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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Acts 2:38 Repentance and Baptism? | Acts 2:38 | Mr and Mrs Rowdy | 110742 | ||
I remembered a couple more illustrations or points that "shore up" my conclusions. Hopefully all would agree, almost all the examples of salvation involving actual specific persons include baptism AND there seems to be some urgency involved. The Phillipian jailer and his family were baptized that very same night and it appears obvious the time of day was late at night. The Ethiopian enuch saw water and wanted to be baptized right away. No ceremony, none needed. No family, friends but he's obviously on his way back home, anxious to get back to his people like most of us would be, but he's just been handed the most wonderful gift from his God and wants to obey Him instantly. The second illustration, although a little bit of a stretch, I think it's valid and have heard it preached in several sermons. That is the pattern we received from Noah. You remember the circumstances, the world is filled with sin, far worse than it is now but sometimes I worry, we seem to be in a rush to catch up. God tells Noah to build a giant boat on dry land and wait for rain, something he's never seen before. The day comes and Noah escorts his family and cargo on board and please notice the Lord Himself CLOSES the single door to that life giving vessel. A large number of people compare this single door to the single point of entry into the Lord's body. I'm not saying it's only baptism that is that point of entry. I'm saying we have to obey the WHOLE of God's plan of salvation. I guess everyone agrees we have to hear/understand the gospel, repent of our sins and turn from them, confess the name of Jesus as our Lord and Saviour but then so many hesitate to believe in God's simple pattern to complete the process. I'd be the last person in the world to foster the idea of being able to earn our way to Heaven by doing any amount of good works or anything at all. Instead we need to re-read the book of James and understand that the works of good deeds are merely the fruit of our faith. It's faith and works that go hand-in-hand with christianity, proving our dedication to our Lord, so He will keep our names in the Book of Life for Judgment Day. Remember that picture of baptism in Romans 6 is a depiction of Christ's death where we contact the blood of our Saviour. That contact is based on faith. We are most definitely "His workmanship." Without His help, we'd never make it out of this world of temptations and distractions with a hope of anything but torture and Hell for all eternity. Yes, we do need to see our salvation as a gift from God, His Son and the Holy Spirit. But we also need to remember how important blood is to our Father, and we need to make absolutely certain we've got Jesus' blood covering us in our sins. I hope this helps in clarifying my position and God bless. |
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2 | Acts 2:38 Repentance and Baptism? | Acts 2:38 | BradK | 110764 | ||
Mr. and Mrs. Rowdy, I do appreciate the spirit in which you write and the earnestness of your thoughts:-) I also believe Tim Moran has provided ample explanation from the grammar, and I concur with his exegesis. We can chose to agree with it or not. In your understanding then, is Romans 6 "that picture of baptism", spiritual or water? Keep in mind that Hebrews 9:22 speaks of an eternal truth, "And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." We can be absolutely certain based upon this verse and others. We cannot be forgiven on any other basis than Christ's shed blood. Consider too the following: "the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin", (1 John 1:7) "In Him we have redemption through His BLOOD, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace" (Eph. 1:7) "But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the BLOOD of Christ.: (Eph. 2:13) "and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the BLOOD of His cross;..." (Col. 1:20) As I see it, there are no "buts" when it comes to salvation in linking forgiveness and the blood (of Christ). They come part and parcel with His finished work on the cross! Speaking the Truth in Love, BradK |
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