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NASB | John 3:5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 3:5 Jesus answered, "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God. [Ezek 36:25-27] |
Subject: does one need to be baptised to be saved |
Bible Note: Hi, ROGER! Perhaps it is you who are doing the "Side Step": "We are living the most "politically correct," and "anti-establishment" era that ever existed... Scripture is being challenged by both atheists and "Christians" alike... some even disregarding Jesus' own Word: In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. (John 3:3-5) Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented. (Matthew 3:13-15) All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus' words, acknowledged that God's way was right, because they had been baptized by John. But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John. (Luke 7:29-30) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20) Baptism is not in itself salvation, but we are commanded by Christ, the second Person of God, to be baptized--how any disciple of Christ can believe and teach otherwise is beyond me! We are called to be God's servants... a servant cannot pick and choose which commands to obey, which commands to circumvent, and which commands to abolish altogether! Are we greater than the Lamb of God--He who was pure and for our sake suffered and died on the Cross? As the Son of man, Jesus obeyed the Father to the end (death on the Cross), how can He, being the Only Begotten Son, be obligated to fulfill the Father's Will while humanity, mere mortal beings, be allow obey or disobey at will? Jesus' could not have been clearer on the subject of baptism: "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit." Am I suggesting that God is limited to our symbolic gestures (circumcision, sacrifices, holocausts, baptism...)? Decidedly not! This is why Jesus could tell one of the men being crucified along side of Him that on that very day he would be with Him (Jesus) in Paradise! (Luke 23:39-43)" In His discourse, in Luke 7:24-35, Jesus states (verse 30): "But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John." Is God purpose that we call Him Abba/ABBA and we are free to dispense with all/any Command that we, with our keen wisdom, deem superfluous? Was not Jesus reproaching the Pharisees and experts in the Law because they chose not to obey God's Command that they repent from their rebelliousness and be baptized by John? My friend, I hope that this clarifies the issue on baptism: Am I equating baptism to salvation? NOT! Am I encouraging people to pick and choose which Command they desire to honor? NOT! Am I clarifying that it was Jesus Himself that gave the Command to baptize the world? EXCEEDINGLY, YES! Am I ordering you to accept Jesus' Command? NEGATIVE! You are free to accept Christ's Word as the final answer--conversely, you are free to reject Christ's Word! I cannot make it any clearer than this: Salvation is not about picking and choosing but about faithful obedience to God who has revealed Himself through His Holy Scripture: "...go and make disciples... baptizing them..." (Matthew 28:19) God Bless! Angel |