Bible Discussion Thread

 
  • Susanella - 1 year ago
    Do you have to be baptized to enter heaven?
  • S Spencer - In Reply - 1 year ago
    Hi Thirsty4Wisdom.

    I agree with what you stated.

    "Do I need to get baptized along with trusting in Jesus to be saved?

    Yes, by the Holy Spirit, not by water:"

    Let's look upon another quote of yours concerning those who which the law was given. "Israel."

    In Matthew 15:24 Jesus said "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel".

    This was not an outright rejection of the Gentiles.

    "Moments later, He heals the woman's daughter" but this was a fulfillment of prophecy, a setting of priorities, and a test of the woman's faith.

    In Jeremiah 50:6, God calls Israel His people and "lost sheep."

    The Messiah, spoken of throughout the Old Testament, was seen as the one who would gather these "lost sheep"

    Ezekiel 34:23-24 Micah 5:4-5.

    When Jesus presented Himself as a shepherd to Israel, He was claiming to be the fulfillment of Messianic prophecy

    Mark 6:34, 14:27. John 10:11-16.

    He is simply connecting His presence with God's purpose in Old Testament history. Christ was "born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law"

    Galatians 4:4-5.

    John the baptist was his forerunner who came in the office of Elisha to prepare the way. Malachi 4:4-6.

    This was the baptism of John.

    Acts 19:4. "This baptism was only for Israel." John was preparing the way!

    Christ has not yet given charge to his disciples to go out to the ends of the earth to "IDENTIFY/BAPTIZE" the Gentiles with the gathered sheep of Israel.

    In-fact he didn't send them until AFTER he died on the cross and rose from the dead to atone for the sins of the whole world.

    All the offerings and ordinances was a foreshadow of things to come.

    Colossians 2:13-17.

    Hebrews 10:1-10.

    God bless and

    Goodnight.
  • Susanella - In Reply - 1 year ago
    Thank you
  • S Spencer - In Reply - 1 year ago
    Sorry Susanella.

    My Cell phone supposedly edited your name on my previous post.

    I ran a little behind on my proof reading.
  • S Spencer - In Reply - 1 year ago
    Hi Susan Ella's.

    That is a good and often asked question.

    You asked it in a direct and simple way, " Do you have to be baptized TO ENTER HEAVEN?

    With the emphasis being on "TO GET INTO HEAVEN.

    Is it REQUIRED OR NOT?

    When those answering this important question let's not straddle the fence trying not to offend a friend or foe, and answer it directly whether you hold the truth or not!!

    I'm going to answer this question the way it was asked, in a short, direct and simple way.

    That answer is NO.

    Water baptism is a testimony of our salvation and shows our identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection.

    We're asked to testify of "An action THAT HAS ALREADY TAKEN PLACE".

    I am not ashamed of the answer and believe it to be truth.

    God bless.
  • GiGi - In Reply - 1 year ago
    Thanks, S. Spencer for this reasonable and true answer.
  • S Spencer - In Reply - 1 year ago
    You're welcome and thanks Gigi.

    God bless you.
  • Adam - In Reply - 1 year ago
    Hi Susanella,

    I like to flip the question and ask why would a Christ-follower not want to follow Christ? Are there any legitimate reasons not to be baptized in water?

    Jesus said this:

    "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Mark 16:16 KJV

    "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" Matthew 28:19 KJV

    Some Christians I encounter seem quite satisfied and maybe even relieved on their assumption that they don't need to be immersed in water anymore. But is that really what Jesus said and meant?

    "John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost." Acts 11:16 KJV

    Baptism with the Holy Ghost doesn't necessarily mean without water. It seems Jesus indicates the baptism before Jesus arrived was not with the Holy Ghost. And it's noteworthy that even though Jesus was now there, He still was baptized in water! It was so important that even Jesus did it Himself as an example to follow. And then they continued baptizing in water after Jesus left. I see no verse anywhere saying for everyone to stop baptizing in water.

    Some are motivated to not be baptized for personal reasons, not for reasons of obedience as a Christ-follower. But it doesn't matter what man thinks, but what God says and He already said to be baptized. So, if following Jesus is important to someone I think that following what Jesus says is important.

    Other Christians echoed this about water baptism after Jesus left too, like Paul in Acts 2:38.

    It would be brazen to ignore such a clear and obvious command. Others seem confident and willing to gamble on this that they're interpreting it correctly. But obeying involves no risk and no downside, but disobeying and seeing how much one can get away with not doing seems risky. No one is claiming that act itself saves, but deliberately disobeying God while also claiming to follow Him seems questionable.
  • Ronald Whittemore - In Reply - 1 year ago
    Amen Adam,

    We obey or not.

    God bless,

    RLW
  • GiGi - In Reply - 1 year ago
    Very well stated, Adam.

