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"I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." (Matthew 3:11)
This one verse jumps out at me. Baptism by fire? It's symbolic, so the water baptism must also be symbolic too.
What about believers that don't have access to another person or facilities to baptize them? Say like in prison, on their death beds, or circumstances like that? God is a reader of hearts, not legalistic.
This one verse jumps out at me. Baptism by fire? It's symbolic, so the water baptism must also be symbolic too.
What about believers that don't have access to another person or facilities to baptize them? Say like in prison, on their death beds, or circumstances like that? God is a reader of hearts, not legalistic.
Most of you guys know that I was one of Jehovah's Witnesses for 7 years, and I left about 15 years ago. One of the "requirements" after you had studied with them for about a year was to be baptized.
I was a Veterans Stadium in philadephia, and they had maybe 10 pools set up, with several hundred people. I was one of those people.
I've had some Christians tell me that my water baptism is invalid because a JW elder preformed it. I think this is a total crock of you know what.
I was a Veterans Stadium in philadephia, and they had maybe 10 pools set up, with several hundred people. I was one of those people.
I've had some Christians tell me that my water baptism is invalid because a JW elder preformed it. I think this is a total crock of you know what.
SG,
You said the theif was under the old covenant and didn't need baptism... then what was John doing?
You said the theif was under the old covenant and didn't need baptism... then what was John doing?
Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God" (John 3:5).
If "born of water" means water baptism, then this verse proves that it is necessary to be baptized in water to be saved. About that we can be sure. But I will give several reasons why "born of water" cannot mean "baptism in water." First, at the time that Christ said this, Christian baptism had not yet been instituted. There was no such thing at that time as baptism "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." It therefore would have been impossible for Nicodemus to understand "born of water" as referring to water baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Also, this must be seen in the context of verse 6: "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit," and of verse 7: "Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'" This shows that being "born again" (see also verse 3) is being "born of the Spirit." Being "born again" cannot be being "born of the flesh" (verse 6), so it must be being "born of the Spirit." If "born of water" meant water baptism, then verse 5 would contradict verse 6, which requires for salvation only being "born of the Spirit," while verse 5 would require being baptized in water and being born of the Spirit. But if being "born of water" does not mean water baptism, and instead is a figurative way of saying "born of the Spirit," then verse 5 does not contradict verse 6. There is good reason to believe that "born of water" could be simply a figurative way of saying, "born of the Spirit." The word "water" in connection with salvation, the covenant, regeneration, rebirth, is often used in Scripture as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Himself used water this way when He said: If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water (John 7:37-38).
Read the whole article here, it's very interesting! Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation?
If "born of water" means water baptism, then this verse proves that it is necessary to be baptized in water to be saved. About that we can be sure. But I will give several reasons why "born of water" cannot mean "baptism in water." First, at the time that Christ said this, Christian baptism had not yet been instituted. There was no such thing at that time as baptism "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." It therefore would have been impossible for Nicodemus to understand "born of water" as referring to water baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Also, this must be seen in the context of verse 6: "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit," and of verse 7: "Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'" This shows that being "born again" (see also verse 3) is being "born of the Spirit." Being "born again" cannot be being "born of the flesh" (verse 6), so it must be being "born of the Spirit." If "born of water" meant water baptism, then verse 5 would contradict verse 6, which requires for salvation only being "born of the Spirit," while verse 5 would require being baptized in water and being born of the Spirit. But if being "born of water" does not mean water baptism, and instead is a figurative way of saying "born of the Spirit," then verse 5 does not contradict verse 6. There is good reason to believe that "born of water" could be simply a figurative way of saying, "born of the Spirit." The word "water" in connection with salvation, the covenant, regeneration, rebirth, is often used in Scripture as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Himself used water this way when He said: If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water (John 7:37-38).
Read the whole article here, it's very interesting! Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation?
Baptism of repentance. Now... consider Paul re-baptizing people at Ephesus.
I hope that I can post here without joining a group. I was reading the thread earlier that got into the "debate" about the necessity of water baptism. I was very favorably impressed with the gentleman from Tennessee but then saw that I would have to respectfully disagree with his saying that water baptism is a requirement for salvation. Someone else (don't remember who) brought up the thief on the cross, which is what I would have done. But he countered with the thief on the cross being under the old covenant. My next thought was about the words of John the Baptist. When I found the new thread, I saw that it began with that quote. Although the early apostles did receive and do water baptism (and it continues today), when we become believers who are saved by grace we are baptized in the Holy Spirit. Water baptism is an outward sign of an inward decision to be obedient to Christ and to be identified with His followers.
