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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: Sorry to disagree with you but the case of Cornelius is talking about something different. Cornelius was not saved until he was baptized. I know this because other scriptures clearly indicate this to be true. There is a difference between gifts of (from) the Holy Spirit and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Himself). Pentecost and Cornelius both show special events for special purposes -- to reveal the will of God. In both cases they had to be baptised to receive the Holy Spirit Himself. Romans 6 tells us that we are Baptised into Christ and Ephesians 1 shows that it is IN Christ that we have the Holy Spirit as a seal. Sin separates us from God and the only way we can receive remission of sins, according to Acts 2, is through repentance and baptism. Since it is sin that makes it impossible to enter heaven without baptism this also might answer your second objection -- the thief on the cross. Jesus had the power to forgive the sins of the thief while He was still on earth and so could promise the thief salvation. In addition though Jesus was dying the new testament had not yet been instated so rules that apply to salvation after the kingdom came with power at Pentecost do not apply before that date! We know that the blood of Christ extends back to cover the sins of those who died before the kingdom came but that does not mean that we can also be saved without baptism. Satan has done a wonderful snow job persuading us that we can be saved without baptism or by a baptism that is different to that taught in the Bible. If you believe you are saved and then get baptized just for obedience sake that is not the same as 'repent and be baptized, every one of you, for the remission of sins' Acts 2:38. Tim |