Dear Reader, Ephesians 4:5 �One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Many denominations teach two baptisms, water and spirit. Some denominations teach that water and spirit are two parts of one baptism. Is any of the above in your view correct? Or could there be another answer that would be agreement with all of God's word?
One baptism. in the name of the Father, the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:1
"19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,"
Christian are baptized with the Spirit once they heard and believe in the Gospel.
Ephesians 1:13
"In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,"
Water baptism is only a symbol what is happening inside.
1 Peter 3:21
"and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also�not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge[e] of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,"
Example of person not being baptized in water but receive salvation: one of the criminal beside the cross.
Why? He repented, and believe in Jesus, he receive the baptism. Yet you see no water.
Is water baptism relevant? Yes.
Because
John 14:15
"If you love me, you will obey what I command."
And one of the command is to get water baptized
John 4:1-2
"The Pharisees heard that Jesus was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John, (although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples.)"
Are there 2 baptisms to salvation? No. There is only one as there is only one God.
So if you have heard the gospel, you will try to have water baptism ASAP. Although, having one does not save you or missing one does not lead you to hell (unless you deliberately miss it).
"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." - Mark 16:16 (KJV)
The baptism is figurative, just as phrases such as "being born of water and the spirit".
The second clause doesn't say that "he that is not baptized shall be damned".
Salvation is all done by God, and He baptizes us with the Holy Spirit which comes after belief. It's really not that hard to understand.
Cross referencing seals the deal, because if we look at a similar type of baptism, it is said that this comes from God directly; it is the baptism of fire.
"I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire." - Matthew 3:11 (KJV)
So are you submitting to me that I have to be lit on fire for a proper baptism in your definition?
The same goes for water.
Yeah, there is a physical baptism, but it's more or less a representation of what God actually does.
Hi Walter, your first reply was far too long to reply to so I will rely to this one as its far less complicated and on long replies no one wins as there is too much ground to cover and too easy to misunderstand what is being stated.
In this one you stated:
Notice that Jesus made Baptism an act that occurs prior to salvation and a necessary act. There is no escaping the grammar here.
Where to you find that in the bible Walter. I have never read that. Sure would like to know, thanks.
Hi Peace1964, you stated: Baptism is commanded by Jesus Christ. Matthew 28:19. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward work of grace. It represents what takes place in the soul of one who believes in Jesus Christ. Johns baptism, Mark 1:4 John did baptise in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Matthew 3: 2 & 6. Acts 19: 4. Water baptism has no power to save. Romans 10: 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God has raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. V,10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. V,17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Water baptism and the new birth are not the same. Water baptism is something man does. To be born again is an act of a soveregn God .John 3: 3-8.
Where did you get the idea this commission was given to the church when it was only given by Christ to his eleven Apostles and then later Paul made the twelve one thus the twelve tribes of Israel were represented once more.
First of all where in scripture to find the statement " Baptism is an outward sign of an inward work of grace."? I don't believe you will. A baptist preacher once told me He knew it wasn't in scripture but that is just a belief baptist have. Do you agree with that?
Walter, lets you and I examine Mark 17, I'll get it started and put it here. Then You show you how that is in effect for today.
Mark 16:15 �And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 �He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 �And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 �They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Daniel, let take one point at a time so as not to confuse the issue.
You stated:
One baptism. in the name of the Father, the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:1
"19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,"
Christian are baptized with the Spirit once they heard and believe in the Gospel.
Lets get one things clear before I made a comment and make one in error. Which baptism are you referring to, water or spirit? The reason I ask is because Christ never baptized anyone with water. Not once is any scripture give that reference. However, John the baptist head the nail on the head when he stated in Matthew 3:11-
Matthew 3:11 �I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
John knew Christ would only baptist with the holy ghost, {spirit baptism} and fire. So to be saved one would need to have Holy Spirit baptism; spirit baptism, correct?