In fact I did read the article that you provided. I have read such articles many times over the years. The problem is that they offer absolutely no Biblical proof for what they say. The author has broken every hermeneutic law ever given to arrive at his conclusion. There are laws to Biblical interpretation, yes indeed a science of which the author has had seemingly very little education. In eight years of undergraduate and postgraduate Biblical studies, I have never met a credible theologian who would agree with his exegesis and hermeneutic. Salvation is by faith but not faith only. The authors premise falls apart with the acceptance of the latter all the while ignoring the previously commanded. There is an authority issue here. Jesus said "all authority heaven/earth has been given to me". Jesus delegated this authority to the apostles. The authority given to the apostles by the Son of God is completely ignored by the interpretation. Without authority or form of an authorized agent the doctrine/teaching can not be accepted as truth. The debate has turned to baptism in and of itself. Do you see that the whole issue is not that of simply baptism? It is authority. No matter what we think of baptism, it was given as authoritative by Peter on Pentecost for the remission of sin. Without the remission of sin....there can be no salvation.
A requirement for baptism to be Part B of salvation doesn't even play into the Scripture most sermonized, most quoted....and it stands on it's own. But before I go into that, I wanted to share this:
I read a totally different explanation into: 'born of water and spirit.' I understand the 'water' to be your first birth. What happens when a woman is about to go into labor? Her water breaks. The next verse goes into: That which is born of flesh is flesh....that which is born of spirit is spirit. That's two different births.....physical and spiritual. I may be a monkey hanging upside on a tree, but even this monkey can see it. I'm not a Biblical Scholar, but the Bible is full of births, born again, first death, 2nd deaths.
"For God soooo loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16 Thank You, Jesus for making Your Word plain enough a child can see it. Amein. This verse does not say ...... and get baptized by water AND believe in Jesus. The Blood of our Precious Jesus is enough. God's Blood....poured out for us. I don't think I could have been there to watch, but I wouldn't want Him to be alone, either. I would have stayed. No one needs to die alone......He couldn't hear the Father. God had to turn His head. The sin was so black hanging around Jesus. Mine alone would have darkened the sky.
Let us not get tied up on this as we don't need diversity in this room. We need Jesus, His guidance, and His love flowing through this room. We need tranquility, harmony, and sincere desires to further know Jesus.....more and more everyday. We can do this.
I read a totally different explanation into: 'born of water and spirit.' I understand the 'water' to be your first birth. What happens when a woman is about to go into labor? Her water breaks. The next verse goes into: That which is born of flesh is flesh....that which is born of spirit is spirit. That's two different births.....physical and spiritual. I may be a monkey hanging upside on a tree, but even this monkey can see it. I'm not a Biblical Scholar, but the Bible is full of births, born again, first death, 2nd deaths.
"For God soooo loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16 Thank You, Jesus for making Your Word plain enough a child can see it. Amein. This verse does not say ...... and get baptized by water AND believe in Jesus. The Blood of our Precious Jesus is enough. God's Blood....poured out for us. I don't think I could have been there to watch, but I wouldn't want Him to be alone, either. I would have stayed. No one needs to die alone......He couldn't hear the Father. God had to turn His head. The sin was so black hanging around Jesus. Mine alone would have darkened the sky.
Let us not get tied up on this as we don't need diversity in this room. We need Jesus, His guidance, and His love flowing through this room. We need tranquility, harmony, and sincere desires to further know Jesus.....more and more everyday. We can do this.
The Bible is interpreted through commands, examples and inference. Baptism comes in the form of a command given by an authorized agent of Jesus Christ Himself. Men and brethren what shall we do? What shall we do about what? Oh, saving our sorry hides from God's wrath. Peter then laid out the commandment...repent and be baptized for the remission of sin. We have absolutely no Biblical authorization or premise to change this command given by Peter as authorized by Christ. There is not a human being alive or that has lived or ever will live that has the authority to change this. If one is too prideful and haughty to submit to something as simple as baptism, we have issue. There was not a more prideful and haughty bunch than those gathered who heard that sermon on Pentecost. Yet they yielded that pride on that day and were immediately baptized for the forgiveness of sin. It was authoritative then..it is authoritative now.
