Baptisim and Salvation

[water_ripple]

Is it necessary to be baptised?

 

[WesleyJohn]

I honestly don't mean to be flippant by this response:

Is it necessary to obey God?

If you can answer that question, than I think you can answer your question.

 

[A Brethren IN CHRIST]

read eph 2:4-9 it is by Grace and mercy

Titus 3:5 one can not do Good work for salvation it is by God's mercy\


Baptism is done by the Holy Spirit upon belief 1 cor 12:13, romans 8:9

 

[water_ripple]

Is there any bible scripture that calls the Christian to baptisim with water?

 

[Pamela]

1 John 5
7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

John 3
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

 

[HeatherJay]

Christians shouldn't answer this question as though the answer is so obvious. This is a much debated topic among highly respected theologans.

Not everyone who has been saved has been baptized. Ex. Thief on the cross right beside Jesus.

However, the gospels (Mathew, Mark, Luke, John, and Acts) do teach that the baptism is a very important turning point in a persons life. This is the time that the old you, the you who has a sinful heart dies, and the new you, the one who does not have a sinful heart is born. This does not mean you will never sin again. It means that your heart is maid right with the Lord and you will now truly begin to hate sin and will avoid it at all cost.

The next question may be: Why did Jesus get baptised? After all he clearly was without sin and never had a sinful heart. The answer is in Mathew. He was setting an example for all Christians to follow.

I guess my answer would be that if you are physically and mentally capable it would be wise to follow Christ's example that he set for us. That means being baptised through immersion in water.

At the same time, don't think that there are not special circumstances in which that Lord may decide to forgive someone who has not been baptised.

Please do not put the Lord to the test on this issue. If there is any way possible, get baptised.

I will also add that there are no examples in the bible of a person getting baptised by sprinkling or a baby being baptised. Jesus set the example and I think it is good advice to stick as close to his example as possible.

 

[Mark Jeffers]

The last post from HeatherJay was actually a statement from Mark Jeffers (Husband). I did not have my own account at the time.

 

[water_ripple]

Thanx Mark Jeffers

1 John 5
7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

John 3
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Thanx to Pamela

I was having this discussion with my father. I see it necessary to be baptized b/c I want to model my life after Christ. My father was arguing that nowhere in scripture was baptisim supported. I did not agree however as Christians are called to follow the teaching of Jesus Christ, and to follow His example (submission to God) Thanx ever so much. Maybe if he reads the scripture he will believe what the scripture says.

 

[Pamela]

Hi water_ripple!

You're welcome, and I pray that the Lord will guide you in your efforts with your father, and also that He will bless you tremendously.



Love in Christ,

Pamela

 

[water_ripple]

 

[Galadriel]

I too have come to the conclusion that if you can get baptized, do so! I also agree immersion is the way to go, as Christ did it that way.

I am currently in the process of trying to arrange to be baptized, lol, the guy is taking his sweet time replying to me, but I hope it works out ok.

 

[Rising_Suns]

Maybe if he reads the scripture he will believe what the scripture says.

hey borther,
If he doesn't read scripture, then I don't think he is in a place to make any claim on what the bible does or does not say. I am curious as to why is he arguing this point anyway. Is he not saved?

 

[HeatherJay]

I too have come to the conclusion that if you can get baptized, do so! I also agree immersion is the way to go, as Christ did it that way.

I am currently in the process of trying to arrange to be baptized, lol, the guy is taking his sweet time replying to me, but I hope it works out ok.

Actually, Sunday afternoon our church is having quite a few baptisms. I'm really excited to go and watch. I've never seen an actually baptism in a creek before. One cool thing about this baptism is that our pastor has invited the parents of the children to participate...actually be in the water with them as they recieve the Holy Spirit. Keeps the kids calm and also allows the parents to be involved in one of the most important days of their kids' lives.

I was saved in a Methodist Church and I was only sprinkled. It's not that I worry for my soul that I'm not really saved, but I think that I'd like to be immersed as part of my reaffirmation (I've been away from the church for about 10 years and have been back for about 6 months now).

