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Have you been immersed (baptized) in water?

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ebedmelech

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I think baptism by immersion is the proper way based on the example Paul gives us in Romans 6:4

Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

Baptism is not neccesary for salvation but it is the first act of obedience to salvation.

Now you have a problem if you consider baptism essential to salvation because Paul makes it clear it's not as he addresses the Corinthian believers:

1 Cor 1:17
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.

Believing the Gospel is what saves.
 
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Michaelismyname

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I agree fully - but true belief is followed by action and that action is willing ,love motivated obedience ..yes?

so if a person who has knowledge and opportunity - and then refuses to be buried .. (signified by faith in full immersion water baptism) then all others would question that persons declaration of belief me thinks .
 
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Humble2him

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The dictionary defines baptism as a rite of purification: a religious ceremony in which somebody is sprinkled with or immersed in water to symbolize purification. In some Christian baptisms, the person is named as well as being accepted into the Christian faith.
Baptism is our way of identifying with Christ Jesus. I was taught, when we go under water we are identifying with his death and burial as we come up out of the water we are identifying with being raised up in newness of life. Though I believe in immersion, The truth is the amount of water used is not mentioned in the bible. It speaks more of a form of washing. It is an outward expression for all to see, saying we are unclean and need to take on Jesus’ name and nature. Baptism strengthens our salvation by cleansing our conscience: The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:21) When Jesus was baptized he was identifying with who we were. He didn’t have sin in his life, but it was needed to fulfill all righteousness. When he first came to be baptized John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? (Matt 3:14) It was important for him to first Identify with who we were so we can identify with who he is.
Examples and shadows of water baptism are all through the word. The ark of Noah that took him out of an old world into an new world. The Red Sea crossing that destroyed pharaoh and his armies. The Brazen Laver in the tabernacle of Moses where the priests washed after the sacrifice was burned. In the book of Revelation it is the sea of Glass mingled with fire. Those who stood on it had gotten victory over the beast, over his image, over his mark, and over the number of his name. They sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb. The Song of Moses is the song they sung after they crossed the red sea. These examples all speak of our identification with his death and the judgment that has already taken place.
 
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Michaelismyname

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"the amount of water used is not mentioned in the bible. It speaks more of a form of washing."
Click to expand...

that is the very thinking wich has already been alluded to -where instead of one saying YES LORD ...an act of willful loving obedience ..a person displays a disobedient fruit by holding onto teaching rather then display a willingness to simply obey and follow the lord Jesus ... they were in a fairly dry region yet they "traveled" to a river .

so while any of us would allow for a situation which perhaps does not allow for water enough to be immersed - this would be rare and not a justification on the whole for discarding simple obedience .

I really love this verse from acts 19.


because it displays so plainly the heart attitude of true followers of the Lord Jesus-
they did not quibble they did not hold proudly or stubbornly to the status quo .
When the error was pointed out to them - the simply quickly OBEYED .. what wonderful examples they are to us all.

~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~

-Speak to me only TRUTH, no matter how it hurts ,love me at least that much.-
 
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Sunbelt

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If we truly love God, don't you think we would do as he asks of us?
 
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Michaelismyname

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I apologize if that is what you think we are saying - it is not . we are simply saying that once a person knows what is right to do ... they -if they truly believe- would and should display that belief by obedience .

ie -im sure the thief on the cross would have hurried to be baptized had he opportunity to do so .
-and again like the Ethiopian whom Phillip spoke to who ,upon hearing the gospel said immediately :" here is water what hinders me ..." and phillip baptized him .
so a good healthy question to ask your self would be.. "what hinders me?"

what hinders us from obedience at any time? and what is the remedy?

it is the sin of disobedience and the remedy is repentance
 
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holyrokker

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the lord Jesus told us to follow him- he was baptized -we should then also be
Click to expand...
Wasn't Jesus baptized in the Jordan River? If we really want to follow His example, we should have to be baptized in the Jordan River, too.
 
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miamited

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holyrokker said:
Wasn't Jesus baptized in the Jordan River? If we really want to follow His example, we should have to be baptized in the Jordan River, too.
Click to expand...

Hi holyrokker,

Yes, but we know that that wasn't the teaching or understanding of the early church. By early church I mean the church between 32AD and 90AD. Phillip baptized the eunich in some other body of water that they were passing by. The baptisms given to us throughout the letters of Paul were not done in the Jordan river.

So, no, I don't think that following the example of Jesus is meant to be understood as being baptized in the same body of water that he was baptized in. Born again believers must be baptized.