I have been too busy to respond to this thread and am working at it right now, but I do want to say that this I am NOT saying that you shouldn't get baptized...or that baptism is not important, it is hugely important.
What I am saying is that Jesus blood is sufficient for those that have not had an option to be baptized...to blatantly choose to walk against the word of God and deny following a command IS infringing upon the good graces of God.
No one is trying to CHANGE the Word of God here brother....We are interpreting what the heart of God says about the matter.
Stay tuned....
I fully agree that those of us that have heard and received the message of salvation SHOULD be baptized, it is an act of obedience. If we claim to be children of God, then we follow (best we can) all that he instructs, it is good for us and for the good of the whole body. If we CHOOSE not to be baptized, I would be concerned that there was not a true conversion of the heart here, but it would not be my duty to pass judgment on that heart, that would be left to the one that sees and judges the motives from the hearts of men and is also full of mercy and grace. So, there is really no disagreement here from me that those who believe should follow their conversion with the outward expression of the inward change.
Where there is disagreement is in the dogmatic teaching that Jesus blood is not sufficient enough for those that had no opportunity to be baptized, the idea that lack of baptism = no salvation is ridiculous, that God grace is not big enough...hogwash. Following are some "hypothetical" situations lol...Maybe their church does not teach the importance of baptism and they are clueless, maybe they are bed ridden, maybe they died in a car wreck on the way to the lake...maybe, maybe, maybe...there could be so many reasons why someone hasn't been baptized. Baptism or no baptism for these circumstances does not negate the issue of the heart and faith.
Genesis 15:6 Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
Romans 2
17) Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and brag about your relationship to God; 18) if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; 19) if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, 20) an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth 21) you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?
22) You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23) You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24) As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."
25) Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. 26) If those who are not circumcised keep the law's requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised?
27) The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.
28) A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29) No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God.
Romans 4
1) What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? 2) If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast aboutbut not before God. 3) What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."
4) Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. 5) However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. 6) David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
7) "Blessed are they
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
8) Blessed is the man
whose sin the Lord will never count against him."
9) Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness. 10) Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! 11) And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. 12) And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
Circumcision and baptism can be seen as parallels, an outward sign of an inward change.
For sake of space, please read all of Hebrews 11.
That being said, YES...I agree with the OP on this QUOTE "there have been hypothetical and emotional conviction," END QUOTE...
However, I will attribute THIS conviction as coming from the Holy Spirit and the grace of God and NOT as the OP has described as an unwillingness to accept the word of God. We put on Christ when there is a change in the heart condition, the circumcision of the heart. It is NOT an outward act, but an inward change, by faith...accepting what Jesus did for us AS wholly sufficient! Not by my works, no glory for me and all glory to HIM!
The general consensus of theologians is that Romans 10:9 meets the "minimum" requirements and it doesn't say "you MUST be baptized."
Romans 10:9 If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Paul states that he was not sent to baptize:
1 Corinthians 1:12-17 [12] What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas" [Simon Peter]; still another, "I follow Christ." [13] Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? [14] I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, [15] so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. [16] (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) [17] For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel -- not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
If baptism is necessary for salvation, what would be the point of Paul preaching but not baptizing?
We all must be careful to study the scriptures ourselves here folks, opinions of men here is not the litmus test to your answers of salvation.
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings Hosea 6:6
One question:
When does Jesus enter the heart of the person professing belief in Him? Before or after the baptism?
All that said, if you are a Christian and you haven't been baptized, I encourage you to do so...the least it will do is enrich your walk with God.
Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Where there is disagreement is in the dogmatic teaching that Jesus blood is not sufficient enough for those that had no opportunity to be baptized, the idea that lack of baptism = no salvation is ridiculous, that God grace is not big enough...hogwash. Following are some "hypothetical" situations lol...Maybe their church does not teach the importance of baptism and they are clueless, maybe they are bed ridden, maybe they died in a car wreck on the way to the lake...maybe, maybe, maybe...there could be so many reasons why someone hasn't been baptized. Baptism or no baptism for these circumstances does not negate the issue of the heart and faith.
Genesis 15:6 Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
Romans 2
17) Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and brag about your relationship to God; 18) if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; 19) if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, 20) an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth 21) you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?
