How can we be sure??

[Albion]

John baptized Jesus by immersion in the same river where Naaman was cleansed from leprosy.

We do not know that to be so, and the Bible doesn't indicate that it was by immersion. And, if it matters, the early Christians thought that it was by pouring instead of total immersion, judging from early Christian art that depicts the scene.

Note that they were "in" Jordan (not on the riverbank) and that Jesus came "up out" of the water.

If you were wading in a stream or lake, everyone would describe that as being "in" the water, too. And when Jesus came up out of the water, it most obviously means that he had to walk UP onto higher ground to get out of the river. We'd use the same language today ourselves to describe someone ascending the river bank.

The Greek word "baptizo" means "submerge," "plunge under," or "immerse."

It also means to "wash" or "dip" and several other possibilities.

 

[BobRyan]

Jesus never water baptized anyone.

He also did not sprinkle-baptize anyone or rose-pedal baptize anyone. But HE was baptized - full water immersion baptism

One must be born of water and of the spirit. Rom 6:
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? 2 Far from it! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life.

Baptism symbolizes that death burial and resurrection -- because it is believer's baptism via full water immersion

 

[BobRyan]

We do not know that to be so, and the Bible doesn't indicate that it was by immersion. .

I beg to differ

Matt 3: 16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

 

[Albion]

I beg to differ

I'm sure you do. However, the Bible does not indicate that Jesus' baptism by John was done by total immersion.

Matt 3: 16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water:

That's already been explained and it does not necessarily indicate immersion. That might have been the way Christ was baptized, although we know from the shallowness of the Jordan at such points that it would be difficult to accomplish, but it certainly does not "prove" that it happened that way.

 

[Sparta]

Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

The reason Jesus tells you that you must be "born again", is because you have already been born once.
That's how you entered this world.

So, NOW, if you want to enter the Place where God exists, (the Spirit realm)(the Kingdom of God) you have to be born again into it, Spiritually.

 

[Sparta]

There are more than a couple of big-time errors in those three comments!

No quotes. No proof. Run along.

 

[Sparta]

all of us who have been baptized into Christ

To be "baptized into Christ", is Spiritual Baptism.
Its the result of being born again.

To be "born again" is a birth, of your Spirit", that puts you "IN Christ" as a "new Creation".

There is your "baptized into Christ".

 

[andreha]

How can we be sure that we were baptized correctly and what if we weren't? What if we were baptized by a church that has fallen short of the glory of God, by a doubting Pastor, or if something was compromised unknowingly by Satan? I am asking because in this day and age I cannot see Satan just allowing perfect and holy baptisms to take place without trying to interfere somehow. I am to the point now that here at the last stretch I think satan has his hand in everything we do and use- I put nothing past him. But something as important as baptism- they say you only need to be baptized once- but it is being done by man so what if it is done wrong?

I was actually baptized twice. The first time was sprinkling. Later in life, the Spirit tugged at my heart to get baptized, as in full immersion, and after that felt at peace that it pleased the Lord. It's about following the lead of the Holy Spirit.

 

[Albion]

No quotes. No proof. Run along.

I was counting on you to have read the Bible. But in any case, the quotes you are speaking of and to which I referred in my posts were indeed given in earlier posts. See posts #79, 82, and 83.

 

[Sparta]

I was counting on you to have read the Bible. But in any case, the quotes you are speaking of and to which I referred in my posts were indeed given in earlier posts. See posts #79, 82, and 83.

I looked at #80.

You tried to say that the apostles baptized, but you didnt actually make it that far.

In #79, you are confused about water baptism, so, me reading the bible isn't going to correct that for you.

 

[SabbathBlessings]

The reason Jesus tells you that you must be "born again", is because you have already been born once.
That's how you entered this world.

So, NOW, if you want to enter the Place where God exists, (the Spirit realm)(the Kingdom of God) you have to be born again into it, Spiritually.

Well that doesn't make sense, because it's a conscious decision we need to make and by your definition everyone is born in the world so therefore everyone is saved and the bible certainly does not teach this.

Some examples

Matthew 7:13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Revelations 22:14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

 

[Albion]

I was actually baptized twice. The first time was sprinkling. Later in life, the Spirit tugged at my heart to get baptized, as in full immersion, and after that felt at peace that it pleased the Lord. It's about following the lead of the Holy Spirit.

That sort of thing is actually about making oneself feel at peace. There is but "One Lord, One Faith, (and) One Baptism" (Ephesians 4:5).

Sacramental Baptism is indelible and cannot be repeated. It's the sacrament which initiates a person into Christ's church. Obviously, none of us can be "initiated" a number of different times into any particular association. What can be done, however, is to live up one's Baptism in later life, which you apparently did.

