concerning baptism

Okay we were challanged to get into our Bibles and do some research on the subject. I am not a Bible scholar or anything like that, but I do love to study the word of the Lord so please bear with me. I have found some verses that I feel deserve mentioning in regards to this subject. The first one I want to point out would be Ephesians 4:5 which says that there is "One Lord, one faith, one baptism" So there cannot be two baptisms that we are baptized into. It is only one baptism that brings about salvation. So if our salvation is based upon the water baptism, then it seems to me that would mean we don't get baptized by the Holy Spirit and vice-versa. "One baptism" not two. Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, and John 1:33 all say essentially the same thing, but in order to keep this from being too long, I will quote from Mark 1:8 which says "I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost." This is clearly shows two different baptisms, that of water, and that of the Holy Spirit. Only one of these baptisms are important to our salvation or the verse would have read "One God, one faith, two baptisms". Again, Jesus Christ Himself also made the distinction in Acts 1:5 where he said "For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." The next passage I wish to share with you is 1Peter 3:20,21 "Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ" This verse says that it is not our washing of the flesh that saves us, but our conscience toward God. The washing of the flesh is merely superficial. What God wants is the cleansing of the inside, otherwise we become nothing more than a "whited sepulchre" beautiful on the outside, and full of uncleanness on the inside. With all that being said, I do believe that water baptism does have it's place. Water baptism is a public confirmation of our faith. It is a way of getting out and publically declaring "Jesus Christ is my Lord and Saviour" like it says in Matthew 10:32 "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven." Which shows that the "confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus" which we find in Romans 10:9 is more than just a private "Jesus be my Lord" deal, but an open public confessing of Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. Acts chapter 10 is an important chapter to read concerning this subject, for the people had already received the Holy Spirit before they were baptized with water. Verse 47 says "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?" It seems at this point that the baptism would be nothing more than a confirmation of their faith, seeing as they had already been "sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise". I believe that we should all be water baptized if for no other reason than that. Unless a person is allergic to water there is no good reason not to.Resisting being baptized, to me seems like resisting God. If a person's reason for not getting baptized is merely because "I don't have to be baptized in water in order to be saved" then that is nothing more than rebellion and that person should really examine themselves and see if what they're doing is of God. It's rejecting an opportunity to get out and make known your faith in Jesus Christ who has bought and redeemed you with His precious blood, just because one may wish to make a statement to those who believe that you must be water baptized. I admit that I do not know a lot about the Bible, and if I have made any mistakes I am always open to correction because I don't really care if I'm right or wrong. What matters is knowing the truth of God's word, and I am willing to accept correction if I am shown to be wrong. Your comments are very much welcomed. Thank you for your time.

Actually all the verses I quoted mean "baptize".Ephesians 4:5 and 1Peter 3:21 are from the Greek baptisma which is described by Strongs Greek dictionary as follows "From G907; baptism (technically or figuratively): - baptism." And then Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, John 1:33, and Acts 10:47 are all the Greek word baptizo which is "From a derivative of G911; to make whelmed (that is, fully wet); used only (in the New Testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism: - baptist, baptize, wash." So you see, all the verses I quoted that were dealing with baptism, were talking about an actual baptism. Both Jesus and John were clearly making a distinction between John's type of baptism and that baptism with which Jesus would baptize. :-D

Actually I was referring to both.The whole purpose of what I wrote was to explain the differences in water baptism, or baptism of the Spirit in those verses.

Brothers and Sisters... Faith without works is dead... show me your faith without works and I will show you my fait by works.I'm Southern Baptist, and I woulnd't have it any other way. I tell you this though that Baptism is is a step of Faith, a work of Faith, and obedience, nothing more! I don't say it's not important because one who has accepted Christ is not likely to reject Baptism but thrilled to please their new savior. I believe this to be the same emphasis that Jesus and John are putting on Baptism, it's important but when compared to the Salvation of the Soul through the Baptism of the Spirit (again, salvation) it's a symbolic act of Faith. Again, please don't get me wrong it it VERY important to follow through, it symbolizes that you are planning on living an active life for Christ and not one that is ashamed of Him that He may one day be Ashamed of us! An old representation in our Church goes like this: If a man just got married refuses to take the ring from his wife during the ceremony, does this mean that he's not legally married? No... but is he serious? Doe he really want to acknowledge his wife if he acts like this? again, no.It's also told like this (much simpler) If I remove my wedding ring, does it make me any less married than I already am? No but it's a strong symbol of commitment and love. Great post, I love you all.

