Subject: EXPLAIM CHAPTER 3 VERSE 5 |
Bible Note: junmeskie--I can appreciate your hard work and labor in the Ante-Nicene Fathers, of which I am not yet quite familair with. But I do happen to have their works. I will dig in and get back with you. I notice that Charles Spurgeon and J. Vernon McGee don't agree with you. J. Vernon McGee didn't quite agree with me either. So verse 5 may not be speaking of physical birth when it speaks of water, but I dare to say that it is speaking of water baptism as if it had something to do with salvation. I still hold that the washing has to be by the washing of water by the Word. (Eph. 5:26) That is where the cleansing comes from, the Word. From the Word I learn about the blood shed by the Word made flesh in order that my sins could be washed away. What saves me, the water baptism or the finished work of Jesus Christ, or both? I am one that believe that faith in the finished work of Christ alone is what saves me. Reason being is, that if I attach anything that I do (baptism in water) to what Jesus Christ has done ( and what He has done He claimed that the work was finished, John 19:30), then Christ must've left out something. For it is not by works of rightousness which we have done...titus 3:5a, it is a gift of God not of works, lest any man should boast Eph.2:8b-9. I think that it is dangerous, no matter what centry christian we are or refer to, to add anything to the finished work of Christ. The thief on the cross next to Jesus must've missed the mark too...but the Word Himself disagrees with that. The Word we read and the Word Jesus spoke in fleshly person are no different. And there were no special provisions for any man to go to be with Jesus, and everyone else must follow something different. As you can probably see, I am very basic in my understanding of the scriptures, but I think that basic is sufficient for me to stand on. I don't call myself trying to be arrogant or anything like that. I will search through the Ante, and Post- Nicene fathers and see if my understanding is enlightened. And get back with you... it will take awhile though. Peace to you Junmeskie, g3ills. |