Baptism

[daveleau]

A recent discussion has led me to post this. I hope it is well received.

It appears that there is a major misunderstanding with many Baptists (Christians, really for that matter) regarding baptism. When people mention baptism, they automatically assume that we are talking about something to do with water. This is not the case. There are two types of Baptism: 1- Baptism in water that we do as a duty and which has no (zero) bearing on our salvation and 2- Baptism of the Holy Spirit which is salvific.

Most assume that any time the word baptism is used in Scripture that it means water baptism. That is not the case. Many times it means baptism by the Holy Spirit, which is the act that cleanses us. Mark 11:27-33 discussed this distinction. Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, John 1:33, Acts 1:5 do as well.

Mk 16:16, Acts 2:38, Acts 8:12, 1 Pet 3:21, 1 Cor 12:13 are all good indicators of the definition of baptism. Baptism with salvific characteristics has nothing to do with water. Acts 2:38 is the same. Acts 2:38 can never dictate that water baptism is necessary. It dictates that baptism by the Holy Spirit is necessary. That comes only through asking Christ Jesus to be your Saviour and by accepting Him through true faith. A clergyman dunking or sprinkling water on you has no bearing on your salvation. It is something we are told to do, but Scripture gives us clear guidance that we have simply misunderstood baptism to think that baptism related to salvation has something to do with our proximity to a source of water. There are two baptisms- one in water as a duty and one by the Holy Spirit which is salvific. As Scripture says, only ONE of these is for the remission of sins. That is the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

1Co 12:13 For we were all baptized by[3] one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

God bless,
Dave

 

[Iollain]

Amen

 

[Beoga]

Excellent post!

 

[2Timothy2]

Good post, this needed to be said.

btw, I love that word, "salvific". It just feels good on the tongue.

 

[daveleau]

Great on the tongue...better in the heart.

 

[Matthan]

Dave, your very correct explanation of true salvific baptism by the Holy Ghost (only), were it accepted by other denominations that rely so heavily on water baptism for their salvation, would cause a great many people to better understand God's true plan for us all. How do we convince them that it is Holy Spirit Baptism ALONE that saves? How do we convince them that, when Jesus said we must be born once of water and again by the Spirit, that it is the second "birth" that is really the baptism by the Holy Spirit ALONE that saves? How do we convince them that, when Peter tells those whose hearts were touched by his message about Jesus as the Christ, and he told them to arise and be baptized, he was talking about baptism by the Holy Spirit ALONE that saves?

I firmly believe that, if more want-to-be Christians understood that what you posted in your (God-Blessed) post was God's ONLY TRUTH, there would be a lot more true Christians and a lot fewer confused souls who will one day say "Lord, Lord..." and hear that heart-wrenching reply, "I do not know you..."

Wonderful post, my brother,

Matthan <J><

 

[CFoster]

Great on the tongue...better in the heart.

Amen!

 

[Cright]

Dave that is an excellent post!


as a side note, if you were prompted to write this due to PG's post about baptism, he pre-empted his question by saying he was ministering to some people who were batized as infants... which would indicate his question was about water baptism, not baptism of the spirit... which would be why we all were talking about water.

still.. excellent post!!

Carina

 

[P_G]

Amen

No disagreement at all Dave

My thread I started was basically to get some anecdotal stuff
and also theological stuff to share with people who want to be water
Baptised

I am going to use your post too. It's all good! I am in the process of writing a book/booklette for baptisim cantidates so the more stuff we have the better its going to be.

I have witnessed huge changes in those water baptised. Not all but many have significant spirtual "awakenings" And I think that is worth sharing

PG

 

[RED that's ME]

My Pastor preached a message on Baptisms and here's some of the notes.

How many Baptisms are there? Hebrews 6:2; Ephesians 4:1-4

1. Moses' baptism: 1 Corinthians 10:1-4
2. Death: Matthew 20:20-23
3. John's Baptism: Matthew 3:1-12
4. Baptism of Repentance: Acts 2:38
5. Gentile Baptism: Romans 6:4-5; Acts 8:35-38
6 Fire Baptism Matthew 3:11
7 Holy Ghost Baptism: Matthew 3:11; Ephesians 4:5; 1 Corinthians 12:13

II. How are we to be baptized? Acts 8:36-39
a. Baptism is a burial Colossians 2:12; Romans 6:1-5
b. Baptism is a resurrection Colossians 2:12

III. How does Christ's Baptism affect me? Matthew 3:13-15

IV. What is the "fact" behind the "figure"?
1 Corinthians 15:1-3; Colossians 2:12

V. What Power does Baptism Give?
Colossians 2:12; John 7:47-48

 

[Turkey-and-co]

Dave that is an excellent post!


as a side note, if you were prompted to write this due to PG's post about baptism, he pre-empted his question by saying he was ministering to some people who were batized as infants... which would indicate his question was about water baptism, not baptism of the spirit... which would be why we all were talking about water.

still.. excellent post!!

Carina

Thats good, people who were baptized as infants need not to be confused about salvation. They need to be saved first and then obey God's command by being baptized after being saved. Infant baptism is like not stealing before salvation. They're obeying God's law but they are not saved, so whats the point. They aren't forgiven for any other sin they have committed.

But you guys raise some good points and I like reading them,

Thanks

 

[AJ]

Great post Dave!