ONE BAPTISM - Ephesians 4:5

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CLee622

Senior Member
Feb 27, 2017
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PlainTalk I hope you can one day see your error in suggesting anything but Christ HIMSELF "contributes" to our salvation. He IS our Salvation! Maybe it will not be til heaven that you and many others see... Either way I sincerely hope you and everyone else that attach baptism to the work of Christ are also somehow trusting Christ...I myself didn't even know Jesus was God until 10 months after my rebirth (hence 10 months after the Spirit endwelled me) so He gave me life and He taught me of Himself. We are animated dirt...if you think dirt can help itself to heaven okay but it is not so. Scripture may give baptism importance but 1. It is spiritual baptism Jesus accomplishes and 2. It does not...contribute...to salvation. That is ANOTHER GOSPEL.
 

CLee622

Senior Member
Feb 27, 2017
220
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I am flawed. Greatly. I am not graceful in my walk. And I am overall not a very nice person. But I know Who made me. And I know His work lasts. Mine will not. And daily I desire less of me and more of Him. This thread continues to surface to my feed... wanted to stop posting but...I have a neighbor who is Church of Christ and believes baptism and other "steps" are required to be saved. NO I say. NO Paul and the others say. NO JEHOVAH says! Who provides all, including salvation.

There is probably no right way of communicating this...which is why we end up being called crazy or killed...that is all. Merçi...
 
Feb 24, 2015
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I am flawed. Greatly. I am not graceful in my walk. And I am overall not a very nice person. But I know Who made me. And I know His work lasts. Mine will not. And daily I desire less of me and more of Him. This thread continues to surface to my feed... wanted to stop posting but...I have a neighbor who is Church of Christ and believes baptism and other "steps" are required to be saved. NO I say. NO Paul and the others say. NO JEHOVAH says! Who provides all, including salvation.

There is probably no right way of communicating this...which is why we end up being called crazy or killed...that is all. Merçi...
For me when I saw how difficult the cross really was, and this King of love,
chose this walk for me, it broke everything in my heart. There was nothing
left to compare this love to, or its infinite end.

This is the only reality I know that bring the right focus.
Everything else flows from this emotional, spiritual reality, when this love starts
to break open our hearts.
 

plaintalk

Senior Member
Jul 20, 2015
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CL22622-Jesus Himself authorized His disciples to go to all the nations (does not that include you and me) and make disciples by baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and teaching them to observe all things commanded. A few days later the disciples began to fulfill this instruction when they told the 3, 000 to repent and let each of you be baptized in the name of Christ for the forgiveness of sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2: 38, 39) This promise was to everyone, Jew and gentile, as many as God shall call to Himself. Please tell me if this is correct. Several years later the first gentiles, Cornelius and his people were converted, after they received the gift of the Holy Spirit and were baptized with the Spirit they were ordered to be baptized in water in the name of Jesus Christ. If I have correctly reported these events, then your argument is not with me, it is with God. When we are baptized into Christ, we are baptized into His death, we die with Him and are buried with Him in baptism so that we might arise with Him in the newness of life and freed from our sins. (Rom. 6: 3-7) This is the only gospel that I know. Our faith is either in God or in ourselves. (Luke 18: 9) God bless.
 

plaintalk

Senior Member
Jul 20, 2015
445
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CLee622- "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me." (Matt. 16: 24) There are indeed 3 "steps" or requirements.
(1) we must deny ourselves as Jesus denied Himself. (Philip. 2: 5-8)
(2) take up our cross. When Jesus took up His cross it was to die. (Mark 15: 20) When we take up our cross, it is to die to the old self. (Rom. 6: 3-6) We die to self when we by faith are baptized into Christ. This is His way, His work. (1 Cor. 1: 30)
(3) follow Me. Matt. 28: 18-20) he teaches us to observe all things commanded.
God bless.
 

CLee622

Senior Member
Feb 27, 2017
220
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Right you don't read the scriptures I post at all and are using baptism in spiritual sense to make a call of obedience / a sign into something it's not.


I deny myself. I deny I had anything to do with my salvation. :D thank God... then it would not be a perfect work of God and we would be bribing Him.


