Subject: Is baptism a work? |
Bible Note: Dear Tim, Greetings in the name of Jesus! Brother, I am very familiar with the phrase 'outward sign of and inward grace.' To a certain extent I agree with the statement, in that Jewish circumcision is an 'outward, physical sign' of the 'inward' covennant relation relationship with God in the Old Testament. Then we are told that God will 'circumcise our hearts' for a better relationship with God. This seems, to me, to be connected in: "...and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; 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." Colossians 2:11,12 NASB. But even if ministers and theologians know that this phrase denotes a work of the Spirit, the teaching is often more 'JUST an outward sign of an inward grace,' i.e. unnecessary religious ritual. Worse, many use baptism as a 'membership' show, nothing more. Well, Sunday morning! (Bless the Lord!) I'm off to church. In Christ Jesus, charis |