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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Baptism, Trinity, and Teachers? | Acts 2:38 | Ray | 6686 | ||
Hi GStrecker, Welcome to the forum. I am a believer, even though I haven't been baptized by immersion, nor spoken in tongues. Don't quote Mark 16:16 as though baptism is going to save me. I appreciate your thoughts here but I think there was too much discussion between John 3:5 and John 3:22 to put a natural progression there to water baptism. Bear with me for a different view. Jesus speaks of water and Spirit and then the total discussion evolves around the Spirit and heavenly spiritual things. No mention of water. Then as you say, verse 22, it says that "He was spending time with them and baptizing." Mostly spending time with them since John 4:1 says that the disciples did the baptizing. John 3:23 says that there was much water for John the baptizer to baptize and people were coming and were being baptized by him. But when the subject of purification comes up among John the baptist's disciples they know that the people should go to Him. They need to go spend some time with Him and learn about some heavenly things. John the baptist must decrease for "He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth." John is just a friend of the Bridegroom. So I'm saying that the discussion of John 3:5-21 is about belief in Him, Jn 3:16, with no mention of water, but rather spiritual things of coming to the Light from above. I don't deny that baptism was important. I was baptized as an infant. I have no idea what words or formula was used; I don't think I have to worry about it. As far as Acts 4:12 is concerned, there is a difference between being saved and being baptized. I'd rather go with verse 13 and be recognized as one having been with Jesus, spending time listening to His words, and thinking about spiritual things. Later, Ray |
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2 | Baptism, Trinity, and Teachers? | Acts 2:38 | GStrecker | 6713 | ||
Dear Ray, Thanks for the welcome. The Bible never discussed infant baptism. It did stress dedication of infants to the Lord. The problem with infant baptism is one of the understanding and commitment of the person being baptized. While the Bible describes all as having a sin nature, because of Adam's fall, an infant has no personal sin yet. More importantly though is that the child is unable to make a conscious decision to repent and turn his life over to Christ. This is the major flaw with infant baptism. Paul told the Greeks of Athens, I believe that while God once winked at man's ignorance, that He now called upon all to repent. The Catholics added a second step or sacrament called Confirmation during which the child, now grown beyond the age of reason, is asked to decide for himself to follow Christ. During this ceremony, the local bishop would anoint the child's head with oil and lay hands on the child so as to "impart the Holy Spirit" to him. I was Catholic for 38 years, been there, done that, but never felt or experienced anything during that ceremony like I did upon receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost after joining a Pentecostal Church. Since making that move, I have seen God's signs and wonders, I have witnessed spiritual gifts in operation including the Word of Knowledge, the Word of Wisdom, Discerning of Spirits, Miracles of Healing, the Gift of Tongues and Interpretation of Tongues and people moving in the Gift of Prophesy. (And, yes the prophesies came true.) The Apostle Paul related his experience after being confronted by Jesus on the road to Damascus. He testified in Acts 22 what Annanias told him: Acts 22:12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, Acts 22:13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. Acts 22:14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. Acts 22:15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Cordially, Bro. Glen |
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