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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]. |
Bible Question: is baptism important |
Bible Answer: Dear Lord, Look at the length of this chain. Lord, these people seem to think there is actually a virtue it pitting one point of view against another and splitting hairs to the nth, and I fear that this will never end. What is one to think if one comes to this site looking for truth? Lord, some of us have been taught that we must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and we will be saved. We have believed and we claim our salvation. Why are our brethren arguing with us? They say that baptism is important. But Lord, we have been baptized. Why are they still tangling with us? We understand that some of them have been taught they must believe and be baptized in order to be saved. They have repented and they have believed. They believe that baptism is important to you and that you require this proof of repentance and faith in order to complete the work of salvation in them. Lord, we would like to accept that, as we believe you accept them. You will have all men to be saved. You have said you will never turn away anyone who comes to you. We believe you did not turn them away even if their understanding was not as precise as ours. Help us not to argue with them. But now, Lord, we have spent many hours doing just that; arguing about this, and we believe you are not pleased. Please forgive us. Please help us to accept each other and to not engage anymore in doubtful disputations. Lord, I am afraid that some will even disagree as to whether this is a matter of doubtful disputation. But my prayer is that we can accept one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. I pray that our sharing can be such that we will leave a record here that we can feel good about, that you can approve of, that can be a blessing to others who will read this in days to come. Lord, deliver us from ourselves, and glorify yourself on this forum. May we find repentance here, and a change in our behavior. Amen. |