Understanding Baptism

[1watchman]

There are a variety of ideas about Baptism expressed by professing Christians, and I see it in plain form in all Holy Bible references as the same ---simply 'taking a stand with our Creator-God against the unbelieving world', as some Bible teachers have also expressed. It is a God-honoring act, which will likely bring the mercies of God at least (if done sincerely), during our worldly sojourn.

It is sometimes done by honest seeking souls who simply want to do the right thing before God. The Lord Jesus allowed Himself to be baptized to show that such a standing is godly and the right spiritual attitude of real seekers. It may be done by real seekers, and surely NEEDS to be done by true "born again" Christians (as John 3:16). Most Bible believing assemblies will require it for fellowship by earnest souls. I hope this will help seekers who want to conform to the mind and will of our God.

 

[ViaCrucis]

I'm not aware of anywhere in Scripture that says that Baptism is "taking a stand with our Creator-God against the unbelieving world".

I am aware of many places in Scripture that says that Baptism is our being crucified, buried, dead, and risen with Christ. So that's one of the things that Scripture itself says very explicitly about Baptism.

Baptism isn't something we do for God--nothing in Scripture suggests or says that it is.
Baptism is, however, something God does for us--Scripture emphatically teaches this.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[BobRyan]

There are a variety of ideas about Baptism expressed by professing Christians, and I see it in plain form in all Holy Bible references as the same ---simply 'taking a stand with our Creator-God against the unbelieving world', as some Bible teachers have also expressed. It is a God-honoring act, which will likely bring the mercies of God at least (if done sincerely), during our worldly sojourn.

It is sometimes done by honest seeking souls who simply want to do the right thing before God. The Lord Jesus allowed Himself to be baptized to show that such a standing is godly and the right spiritual attitude of real seekers. It may be done by real seekers, and surely NEEDS to be done by true "born again" Christians (as John 3:16). Most Bible believing assemblies will require it for fellowship by earnest souls. I hope this will help seekers who want to conform to the mind and will of our God.

It is more than conforming to a command and being obedient according to Romans 6:1-8 - it means that we recognize that a miracle has just taken place - death to self -- the new creation miracle has happened for one person individually - the miracle of 2 Cor 5 for that one person being baptized - making an outward statement about the miracle that they testify to - in that act.

2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come

 

[1watchman]

Note Romans 6:3 is properly translated as 'unto' --not into (see most Bible dictionaries and concordances ---and the rest of the chapter is true). So far, my understanding stands as true to Scripture.

 

[ViaCrucis]

Note Romans 6:3 is properly translated as 'unto' --not into (see most Bible dictionaries and concordances ---and the rest of the chapter is true). So far, my understanding stands as true to Scripture.

How does translating eis as "unto" rather than "into" here change the meaning of the text in any significant way?

-CryptoLutheran

 

[1watchman]

It is more than conforming to a command and being obedient according to Romans 6:1-8 - it means that we recognize that a miracle has just taken place - death to self -- the new creation miracle has happened for one person individually - the miracle of 2 Cor 5 for that one person being baptized - making an outward statement about the miracle that they testify to - in that act.

2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come

Water doesn't do that; and yes -- if one truly receives the Lord Jesus as their Savior that one will become "...a new creature" (actually means 'creation spiritually') when they have the Lord Jesus in their heart ---being thus "born again" spiritually as 2 Cor. 5 clearly shows, which is by the "sealing" of the Holy Spirit who indwell the "born again" saint; not by water baptism.