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NASB | Ephesians 2:9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 2:9 not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation]. |
Subject: why do we baptize differently? |
Bible Note: Compudex: Yes, it is a fact baptism was and is still a sign there has been a change and renewal of the inner man. I would say repentence has always been a outward sign of baptism. From the time of Jesus there is even more signifiance with baptism. Now we also share in the Death, Burial and Ressurection of our Lord Jesus Christ. As for the the different WAYS of of baptism, some are immersed three times, once for each personhood of the Trinity; some are baptized foward with the face going into the water first; Some are sprinkled as babies, shortly after birth; Some sprinkled as older children or teenagers, and some as adults. I would not doubt there are other ways to baptize as well. There was once a lady in the hospital near death, because of pancreases cancer. I was pastoring a church that held the position that baptism is only done by immersion. Which I believed as well, and still do. This lady was incapable of getting out of her death bed. I presented Jesus Christ to her. With a receptive heart and mind, she became a new creature in Jesus Christ. We met together several times, read Scripture, and prayed. Several days after making Jesus Christ her Lord, she was most adamant she needed and insisted to be baptized. Bleieve me, there was no way this saint could be immeresed in water, this was a request that had no hope of taking place in her late stage of cancer. She was begging to be baptized! She had had such a regenerated heart in Christ, she would have just as soon drowned, if she just could have been baptized. I was filled with sorrow, as this lady was so wanting to be obediant to Christ. I shared this situation with a Methodist pastor friend. He suggested sprinkling her. I was not at all reluctant to see this was the clear solution to this saints request. I believe the intent of her heart demanded I do something to show God'd mercy and love for her. I went and explained to her sprinking was most acceptable, and showed her willingness to follow Christ. I prayed with her, sprinkled her, and she was so thrilled, and at peace. That evening she went home to be with Jesus Christ. Some might say this was unacceptable due to their understanding of Scripture. I can say that if this poor sin burdened woman could receive Christ, and beg to be baptized; and yet there are Christians (so they say) who refuse or delay making a public confession of Christ by baptism, I find this unacceptable! There is a serious flaw and more than likely than they profess Christ, but in reality do not possess Jesus Christ. I can see a child not being baptized because a parent will not permit baptism to take place, or because a church is waiting for a special date. However, these are exceptions that happen not too often. Show me a so called Christian who has not been baptized, within a reasonable time, and I will show you a defiant person who most proberly is not saved. I would add faith without action is not faith at all. We can not say I love Jesus and not follow the very first requirements Jesus made. Baptism saves no one. Baptism is genuime proof that true regeneration has taken place in the life of the believer. Would you agree with what I have said? Blessings. justme |