Keep praying...God will arrange it for you

Love, Heather

 

[Galadriel]

Actually, Sunday afternoon our church is having quite a few baptisms. I'm really excited to go and watch. I've never seen an actually baptism in a creek before. One cool thing about this baptism is that our pastor has invited the parents of the children to participate...actually be in the water with them as they recieve the Holy Spirit. Keeps the kids calm and also allows the parents to be involved in one of the most important days of their kids' lives.

I was saved in a Methodist Church and I was only sprinkled. It's not that I worry for my soul that I'm not really saved, but I think that I'd like to be immersed as part of my reaffirmation (I've been away from the church for about 10 years and have been back for about 6 months now).

Keep praying...God will arrange it for you

Love, Heather

Hey! You sound like me! I was sprinkled in a Methodist church too, and I too would like to redo it, as I was really young and ignorant at the time.

 

[water_ripple]

hey borther,
If he doesn't read scripture, then I don't think he is in a place to make any claim on what the bible does or does not say. I am curious as to why is he arguing this point anyway. Is he not saved?

He has read scripture, but to what extent I am not sure. He recognizes Christ as his personal savior, but he says the grace is enough. He then says that since the grace is enough that he doesn't need baptisied.

Sis in Christ,
water_ripple

 

[water_ripple]

Hey! You sound like me! I was sprinkled in a Methodist church too, and I too would like to redo it, as I was really young and ignorant at the time.

Ditto for me. I want the whole shebang baby

 

[western kentucky]

whoops?

 

[western kentucky]

Not everyone who has been saved has been baptized. Ex. Thief on the cross right beside Jesus.

When considering the thief on the cross, we must consider that the thief was under the Old Testament. In Hebrews, we can read that a change of law was made.

(Hebrews 7:12 - For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also.)

In Hebrews, we can also read when this change of law was effected:

(Hebrews 9:16,17 - For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it. For a covenant is valid only when men are dead, for it is never in force while the one who made it lives.)

(Romans 7:4 - Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ (...).)

The example of the thief on the cross cannot be examined as a valid point concerning the necessity of baptism, because he was saved under the Old Law.

However, the gospels (Mathew, Mark, Luke, John, and Acts) do teach that the baptism is a very important turning point in a persons life. This is the time that the old you, the you who has a sinful heart dies, and the new you, the one who does not have a sinful heart is born. This does not mean you will never sin again. It means that your heart is maid right with the Lord and you will now truly begin to hate sin and will avoid it at all cost..

In the gospels, baptism is not taught as just being important, but it is taught as being a necessity. If baptism:

1) Saves us (1 Peter 3:21)
2) Is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38)
3) Washes away sins (Acts 22:16)
4) Is to put on Christ (Galatians 3:27)
5) Is to be buried with Christ (Col 2:12)
6) Is to benefit from Christ's resurrection (Romans 6:5)
7) Is to be crucified with him (Rom. 6:6)

Then what condition is one in if not baptized? In the conversions listed in the New Testament, it is obvious that baptism is urgent.

Acts 16:33 - And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household.

Acts 22:16 - Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name.'

Acts 8:36 - As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, "Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?"

Why is baptism so urgent? Because one cannot be saved without baptism.

The next question may be: Why did Jesus get baptised? After all he clearly was without sin and never had a sinful heart. The answer is in Mathew. He was setting an example for all Christians to follow.

Good point! I agree, we should strive to follow Jesus.

 

[western kentucky]

I guess my answer would be that if you are physically and mentally capable it would be wise to follow Christ's example that he set for us. That means being baptised through immersion in water.

At the same time, don't think that there are not special circumstances in which that Lord may decide to forgive someone who has not been baptised.

Please do not put the Lord to the test on this issue. If there is any way possible, get baptised.

My response: The bible not only teaches that it is wise for us to follow God's commands, but that it is a must. We are not in a place to find loopholes with God's commands, but we must teach the necessity of following his commands. If you have any questions about my teaching, please ask me. My motive is to teach the truth, and to "speak as the oracles of God." (1 Peter 4:11).

 

[A Brethren IN CHRIST]

spirit baptism for
salvation ....1 cor 12:13



eph 2:4-9
2 tim 1:9
titus 3:5