Bible Discussion Thread Page 2

Amen Brother Chris.

I also believe Jesus conversation with Nicodemus had nothing to do with baptism at all.

God bless.

S.Spencer Amen to that Brothers

Brother Chris,

Thanks for your response. I find baptism so easy to understand and I will break down this scripture the way I understand it.

John 3:3-7

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Jesus is talking specifically about being "born again" This is our 2nd birth.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

Nicodemus is confused, he does not understand "born again".

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Jesus confirms to be "born again" we must be "born of water and Spirit". He emphasizes "born of water and the spirit". "If Jesus was referring to the fetus (water bag) or anything with our original birth - he would not have included the word "water" as we all were born as a fetus in our original birth, and the "water" would be a moot point!

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Jesus showed us by being baptized himself what born again looks like and the meaning of "Spirit is spirit" as upon being baptized the Holy Spirit came down from heaven and landed on Jesus for "all to see". Very powerful and a perfect example for us to follow!

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Born again, easy to understand! Something so easy for christians to follow, I just don't understand the reluctance.

God Bless.

Brother, I don't believe it's a reluctance to understand because I would understand that most of us here do believe in water baptism & it's importance. It's a matter of understanding that encounter with Nicodemus, whether water baptism was the applicable answer to give him or whether Jesus inferred that a man's regeneration involved not only a physical birth (that Nico was affixed on), but also a spiritual birth.

As well, if one believed that regeneration can only happen when both spiritual birth & water baptism took place, then that passage would agree to that belief. Conversely, for those who don't subscribe to that (as I shared previously about any work added to faith, then John 3 has a different meaning. Blessings.

Chris The real question is what's changed or why?

Bro. Rick. You asked, "The real question is what's changed or why?"

I don't believe anything has changed from the command by the Lord to go into the World, teach all nations & baptize them in the Trinity, to when the Holy Spirit fell upon those apostles (i.e. baptized directly from God), to when the apostles carried out that command to teach & then baptize those who believed. To make water baptism a necessary part of salvation's Gift, rather than an act of identification with that Gift, in my mind is untenable. Water baptism & reception of the Spirit at conversion, go hand in hand - i.e. if you believe you were baptized, no arguments could be presented. Could any of that great gathering ( Acts 2:41) have objected to being baptized & not face the surprise & consternation of Peter? The multiitude knew both the great worth of their salvation & the great cost of being identified with Christ, breaking away from their religion/idols. Today, we really have no sense of it, except those expressing faith through baptism in Hindu/Muslim regions.

But a question rarely asked, if at all: were the 12 apostles (except Paul) baptized in water after they were saved at Pentecost? Most believers would unflinchingly say, Yes. But have any of the apostles ever spoken of their baptism in their letters or seen in the Book of Acts? There seems to be a precedent for those who may not have received the Gospel by conventional means (i.e. receiving it directly by the Spirit). There will also be situations where a person is desperately ill or incapable of being water baptized (except by sprinkling). Also, when those who want to be baptized & there was none to do it, & much time has since passed by making the command inappropriate for its meaning. I see occasions that not being baptized is valid.

Is Water Baptism no longer valid because of the Spirit's baptism? I see no where in Scripture to invalidate it, but I see exceptions to the rule (given above) & its performance by the Church today.

Chris Just to clarify I never said not to do it I stated not necessary to receive power from on High by Being

born again of the Spirit. The reality is the book of acts is the Transition book from end of the Law period to Age

and there waa overlapping of practices until the apostle Paul by Gods Grace Believed and Jesu Christ showed

in practice the Spiritual walk in the age of grace. That being shared if some one wants baptized o.k. if not o.k.

whatever as long as they confess Romans 10:9+10 and believe and do the word. Just sharing some heart.

Chris I apologize one other point in the Gospel of luke 24:49 the command wa to go to jerusalem until

ye be endued that word is [enduo which means to go in, and clothed with] indicating inside job complete'

this is the only place in scripture it is used with this meaning interesting isn't it. God Bless

Bro Dan Jesus Christ was water baptized to fulfill all righteousness under the law which is why after he healed

many people he told them to present themselves in the temple and offer the offering in the old testament example

Luke 5:12-14, Mathew 8:1-4 Mark 1:40-41, luke 17:12-16 under the law of moses because their backgrounds were

Judean. When he healed Gentiles he never made that a point to say go to temple or see priest , the centurions servants

son is a perfect example he the centurion said you say it I believe it!. The condition was always believing because if

you don't believe you can't receive.

Bro Dan Its your choice what you call the explanation but the word in that verse for born is [gennao]

which is where we get the word genetics which ties into human birth so I'm just explaining, not at all to twist

or challenge, its your right to believe what you will. Also this take nothing away from Scripture it really just

enhances it. So moving on.

