justbyfaith
Well-Known Member
Why not in this time? The word of the Lord isn't timeless?Baptism was the customary first step during that time, yes.
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Why not in this time? The word of the Lord isn't timeless?Baptism was the customary first step during that time, yes.
What I'm trying to say, though, is that stepping into a tank of water is not what Jesus is commanding. He is actually commanding full immersion into his teaching.
Jesus commanded His disciples to go into all the world, to preach the gospel, to make disciples, and to baptize them (Matthew 28:19). He expected all believers to be baptized, and He promised salvation to those who believed and were baptized...
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
The Pharisees "rejected the counsel of God" by refusing John's baptism, and we will be guilty of the same if we refuse the Lord’s baptism...
Luke 7:30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.
Jesus said we must be born of WATER and the Spirit in order to enter the kingdom of God...
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
We are saved by "the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost"...
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Acts 22:16 says, "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."
Acts 2:38 says, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Be baptized because you have died to self; and when you come up out of the water you will have been buried and raised to walk in newness of life.Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior then obey and be baptized not baptized to be saved but baptized because you have been saved and choose to obey Jesus!
Be baptized because you have died to self; and when you come up out of the water you will have been buried and raised to walk in newness of life.
If you are a nonbeliever baptism only gets you wet!!!! Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior then obey and be baptized not baptized to be saved but baptized because you have been saved and choose to obey Jesus!
"If you are a nonbeliever baptism only gets you wet" -- correct
"Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior then obey and be baptized" -- correct
"Not baptized to be saved but baptized because you have been saved and choose to obey Jesus" -- incorrect
Jesus said we must be born of WATER and the Spirit in order to enter the kingdom.
Peter (and all the apostles with him) said in Acts 2:38...
Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Mark 16:16 says, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."
"If you are a nonbeliever baptism only gets you wet" -- correct
"Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior then obey and be baptized" -- correct
"Not baptized to be saved but baptized because you have been saved and choose to obey Jesus" -- incorrect
Jesus said we must be born of WATER and the Spirit in order to enter the kingdom.
Peter (and all the apostles with him) said in Acts 2:38...
Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Mark 16:16 says, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."
How was the thief on the cross that called out to Jesus baptized before he went to be with Jesus???????
@CadyandZoe Baptism is a commanded symbol (Matthew 28.19) but it is a symbol and does not effect regeneration.Actually, the command is to make disciples. Baptism was the customary first step during that time, yes. But baptism in water isn't necessary and neither is it the point. The essential aspect of becoming a disciple is to study and obey Jesus' teaching. If you think Jesus commanded baptism, then go ahead and do what you think the Lord wants you to do.
What I'm trying to say, though, is that stepping into a tank of water is not what Jesus is commanding. He is actually commanding full immersion into his teaching.
Look at the verse again.Jesus commanded His disciples to go into all the world, to preach the gospel, to make disciples, and to baptize them (Matthew 28:19). He expected all believers to be baptized, and He promised salvation to those who believed and were baptized...
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
In our time, water baptism means something entirely different than it did back then.Why not in this time? The word of the Lord isn't timeless?
Elaborate. What did it mean back then as opposed to what it means today?In our time, water baptism means something entirely different than it did back then.
Look at the verse again.
Take note of which is the main verb, and which are the "helper" verbs.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
The commandment is to "make disciples", which is expressed by the main verb of the sentence. "Baptizing and teaching" are such things as are involved in making disciples. However, baptizing someone, in this context, is the same as teaching them. The person doing the teaching is immersing the students in all that Jesus commanded. Whether or not a person is also immersed in water is incidental and beside the point.
Recall what Peter said, "Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ . . ." Understand? Christian baptism isn't water baptism, just as Peter said. Christian baptism is believing what Jesus said and living according to what he taught.
Remember what Paul said to Titus. Titus 3:5 The washing "is not done with water; the washing is done inwardly through the Holy Spirit.
So then, Peter is not saying "repent and get into a baptismal pool." No, he is saying, "repent and immerse yourself in Jesus' teaching."
Think!! If Baptism could save people then there is no need for the shed Blood of Jesus.
Waiting for your answer, @CadyandZoe.Elaborate. What did it mean back then as opposed to what it means today?
Satan's great deception is that he has millions of unbelieving people thinking they are saved because they were baptized...WRONG!!!
Well, I have pretty much laid it all out. During the time of the New Testament, Baptism in water was an initiation rite that someone must do in order to officially become someone's disciple. For instance, those who wished to become John's disciple participated in his baptism ceremony.Elaborate. What did it mean back then as opposed to what it means today?
See my earlier post to @justbyfaith. Water baptism is the initiation ceremony indicating one's wish to become a student of a teacher. In Acts 10, Peter recommended that Cornelius and his household agree to be students of Jesus, which was initiated with water baptism.Peter asked with respect to Cornelius and his household, "Can any man forbid WATER, that these should not be baptized?" (Acts 10:47).
John himself later used water in a literal way when he spoke of Spirit, WATER, and blood agreeing in the one purpose of salvation (I John 5:8).
Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of WATER and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).
Peter answers, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts2:38).
Paul was baptized, "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Acts 22:16).