Water baptism

[Edial]

Something I read the other day that got me thinking was God baptizing the earth in water at the flood. Look at it. The earth was full of evil. God submerged it in water and destroyed the evil. Noah and his family were saved from that death by faith in Christ. When the waters subsided, the earth (and Noah) received new life. This could well be the antitype Peter wrote of in 1 Peter 3:20-21, that the flood was the antitype of baptism. The waters of baptism destroy the evil within and by faith we receive new life. Just a thought

Yes, Earth was baptized and after that new Earth will be created in Revelation ... but that's too Lutheran I guess. Infant baptism.

 

[ByTheSpirit]

Yes, Earth was baptized and after that new Earth will be created in Revelation ... but that's too Lutheran I guess. Infant baptism.

Yup, sure will. It is all a work of God though. God through the water destroyed the evil on earth and will create a New Earth where He himself can reside. Hmmm sounds a lot like the New Birth.

 

[Edial]

Yup, sure will. It is all a work of God though. God through the water destroyed the evil on earth and will create a New Earth where He himself can reside. Hmmm sounds a lot like the New Birth.

It is.
That's what I am saying, infant baptism and then confirmation of faith - but it's too Lutheran ...

 

[ByTheSpirit]

perhaps I'm more Lutheran than I give myself credit for...

 

[Righttruth]

Water baptism is a precious thing given to us from the Lord. I firmly believe it has lost it's place in the Western Church by and large. The hopes of this discussion is to foster some type of dialogue on the issue WITHOUT any bickering or sneering from either side.

I would like to eventually go over baptism's importance as it pertains to the Christian life in regards to:

Our priesthood
Spiritual circumcision
Discipleship

Those three things are what I will cover. Since I can't fully delve into the topic as per the new forum rules (which I intend to abide by), these three topics can be discussed and still be presented in a way that highlights the utter importance of baptism.

*DISCLAIMER* I do believe we can enter heaven without being baptized. Example, if I were preaching and someone decided they wanted in on the Christian life and I told them to meet me at the nearest water point for baptism and they perished on the way, I do believe Jesus would take their faith. It is after all a person's FAITH that saves them. It's not grace that saves. It's faith. Ephesians 2:8 is one of the most misquoted verses I think in the history of ever. But that discussion is not for this thread, so I digress. Perhaps we can start another thread on that topic, this is about water baptism.

I believe water baptism is a must for leading a powerful life of witnessing for Jesus Christ who baptizes with the Holy Spirit to the obedient.

Of course, the dying thief on the cross needed no baptism. He was saved by his faith.

 

[ByTheSpirit]

I believe water baptism is a must for leading a powerful life of witnessing for Jesus Christ who baptizes with the Holy Spirit to the obedient.

Of course, the dying thief on the cross needed no baptism. He was saved by his faith.

This has been hashed over many times in this thread so I'll try not to reopen that aspect. I will just say I am not sure the thief on the cross is a good example of why we shouldn't be baptized. The gospel message that results in salvation (Romans 1:16) includes the preaching of Jesus' resurrection. Jesus hadn't even been buried when he told the thief that he would be in paradise. We also know that while on earth, Jesus had authority to forgive sins (Lame man being healed). But as far as being born again? I don't see it from that example for the gospel hadn't yet been established. That didn't happen until Jesus rose from the grave (1 Cor 15:3-4; 2 Tim 2:8)

 

[Righttruth]

This has been hashed over many times in this thread so I'll try not to reopen that aspect. I will just say I am not sure the thief on the cross is a good example of why we shouldn't be baptized. The gospel message that results in salvation (Romans 1:16) includes the preaching of Jesus' resurrection. Jesus hadn't even been buried when he told the thief that he would be in paradise. We also know that while on earth, Jesus had authority to forgive sins (Lame man being healed). But as far as being born again? I don't see it from that example for the gospel hadn't yet been established. That didn't happen until Jesus rose from the grave (1 Cor 15:3-4; 2 Tim 2:8)

Where is the question of being born again for a person who is dying? My point is that it is a must for a person to lead a holy life in order to enter the kingdom of God.

Of course, you have rightly indicated that thief on the cross cannot be quoted as an example to avoid water baptism.

 

[Frogster]

what happened to Bob?

 

[Alithis]

what happened to Bob?

I thought it was about full immersion..not bob

 

[Frogster]

I thought it was about full immersion..not bob

Bob was immersed.

 

[Edial]

what happened to Bob?

I sent him PM saying you asked for him.

 

[Biblicist]

what happened to Bob?

Bob 'C' is still about and he seems to spend a bit of time responding to questions on the Pentecostal/AoG subforum at least.

 

[Frogster]

I sent him PM saying you asked for him.

Bob 'C' is still about and he seems to spend a bit of time responding to questions on the Pentecostal/AoG subforum at least.

Thanks guys..

 

[Alithis]

Bob was immersed.

yes ..sorry my humor was in need of clarification ... i mean it was about immersion ..not bob.. (as in a cork bobbing on top) ..hence -not bob ..
ok i know it was a terrible pun ..so bad in fact it got missed haha

 

[Edial]

yes ..sorry my humor was in need of clarification ... i mean it was about immersion ..not bob.. (as in a cork bobbing on top) ..hence -not bob ..
ok i know it was a terrible pun ..so bad in fact it got missed haha

 

[Biblicist]

I thought it was about full immersion..not bob

When I saw the question regarding Bob 'C' I was waiting to see who would be the first to throw in a comment about immersion!!

 

[Frogster]

yes ..sorry my humor was in need of clarification ... i mean it was about immersion ..not bob.. (as in a cork bobbing on top) ..hence -not bob ..
ok i know it was a terrible pun ..so bad in fact it got missed haha

lol..I totally missed it, but that was really creative! As a fisherman (we use bobbers, red and while little globes), I am suprised I did not catch the joke! Thanks frog.

 

[Frogster]

When I saw the question regarding Bob 'C' I was waiting to see who would be the first to throw in a comment about immersion!!

actually, I am just learning that it is immersion, not Emersion...

 

[Alithis]

actually, I am just learning that it is immersion, not Emersion...

i understood that one experiences emersion after being immersed ..?

 

[Frogster]

i understood that one experiences emersion after being immersed ..?

you mean one word gets an e, the other an i?