Questions on Baptism - Is Baptism a 'Work', and if not, why is it Necessary ?

Hoshiyya

Spenglerian
Mar 5, 2013
5,285
1,022
✟24,676.00
Faith
Marital Status
Married
Is Baptism a 'Work', and if not, why is it Necessary ?

I have a question to pose to those who consider themselves representative of Christianity:
This question can be stated in three ways, or in the form of three questions:

Why do the WORK of baptism?
Am I saved by this work?
Am I not saved, unless I do this work?

These are the questions I would like to pose to Christians.



In addition, I want to comment on a reply I received to one of my questions.

I had asked a Christian a question along the lines of:

If one believes - is raised to believe - one's entire life, when does one take baptism?

In response to this question I was told:

" One can have had faith for years but there is still sin in their lives...our sin separates us from Ha'Shem...sin cannot remain in His presence (the reason why Adam and Eve were kept from the Tree of Life until the promised Redeemer of Genesis 3:15 would arrive to cleanse them of their sin)...sin must be dealt with/remissed/removed to enter the Kingdom"

I found his response very curious, maybe it's not normative Christian belief.

This (a rather unclear answer) implies that one needs to DO THE WORK of quitting sins (before doing the work of baptism) - but according to traditional Christianity, we are not saved by works, right?

Ultimately, it seems to me there are two primary traditions in Christianity regarding baptism:

1. Infant Baptism

2. Internal Decision - at some point, one "feels" ready. No specific qualifier besides this is given.

Though in the answer I received (quoted above), the qualifier was given that one must turn from sin. What does that mean? That you have to keep the Torah perfectly, before being baptized? It sounds contradictory to what Christianity teaches.
 

Bluelion

Peace and Love
Oct 6, 2013
4,341
313
47
Pa
✟6,506.00
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Married
For one no Christian is a representative of The Christian faith. Jesus is the Head of the body(the church) Christ alone is the representative or High Priest of the order.

Why do the WORK of baptism?
Baptism is not a work that any one should brag. Baptism is proclaiming our faith. It is a sign of the New covenant between God and His children, much like circumcise was. Baptism is being buried in the grave with Christ(under the water) and being resurrected with Christ at the grave(coming out of the water). It is an act of faith, and proclaiming you accept the agreement between us and God publicly.

Am I saved by this work?
Being saved come from surrendering your will to God and asking and repenting of sin. Asking God into your heart. As it says in Rev, Jesus said behold I stand at the door and knock if anyone hears me and opens the door I will come into him and sup with him. You have to Love God to be saved surrender your will ask for forgiveness and ask God to dwell in you. This is the gift of salvation. A person is still saved before baptism but baptism is the next step and should be done to receive The Holy Spirit. A person can receive The Holy Spirit with out it though. It is a great and wonderful thing to do, all who are saved should do it.

Am I not saved, unless I do this work?

Think I covered this. Paul said faith with out work is dead, baptism is not work. Work is fruit from The Holy Spirit, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the cold, helping others. We are to love everyone, this is loving them. The Holy Spirit produces this work in us. God tells us not to turn a blind eye to others suffering.

As far as ridding your self from sin, that happens after this world, when we get our new bodies in Heaven. These bodies in this world Have sin living inside them from are past and current. We stumble in this world and sin, but we are saved by grace and not the Law. The penalty of the Law has been paid for by Jesus. So we need only ask for forgiveness get back up and try again. We are not condemn any longer by our sins.

does that answer it :)
 
Upvote 0

least

To God be the Glory!
Dec 20, 2011
214
141
✟13,554.00
Country
United States
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Republican
Hi Hoshiyya,

I think BlueLion answered your question very well, and I would like to share some Bible verses that will support our position.

Why do the WORK of baptism?

We first read of baptism in Matthew 3:5-17, Mark 1:4-11, Luke 3:3, 21-22, and John 1:24-34. In each of these passages, John the Baptist came “preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Mark 1:4) and this baptism was marked by the people “confessing their sins” (v5). The question is, why did these people confess their sins, repent, and get baptized by John? It is because they believed in the message he was preaching: “After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals. I baptize you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” (v7-8).

