Subject: "need" for baptiam |
Bible Note: Greetings, fellow believers!! Let me begin by quoting from the book of Romans, a passage that speaks to this dicussion. The fact that everyone here,if we believe in truth, and live in Christ's righteousness, then we please God: Rom 14:17 for the kingdom of God is...righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Rom 14:18 For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- To answer one of your concerns, Grace and Truth, of course we must receive the Good News of the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and believe it to be true(Rom 10:9). As far as baptism, I would like to share with you the thoughts of Matthew Henry, concerning the baptism of John the Baptist: 1...A penitent confession of sin is required in order to peace and pardon; and those only are ready to receive Jesus Christ as their Righteousness, who are brought with sorrow and shame to their own guilt, 1 Jn. 1:9. 2. The benefits of the kingdom of heaven, now at hand, were thereupon sealed[read:marked] to them by baptism. He washed them with water, in token of this—that from all their iniquities God would cleanse them. John's baptism was of water, a "token" of the true washing of our souls, by the precious blood of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Christ's baptism was of His blood, which He poured out on the cross. This is the true baptism, for, as it is written in Hebrews 9:22,"without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."(NASB) I would have to respectfully ask you another question: Do you mean to say that water is as important in our spiritual cleansing as Jesus' shed blood? I do not believe so. Let us examine Ephesians 2:8-- "For by GRACE are ye SAVED through FAITH; and that NOT of YOURSELVES: it is the GIFT of God:"(KJV) Grace--Vine's says,"on the part of the bestower, the friendly disposition from which the kindly act proceeds, graciousness, loving-kindness, goodwill generally, e.g., Acts 7:10; especially with reference to the Divine favor or "grace," e.g." Saved--From the Greek "sozo"[sode'-zo], meaning to 'save', or to 'deliver' or 'protect'. Faith--Strong's defines it as "a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God." Gift--"a present; spec. and offering" In other words, by God's lovingkindness we are delivered and protected through our conviction(belief) that Jesus died for our sins, not by anything we did, but it is the sacrifice of God via Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:9--"Not of works, lest any man should boast." I do not wish to sound argumentative, and if I do, I apologize. My goal is to avoid what is warned about in II Cor.11:3--"...your minds should be corrupted from the SIMPLICITY that is in Christ."(KJV) May the Grace of Our Lord be with you. 2nd Samuel 22 |