Yes, there are plenty who will shout that down. Yes, there are plenty who will shout down any faith that the creation account is not reliable and accurate. Yes, there are many who propose that so much of the Scriptures is not to be taken literally.

Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on which side of the issue one stands on, I am a firm believer that the words of Jesus as recorded in Mark 16 are true. The account of the creation is literally and accurately true. The Scriptures, the word of God, is literally and factually true in all that it reveals.

That's just me and each one must choose which way seems right to him. I believe that each one should carefully and consider Jesus' words to his disciples. "When the Son of Man returns, will he find faith upon the earth?" I believe that this is a carefully crafted prophecy that warns us that we need to be very, very careful what we believe, especially as we get closer and closer to the Son of Man's return.

Jesus also spoke to his disciples of that day of judgment when many would be clamoring before him, "Lord, Lord, have we not done miracles in your name and driven out demons in your name?" I think it clear that the people standing around him that he is speaking of walked upon the earth thinking that they believed the right thing about God, Jesus, the Spirit the word and the way of salvation promised by God to those who believed.

I believe the Scriptures are quite clear that as we move closer and closer to the end of this realm faith among men will not be stronger and will not be common. It will be a very, very rare thing. Peter warned of those who would be among us but were not of us. Just some things to consider.

God bless you.
In Christ, Ted
 
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Michaelismyname

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holyrokker said:
Wasn't Jesus baptized in the Jordan River? If we really want to follow His example, we should have to be baptized in the Jordan River, too.
Click to expand...

interestingly enough the river Jordan is symbolic of death - the crossing from the worldly life to eternal life
the Israelites had to pass over Jordan before they could enter the promise land - we must pass through death (burial signified in baptism) to pass into the promised land of eternal life in Christ Jesus .
which we do in the act of obedience by faith .. what hinders us ? = disobedience .

but you have tried to split hairs to avoid acknowledgement of the need of obedience. The scriptures directly instruct to be baptized by faith into his death (and distinctly does NOT specify it must take place at a certain location ) that by faith we may be raised up into his righteousness that no one may say they have done any thing to obtain righteousness but it is by the grace of God through faith and faith is demonstrated by obedience .that ALL GLORY may be GODS.

why fight it ?.. just do it and receive the joy that unceasingly results from obedience .
 
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Michaelismyname

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Rubiks said:
I was baptized as a baby, but yeah, baptism as a baby isn't baptism at all lol
Click to expand...

that is true - no conscience was exercised by you in decision to follow the lord Jesus and confess him as Lord ..
so.. what hinders you ?.. go and do so
 
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MoeSzyslak

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He who says, "I know him," and does not keep his commandments , is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (1John2:4)

Its about obedience. If Jesus says to get baptized then you get baptized.

You can argue later about its relationship to salvation and its significance or symbolism.

Don't let your theology get in your way of actually following his commandments
 
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Michaelismyname

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CGL1023

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Your quote revealed something I had missed until now. In following Jesus thru baptism, as you state, we should continue and receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit as Jesus did. It was after Jesus received the anointing of the Holy Spirit, that Jesus started His miracle ministry.
 
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ebedmelech

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Indeed! I agree fully. But let's remember that the confusion of "baptismal regeneration" is an issue for some because of prior baptism.

That happened to me. However, once I was convinced by scripture, I went ahead and got baptized.

So the point is, some who have been baptized for religious rites (like the Cathohlic Sacraments) in the past may balk...not understanding what baptism truly means.
 
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Michaelismyname

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absolutley following is following .. not starting to .. then wandering off on another path.

I enjoy the saying ..whom you follow ..to his house you will go.

God bless you ever increasingly in Christ jesus our only Lord and saviour
 
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Michaelismyname

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yup - and it is threads like this declaring the obvious difference that aid in making people aware of that error - those with hearts willing and open to obedience will of course ,having realized the error ,will joyfully go and identify with the Lord Jesus in obedience - because they truly love him .

Those who do not will deny the need for obedience .

Again I point to Johns (the baptist's) disciples who upon being told that they had been baptized into johns baptism - needed to be baptized in the lord Jesus ... had this amazing and commendable action ..
_they ALL were baptized immediately into the baptism of the Lord Jesus

Isn't that the most wonderful and amazing example of loving obedience unto us all?
they did not argue the point - they did not struggle or strive over "their view point "
They just simply displayed their true Love for the lord Jesus by Immediately obeying .
 
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