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NASB | Colossians 2:12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Colossians 2:12 having been buried with Him in baptism and raised with Him [to a new life] through [your] faith in the working of God, [as displayed] when He raised Christ from the dead. |
Subject: 3 baptisms or 1, or... |
Bible Note: Dear charis, No, no, no.. I believe that you have completely misunderstood me.. It would help to clarify if you told me what you believe about baptism. From your responses, I would come to the conclusion that you believe that baptism by water is essential to salvation. I would strongly disagree with you there, my friend. Water baptism is a command that the Lord has given us (Matt. 28:19, Acts 2:38) and we undergo it through obedience to Him and for proclaiming to the world that we are now His. That is what makes water baptism special, and the same goes for circumcision. Its not the outward affirmation that takes place (water baptism) that saves us. It is the inner transformation inside of our souls- that is what saves us!!! Look at the criminal on the cross: did he have a chance to be baptized by water? No, he did not. So was he saved? Yes, he was! (Luke 23:39-43). I believe that I made it explicitly clear in my last note, but I will simply have to try again. Both of these baptisms- Baptism by the Holy Spirit and baptism by fire, are both encompassed together as one baptism, one washing, that takes place at the moment of salvation. Yes, they are all equally effective before the Lord, but they act upon the believer as one baptism, one washing (Eph. 4:5), which occurs at the moment of salvation. You asked, "Is the baptism of fire constant?" The process of sanctification begins after the moment of salvation, and there is no need for us to be constantly re-baptized by fire.. No, the baptism by fire is not "constant", but our hearts are forever changed! Yes, water baptism is not something that is essential. Charis, water baptism is not essential for salvation. I don't know how much clearer I can be than that. Yes, I believe that the baptism by the Holy Spirit is synonymous with salvation, since we can only be baptized by the Holy Spirit if we come to salvation in our Lord, and we cannot attain salvation unless we also undergo baptism by the Holy Spirit (John 3). I have come to the conclusion a long time ago that we undergo one washing, one baptism at the moment of salvation. Water baptism is important, but it is not a prerequisite for salvation. And until you can prove me wrong by using Scripture, then I will hold to that belief. Nolan |