There are three terms that are important to understand in this passage: belief, confession, and repentance. The New Testament meaning of belief is to be persuaded of and place one’s confidence in a particular thing or person: in the Bible, that person is Jesus Christ. When people realize and confess that their way of living is not the same as God’s way, they turn away from their way and turn to God. In other words they repent. Baptism symbolizes the death of living in one’s own way, being buried, and rising again to the life that will be lived for Christ (Romans 6:3-4). It is a public confession of one’s new life in Christ!

But not only is it an open confession of a new life in Christ, it is also an opportunity to begin the new life in obedience to Jesus. Jesus commanded that we be baptized after we are saved (Matthew 28:19). Why is that? I believe the answer, at least in part, is that baptism identifies us with Christ. As stated above, we identify with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. But Jesus also identifies with us in his baptism; just as he was tempted in every way as we are (Hebrews 4:15) he also suffered death as we do.

So again, baptism symbolizes the spiritual truth of what happens when we believe, identifies us with Christ, and sets us on a course of obedience.

Am I saved by this work?

Many people teach that one must be baptized in order to be saved, but this is not the case. Salvation is depend upon one thing and that is trusting (believing) in the work of Jesus Christ. Now, I want to share with you a Bible verse that some use to teach that you must be baptized in order to be saved:

“Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”” (Acts 2:37-39, this is in response to Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost).

Some point to the fact that Peter says first, “Repent…be baptized…and then you will be forgiven and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Therefore they argue that without baptism there is no forgiveness and henceforth no salvation. But this argument ignores that some things had already happened, such as they had heard the gospel of Christ preached and they were convicted (“pierced to the heart”) of their sin. Why were they “pierced”? It is because they heard the word and believed that it was true. This is supported only two verses later, “So then, those who had received his word were baptized” (v41). So what Peter is saying must be taken in context, as does everything in the Bible.

For the sake of space, I want to give you some references to look up and read. John 3:16-17; John 20:31; Romans 10:9-11; 1 John 3:23; 1 Timothy 1:16; James 2:23, and many more. What each of these references demonstrate is the salvation comes through believing the message of Christ. One of the greatest passages dealing with faith (belief) is Ephesians 2:8-9:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one can boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

This passage shows that we are first of all saved through faith in Jesus Christ and not of any work, such as baptism. If we could check off a to-do list we could make a case that we have earned our salvation, but we all know we cannot. The Law of Moses taught us that is impossible, did it not? But in Christ, we are regenerated and ready to do the good works God has in store for us—one of which is baptism. You see, we don’t do good works for salvation, but from salvation.

Am I not saved, unless I do this work?

Again, baptism does not save us. However, I know some Christians who seemed to want a pass from baptism, maybe because of a fear of water, or maybe a fear of embarrassment. While I could give biblical responses to this (“perfect love casts away all fear,” or, “if you deny me before men I will deny you before my Father,” or, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ”), I find it necessary instead to reiterate that baptism is not necessary for salvation. However, it is necessary for obedience to Christ. As stated above, the Lord (another word for master) commanded believers to be baptized “…in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

If one believes – is raised to believe – one’s entire life, when does one take baptism?

There are a couple of passages in Acts that illustrate that the time for baptism is as soon as it is possible after a person believes (see Acts 8:36-38; and 10:44-48, 11:15-18). The first passage deals with the story of when Philip taught the Ethiopian man about the gospel and the man said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?” This man didn't want anything holding him back from baptism, including time! Next, Peter had preached to Cornelius and they were filled with the Holy Spirit. He later explained to the Jerusalem Church why he baptized Cornelius, “Therefore if God gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” (11:17). So these passages illustrate that the time of baptism is immediately following a person’s belief in the Lord Jesus Christ.

