Water Baptism is not a command in scripture

[statrei]

Will someone tell me what is the alternative to physical water?

 

[Defiance]

statrei,

Will someone tell me what is the alternative to physical water?

In John 3 it is used as a symbol along with 'wind' for 'above' when Jesus is saying that we must be reborn from 'above'. The Greek word for 'spirit' can also be translated 'wind'.

The concepts of water and wind in John 3:5 are linked to heaven because water and wind come from above. Isa 44:3-5 and Ezek 37:9-10 are pertinent examples of water and wind as life-giving symbols of the Spirit of God in his work among men. Both occur in contexts that deal with the future restoration of Israel as a nation prior to the establishment of the messianic Kingdom! It is therefore particularly appropriate that Jesus should introduce them in a conversation about entering the kingdom of God.

We should not read 'wind' in the verse as a direct reference to the Holy Spirit, but that both water and wind are figures which represent the regenerating work of the Spirit in the lives of men and women, a truth pointed to by the Old Testament passages mentioned above. These were passages which should have been familiar to Nicodemus as “the teacher of Israel” (cf. 3:10).

But again Nicodemus misunderstands as he takes the figure literally! This is why Jesus adds verse 6 to illustrate that he is not talking about physical, but spirtual (the figures of water and wind being indicative of the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit). That is, what is born of physical heritage is physical. What is begotten by the Spirit is spiritual.

As you can see, 'water' can be used symbolically throughout the Bible and need not be taken literally as physical water.

Source: Exegetical Commentary on John 3, available here.

 

[FearAndTrembeling]

Will someone tell me what is the alternative to physical water?

The Gospel, God's Word, The Holy Spirit of Truth (Ephesians 1:13)


http://www.familyradio.com/graphical/literature/frame/ "Baptism"

 

[statrei]

The Gospel, God's Word, The Holy Spirit of Truth (Ephesians 1:13)


http://www.familyradio.com/graphical/literature/frame/ "Baptism"

I thought someone had come up with a concept of spiritual water.

 

[IgnatiusOfAntioch]

Clearly this man was not baptized with (physical)water, but believed God and was baptized with (living) water.

That is incorrect. What makes you think he was not baptized? You are making an assumption which is completely unwarrented and not based on the scripture. Please show me where scripture says he was not baptized.

You are ignoring much of the scripture.

On the contrary, I am stating that your argument is not valid. You are making an entirely unwarrented assumption. Your argument is not supported by the passage you choose as your proof text.

 

[Schroeder]

Acts 22:16 - Ananias tells Paul, "arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins

Acts 22:16 - further, Ananias' phrase "wash away" comes from the Greek word "apolouo." "Apolouo" means an actual cleansing which removes sin. "

Sympolism is used a lot in scripture, you seem to refer the literale saying without understanding it sympolic meaning, just because it says water or baptize or wash away does not at all mean that actually. An actual cleansing by the Holy Spirit removes sin as well and can be said in different ways. Titus 3:5 shows one way and states clearly that the Holy Spiritcleanses or washes away sin. Sin is purely Spirtual or unseen, So it goes to be understood that only something Spiritual could remove it, SUCH as the Holy Spirit, not water or something we do. You say it is not the physical act or water that does the cleaning but our FAITH in doing that act which removes sin. That sounds all good but its not scriptual, because scripture says only God can forgive and its of his own will to do it. It also says in Acts 15 that he does it when he sees your heart is right. He doesnt says it is right because he saw you do a act out of Faith. Those in Acts 10 were saved and accounted as forgiven before Peter ordered them to be water baptized. Which he says in Acts 11, and what is said in Acts 15.

 

[Schroeder]

I am sorry to interupt this thread, but I was hoping to get some clarification. Pam you mention that the church and the bible are not final authorities. Why wouldn't the bible be a final authority? It is God inspired, right?


God Bless
newbeliever

Not to intrude but they are refering to what i believe. The Church is not a authority of christians it is mearly the body of Christ. The bible is not a final authority persay but the Spirit ecause it is what wrote the Bible so it is the final authority. You can not understand scripture without the Spirit. BUT you can not go by the Spirit only because there is two among us, So we must have something to let us know which to follow. That would be Scripture. So the two are one in a sense Yet the Spirit is above scripture because it formed the scriptures and scripture can not be understood properly without the Spirit, but we need the scripture two help us know the Truth and differenciat betwween the two Spirits. the World(satan) and the one in us( Holy Spirit). Not too confusing i hope. The Church is of no authority but very important in a christians walk.

 

[Schroeder]

Not to intrude but they are refering to what i believe. The Church is not a authority of christians it is mearly the body of Christ. The bible is not a final authority persay but the Spirit ecause it is what wrote the Bible so it is the final authority. You can not understand scripture without the Spirit. BUT you can not go by the Spirit only because there is two among us, So we must have something to let us know which to follow. That would be Scripture. So the two are one in a sense Yet the Spirit is above scripture because it formed the scriptures and scripture can not be understood properly without the Spirit, but we need the scripture two help us know the Truth and differenciat betwween the two Spirits. the World(satan) and the one in us( Holy Spirit). Not too confusing i hope. The Church is of no authority but very important in a christians walk.

"bump"