The covenant that existed in the beginning is the same one. Words have changed. People have changed. It is still a message of "you can't keep My covenants - I will save you with My hand for MY sake"


""When I passed by you and saw you squirming in your blood, I said to you while you were in your blood, 'Live!' Yes, I said to you while you were in your blood, 'Live!'""


""Nevertheless He saved them for His name's sake, that He might make His mighty power to be known.""
 
Mar 15, 2017
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What does Paul mean by "one baptism" or what is Paul's point in saying "one baptism"?

What does "one" mean?

What does "baptism" mean?

All the ONEs listed in Ephesians 4 are relevant to SAINTS, 1.1.
In chapter 4, Paul instructs, commands the saints to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace, 4.3.
In verse 4, Paul says there is ONE BODY, ONE SPIRIT, ONE HOPE, ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM, ONE GOD, ONE FATHER.
Those are related to SAINTS, Children of God. To every SAINT.
I don't believe the ONE BAPTISM is Holy Spirit baptism.
Holy Spirit baptism was a promise made to the apostles.
Water baptism is a command for all believe.
Just as ALL believers have the same HOPE, are part of the ONE BODY, and so on, so too ALL SAINTS are likewise bonded together by baptism, the one they all participated in: water baptism.
Okay. Hope that is clear.
Thank you
 

plaintalk

Senior Member
Jul 20, 2015
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Twoinsand:
You might want to check some of your statements.
Before the baptism with the the Spirit was promised to the apostles (Acts 1: 5), the baptism of the Spirit and fire was promised to all the Jews who came out to John the Baptist. (Luke 3: 16)
Were the gentiles excluded?
With the first gentile conversions the baptism with the Spirit was administered by Christ to these gentiles. (Acts 11: 15, 16)
Peter appears to be including the gentiles in Jesus' statement, "John baptized with water but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
Paul wrote, "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks , whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. (1 Cor. 12: 13) NASB The "by one Spirit" IMO would have been better translated "in one spirit" or "with one Spirit" but Paul seems to be including himself and gentiles in that statement. Not much else specifically said except that in (Titus 3: 5, 6) we are told that the Spirit was poured richly and abundantly This leads me to believe that when the gift of the Holy Spirit is metaphorically (the Spirit is not a physical entity) poured out as in (Acts10: 44, 45), we are all immersed with the Spirit and made to drink of the Spirit, we are exposed to the work and the influence of the Spirit inside and out. Of course there were instances when the Spirit was given through the imposition of hands.
You are correct, I believe, to recognize baptism in water in the name of Christ in the "one baptism," but we should not ignore the baptism with the Spirit either, there is "one baptism" but IMO, two elements.
God bless.
 

plaintalk

Senior Member
Jul 20, 2015
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post #450
(2) Are they best referred to as a “realty” and a “picture?”
Dr. Wallace refers to baptism with the Holy Spirit as the spiritual reality and baptism in water in the name Christ as a physical symbol of this Spirit baptism. He further states that only the reality removes sin and he states that water baptism is not a cause of salvation but a picture of salvation.
First, while admitting baptism in water is symbolic, IMO it is not a symbol of the baptism with the Holy Spirit. To me the whole historical background of washing with water, from Aaron and his sons to John the Baptist, represents a cleansing; therefore I believe that washing with water in baptism is symbolic of the ultimate washing and sprinkling with the blood of Christ to cleanse us from sin. (Heb. 10: 22; 1 Peter 1: 2)

Second, but there are some spiritual realities associated with baptism in water in the name of Christ. It was instituted by Christ for all nations, all creation and as many as God shall call unto Himself. To ignore this or to diminish this is to ignore and diminish the counsel of God. Another reality is that in baptism in water we are all baptized into Christ and into His death. Also when we die with Him we are also in baptism buried with Him so that we might arise with Him in the likeness of His resurrection. Then two there is the reality that we die to our old self so that we might be free from sim. (Rom. 6: 3- 7)

Third, to call baptism in water a picture seems to imply that it is not substantial while the reality is that it is part of the seven pillars of the unity of the Spirit. (Eph. 4: 3-6)
God bless.
 