 

[Albion]

I looked at #80.

But did you look at the relevant posts that I referred you to?

In #79, you are confused about water baptism, so, me reading the bible isn't going to correct that for you.

There's no way to understand that reply except that you have no answer.

 

[Sparta]

Well that doesn't make sense, because it's a conscious decision we need to make and by your definition everyone is born in the world so therefore everyone is saved and the bible certainly does not teach this.
Some examples

Matthew 7:13 “Enter by the narrow gate;

Ok, i need to explain it.

When you are born, you are in a water sac, inside your mother.
The water sac breaks, and out you come. You have just been born of water.

Now, you have to be BORN AGAIN.
See it?
The first birth brought you to EARTH........The "born AGAIN"< puts you into God's Spirit. "born again, Spiritually".
God does that, not water.

Also, the "narrow Gate", is Jesus. He is the "way", and that way, is singular,......only ONE.
Thats "narrow"........or as Jesus teaches, "by ME, you come to the Father".
Thats the "narrow way".

The broad way, that leads to HELL....("destruction"), is any other means a person tries to become connected to God.
Think of that as "religion". But, it can be water baptism, if a person BELIEVES that water is the "way" to God".
Its not.
Christ is the only way. The Narrow way. John 14:6

 

[Albion]

Ok, i need to explain it.

When you are born, you are in a water sac, inside your mother.
The water sac breaks, and out you come. You have just been born of water.

Now, you have to be BORN AGAIN.
See it?
The first birth brought you to EARTH........The "born AGAIN"< puts you into God's Spirit. "born again, Spiritually".

So far, sure.

God does that, not water.

Whoa. All of a sudden, the careful explaining stops and you simply make a claim.

If the sacrament is God's (as it is), then what's wrong with administering it in the way that he prescribed????

 

[andreha]

That sort of thing is actually about making oneself feel at peace. There is but "One Lord, One Faith, (and) One Baptism" (Ephesians 4:5).

Sacramental Baptism is indelible and cannot be repeated. It's the sacrament which initiates a person into Christ's church. Obviously, none of us can be "initiated" a number of different times into any particular association. What can be done, however, is to live up one's Baptism in later life, which you apparently did.

The church where I was baptized first believed in calling up the dead and praying for them. Perhaps that's why the Spirit moved me to get immersed later on at a mainstream church.

 

[Sparta]

There's no way to understand that reply except that you have no answer.

You can't understand that you were born once, coming out of the womb of your mother, where you were in a sac filled with water for many months. This sac opened, and out you came into the world.
This is your "born of Water".
Why does this confuse you? It doesn't confuse 14 yr olds who are taking biology in High School.
Did you miss the class?

So, when Jesus says you must be BORN AGAIN......who can't understand that He is talking about your first BIRTH, as the context?

You know, these things are not difficult to understand, unless a cult takes simple biology and redefines it as their false religious doctrine which has deceived millions.

 

[Albion]

The church where I was baptized first believed in calling up the dead and praying for them. Perhaps that's why the Spirit moved me to get immersed later on at a mainstream church.

But was the baptismal ceremony conducted according to the Bible?

That's really the issue, or at least that's what the majority of Christian churches, both Catholic and Protestant, say about the matter, and that's why there is a widespread willingness among them to admit converts from other denominations without requiring any "re-baptisms."

A minority of Protestant churches do practice re-baptizing, however, and that's because they have their own view of the meaning of the ordinance. We've had people posting here on CF that they've been baptized repeatedly, each time that they've fallen into sin and then repented of it!

 

[SabbathBlessings]

Ok, i need to explain it.

When you are born, you are in a water sac, inside your mother.
The water sac breaks, and out you come. You have just been born of water.

Now, you have to be BORN AGAIN.
See it?
The first birth brought you to EARTH........The "born AGAIN"< puts you into God's Spirit. "born again, Spiritually".
God does that, not water.

Also, the "narrow Gate", is Jesus. He is the "way", and that way, is singular,......only ONE.
Thats "narrow"........or as Jesus teaches, "by ME, you come to the Father".
Thats the "narrow way".

The broad way, that leads to HELL....("destruction"), is any other means a person tries to become connected to God.
Think of that as "religion". But, it can be water baptism, if a person BELIEVES that water is the "way" to God".
Its not.
Christ is the only way. The Narrow way. John 14:6

That is not what Jesus is referring to. When we accept Jesus it has to be a conscious decision. Infants cannot make decisions.

Jesus is the way and came as our example and was baptized in water and lived a sinless life which we should all strive to be more like Him.

 

[Sparta]

We've had people posting here on CF that they've been baptized repeatedly, each time that they've fallen into sin and then repented of it!

This is because deceived people have faith in Water, instead of Faith in Christ.