Confused about Baptism

[TheDag]

Have we all forgotten about John 3:16?

What in particular are you wanting us to remember in the context of this discussion? I know what John 3:16 says but I'm not sure what you mean in the context of this discussion.

 

[RaddMadd]

However, there are more ways to confess Christ than by being Baptised.

yeah thats true. this is the way Jesus tells us to do though, but im sure by just telling someone your saved etc. is fine too

 

[RaddMadd]

Have we all forgotten about John 3:16?

i think i know where you goin with this i haven't forgotten it

 

[Andy Broadley]

So instead of adherency or soldiership one could just give their testimony as a public statement of their faith.

Yea, I would say that was a fair enough comment. I mean, what is a public statement of your faith?

A fish bumper sticker?
Testimony in a meeting?
Adding your view as a Christian to discussions at work/school etc?
A tee shirt with a CXheristian message?

The list could go on ad infinitum.

There are countless ways of making a public affirmation of your faith.

So, in that context, I wouldn't just associate Baptism with being a public faith statement, although it undoubtadly is one. But it is a great deal more as well.

When we are saved, we are 'born again', and our sins are washed away. It's God saying "Ok Andy, you screwed up real bad, but lets draw a line in the sand and start again. Whats gone is gone."

Baptism is like a physical representation of that new relationship with God. The water washes us clean.

So, although it does publically affirm our faith, it is usually in front of people who already know that we are Christians.

Taking on board what Dani said about John 3:16, I believe that is correct.

WHOSOEVER believes in Jesus shall not perish but have everlasting life. Nobody ever got saved by being Baptised. Only a one to one relationship with Jesus can do that. The Baptism is that new life in physical form.

I know that many Christians could take me to task on my rather simplistic view, but I really don't believe that getting into such areas as a state of Grace, and other heavy theology, is really going to help this discussion. As Christians we are guilty far too often of making out faith way too complicated.

WHenever I have asked at the army about Baptism I am always told that they were never intending to be a church therefore didn't do those things.

 

[DaniN]

Sorry! I have been away. I just mean that I don't think that Baptisim has much to do with Salvation itself. We are not saved by works but by the grace and love of God. As I said before God know our hearts and he know those who truly believe and trust in him and those who don't. Yes, baptisim is an outward testimony of faith but there are other not so obvious testimonies of faith and Salvation does not hinge on these things. IMHOJohn 3:16 (New International Version)



16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

 

[Andy Broadley]

Sorry! I have been away. I just mean that I don't think that Baptisim has much to do with Salvation itself. We are not saved by works but by the grace and love of God. As I said before God know our hearts and he know those who truly believe and trust in him and those who don't. Yes, baptisim is an outward testimony of faith but there are other not so obvious testimonies of faith and Salvation does not hinge on these things. IMHOJohn 3:16 (New International Version)



16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Yea, I probably wouldn't argue too much with that statement, if at all.