You are correct, we are not saved by works; however, without faith in Christ we are condemned by our works! The work of Christ is what saves us, we must believe that he is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). All other belief systems fall short! Therefore, we must turn away from sin and turn towards the Lord; and I believe this is your last question…

What does it mean to turn from sin? The Bible does say that we are to repent—that is, turn away from sin. Think of this as if you are driving your car to a particular destination, let’s say you are going from St. Louis, Missouri to New York City. You are driving along and you pass into Kansas and then into Colorado and then finally, you realize you are heading in the wrong direction! If you keep going in that direction, you will end up in California! Therefore, you have to make a U-turn in order to go to New York City. In the same way, every person is driving away from God because of sin. It doesn’t matter if we are trying to reach heaven, whether believe in God or not, or whether we think about it or not, every person—without Christ—is going in the wrong direction! God’s word teaches us about Christ and that he is the “the way” to heaven. So we turn away from our own system or self-imposed religions and follow after him. It doesn't mean we will be perfect or never sin, but it does mean we will make a conscience effort to follow after him (see 1 John 1:8-10).

I hope this has been helpful; please let me know if you have any questions!
 
Upvote 0

USCGrad90

Seeker
Mar 19, 2013
518
21
Greenwood, South Carolina, USA
✟15,924.00
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Married
Baptism is an important part of Christianity , but happens after salvation and is done as a as a public profession of faith. Baptists believe it is an important symbolic expression of belief and sign of obedience, but is not necessary to be saved.

Some groups including Catholics, Seventh Day Adventists, Pentecostal groups including the United Pentecostal Church, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, and the Church of Christ may teach that it is necessary for salvation. This position is commonly called "baptismal regeneration" because it holds that one is "regenerated" or saved only when a person is baptized. A person who is not baptized, according to this teaching, is not saved and will not go to heaven even if he has believed and professed Jesus Christ as his Savior.
 
Upvote 0

miamited

Ted
Supporter
Oct 4, 2010
13,243
6,313
Seneca SC
✟705,807.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Hi hoshiyya,

I've never thought of baptism as a 'work'. In our day and age we tend to redefine and become rather specious in our understanding. Today we seem to take this word 'work' and consider that if one must breath to stay alive, then that one is working for life.

As far as the necessity of baptism for the believer, there are a number of examples we can draw from the Scriptures to understand its true importance. First, Jesus sent his disciples out to baptize people who came professing faith when they were sent out to minister in Israel. Secondly, nearly every example in the Scriptures where we are told that an individual came to faith in our Lord, was reasonably quickly baptized. Jesus, as he left this earth to return to the Father, commanded that his disciples continue his work in spreading the gospel of the truth of God and baptizing those who would believe. Finally, we have evidence that Jesus, at one point, mentioned two requirements for withstanding the day of God's judgment: faith and baptism.

Now, many claim that it isn't necessary, however, their only real evidence is the faith of the thief on the cross. I would contend that while it may be true that the thief was never baptized in his life, I'm also just as sure that it may not be. We should consider that John the Baptist began his ministry baptizing many, many people outside of Jerusalem. The disciples were, at one point, sent out to teach and to baptize. We have no evidence that this one sentenced to die a similar death as our Lord, was or wasn't ever baptized in his life.

He may well have been just like many of us. Baptized at some point in his life and still wallowing in sin, but then finally coming to true faith in all that Jesus was.

God bless you.
In Christ, Ted
 
Upvote 0

sheina

Born Crucified
Mar 30, 2007
1,042
188
Mississippi
✟9,514.00
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Republican
Baptism is a public testimony of faith in Christ. (Acts 8:34-38)

Baptism identifies one with Christ and depicts salvation-dying with Christ and being raised to eternal life with Him (Romans 6:3-6).

Baptism shows the Gospel-the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Baptism is a church ordinance.
 
Upvote 0

classicalhero

Junior Member
Jun 9, 2013
1,631
399
Perth,Western Australia
✟11,338.00
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Single
Politics
AU-Liberals
Baptism is a work and thus it is not something can save us, since we are saved by grace and not by works. It is or testimony that we have put our trust in Christ as our personal saviour, since it symbolises the Gospel, that being his death, burial and resurrection
 
Upvote 0

Keachian

On Sabbatical
Feb 3, 2010
7,096
330
34
Horse-lie-down
Visit site
✟16,342.00
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Single
Is Baptism a 'Work', and if not, why is it Necessary ?
Baptism has always been held as a work of God upon the believer, uniting and bringing them unto Christ.

