How did the Ante-Nicene Church Fathers understand baptism? Was it essential or was it just a act of obedience? First let me clarify, the Ante-Nicene Church Fathers are those men who led the church prior to the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. Any...
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Thanks for that. The Lord gave me understanding one time that water baptism is a kind of prophetic act, meaning that it uses the principle of first the natural then the spiritual. Enacting something in the natural realm by faith which helps to seal it or bring it about (if that's the right way to say it) in the spiritual realm. I'm sure we all must agree that water baptism without faith is just an empty ritual though. It doesn't save anyone in itself, but if we have come to faith in Christ baptism does have a certain power....I don't think God would have asked us to do it for no reason.
I believe it is a spiritual weapon in a way....helps to deal with sin....maybe that is what being baptized for the remission of sins means......it seems to help one walk away from sin. Without baptism from what I've seen it seems that people can struggle more with sins. Not carved in stone but just something I seem to have observed. Maybe it has to do with level of commitment as well...being baptized demonstrates a kind of commitment to the faith I think (assuming one has faith). Not being baptized after having believed sometimes might mean someone isn't as committed as they need to be.
Here's another kind of baptism that comes to mind, just as an aside since we're on the subject:
Mat 20:22-23
But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask.
Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
And he saith unto them,
Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.
Act 14:22
Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that
we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
The narrow way of the cross, the fellowship of His sufferings, trials and tribulations.