The short answer is it's a figure of speech.What do you make of this?
John 7:38 NIV
Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”
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The short answer is it's a figure of speech.What do you make of this?
John 7:38 NIV
Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”
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It's not just my opinion. If water means something than the whole New Testament does not make any sense because those Scriptures are about the resurrected Christ Jesus.That's your opinion, and you're entitled to believe whatever you wish. Remember opinion without validation from the Bible remains opinion, and of no value in discerning biblical truths.
You must be baptised in the Spirit....by the “ Holy Spirit”
Water is a symbol, no more no less..
It's not just my opinion. If water means something than the whole New Testament does not make any sense because those Scriptures are about the resurrected Christ Jesus.
St. Stephen:
What do you make of this?
John 7:38 NIV
Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”
An extended metaphor, built on wordplay. The words for speech and water are similar in Greek. Speaking is visualized as a flow of ideas or words emanating from the speaker, like water would flow from a spring.The short answer is it's a figure of speech.
Why do you think it was necessary that Jesus be baptized? What was he repenting of?
--Or do you think it was simply pretense? A charade?
It wasn't a charade. Jesus needed no remission of sins. This act validated John's work and John in turn presented the Messiah, Lord and Savior.
This marked the beginning of Jesus' ministry. He was anointed and became the Messiah, the heavens opened, the Holy Spirit descended on Him like a dove to empower Him and His Father spoke, identifying Jesus as His Son.
I liked both of these posts.It wasn't a charade. Jesus needed no remission of sins. This act validated John's work and John in turn presented the Messiah, Lord and Savior.
This marked the beginning of Jesus' ministry. He was anointed and became the Messiah, the heavens opened, the Holy Spirit descended on Him like a dove to empower Him and His Father spoke, identifying Jesus as His Son.
So, it makes sense that there was some meaning to it.If it was "a baptism for the remission of sins" and Jesus had no need of it.... it was a charade by definition.
It would have been pretense, an absurd act empty of meaning.
John's water baptism prepared people for Christ's arrival, a symbolic act that represented the forgiveness of sins that would later come from Jesus. None of their sins were forgiven at that moment. No one was regenerated, born again. Water baptism does not save anyone. JESUS SAVES. HE CLEANSES SIN. So water baptism is an outward act _ a public announcement, an act of obedience and submission that you are ready and willing to ask and receive forgiveness of sins and have a relationship with the Savior, the Holy Spirit and the Father. What you are saying is my heart is ready, my door is open. JESUS BAPTIZES WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT and that did not happen till 3 1/2 years later.If it was "a baptism for the remission of sins" and Jesus had no need of it.... it was a charade by definition.
It would have been pretense, an absurd act empty of meaning.
Gods Law is clear and scripture shows us, but yet many Christians cant see the truth.We've all heard the vacuous mantra: "God said it, I believe it, that settles it."
What does this communicate parenthetically?
"It doesn't need to make sense, I just need to accept it." ??? (with a shrug?)
Do we really need to check our brain at the door when we go to church?
There are three subjects that I post a lot about:
1) Universalism (UR)
2) The law, the Law, God's law, Christ's law (four different things)
3) LGBT issues and the church
On the forum, and elsewhere, I run into the common sense roadblock on all three.
Some Christians seem to be incapable of applying common sense to these things.
Perhaps you have subjects that give you similar problems?
If our interpretation of scripture sidesteps common sense, did we get it right?
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What does the New Covenant say about the old covenant of law?Gods Law is clear and scripture shows us, but yet many Christians cant see the truth.
Genesis 2:3
And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
Exodus 16:23
And he said unto them, This is that which the Lord hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the Lord: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.
Exodus 20:8
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
I liked both of these posts.
So, it makes sense that there was some meaning to it.
Jesus explained it to John. Though it might not be clear what that meant.
Matthew 3:13-15 NIV
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.
14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.”
Then John consented.
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What if He just appeared that day and didn't get baptized and said, "I don't have any sins, I was born without sin, I am God in the flesh".
So, you conclude that Jesus needed repentance?The answer is right there. As Jesus explained, he needed to be baptized because it was the right thing to do. To say it wasn't needed, but it was necessary is completely contradictory. To say that it was necessary, because it was righteous is what makes sense and it's what Jesus said.
Case closed.
So, you conclude that Jesus needed repentance?
(Houston, we have a problem) - LOL
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Say what? - LOL
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"If that were true?" You see what I did, I got you to admit your errors. You don't believe He was born without sin and did not sin, nor do you believe in the deity of Christ.If that were true, then saying so would be honest and right. You think it was more important to appear humble than for him to be honest?
Do you have kids? If so, when they were very young, you taught them what was right and wrong, and gave them certain rules to abide by to prepare them for life. You also taught them to do and learn certain simple things first before they can move onto the next step, level of understanding and ability.He either needed the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins because it was right for him or it was a farce. All an act and strictly for show.
I'm guessing there is a third option we are overlooking.He either needed the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins because it was right for him or it was a farce. All an act and strictly for show.
John was a prophet born with the spirit right from birth which the Scripture says never happened before. Jesus was a man born under the Old Testament system without spirit. John who was a prophet functioning under the old covenant was appointed by God to prepare and confirm the promises made to Israel. His message was to tell those who lived under the old covenant that the king had come and “the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” He used water as a sign to baptize those who believed the promised Messiah would be coming in just a matter of months and to illustrate that he would be the Christ. Again, it was a message to Israel from a prophet saying here he is.He either needed the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins because it was right for him or it was a farce. All an act and strictly for show.