Why do the WORK of baptism?
Is it such a little thing to do that which we are commanded to do? Our Lord on his ascension said to go out into all the world and baptise making disciples of all the nations, we are therefore bound to administer the sacrament to believers/disciples or else we find that the Holy Spirit is not in us.

Am I saved by this work?
You've got the question round the wrong way. I would pose it thus;
If there is no desire in me to be identified with Christ through Holy Baptism, is the Spirit truly in me?

Am I not saved, unless I do this work?
This question flows from the incorrect phrasing of the previous one as such you need reformulate it in light of the correct way of asking the previous.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Keachian

On Sabbatical
Feb 3, 2010
7,096
330
34
Horse-lie-down
Visit site
✟16,342.00
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Single
John 1:33...Jesus never baptized anyone with water.
The Apostle Paul said he only baptized two or three...but he was not sent to baptize anyone

Neither of those are relevant to the question at hand, what does our Lord command us to do?
 
Upvote 0

sheina

Born Crucified
Mar 30, 2007
1,042
188
Mississippi
✟9,514.00
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Republican
Baptism is a sacrament as is the communion.
The Lord Jesus Christ and His Apostles delivered to the church two ordinances [observances]: baptism and the Lord's Supper. These do not impart grace; they signify and memorialize grace and turn the believer's thoughts to Christ.

Baptism is the outward expression of an inner change. It is an act of obedience after salvation has occurred. (Acts 8:26-39)

Communion is a memorial of Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice and a picture of our fellowship with Him. Eating the bread and drinking the cup are acts of obedience to the Lord, but they not a means of grace. (Luke 22:17-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
 
Upvote 0

Keachian

On Sabbatical
Feb 3, 2010
7,096
330
34
Horse-lie-down
Visit site
✟16,342.00
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Single
The Lord Jesus Christ and His Apostles delivered to the church two ordinances [observances]: baptism and the Lord's Supper. These do not impart grace; they signify and memorialize grace and turn the believer's thoughts to Christ.

Baptism is the outward expression of an inner change. It is an act of obedience after salvation has occurred. (Acts 8:26-39)

Communion is a memorial of Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice and a picture of our fellowship with Him. Eating the bread and drinking the cup are acts of obedience to the Lord, but they not a means of grace. (Luke 22:17-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

As seen in the 2nd London it is historically Baptist to view at least the Supper as a means of Grace;
Worthy receivers, outwardly taking the visible elements in this ordinance, also receive them inwardly and spiritually by faith, truly and in fact, but not carnally and corporally, and feed upon Christ crucified, and all the benefits of His death. The body and blood of Christ is not present corporally or carnally but it is spiritually present to the faith of believers in the ordinance, just as the elements are present to their outward senses. -- 2nd London Baptist Confession of Faith 30.7​

I would also argue for seeing Baptism as a means of Grace [that is where Christ is communicated truly to the proper recipients of the sacraments] else Paul cannot talk as he does so freely in Rom 6 of us being united to Christ in Baptism, there is a necessity for us to be baptised and receive Christ in the Supper.
 
Upvote 0

Bluelion

Peace and Love
Oct 6, 2013
4,341
313
47
Pa
✟6,506.00
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Married
As seen in the 2nd London it is historically Baptist to view at least the Supper as a means of Grace;
Worthy receivers, outwardly taking the visible elements in this ordinance, also receive them inwardly and spiritually by faith, truly and in fact, but not carnally and corporally, and feed upon Christ crucified, and all the benefits of His death. The body and blood of Christ is not present corporally or carnally but it is spiritually present to the faith of believers in the ordinance, just as the elements are present to their outward senses. -- 2nd London Baptist Confession of Faith 30.7​

I would also argue for seeing Baptism as a means of Grace [that is where Christ is communicated truly to the proper recipients of the sacraments] else Paul cannot talk as he does so freely in Rom 6 of us being united to Christ in Baptism, there is a necessity for us to be baptised and receive Christ in the Supper.

