Straight Path or Rabbit Trail...

[Wansvic]

Many are blinded where the subject of water baptism is concerned. One cannot fail to see it is one, if not the most contested topic in the word of God. The question all should consider is, Why is that? What truth lies behind the ongoing resistence to administer baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus?

Many have no idea that water baptism as administered in most churches today is a total distortion of what is taught in the word of God. And in fact today's tradition, begun years after the apostolic era, actually results in stripping away the very core of God's intended purpose of water baptism; being joined/buried with Jesus into His death. (Rom. 6:3-6) Jesus' sacrifice paid the penalty for all mankind. Yet, not all will take hold of what He died to provide for them personally.

For those who are unaware, it was the forerunners of the Roman Catholic Church that changed how water baptisms were administered. They rejected the biblical mandate to water baptize individuals in the name of Jesus. And opted rather to insist on using the phrase Father, Son and Holy Ghost. The detour down the rabbit trail began around 325 A.D. and continues even unto today. This truth as recorded in numerous historical encyclopedias is accessible to all those willing to search it out.

Again, scripture is plain. It reveals the apostles water baptized in the name of Jesus as the command specifically relates to His sacrifice. Those who believe and obey the command are justified through faith, being buried with Jesus into His death, and rising a new creation in Him. This truth is found throughout scripture but many fail to see it. Why? Because they associate Father, Son and Holy Ghost with water baptism when in fact every time the bible references baptism in the name of Jesus it speaks of water baptism.

I believe those willing to remove the lens of distortion, (perpetuated by the RCC) that has kept so many in darkness for so long, will see the truth. Go ahead, take a peek, there is no mention of Father, Son and Holy Ghost when the apostles water baptized individuals. What is revealed is the Name above all names, Jesus... (Acts 2:4-41, 8:12-18, 10:43-48, 19:1-7, 22:16)

The account in Acts 19 confirms how a person is water baptized does matter. Those previously baptized in water by John had to be rebaptized in the name of Jesus. (Acts 19:1-7) Therefore, those who have not been water baptized in the name of Jesus should do so. "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?..." Romans 6:3-6

 

[BelieveItOarKnot]

I've been baptised 3 times in 3 diffent ways, just to make sure.

Seems like believers will take every opportunity to be right on a huge array of postures and positions and then use their versions of right to potentially condemn and cast doubts on other believers

It's a vicious thing to participate in, in my opinion. The need to be totally right in order to avoid hell, and then threaten hell on other believers for any little variants. I've seen grown men condemn each others to possible hell over the meanings of petty little words in the O.T. It's actually a showing of how messed up people really are.

IF anyone has to condemn other believers over their positions they kind of lost the whole point of loving their neighbors as themselves. Would you like someone condemning you for your positions? Is that really what these various positions are for and are used for? To condemn?

At the end of these kinds of trails you find some older believers thinking they alone are going to heaven, and everyone else is doomed.

I really don't want to end up in that mindset

 

[Wansvic]

I've been baptised 3 times in 3 diffent ways, just to make sure.

Seems like believers will take every opportunity to be right on a huge array of postures and positions and then use their versions of right to potentially condemn and cast doubts on other believers

It's a vicious thing to participate in, in my opinion. The need to be totally right in order to avoid hell, and then threaten hell on other believers for any little variants. I've seen grown men condemn each others to possible hell over the meanings of petty little words in the O.T. It's actually a showing of how messed up people really are.

IF anyone has to condemn other believers over their positions they kind of lost the whole point of loving their neighbors as themselves. Would you like someone condemning you for your positions? Is that really what these various positions are for and are used for? To condemn?

At the end of these kinds of trails you find some older believers thinking they alone are going to heaven, and everyone else is doomed.

I really don't want to end up in that mindset

You are correct that sharing one's own perception of what is right has potential to cause others harm. However, when confronted with truth, as confirmed by the word of God, the result should be the exact opposite; it should help.

My motivation for sharing the truth about water baptism is love. Nothing more. So your accusation that I need to be "right" does not hold true with me. All I care about is being right in God's eyes. Many today believe that deviating a little from what God established is no big deal. They are wrong. God does nothing haphazardly. Everything is done with percision and has a purpose. As for water baptism it is for remission of one's personal sin. And it was Jesus, and His sacrifice alone, that makes this possible for all those who would believe and obey the command to be baptized in His name.

Lastly, speaking the truth in love is commanded:

"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:" Ephesians 4:11-15

 

[BelieveItOarKnot]

So your accusation that I need to be "right" does not hold true with me. All I care about is being right in God's eyes.

Whenever these postures come out there's always a hidden or undisclosed "or else."

So your way or else what?

 

[Wansvic]

Whenever these postures come out there's always a hidden or undisclosed "or else."

So your way or else what?

Not my way. God's way. Those who believe and obey His word will receive what it says.

Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. (Acts 2:38-39)

 

[BelieveItOarKnot]

Not my way. God's way. Those who believe and obey His word will receive what it says.

Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. (Acts 2:38-39)

Or what?

A very small slice of believers may adhere to some Or all of what you claim.

What happens to those in partial agreement or other sights altogether?

For the record most believers who claim various positions all say their positions are God's positions, even when they're all at various odds

 

[Wansvic]

Or what?

A very small slice of believers may adhere to some Or all of what you claim.

What happens to those in partial agreement or other sights altogether?

For the record most believers who claim various positions all say their positions are God's positions, even when they're all at various odds

Opinions should be kept out of the equation. God's word provides the answers; let Him do the talking. (2 Tim. 2:15)
Your walk should be between you and Him and His word, not what others think or do. Everyone is accountable for themselves and will be judged by His word. (John 12:48) And His word clearly states unless a man is born again he cannot see or enter the kingdom of God. (John 3:3-5) Why? Because no one can enter the kingdom unless their sin has been remitted, AND they have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside. Scripture after scripture attests to this.

So...
"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it." (Matt. 7:12-27)

It was Jesus who said,
"...Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 .They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
20 And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen." Mark 16:15-20