyond the Apostolic Mission it was not required. What is in fact required is the Spirit Baptism, in which we die to our carnal Flesh and choose to live by the Spirit of Christ.

That is the true Baptism. That is our confession. And it was this choice that saved us and keeps us. With that choice we have Eternal Life.

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Thanks Randy.
If Christ through Paul taught that water baptism today is a requirement for believers to enter eternal life then Paul would have stated so, instead Paul writes :- KJV 1 Cr 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel:

If we truly love God, then we will obey "Every word" that proceeds out of his mouth (Matthew 4:4). Baptism is one of those words. In order to be baptized, certain events must take place: You must repent, give up a lifestyle where sin has dominion, (ruler ship) over you. Sin according to 1 John 3:4, Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression (breaking) of the law. You must be taught "The Word", before you can adhere to God's commandments (judgments\statues). These laws are found in the Holy Bible; beginning with Genesis and ending with Revelation. You must believe what the bible says and finally, you must confess that Jesus is Lord.

Once this has been accomplished, you are qualified to be baptized in the name of Jesus.

"And he said unto them, go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark 16:15-16).

the meaning of baptism just as the great flood.

Randy Kluth said:

To me, consenting to be baptized is like making a confession. We are confessing that we have (past tense) committed our lives to Christ. We got saved when we first made that confession, but then make public confession of the same. The baptism itself is a statement of what we've chosen to do, dying to our sinful life and yielding our members to righteousness through Christ.

It is both a confession and a dramatic presentation to the world of what we've chosen to do. The Church sacramentalized this confession by including it in services so that all Christians could be witness to the commitment.

Click to expand...

Baptism is an integral part of becoming a Christian. Water baptism when performed by John B, was in symbol of repentance for sins against the Law, but Jesus was sinless and therefore John hesitated to baptize him....yet Jesus said it was necessary, just this one time.

What did Jesus’ water baptism signify? It was a symbol of his death, burial and resurrection....leaving behind his former life as the carpenter’s son, and formerly beginning his role as Messiah, which he knew would end in his literal death and resurrection. As a consequence, upon coming up out of the water, he was endowed with the Holy Spirit, and God’s voice was heard, acknowledging his son, and expressing his approval.

This set the pattern for Christ’s disciples, who also had to be baptized as a public confession of faith and a symbolic dying to ones former life course, and a rising up to a new life in Christ.
Those of Christ’s elect would also receive the Holy Spirit as Jesus promised.

Jesus commissioned his disciples to....
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matt 28:19-20 NKJV)

Making disciples included baptizing them....and teaching them to observe all that he had taught them.
Jesus also promised that he would be “with” them in that all important work.....to the end of the age.

As noted with Jesus, water baptism was first, and was followed by receiving God’s spirit. This endowed him with ability to perform miracles. After his death his disciples also received the ability to perform miracles. (Acts 1:4-8)

Sealed by God eph 1:13 sealed by God (ez 36:25-27) in the church (ark of salvation) by baptism just as Noah was sealed by God in the ark of the flood gen 7:16

1 Pet 3:20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us!
(Ark of Noah a type of the church, member of Christ and his church and salvation by baptism!)
(Outside the ark of Noah none were saved, outside the church (the ark of salvation) none are saved!)

Sealed in the ark, sealed in the church the ark of salvation by God thru baptism!

thks

Randy Kluth said:

To me, consenting to be baptized is like making a confession. We are confessing that we have (past tense) committed our lives to Christ. We got saved when we first made that confession, but then make public confession of the same. The baptism itself is a statement of what we've chosen to do, dying to our sinful life and yielding our members to righteousness through Christ.

It is both a confession and a dramatic presentation to the world of what we've chosen to do. The Church sacramentalized this confession by including it in services so that all Christians could be witness to the commitment.

Click to expand...

where does scripture say this?

thks

SavedInHim said:

In the very first Christian sermon, when they asked Peter what should we do, did he say: Walk to the front of the crowd, confess your sins and ask Jesus into your heart? No, he said: Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. There was no confession; they weren't even instructed that they should confess.

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Not so fast brother!!!

Peter told them what they had to repent/confess from = Israel murdering an innocent man who:
a.) "was Certified by God"
b.) "did miracles, wonders and signs"
c.) "which God did among you"

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

TRUTH from the very first sermon in Acts chapter 2

Men of Israel, listen to this message: Jesus of Nazareth was a man certified by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know.
23He was delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross.
24But God raised Him from the dead, releasing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep Him in its grip.

25David says about Him:

‘I saw the Lord always before me;

because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

26Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;

my body also will dwell in hope,

27because You will not abandon my soul to Hades,

nor will You let Your Holy One see decay.

28You have made known to me the paths of life;

You will fill me with joy in Your presence.’

29Brothers, I can tell you with confidence that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that He would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31Foreseeing this, David spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did His body see decay. 32God has raised this Jesus to life, to which we are all witnesses.

33Exalted, then, to the right hand of God, He has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34For David did not ascend into heaven, but he himself says:

‘The Lord said to my Lord,

“Sit at My right hand

35until I make Your enemies

a footstool for Your feet.”’

36Therefore let all Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ!”

37When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

38Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39This promise belongs to you and your children and to all who are far off—to all whom the Lord our God will call to Himself.”

40With many other words he testified, and he urged them, “Be saved from this corrupt generation.”
41Those who embraced his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to the believers that day.