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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Kin, too much ritual in baptism? | 1 Cor 12:13 | Love Fountain | 27313 | ||
Dear Kin, I am intrigued by your persistence, but I'm not quite sure what you want to say. You keep referencing to the water which will wash away our sins. I think others are saying that we are saved by grace and baptism is an outward sign of that grace we have through Jesus. It has appeared to me that most of the baptisms in the Bible that I have looked into, before the Holy Spirit came forth it was always proceeded by the Word of God. Eph 2:8 says by grace we are saved through faith and Romans 10:17 says faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. So far I'd say grace, faith and the Holy Spirit come by the Word of God which is Jesus. 1Pet 1:25 says the Word of the Lord lives forever and is the Word of the Gospel that is preached unto us and John 4:14 says that whoever drinks the water that is given by Jesus will have everlasting life. In comparison I would say that the Water is the Word which is Jesus. What do you think? I think what you are trying to say(please correct me if I am wrong) is that you feel we give way too much ritual to baptism and have somehow neglected the true meaning of what baptism is, which is eating and drinking the water of life which is the reading and absorption of the Word given through Jesus from God. Am I close? Bless you, Love Fountain |
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2 | Kin, too much ritual in baptism? | 1 Cor 12:13 | kin | 27901 | ||
Thank you for your gentle response, This subject has got the whole forum in a tizzy! I agree with you that the water of life Jesus is referring to in John 4:10 is himself. It seems Jesus is helping the Samaritian woman to see there is something out there (Himself) that will fill up and completely satisfy the gaping hole in our hearts that sin has produced, without the need to keep coming back "for a refill" (the well) i.e worldly desires that man pursues. I am definetly trying to emphasize the lack of the true meaning of baptism. And the tradition of "outward sign" that is proclaimed without any scripture to back it up. I think that this subject has debated so much because there is a need to understand the Bible as a whole and going back and forth with one or two scriptures leaves things open to various interpitation. My doctrine is simply this: - Hear the Word and believe. Rom. 10:14-15 - Repent Acts 2:38; 3:19 - Confess Jesus as Lord of your life. Rom. 10:9 - Be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins. Acts 2:38;22:16;8:38;Rom.6:1-10;Col.2:12;Gal.3:26-27;1Peter3:20-21...I put a little emphasis on this:) - Abstain from sins and confess those you do. Col.3:5-10;Gal.5:19-21. 1John1:9;James5:16 - Carry your cross daily. Luke 14:25-27 I believe in faith and obedience in the Word. I don't believe works saves you. Jesus provided the only way, I can do nothing to earn my salvation. But I do believe one needs a better under standing of the Word to come to that faith and obedience. Simply "believing" will save you? I don't agree. "To the Jews who had believed in him Jesus said, if you hold to my teachings you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32 You see, when we put the Word of God into practice, the truth is revealed to us. It is only then we are set free. If God commands to be baptized should I think it is beyond God to save me in such a process? When I read Rom. 6:1-10 I understand what is going on and can easily accept it! I would really like to go on about this subject, but only if you want to hear it:) I have lots more to say, but it will take some time. Further more, I am a simple guy and not very elegant in my words. So you might have to bear with me! Hope to hear from you! Thanks again, Kin |
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3 | Kin, too much ritual in baptism? | 1 Cor 12:13 | Love Fountain | 29976 | ||
Dear Kin, Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you. Hope you are having a Happy New Year! I would like to hear more of what you have to say and I am not in a hurry. I also am a simple person. I have two questions for you, How do you believe the right way to be baptized is for the forgivness of sins? -and- You say," I don't believe works saves you", what are works to you?, and what does "Faith without works is dead" mean to you? I agree with some of your doctrine but not all of it and this is why I ask some questions so we have ground to speak on. Forgive me if sometimes I may seem to nitpick words or the way of a wording, but I heard the Word and always believed in God in my heart but never thought twice about Him or Jesus and then one day a friend at work planted a seed in me. I talked with my friend a few more times and even went to his house for a bible study. We went right into Revelation and my mind was blown at what it said, so much that I started reading the Bible for myself. I didn't talk again to my friend for two and a half years after that because I switched companies, but the whole time I kept reading, not really understanding but seeking to understand. Just before I contacted my friend again after two and a half years of reading, one morning I woke up and couldn't sleep, it was a Saturday at about 5 in the morning, so I got up and went to read. I don't remember exactly what I was reading but for the first time the Words of God seemed to be personally written to me and I was comforted like I had never before been. Next thing I knew I was crying on the couch thanking God for forgiving me and loving me and for accepting me. Up until that point I had never repented verbally outloud, but within my mind and my heart is where my repentance was and God heard me and searched within my heart for the sincerity that only He could understand. I believe in faith and obedience in the Word too, but I believe our work is to search for the Truth, seeking to understand His will and once this is truly done with a sincere heart, I believe the Word will open up and comfort us in ways my words cannot describe. When you said,"God commands to be baptized", it is my personal belief that baptism is a washing, but a washing of the heart with the Words of Truth, not being sprinkled, poured or immersed with or within physical water but a cleansing with spiritual water that comes through Jesus, reading the Words from the Father, who is the fountain of living water(Jer 2:13) . Anyway, please answer my questions and I'll do my best to answer any you have. Bless you, Love Fountain |
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