I am glad very glad AJTruth you are being taught by the Holy Spirit to know the truth about water baptism.
Another poster says water baptism washes away your sins, but does it really....
However we read the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin.
If earthly water did that then it would have been mentioned by Apostle John in his letters.
1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the
blood of Jesus
Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
There is a washing of water by the WORD, and that WORD is Christ, who is the Word of God, which is accomplished by the baptism He does, a spiritual washing of regeneration.
Ephesians 5:25-27 King James Version (KJV)
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
"It does not say here washing of water by a man."
Hi sdowney717, Thanks for your words of encouragement, participation & contribution to the OP.
I have a few more thoughts I'd like to share with you and other readers.
The earthly ministry of Jesus, preached by Jesus & the 12. Was the """Gospel of the Kingdom""". And was preached to a collective audience, Gods chosen people, the Nation of Israel.
Their salvation was collectively based upon believing that Jesus was Israel’s promised Messiah, (Matt 16:16; Jn 11:27; Acts 8:37).
Its message was that God’s earthly kingdom that the prophets had proclaimed was at hand.
It required repentance, they were to repent from turning away from God and breaking covenant with Him (Jer 10:11
Water baptism was commonly used Jewish purification doctrine.
AGAIN THE MESSAGE JESUS PREACHED DURING HIS EARTHLY MINISTRY WAS THE:
"""GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM"""
JESUS EARTHLY MINISTRY WAS TO THE LOST HOUSE OF ISRAEL ONLY!
Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
(JESUS EARTHLY MISSION, WAS ALL LAW, ALL THE TIME)
Matt 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, """Go not into the way of the Gentiles""", and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
(JESUS SENDS THE ORIGINAL 12 TO ISRAELITES ONLY. """GO NOT TO GENTILES"""!)
6 """But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel""".
(DURING JESUS EARTHLY MINISTRY. JESUS AND THE 12, ARE SENT THE SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL ONLY!)
Matt 15:24 Jesus said, I am not sent but unto the """lost sheep of the house of Israel"""
(JESUS SAY'S: GO ONLY TO THE SHEEP OF THE LOST HOUSE OF ISRAEL! NOT TO ANY GENTILES)
While alive the earthly ministry of Jesus is for the """lost sheep of the house of Israel.
"""JEWS ONLY""".
Romans 15: Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
(DURING HIS EARTHLY MISSION JESUS WAS A MINISTER OF THE CIRCUMCISION:
"""JEWS ONLY""")
Jewish leadership rejects their Messiah and has Him killed.
Matthew 27:51 Jesus dies, And behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; Old Levitical
(JESUS HAS FINISHED THE WORK OF REDEMPTION. FULFILED THE LAWS REQUIRMENT FOR SIN. OLD COVENANT ENDS RIGHT HERE!)
The RISEN Lord chooses Paul and sends him to the gentiles. Opening the door of salvation to gentiles.
Pay special attention the verse 17
Acts 26
16 Jesus says; rise for I have appeared unto thee (Paul) to make thee a "minister" & "witness" both of these things which thou hast seen, & of those things in the which I will show you
"17" Delivering thee from the Jews, & from the ""Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee""
Paul, is sent to the GENTILES by THE RISEN LORD!
Paul's message, the preaching of the cross was salvation (1 Cor 1.18, 15.1-4, 1 Tim 1.11
The Lord gave Paul a new gospel (Gal 1.11-12). Paul’s gospel (Rom 2.16, 16.25), was different from the gospel of Jesus & the 12.
Its focus was not upon the identity of Christ but upon the work of Christ.
Paul’s gospel was that Christ died for our sins & rose from the dead (1 Cor 15.1-4).
This gospel was not preached during Jesus’ earthly ministry or by the 12
Paul referred to this gospel as “my gospel” (Rom 2.16, 16.25; 2 Tim 2.8; Gal 2.2).
It was different from the gospel Jesus or the 12 preached. Luke’s account of the Council of Jerusalem made this clear Acts 15
Paul revealed that his gospel was a “secret” (Rom 16.25).
The Twelve had no understanding Jesus would die & rise from the dead (Luke 18.31-34; John 20.3-10
WHY WAS THE GOSPEL KEPT A SECRET?
1 Corinthians 2:7 Paul say's he speak's the wisdom of God in a mystery (secret), even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
(PAUL SAY'S: THAT BEFORE THE WORLD BEGAN. GOD ORDAINED THE SIN ATONING REDEMPTIVE PAYMENT OF CHRIST. AND KEPT IT A SECRET)
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
(IF SATAN HAD KNOW GOD'S SIN ATONING REDEMPTIVE PLAN. CHRIST WOULD NEVER HAD BEEN CRUCIFIED)
COUNCIL AT JERUSALEM
At the Council in Jerusalem (Acts 15) All the apostles agreed & validated. Gentiles need not keep the Law given by Moses. And sent letters to the gentile Churches stating such.
After the Council, only Paul’s gospel of grace was valid. The Gospel of the Kingdom preached by the 12 was formally supplanted/SUPERCEEDED by Paul’s grace message.
Given to Paul by the Risen Heavenly Lord Jesus
Paul’s gospel is of faith alone: FAITH + NOTHING "Sola fide".
Paul’s grace gospel, is not a kingdom gospel.
Paul's gospel of salvation is believe that Christ died for our sins & rose again (1 Cor 15:1-4)
The Gospel of the Kingdom message.
Isn't applicable for the Church today. Maranatha
