Water baptism

[ByTheSpirit]

If he would have wanted it observed he would have waited till the morning.
It was night. No light.

AC 16:29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
AC 16:31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household." 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized.


But the eunuch's point was not to give a testimony but get baptized.
He saw the need to do it right there and then.

If he would have wanted to give a testimony he would have told his entourage to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

That's a stronger testimony coming from their boss than being immersed in water.

AC 8:36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.

Thanks,
Ed

I definitely see the eunuch's story as the strongest case for baptism in the entire New Testament honestly.

We know Philip preached Christ to this man from Isaiah 53. The next verse says that the eunuch asked why he shouldn't be baptized then and there, immediately. So Philip obviously mentioned baptism in the course of his witnessing, and to such an extent the eunuch wanted it done immediately. Water baptism that is. So the message of salvation included baptism, as it did at Pentecost. And it resulted in water baptism. In fact, this eunuch received no discipleship at all in this instance for as soon as the two came out of the water, Philip was whisked away in the Spirit.

 

[Frogster]

But what good is a private testimony when there are no people to hear it?

I think Bob sank the Frog.

A confession, is a testimony. So things only matter if others see?

Gosh, i feel sorry for a guy who converts without others, all by his lonesome...

 

[Frogster]

But what good is a private testimony when there are no people to hear it?

I think Bob sank the Frog.

besides, you can't sink an aquatic creature!

 

[Frogster]

I definitely see the eunuch's story as the strongest case for baptism in the entire New Testament honestly.

We know Philip preached Christ to this man from Isaiah 53. The next verse says that the eunuch asked why he shouldn't be baptized then and there, immediately. So Philip obviously mentioned baptism in the course of his witnessing, and to such an extent the eunuch wanted it done immediately. Water baptism that is. So the message of salvation included baptism, as it did at Pentecost. And it resulted in water baptism. In fact, this eunuch received no discipleship at all in this instance for as soon as the two came out of the water, Philip was whisked away in the Spirit.

so what if he did not see the water? Who would have baptized him when he got home to Ethiopia?

36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?”

when you sway include, do you mean it has to be a part of salvation?

 

[Edial]

besides, you can't sink an aquatic creature!

As unbelievable as it may seem, but I just witnessed it.

 

[ByTheSpirit]

so what if he did not see the water? Who would have baptized him when he got home to Ethiopia?

36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?”

when you sway include, do you mean it has to be a part of salvation?

Its plain from the text that in the course of discussing Jesus with this eunuch, Philip mentioned baptism and at least mentioned its importance. Otherwise this eunuch would not have said, I want this NOW! He could very well have otherwise said, I'll just wait to be baptized later. But he didn't, he NEEDED it at that moment. You can tell from his response that it was important.

Look! There is water right there! *POINTS*

Why can't I receive baptism right now?

 

[ByTheSpirit]

besides, you can't sink an aquatic creature!

You could put a lot of rocks in its mouth...

 

[Frogster]

As unbelievable as it may seem, but I just witnessed it.

but saying a truth, does not mean it was all of the truth, it is true, it can be a testimony.

I fail to see a Titanic event here...

heck, there is not even an iceberg!

 

[Frogster]

You could put a lot of rocks in its mouth...

I will call the aspca on you!

 

[Edial]

A confession, is a testimony. So things only matter if others see?

Gosh, i feel sorry for a guy who converts without others, all by his lonesome...

But after confession we get saved.

If baptism is just a testimony and it has absolutely nothing in itself, who would Frog testify to all by his lonesome, crickets?

 

[Frogster]

Its plain from the text that in the course of discussing Jesus with this eunuch, Philip mentioned baptism and at least mentioned its importance. Otherwise this eunuch would not have said, I want this NOW! He could very well have otherwise said, I'll just wait to be baptized later. But he didn't, he NEEDED it at that moment. You can tell from his response that it was important.

Look! There is water right there! *POINTS*

Why can't I receive baptism right now?

but you also said it was a part..hmmmmm..what did you mean?

And what if he was not baptized there?

How do we know exactly what went on? Phil could have been telling him alot of stuff, and causally mentioned baptism, fine.....


How come Phil did not raise the baptism event first, if it were so needed?

 

[Frogster]

But after confession we get saved.

If baptism is just a testimony and it has absolutely nothing in itself, who would Frog testify to all by his lonesome, crickets?

I don't getcha on the red?


I suppose I should ask you this..besides testimony, what else do you think baptism is about? Curious...thanks.

