Results 1 - 5 of 5
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Titus 3:5 and washing of regeneration | Titus 3:5 | Dalcent | 132305 | ||
It should be especially be noted in the conversation between Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch that he says, "Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?" as he chooses to enter into the Christian fold. Why not does he not get ‘led in the sinner's prayer’ to salvation. (Maybe one could do some research on the Ethiopian Orthodox Church’s 2,000 year doctrine of baptismal regeneration before they suggest I’m preaching novelty). Consider also the following verses: Gal 3:27 For all of you who were BAPTIZED into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 1 Cor 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all BAPTIZED into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. Col 2:12 having been buried with Him in BAPTISM, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. For anyone able to read the Bible in its plain sense, rather than through their preconceptions, it is obvious that Titus 3:5's 'bath of regeneration' is referring to the baptismal tank of regeneration. This is of course entirely consistent with the rest of the NT. Some will argue that aforementioned references to 'baptisms' are metaphors for regeneration through the born-again prayer. There is no excuse for this butchery of the plain sense of scripture. On the other hand, is the born-again prayer really truely biblical? Why is this prayer entirely absent from the Bible. There are loads of prayers in the Bible, such as the Lord’s Prayer; how can the prayer ostensibly needed to ‘save humanity’ be absent in a 1089 chapter book. Even the slimmest tract has a example prayer. Yet, God chose not to put one in His Bible because it isn’t how He intended the Christian to receive the New Birth. (Romans 10:8-10 IS NOT a prayer, and such a profession is entirely consistent with the faith verbalised and internalised accompanying Baptism). To Him Alone be the Glory |
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2 | Titus 3:5 and washing of regeneration | Titus 3:5 | Dalcent | 132307 | ||
Don't give me ‘the thief on the cross wasn't baptised’ objection because frankly an exception proves nothing. God can save who he wills and baptism (even where only an ordinance) is obviously normative for Christians. The Catholic Church has always recognized the ‘baptism of desire.’ Nevertheless, bi-millennial Catholic and Orthodox Christianity has always recognized that baptism is the normal entry into the Christian-fold and is for the remission of sins (as in the Nicene creed and other creeds) I appreciate that some cannot accept plain, literal readings of scripture, because they believe their fundamental slant on theology is 'definitely correct' and verses not fitting such as ‘be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS...’ (Acts 2:38) need allegorising, “metaphoricalising”, spiritualising, call it what you fancy: I call it not rightly dividing the word of truth. My conclusion, is that some understandings of Christian theology cannot accept that God uses matter (in this case, the WATER of baptism) to impart spiritual realities. They prefer to think God sends His grace through the spiritual dimension only. Their fear, is that if God exalts matter in this way, it makes water baptism, the Lord’s Supper, etc. something ‘magical’. However, I believe that not only is this sacramental view (that God uses physical matter imbued with spiritual realities as avenues of His grace) ubiquitously biblical but it is also entirely fitting. God chooses to deal with human beings in this way because has created us with both spirituality and materiality. To Him Alone be the Glory |
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3 | Titus 3:5 and washing of regeneration | Titus 3:5 | BradK | 132308 | ||
Dalcent, I certainly welcome you to the Forum and are glad to see a brother from across the Atlantic:-) With all due respect,I'm puposefully going to ignore your rather biased reply. It is nothing other than "your" opinion. I strongly disagree! You have come to this Forum, stating that you are a Catholic Christian with a Masters in Contemporary Catholic Theology. That's fine, and I congratulate you. However, don't claim to be so superior to everyone else! By and large you have come across as arrogant! From the start, you've seemed to have a chip on your shoulder, that is obviously "anti-Protestant"- in my view. Nobody is out to question your relationship with the Lord, or the fact that you're Catholic. Catholics are as welcome here as any other Orthodox believer. Why do you find it necessary to slam Protestant views with such utter disdain? You don't have to PROVE anything, my brother. This is not becoming, and your arrogant, harsh tones will not win you many supporters here. May you take this in the manner of love in which it is intended. Speaking the Truth In Love, BradK |
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4 | Titus 3:5 and washing of regeneration | Titus 3:5 | Dalcent | 132321 | ||
Dear BradK I recently responded to a post (my first for a long time) saying 'What constitutes a christian marraige?Do people who marry in a Catholic churchand later become christian in acceptanceof Jesus Christ for salvation are they married in the eyes of God?If yes why are the other six sacraments not accepted as surely if one is wrong they all are.Should these people have their marraige santified by an evangelical ceremony etc to be valid in the eyes of God?' I responded by asserting my belief in Jesus Christ as Saviour and posted some paragraphs from the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Nicene Creed to prove to Moey that I am a Christian. I was then asked whether I knew if I was saved. I responded basing my response on the Cross of Christ. At this point I was assailed by a vicious anti-Catholicism, or an ugly display of Catholic bashing as Hank the Baptist put it. So yes, several people did claim I was not a Christian! I removed my Profile's reference to having recently completed my MA in Catholic Theology - this month in fact, it was pretty fresh in my mind - and will write a more modest or humble profile soon. I see no reason not to debate deep theological issues in a forum environment. Is the forum meant to discuss biblical triva or simply be a mutual agreement society. It is doubtful whether one can accurately judge "tone" in a posting. Dalcent |
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5 | Titus 3:5 and washing of regeneration | Titus 3:5 | BradK | 132329 | ||
Dear Dalcent, Thank you for your response. I can understand your feelings and I'm sorry that you felt assailed initially. I'm sure it was not intended as malicious. I also agree that deep theological debate should be open to discussion on this Forum. I think it is based on my Two and One-Half years experience here. However, many times it is stifled and collapsed due to "put-downs" or personal attacks as emotions can run pretty deep on these matters. I'm certainly open to discussing theological issues, but these discussions have to be within the guidelines that the Lockman Foundation has set. Again, many times emotions take charge over constructive discussion and the guidelines get ignored. I think if we keep as our guide the principles in Romans 14, much benefit can be gained. I do look forward to your participation and discussing of issues with you- in the spirit of love (Gal. 5:22). Speaking the Truth in Love, BradK |
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