    Jesus never did anything necessarily by "custom", but deliberately to teach, exemplify, fulfill prophecy or Scripture, to fore-shadow, to demonstrate a future command, to show His divine authority, or especially, His unquestioning obedience to the Father.

    When He was baptized, the Father and the Holy Spirit manifested themselves to show their pleasure in His obedience and approval of water baptism.

    Likewise, when Jesus commanded something, He did not command something that was frivolous, optional, unimportant, or necessary for us to obey. So, His command to believe and be baptized is, in my opinion, a vital act of obedience by those who profess to love Him and desire to imitate Him and follow His teachings and commands. '

    So, yes, believers are called by our Lord to be water baptized as an act of faith, just like Abraham was sacrificing Isaac as an act of faith, and this action, done in faith, was counted to him as righteousness.

    "What is not from faith is sin, Paul says in Romans 14:23, so water baptism must be done with faith in Jesus, not as a rote ritual. And James, chapter 2 speaks specifically about the relationship of faith and works. But this is not that we are saved by faith and works, but that works will follow faith in the life of a believer and certainly obeying the commands and example of Jesus is the work we are to do as we love Him and love others according to His command to do so.

    Water baptism is a wonderful witness to the saving grace of God through Jesus. Those who witness ones baptism are uplifted and joyfully thankful for the salvation of this new believer as the believer testifies to their conversion by being water baptized as Jesus commanded.

    Adam, thank you for upholding the Lord's instructions on this action of faith we are commanded to do. It is for all believers to obey and there is always a benefit to obedience.
  • Thirsty4Wisdom - In Reply - 1 year ago
    Hi, I recently wrote this for my kids because I had the same question; (Disclaimer, I'm not formally educated, I like to do my own research) I wrote:



    Do I need to get baptized along with trusting in Jesus to be saved?

    Yes, by the Holy Spirit, not by water:

    In the Old Testament, water baptism was practiced. This was under the LAW, meaning that the way to salvation was through obedience to the LAW of God, and sacrificing animals, who's blood would atone for their sins.

    In the New Testament, Jesus was the sacrifice. His blood atones for our sins. We are baptized with the Holy Spirit.

    So YES baptism is required, but it's automatic once you accept the Gospel and follow Jesus.

    It's OK to get a water baptism, but it doesn't save you. It's an expression of your love for Christ and your public pledge to follow him, but it's not required. Hope this helps! God bless!
  • Alex1939 - In Reply - 1 year ago
    Hiya Susanella...GBU...But the way I read it is...This New Covenant is an ALL INCLUSIVE covenant... Jeremiah 31:34...I will make a new Covenant with the house of Israel and Judah not according to the covenant i made with their fathers etc...I will KNOW them ALL from the least to the greatest...This KNOW them all is an intimacy with humanity as God so loved the world....And Jesus says if i be lifted up, the shedding of his blood on calvary initiating that New COVENANT I will draw ALL MEN UNTO ME...Told his disciples go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every CREATURE...And his words cannot return unto him void..

    "This Know them all is an intimacy with humanity" That is gonna result in a birth of Christ in everyman....As Jeremiah 30:6 he saw all men in travail and birth pains..All men...You have not chosen me but i have chosen you...While we were yet sinners Christ died for every man...I was found of them that sought me not and made manifest unto them that asked not after me...Thats y Jesus says he has to KNOW us...Thus that tree of KNOWLEDGE....And Isaiah speaks of a Knowledge that is gona cover the earth as the waters covers the seas...Thus a 2 nd Flood that is gona kill all of humanity according to our old adamic nature...Man's carnal minds which is the very enemy of God...If thy right hand offend thee cut it off...As our God is a consuming fire that is gona consume mans adamic nature...Thus our new hearts and new spirts answers to a New Earth and New Heavens...When Jesus began his ministry he was preaching i come to bring fire on the earth...Which is his baptism of the H.G. n fire..ok lemme go..And Joel 2:28 speaks of God pouring out of his spirit on ALL flesh...Thats y he said the harlots and the whoremongers will go into the Kingdom of heaven b/f you....I will KNOW them all from the least to the greatest...And if ya be in Christ then are you Abrahams seed and heirs according to that Promise of multiplication of Christ seed...The H.G.The Promise.
  • T Levis - In Reply - 1 year ago
    Please read these: Mark 16:16, context Mark 16:14-20, Mark 1:8, context Mark 1, Matthew 3:11, in context Matthew 3, Matthew 28:18,19-20, Luke 3:16,21,

    Acts 1:21-22, Acts 2:38,

    Acts 16:19-34, Romans 6, 1Corinthians 12, 1Corinthians 12:13, Colossians 2:10-15, 1Peter 3, 1Peter 3:21,22

    James 1:5,

    Matthew 7, Matthew 25:31-46,

    Hopefully these are helpful



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