 

[Edial]

but saying a truth, does not mean it was all of the truth, it is true, it can be a testimony.

I fail to see a Titanic event here...

heck, there is not even an iceberg!

If you believe that baptism is absolutely, definitely symbolic and has no value in itself. It is just a proper testimony to others of Christ's death and resurrection performed in a symbolic way, which unbelievers do not grasp because it is so deep in it's symbolism ... can you remind me again what is the purpose of baptism if it is not really a testimony to non-believers of Christ's death and resurrection, because they definitely do not understand it?

 

[ByTheSpirit]

but you also said it was a part..hmmmmm..what did you mean?

And what if he was not baptized there?

How do we know exactly what went on? Phil could have been telling him alot of stuff, and causally mentioned baptism, fine.....


How come Phil did not raise the baptism event first, if it were so needed?

I think you're looking to hard into this. The text from Acts 8 only says Philip taught the eunuch about Jesus. The very next verse says the eunuch wanted to be baptized.

Acts 8:35-36 ESV

Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?”

So Philip brought baptism into the picture at some point and made it such a point that the eunuch wanted it immediately.

 

[Frogster]

But after confession we get saved.

If baptism is just a testimony and it has absolutely nothing in itself, who would Frog testify to all by his lonesome, crickets?

besides, i said testimony, we give that after being saved, and we get baptized after being saved..

 

[Frogster]

If you believe that baptism is absolutely, definitely symbolic and has no value in itself. It is just a proper testimony to others of Christ's death and resurrection performed in a symbolic way, which unbelievers do not grasp because it is so deep in it's symbolism ... can you remind me again what is the purpose of baptism if it is not really a testimony to non-believers of Christ's death and resurrection, because they definitely do not understand it?

well...I can't help it. If you ask me about the cross, or the blood, or our union, our resurrection etc, to me those are real events, that are supernatural and expounded upon by Paul.

I promise, i just don't see baptism in that same light.

red, again, I said it can be a testimony..

 

[Edial]

I don't getcha on the red?

Sure, Romans 9 - confess with you mouth and believe in your heart and you will be saved.

I suppose I should ask you this..besides testimony, what else do you think baptism is about? Curious...thanks.

Aaah ... finally.
Baptism in itself is important.
The word (which is alive [Lutherans are very literal]) combines with water and saves you.
It does not save you by water, but by water and the word.

Roman Catholics call it Holy Water. It is not holy water.

It is water (which we were commanded to use) and the Word (which gives life and saves)

"We baptize you in the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. "

1PE 3:21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ ...

That is why we confess during baptism.

Then you can add Romans 6 in literal way and the Bible finally makes plain literal sense.

 

[Frogster]

I think you're looking to hard into this. The text from Acts 8 only says Philip taught the eunuch about Jesus. The very next verse says the eunuch wanted to be baptized.

Acts 8:35-36 ESV

Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?”

So Philip brought baptism into the picture at some point and made it such a point that the eunuch wanted it immediately.

but you also said it was a part..hmmmmm..what did you mean?

you said this..we do not have to wonder about the Acts 8 anymore.

 

[Edial]

besides, i said testimony, we give that after being saved, and we get baptized after being saved..

OK, but you testify to someone.
So if all baptism is, a testimony to someone, it needs to be public.
And if there is no public, or the public has no idea that you are symbolizing Jesus death and resurrection, why get baptized at all?
Why not just give a verbal testimony instead? ... if baptism is purely symbolic?

Apparently the eunuch and the jailer had different ideas about baptism. What ideas? Not sure, but certainly not of it being purely symbolic.

 

[Frogster]

Sure, Romans 9 - confess with you mouth and believe in your heart and you will be saved.


Aaah ... finally.
Baptism in itself is important.
The word (which is alive [Lutherans are very literal]) combines with water and saves you.
It does not save you by water, but by water and the word.

Roman Catholics call it Holy Water. It is not holy water.

It is water (which we were commanded to use) and the Word (which gives life and saves)

"We baptize you in the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. "

1PE 3:21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ ...
That is why we confess during baptism.

Then you can add Romans 6 in literal way and the Bible finally makes plain literal sense.

but Peter meant our baptism, in a general sense, our faith, our belief..

There was John's, then there is ours.

Yes, our baptism used in a general sense saves, our baptism is about Christ, we are justified by faith, and that is it.

You can see by the verse that peter is being general about the word.


Just this....Peter said it..


18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

It is like if one asked..

"whose baptism save, John's or ours?"


I would say ours, but that does not mean baptism saves, it is just a ways of saying our faith, our belief, etc..