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NASB | 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]. |
Subject: why is baptism important |
Bible Note: Tim: You wrote: "Spiritual rebirth ONLY takes place at the physical immersion (Baptism) in water." Explain the family of Cornelius. "For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, 'Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?' And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days." --Acts 10:46-48 Clearly Cornelius received the Holy Spirit not AT baptism in water, but prior to it. In fact, it was by the clear demonstration of his regenerative state that Peter commanded them to be baptised. We see the same things at Pentecost. One cannot legitimately say that all those there who received the Holy Spirit had been water baptised at the same moment: "So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls." --Acts 2:41 Those who had received his word (past perfect) were baptised (after event #1). One does not receive the things of God without the Spirit of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:14). And we have the thief on the cross? But the other answered, and rebuking him said, "Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." And he was saying, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!" And He said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise." --Luke 23:40-43 No baptism, just belief. And the result? Salvation. Now I do not want to be characterized as saying that baptism is not important. One must wonder about the salvation of someone who has no desire to be baptized. However, the two are clearly not the same. --Joe! |