22) You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23) You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24) As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."
25) Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. 26) If those who are not circumcised keep the law's requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised?
27) The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.
28) A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29) No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God.
Romans 4
1) What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? 2) If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast aboutbut not before God. 3) What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."
4) Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. 5) However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. 6) David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
7) "Blessed are they
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
8) Blessed is the man
whose sin the Lord will never count against him."
9) Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness. 10) Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! 11) And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. 12) And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
Circumcision and baptism can be seen as parallels, an outward sign of an inward change.
For sake of space, please read all of Hebrews 11.
That being said, YES...I agree with the OP on this QUOTE "there have been hypothetical and emotional conviction," END QUOTE...
However, I will attribute THIS conviction as coming from the Holy Spirit and the grace of God and NOT as the OP has described as an unwillingness to accept the word of God. We put on Christ when there is a change in the heart condition, the circumcision of the heart. It is NOT an outward act, but an inward change, by faith...accepting what Jesus did for us AS wholly sufficient! Not by my works, no glory for me and all glory to HIM!
The general consensus of theologians is that Romans 10:9 meets the "minimum" requirements and it doesn't say "you MUST be baptized."
Romans 10:9 If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Paul states that he was not sent to baptize:
1 Corinthians 1:12-17 [12] What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas" [Simon Peter]; still another, "I follow Christ." [13] Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? [14] I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, [15] so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. [16] (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) [17] For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel -- not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
If baptism is necessary for salvation, what would be the point of Paul preaching but not baptizing?
We all must be careful to study the scriptures ourselves here folks, opinions of men here is not the litmus test to your answers of salvation.
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings Hosea 6:6
One question:
When does Jesus enter the heart of the person professing belief in Him? Before or after the baptism?
All that said, if you are a Christian and you haven't been baptized, I encourage you to do so...the least it will do is enrich your walk with God.
Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Word of God clearly shows us the heart of God and tho we don't know the full extent of His grace and mercy, we do get a pretty good idea. Some things are spiritually discerned my brother.
In the words of Paul:
1) When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2) For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3) I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4) My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5) so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.
Wisdom From the Spirit
6) We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7) No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8) None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9) However, as it is written:
“No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him”
10) but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11) For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12) We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13) This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. 14) The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15) The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment:
16) “For who has known the mind of the Lord
that he may instruct him?”
But we have the mind of Christ.
Peace
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This deals with the subject well and provides good food for thought.
Quoted below, but taken from here:
Does 1 Peter 3 Mandate Baptism? - Come Reason Ministries
Quoted below, but taken from here:
Does 1 Peter 3 Mandate Baptism? - Come Reason Ministries
Thank you for your clear explanation of the reason you believe the way you do SG. Again, I can see you have put much thought, time and study into your conclusion.
I firmly stand on the blood of Jesus as sufficient...But I do not take away from the importance of baptism....the former saves by itself, the latter will NEVER save in and of itself...
Ephesians 2
4) But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5) made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6) And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7) in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9) not by works, so that no one can boast. 10) For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
I agree to disagree on this one...and am at peace with the Lord on this issue.
Phillipians 1
3) I thank my God every time I remember you. 4) In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5) because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,
6) being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Love to the brother
I firmly stand on the blood of Jesus as sufficient...But I do not take away from the importance of baptism....the former saves by itself, the latter will NEVER save in and of itself...
Ephesians 2
4) But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5) made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6) And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7) in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9) not by works, so that no one can boast. 10) For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
I agree to disagree on this one...and am at peace with the Lord on this issue.
Phillipians 1
3) I thank my God every time I remember you. 4) In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5) because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,
6) being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Love to the brother
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Thanks for the detailed response SG. I'll respond tomorrow when I can give this discussion the time it deserves.
The answer is no. Baptism isn't necessary for salvation. It is however our first responsibility as a Christian.
Gent, so are you saying that every time you sin, you have to get re baptized in order to truly repent? I read your interpretation of repentance in the rather lengthy post. Not being upidy, just trying to clarify what you believe.
Of course not. Read 1 John and you will see that the "blood of Christ continues to cleanse us". The point of contention is that which must be done to be saved. I have proven clearly through God's word that one's sins must be forgiven. I have also proven through scripture that the Bible is clear on what it takes to have sins remissed/or forgiven.
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