I have been thinking about this lately and eventhough I can't back it up by Scripture think that the new beleiver is baptized into Christ's blood. Eventhough the element that we use here is water (on this earth), the actual element in Heaven (in the Spiritual realm) is Christ's blood.Our belief in the Lord God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ should be based upon scripture, for it is the word of God given to us so that we would know the truth. When we begin to believe things about God merely based upon our own ideas, we start to tread on dangerous ground. If one is to know the truth of our faith, it comes only through prayer along with the careful studying of God's Word. If it's not found in there, then it's most likely not the truth. If you seriously believe that this is something that God is speaking to your heart, then I suggest you sit down and study more and look for scriptures to back what you're saying. If you come up with anything I would be delighted to hear what you have to share.Always in Christ ~ Shaun

Ephesians 4:5 which says that there is "One Lord, one faith, one baptism" So there cannot be two baptisms that we are baptized Ephesians 4:5 which says that there is "One Lord, one faith, one baptism"If I may share my understanding of this "one baptism," I believe Paul was not referring to the "type of baptism" (ie, baptism in water & baptism of the Holy Spirit). I believe Paul is referring to "under whose name they were baptised." Be it water baptism or Holy Spirit, it is still a baptism in the name of Jesus. Weren't they baptised under one NAME?In our present time, it is still an issue: baptism in the name of Jesus OR baptism in the name of the Father, Son & Holy Spirit; - but still one God :-) . Remember, there was also a baptism by John (the baptist); and if I may add1Cor 15:29 "Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them?"Under whose name these people were baptised? Perhaps under another name . . . I don't know.P.S.Just to be clear, I am a "Triune God" believer.

Hey Stever, I was not meaning to attack what you were saying, and I am sorry if I came across like that. What I was getting at is that I don't think we should speak on anything that we "think" unless we have a basis for it. As I said before that can be dangerous and has lead to many divisions in the church. Too many people these days like to form their own opinions of God based on what they think He should be like rather than basing it on what the scriptures says about Him. I deal with a lot of people like this and it really bothers me. I see that you are not one of those people and that you have been doing your reading. Thank you for the scriptures that you have provided, this is a very interesting point you have addressed and I would like to study it further. If it wouldn't be too much trouble I would love to look at some of the other scriptures that have led your thinking in this direction. As I have said before I do not know everything about the Bible or even claim to. All I care about is learning and knowing the truth of God's word, and this can not be done without studying. If it's not too much to ask could you please provide me with the other verses that are of interest on this subject so that I may cross reference them? It would be much appreciated.Thank you. May the Lord bless and keep you.Always in Christ Jesus, ~Shaun

Stever writes:I have been thinking about this lately and eventhough I can't back it up by Scripture think that the new beleiver is baptized into Christ's blood. Eventhough the element that we use here is water (on this earth), the actual element in Heaven (in the Spiritual realm) is Christ's blood.That is why you have to make all of this stuff up. Plain Scriptural teaching isn't good enough for you because you don't agree with it. You don't believe that a person must repent and be baptized "for the remission of sins." (Acts 2:38) We went through all of this in the last thread on baptism in Biblical salvation.A person is baptized "into Christ" Himself. At least that is what the Bible says:"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." [Galatians 3:27]Being baptized "into Christ" is being baptized "into His death:""Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?" [Romans 6:3]Baptism in water is our submission to the covenant, our circumcision:Col. 2:11\t"In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:12\tBuried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead."You know, if you would just read the Bible for what it says, it would be a whole lot easier.RT

That is why you have to make all of this stuff up. Plain Scriptural teaching isn't good enough for you because you don't agree with it. You don't believe that a person must repent and be baptized "for the remission of sins." (Acts 2:38) We went through all of this in the last thread on baptism in Biblical salvation.RTWe did indeed and I would just like to remind folks that 'for the remission of sins' does not mean that it effects 'remission of sins' but that it is with 'remission of sins' in view. This is the Greek preposition 'eis' which means 'into' or 'towards' or 'with a view to'. (Matt. 26:28; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3; Acts 2:38)I would advise you (stever) not to create terms such as 'baptism into Christ's blood'; it can only lead to confusion.

All, if you saw a poster that said:"Jesse James: Wanted for robbery"Is this poster after Jesse James because he has already comitted a robbery or that someone is advertising for him to commit a robbery?