Bible Question:
Thank you for your input, but I believe you are in error concerning baptism. The scripture reference you gave "unless one is born of water"..., is that John 3:5? If so, then the context in which it is given is clearly referring to being born of water as being born a natural birth (when the water breaks). Look at the very next verse: "Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit." Also, if we are to believe Eph 2:8,9, then there is absolutely nothing we can do to determine our salvation that is a "work". And getting baptised, although one of only two ordinances of the church and certainly important, does not in any way have any saving power. If it did, and a person had to do it in order to be saved, then it would become a "work" (something you have to "do"). Salvation is a "gift". If you add any conditions to it, it is no longer a gift. You cited: Rom 6:1-6 - Are you familiar with 1 Cor 10:2? "They were all baptised into Moses...". The Romans passage you cited is similar to this one in that it is "figuratively" speaking. Acts 2:38 - Peter is telling these Jews to get saved. He is telling them if they get saved they will be indwelt by the Holy Spirit. (vs. 41 says "Those who accepted his message were baptised...". Now, which came first, the "acceptance" of the message or the baptism? To "accept" the message is to "believe". John 5:24 that says "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life". In this verse there is no mention of having to be baptised. I know you probably belong to a denomination that teaches what you have said, and I'm sure you are fairly convinced that what you believe is true. But please consider what I have said, and then ask the Lord to confirm or reject what I have said. |
Bible Answer: Dear Friend, I do appreciate you studying with me also. I just wanted to let you know that I am not part of any denomination started by any man i.e. Protastant, catholic, etc, but am a part of the Lord's church which Christ started in A.D. 33. And I would like to make comments on your response to baptism. You said "John 3:5 is talking about being born of the mothers womb", but Jesus refers to them as a conjunction(water and Spirit). It says UNLESS a MAN be born of water. That connot be refering to the mothers womb, because what man is not born of the mothers womb? He is talking about spiritual matters. The flesh is the sinful nature of man and you have to die to the old man and be raised with Christ to walk in newness of life(Rom.6:1-6) and that is through baptism Acts 2:38, Repent and BE BAPTIZED EVERYONE OF YOU and you shall recieve the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT. And baptism is not by any means figurative...there is only one baptism(Eph.4:5), Phillip and the Eunuch went down into the water(Acts 8:36-38). You also refered to baptism as a work on our part and it has nothing to do with salvation..... But is the whole reason for baptism our work or God's? We were dead in our sins and GOD made us alive with Christ(Eph.2:5), and that goes along with baptism in all of chapter 6 in Romans. "Baptism now saves us" 1 Peter 3:21....Christ has shed is blood as a part of God's grace, it had nothing to do with things we did, but we do have to OBTAIN that blood by Going to his death where he shed it(Rom 6:1-6; collosians 2:12-13). And in Acts 2:38, you DO have to recieve(believe) the word before anything, if not it would be of no use. Christ said He that BELIEVETH and IS BAPTIZED shall be saved(Mark 16:16)...What more does a man need to understand the importance of baptism. In Acts in every conversion they were baptized right away(Acts 2:41; 8:12; 8:36-38; 10:47-48; 16:33 18:8; 22:16, If baptism is not nessessary for salvation, then why was it so important that the early believer's HAD TO BE baptized. Let's look at what God does through baptism. Washes our sins away Acts 2:38; 22:16 It puts you IN Christ Gal. 3:27 You put On Christ Gal.3:27 you die to the old man Rom 6:1-6 God saves us throuh baptism 1 Pet. 3:21; Mark 16:16 Where in the Bible does it say you can be put in Christ other than baptism? It is not what we do by going down into the water, but the life we recieve by God when we come up out of the water Rom. 6:4. The LORD adds you to the church or body of Christ Acts 2:47, not man. I do wish to continue studying more with you. I am very open minded, but will not accept anything but the truth and God's word is truth. MAN has just distorted it to his own distruction 2 Peter 3:16.... I pray that you do not get frustrated with me, I do not know everything but what I do know I am assured of(2 Tim 3:14).....Thank you again and please feel free to email me.. I love to study the word. shwnd300@hotmail.com Respectfully, Shawn |