Ephesians 4:5 1 Corinthians 12:13

Precious Kristianna and Rose, yes, 'water' is, imho, the Most 'Divisive' tradition in denominational christendom, Today. Prayerful And Careful 'study' of God's Word Of TRUTH, Rightly Divided, Indeed shows us "God's Answer" of NO 'water ritual' for us, Today, Under HIS 'Amazing' GRACE, As He Plainly And Clearly 'Teaches' There is 'ONLY' ONE Baptism: Link

Part I

God's Wonderful 'Answer Thus Eliminates' ALL of the following Disagreements And 'Confusion'

1) believe AND be baptized {i.e. immersion to contact their Christ's blood}?

2) immersion with a symbolic interpretation?

3) immersion ONCE in the "name of Jesus?

4) immersion THRICE in the "name of the Triune Godhead?

5) immersion {whether once or thrice} for "membership" in their traditional assembly?

6) sprinkling water on babies inducting them into religion washing away their original sin?

To be continued...

God's ONE Baptism Ephesians 4:5 1 Corinthians 12:13

Part II

God's Wonderful 'Answer of NO water, Thus Eliminates' ALL of the following Disagreements And 'Confusion'

7) sprinkling water on babies inducting them into some covenant?

8) sprinkling water on babies inducting them into their parent's custody that they promise to raise them right? {into Mass Confusion?}

9) sprinkling water on babies, admitting that their ritual is UNscriptural, but "we do it anyway, because it is OUR tradition!"?

10) pouring water onto babies or adults for Whatever traditional reason religion "can come up with"?

11) immersion of young and middle-aged women 'similar' to worldly/ungodly 'wet t-shirt' contests?

12) immersion 'Discriminates' Against ALL "those who CANNOT 'obey' this ritual" ie: the hospitalized, the bedridden, the homebound, the invalids, the traumatized, etc.

God is Certainly 'NOT the author' 1 Corinthians 14:33 of all this "carnal DIVISION" which is 'similar' to what Paul addresses in 1 Corinthians 1:9-13 1Co 13-17, Correct?

Again, our 'choice' = participate in this 'Confusion' or believe God, Today, Under GRACE =

There is 'ONLY' ONE Baptism: Link

Please Be Richly Encouraged, Enlightened, Exhorted, and Edified!

2 Timothy 2:15 Romans 16:25 Ephesians 3:9 = Grace/Mystery fellowship {Romans - Philemon}, For ALL "to SEE," today,?

God's 'Simple' Will: Link

Precious friends, I Certainly 'apologize' for the " 1 Co 13 - 17" ERROR; 'should' be:

"God is Certainly 'NOT the author' 1 Corinthians 14:33 of all this "carnal DIVISION" which is 'similar' to what Paul addresses in 1 Corinthians 1:9-13 1 Corinthians 1:13-17 ('fixed'), Correct?

And (a 'Rick {'doing a blend'} addition' here?):

Again, our 'choice' = participate in this ('blended'?) 'Confusion' or believe God, Today, Under GRACE =

There is 'ONLY' ONE Baptism: Link

Please Be Richly Encouraged, Enlightened, Exhorted, and Edified!

2 Timothy 2:15 Romans 16:25 Ephesians 3:9 = Grace/Mystery fellowship {Romans - Philemon}, For ALL "to SEE," today,?

God's 'Simple' Will: Linkquot;

See ya'll in God's Great GloryLand!!

Hi ChrisE Gods Word sums it up well either we do the whole law or walk in the spiritual grace In the

Most of us are doing a blend, bit its till grace that we can do at all because we were all born dead in trespasses

and sin withour God and without Hope. God bless Later.

Amen Grace,

Well spoken!

God bless.

John chapter 3 is Jesus saying Nicodemus must be born again to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit, who is your Teacher. You ask Him to teach you about Jesus.

I'd Google HOLY SPIRITS MINISTRY.

This website, out on the red link page has one named: Become A Believer. It has baptisms on it. A lot of info in one place.

Baptism is really personal; between you and Jesus. I helped baptize people in swimming pools. It's not a show. It's a holy moment between you and your Savior.

Mishael

If baptism saves you then why did Christ come to earth as a baby and sacrifice his life on the cross and shed his blood so that "whosoever believeth in Him shall be saved". Anybody can be baptized. But it is worthless if you get baptized and don't believe that Jesus died on the cross for you. It is an outward showing of an inward knowledge of Him.

The thief on the cross got "saved" on the cross and Jesus told him "today you will be with me in paradise"The thief was NOT baptized.

Hi Donna,

There were only two people given the opportunity to receive immediate salvation. Both of them dying on crosses next to Jesus. One declined, the other believed and accepted Christ as Savior, confessed, and repented.

There is numerous bible scripture by Jesus and the Apostles directing us to be baptized in order to gain our salvation. Jesus tells us we need to believe in Him, repent, be baptized, and refrain from sin while striving to follow Christ.

Jesus was the ultimate teacher, he came to this earth to instruct us, and he was baptized. He not only told us to be baptized he also instructed his Apostles to perform baptism on all of the new Christian converts.

In summary, there is a ton of scripture instructing us to be baptized, and "0" telling us "not to be baptized".

Read and believe!