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NASB | 1 Corinthians 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. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one [Holy] Spirit we were all baptized into one body, [spiritually transformed--united together] whether Jews or Greeks (Gentiles), slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one [Holy] Spirit [since the same Holy Spirit fills each life]. [Rom 3:22; Gal 3:28] |
Subject: Kin, too much ritual in baptism? |
Bible Note: Dear Fountain: Thank you for the kind response. I was a young boy when my father at age 35 got saved. We immediately began to hear of God and of Jesus. We were taught about the death of Christ and it was emphasized that we must be born again if we ever wanted to be with Christ in heaven. I spent many miserable hours wondering how to get saved. I was told that all I had to do was believe that Jesus died on the cross for me. I believed that and yet I knew that I was not saved. One day walking home from school, in rural Ontario Canada, I sat at the end of my laneway on the snowbank and once again I tried to believe and tried to feel saved. Finally, through my tears I simply asked God "please help me to get saved" My mind was taken off trying to believe and as I thought of the words of John 3:16 I realized that I was the whosoever for whom Christ died. In a moment, I rested my all on him for eternity and passed from death unto life. I believe that from John 3:3 "Except a man be born again or (born from above) he cannot see the Kingdom of God. Jesus reemphasized this in v.7 "Marvel not that I said unto you, ye must be born again". When the Holy Spirit takes up the word of God and opens the eyes of our understanding to the truth that Christ paid our debt on the cross and through him we are forgiven, the holy Spirit enters and changes us forever. "If any man be in Christ he is a new creature old things have passed away, behold all things have become new" (2 Cor. 5:17) This of course does not mean that we will be a full grown Christian overnight, but we will have new desires with a view to pleasing God. And as we live our lives the Holy Spirit will be seen in our lives if we allow him to use us. I Cor. 12 :13 "For by one Spirit, are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles..." I believe this is teaching that when we are born again or when we have rested our all on the finished work of Christ, the Holy Spirit places us in the body of Christ. This is not water baptism. In fact the remainder of the chapter explains how we are "members in particular" and that we are interdependant on each other. Paul uses the metaphor of the human body to illustrate this. What about baptism: Part of the great commission given by the Lord Jesus was "baptizing them..." In the Acts it would appear that every believer was baptised. In the example of the Ethiopian in Acts 8 the question was asked "What doth hinder me to be baptised" Philip answered, "If thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayest. The man responded "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. We see the method of baptism in which Philip goes down into the water with the man and he baptised him. Believer's baptism is not a ritual, but is a commandment from the Lord. It is for those who have already been born again or saved. When we are baptised as in the days of old we are identifying with Christ in his death, buriel and ressurection. Our baptism proclaims that we intend to live for Christ and turn our backs on our sinful past. I agree with your comparison of John 4 and 1 Peter 1:25 that Christ is the living water and when we accept him by faith, he dwells in the heart of each beliver by his Spirit. Col.1:27 Oh Christ he is the fountain The deep sweet well of love The streams of earth I've tasted More deep I'll drink above There to an ocean's fulness His mercy doth expand And glory, glory dwelleth In Immanuel's land. Thank you for listening and may God richly bless your life. Robert |