Bible Question: Charis, I had to look at your profile to make sure what gender I was speaking with, not that it really matters. Anyway, I agree that there WERE three baptisms, 1) the baptism of John unto repentance, 2) the baptism of the Holy Spirit (fire), 3) and water baptism. Each of these had a purpose. My question to you is what purpose did each serve? If you have the time please cite scripture to support your position for each. Thank you. |
Bible Answer: Dear Teacher, Part 2 Greetings again in Jesus' name! 3) Water Baptism - A washing that we chose to receive in obedience to the example set by Jesus and His disciples in the Bible. I believe the ideal method is full-immersion, but circumstance would not prevent this blessing from taking place if plenty of water were not available. However, to make extenuating circumstances into the norm, and practice sprinkling or dipping is not in keeping with the commandment to be 'whelmed.' Another practice I cannot accept is infant baptism. I trust fully that God will grant grace to the children of believers. I also see that faith is a necessary component of baptism, and that faith-by-proxy is not faith. As you can see, my friend, I have not supplied Scripture for Baptism of the Holy Spirit and Water Baptism. The reason is time and space (nothing to do with quantum physics! :-)). Please use the 'Search' function and type 'baptism' along with my user name 'charis,' and you will find 85 posts in which I write my position and supply Scripture reference. Finally, I have not yet made a definitive 'system' or 'method' out of my beliefs about the baptisms. This is because as soon as I do, it would be succeptable to error or criticism. I might even be the one to find the error! I see that 'setting doctrine in stone' (or print) makes us bound (enslaved) by tradition and conservatism, to the point that we are unable to accept an even slightly different thought. On the other hand, I do not believe in 'floating' doctrine, that changes with each fad or 'guest speaker.' I have a certain amount of 'leeway' built into my doctrine, but not so much that it has undergone a major 'revamp' in over 20 years. If you do have the time to read some of my postings, you will find that I do live and teach a fairly clear doctrine. (I hope!) Certainly clear enough to love God, and serve Him with all my being. Now, it's your turn! :-) In Christ Jesus, charis |