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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: Greetings Tim! I would like to point out that it is you alone who is saying that there is some kind of "contradiction" between Ephesians 2:8-9 and Mark 16:16 or 1 Peter 3:21. Those who believe in Salvation without the necessity of water baptism have absolutely no problem with the theological congruity of these verses! :) I believe that you are misinterpreting Romans 6:3-4 as well.. "This does not refer to water baptism. Paul is actually using the word "baptized" in a metaphorical sense, as we might in saying someone was immersed in his work, or underwent his baptism of fire when experiencing some trouble. All Christians have, by placing saving faith in Him, been spiritually immersed into the person Christ, that is, united and identified with Him." [The MacArthur NKJV Study Bible] Certainly water baptism pictures this reality, which is the purpose- to show the transformation of the justified. However, water baptism is nothing more than a public declaration of the baptism by the Spirit, that occurs to everyone who puts their hope in Jesus Christ, at the moment of Salvation. You mention that you can find a "whole" string of conversion examples that do not require a belief in God... I would greatly desire to know what your view of "conversion" or salvation consists of, if you believe that it is not important to believe that God exists as the essential element to Salvation! To stress this point, you completely violate Scripture, which teaches us in Hebrews 11:6.. "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him." Tim, you cannot prove to me that those 'conversion examples' of people coming to salvation in Acts did not first come to a saving knowledge of God's grace and accept Christ before being baptized. If you make this assumption, then not only are you speculating beyond what the Bible has presented at face-value, but you are taking great liberty with Scripture and twisting it to fit your own interpretations or theories. Blessings to you, Nolan |