Jesus said do this in remembrance of me. A person does not receive Christ through the Lords Supper, if that is what you are saying. A person should already Have Christ or not partake in the supper. Judas did not have Christ and satan enter him. This is why those not saved should not partake. The Lords supper is the New Passover. It is done to remember the great sacrifice Jesus gave and the price at which are souls were paid for. Like the old Passover that was about death passing over the Jews house because of the Lambs blood on the door and the meal they ate inside while death passed over. The New Passover is also showing death passing over us, death can no longer touch our souls. Jesus the lamb of God, His blood is on us it marks us. The meal we eat is of bread and wine, Of His body which was broken for our sake, and the wine His blood which was poured out to cover and erase our sins.

Now faith is not wrong, baptism is a sign of the New covenant we enter into. The Lord supper is remembering what Christ did to secure that covenant and His promise to us. Both are Holy acts.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Keachian

On Sabbatical
Feb 3, 2010
7,096
330
34
Horse-lie-down
Visit site
✟16,342.00
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Single
Jesus said do this in remembrance of me. A person does not receive Christ through the Lords Supper, if that is what you are saying. A person should already Have Christ or not partake in the supper.
You have misunderstood what I meant, the proper recipients of the two Sacraments are believers and so they are already united to Christ in Faith, what I'm talking about is the growth of our faith and us being conformed by the Holy Spirit to Christ, this is done through the consistent administering of the Sacraments to the People of Faith by the Spirit through the Eldership of the Church.

The meal we eat is of bread and wine, Of His body which was broken for our sake, and the wine His blood which was poured out to cover and erase our sins.
How very un-Zwinglian of you.

Now faith is not wrong, baptism is a sign of the New covenant we enter into. The Lord supper is remembering what Christ did to secure that covenant and His promise to us. Both are Holy acts.
And both are normally described in Baptist circles as Ordinances rather than Sacraments, Reformed Baptists are a bit of an exception to that, I haven't run across many other Baptists who would deem them Sacramental.
 
Upvote 0

Hawkiz

Newbie
Dec 3, 2013
353
119
✟9,036.00
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Married
Is Baptism a 'Work', and if not, why is it Necessary ?

I have a question to pose to those who consider themselves representative of Christianity:
This question can be stated in three ways, or in the form of three questions:

Why do the WORK of baptism?
Am I saved by this work?
Am I not saved, unless I do this work?

These are the questions I would like to pose to Christians.




In addition, I want to comment on a reply I received to one of my questions.

I had asked a Christian a question along the lines of:

If one believes - is raised to believe - one's entire life, when does one take baptism?

In response to this question I was told:

" One can have had faith for years but there is still sin in their lives...our sin separates us from Ha'Shem...sin cannot remain in His presence (the reason why Adam and Eve were kept from the Tree of Life until the promised Redeemer of Genesis 3:15 would arrive to cleanse them of their sin)...sin must be dealt with/remissed/removed to enter the Kingdom"

I found his response very curious, maybe it's not normative Christian belief.

This (a rather unclear answer) implies that one needs to DO THE WORK of quitting sins (before doing the work of baptism) - but according to traditional Christianity, we are not saved by works, right?

Ultimately, it seems to me there are two primary traditions in Christianity regarding baptism:

1. Infant Baptism

2. Internal Decision - at some point, one "feels" ready. No specific qualifier besides this is given.

Though in the answer I received (quoted above), the qualifier was given that one must turn from sin. What does that mean? That you have to keep the Torah perfectly, before being baptized? It sounds contradictory to what Christianity teaches.

Mark 16:16 'he who believes AND is baptized will be saved.'
This is the official word from Jesus Himself AFTER He has risen from the dead. i.e. after He did all of His work for redemption. Why would He make this command statement if it didn't matter to our salvation? Answer: He made this statement because it DOES matter. The water by itself has no power...it is just water. But the water, when combined with faith in what Jesus has said and promised...well...that's where baptismal regeneration comes in. It is God alone who provides the power (none can wash their own sins away with any amount of works)...and further, it is our faith that believes that God can allow this 'work' to have any meaning at all! Without faith, the water is just H2O. With faith, it has saving power.
Baptism also isn't a 'get out of eternal damnation free' card. It alone can not save...as I said before, Scripture tells us that we must have both. (And before my Catholic friends freak out; Scripture also tells us that the faith of another qualifies here: so a baptized infant is saved based on the faith of his/her parents; just as the Catholic Church has taught).
St. Paul's personal story confirms this train of thought: In Acts 22 St. Paul tells us this in his own words. He was converted directly by Christ Himself...he 'gave his life to Christ'. And yet, he still had to do something...'and why do you delay? Arise and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins'. Even for someone who has spoken directly to Jesus we see that an act (work) of obedience is required. Obedience to God IS faith. And baptism has real power, God's power.

Peace in Christ on your journey to Him
 
Upvote 0

Bluelion

Peace and Love
Oct 6, 2013
4,341
313
47
Pa
✟6,506.00
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Married
You have misunderstood what I meant, the proper recipients of the two Sacraments are believers and so they are already united to Christ in Faith, what I'm talking about is the growth of our faith and us being conformed by the Holy Spirit to Christ, this is done through the consistent administering of the Sacraments to the People of Faith by the Spirit through the Eldership of the Church.


How very un-Zwinglian of you.


And both are normally described in Baptist circles as Ordinances rather than Sacraments, Reformed Baptists are a bit of an exception to that, I haven't run across many other Baptists who would deem them Sacramental.

sorry i misunderstood you. I think a person grows in many ways with the Lord and not Just the Lords supper.
 
Upvote 0

Keachian

On Sabbatical
Feb 3, 2010
7,096
330
34
Horse-lie-down
Visit site
✟16,342.00
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Single
sorry i misunderstood you. I think a person grows in many ways with the Lord and not Just the Lords supper.

I would agree that there are other ways, I don't believe that apart from the Proclamation of the Gospel there is one that compares to the praxis or doing of the Gospel in the Sacraments.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

now faith

Veteran
Supporter
Jul 31, 2011
7,772
1,568
florida
✟257,472.00
Faith
Word of Faith
Marital Status
Married
The Lord Jesus Christ and His Apostles delivered to the church two ordinances [observances]: baptism and the Lord's Supper. These do not impart grace; they signify and memorialize grace and turn the believer's thoughts to Christ.

Baptism is the outward expression of an inner change. It is an act of obedience after salvation has occurred. (Acts 8:26-39)

Communion is a memorial of Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice and a picture of our fellowship with Him. Eating the bread and drinking the cup are acts of obedience to the Lord, but they not a means of grace. (Luke 22:17-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)


Acts: 1. 5. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. - Bible Offline

Acts: 19. 3. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 4. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. 7. And all the men were about twelve. - Bible Offline

Are we continuing John's baptism to this day?

In verse 5 they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus.
In verse 6 Paul played hands on them.

This passage is a reference to Spirit baptism by some.
When you read it in the order it was written it does not negate water baptism.
When you believe the entire passage they received the Holy Ghost.
Since Christ had not went to the cross when they were baptized of John the Holy Ghost had not yet come.
The only difference is they had believed in Christ and were preaching repentance.
Yet they were imparted the Holy Ghost after they were baptized in the name of Jesus.
Does this passage imply receiving the Holy Ghost is apart from repentance?
As well is it a separate event from the water baptism we partake in today?
Can you attain Salvation by grace through faith yet not receive the Holy Ghost.
God is a spirit and through Christ atonement is made.Is it possible to have the dwelling of Christ in our hearts simply by accepting him?
Could it be to have earthly power we must as well receive the Holy Ghost?
There is a old statement saying [well they have fire insurance] but not much else.
 
Upvote 0