plaintalk

Senior Member
Jul 20, 2015
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post # 450
(3) Is baptism in water in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of sin, a picture of the baptism with the Spirit? The baptism in water and the baptism in the Spirit complement and work together to accomplish God’s purpose in our lives, water baptism IMO is not a picture of baptism with the Spirit. It does appear, however, to be a representation of the cleansing by the blood of Christ. The forgiveness of sin conects the two. God bless.
 

plaintalk

Senior Member
Jul 20, 2015
445
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post #450
(4) Is water baptism the cause of salvation?
Obviously water baptism is not the cause of salvation; that distinction belongs to the grace of God. First, God loved the world enough to give His Son to die for our sins; second, Jesus, through love, willingly laid down His life for ours; God was willing to accept His death as payment in full for the debt that each of us owe for our sins. With that said, however, it is also clear that baptism is one of the works of faith that God has appointed to lay hold of the sacrifice of Jesus our Lord, through faith. Baptism is combined with repentance (a change of mind) in the name of Christ about our former way of life to secure the forgiveness of our sins. When we, by faith, obey His commandments, we are sprinkled with the blood of Christ and cleansed from sin. All spiritual blessing, including redemption from sin, salvation, sonship, and eternal life, are in Christ, and we are baptized into Christ and into His death. Water baptism is one of His gifts to us so that we may know, have the full assurance of faith, that as our bodies are washed with pure water, our conscience and heart are sprinkled clean by the blood of Christ. Our faith works with our works of faith to perfect or complete our faith. We are saved by a perfected faith. (James 2: 20-24) God bless.
 

notuptome

Senior Member
May 17, 2013
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Why did OT Jews get baptized? It was a statement before the congregation the they believed that Jehovah God is God. They taught this to the Gentile proselytes so when a Gentile was baptized he or she was attesting to the one God Jehovah.

NT believers receive water baptism to state publically that the Father is God, the Son is God and the Holy Spirit is God. This is why we are enjoined to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit in the NT.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
 

plaintalk

Senior Member
Jul 20, 2015
445
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(5) Is the Holy Spirit the propitiation for sin?
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; [SUP]2 [/SUP]and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. (1 John 2: 1, 2)
Clearly, Jesus Christ Himself is the propitiation (satisfaction) for our sins. This is not to say that we are not saved by the Holy Spirit in renewal of our minds (Titus 3: 5,6) for example, but the Holy Spirit is not the propitiation for sin. The Word became flesh as Jesus of Nazareth, lived righteously before God and man then humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death on a cross. It was His death, not the Spirit’s, that satisfied the justice and righteousness of God, so that He could freely forgive those that believe. We are ultimately washed in the blood of the Lamb, not the Spirit’s. The washing of regeneration that saves us is baptism because it is a symbol of the washing in the blood of Christ at regeneration. God bless.

(6) What does baptism in water in the name of Jesus do for us?
Baptism in water in the name of Christ is about several things but primarily it is about death; Jesus died for our sins (1 Cor. 15: 3); we must die with Him before we live with Him in life that is imparted by the Holy Spirit.
Discipleship. (Matt. 28: 18-20)
Repentance. (Acts 2: 38)
Forgiveness of sin. (Acts 2: 38; 22: 16)
Sonship. (Gal. 3: 26, 27)
Clothing ourself with the attributes of Christ. (Gal. 3: 26, 27)
Authenticating our faith before God. (Gen. 22: 12)
Baptized into Christ and into His death. (Rom 6: 3)
Die with Him, buried with him and arise with Him, thus obeying the gospel. (Rom. 6: 3-7; 2Thess. 1: 8)
Die to the old self thus freeing us from sin. (Rom 6: 4)
Appeal to God for a clean conscience. (1 Peter 3: 21)
Assurance. (Heb. 10: 22)
Gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2: 38, 39)
Salvation (Mark 16: 16; 1 Peter 3: 21)
Calling on the name of the Lord for forgiveness. (Acts 2: 21; 1 Peter 3: 21)

(7) What does baptism in the Holy Spirit do for us? (1 Cor. 12: 13)
Baptism with the Holy Spirit is also several things but primarily it is about life and regeneration and renewal (2 Cor. 3: 6)
Anointing, being consecrated to Gods service. (1 John 2: 20, 27)
Sanctification (John 17: 19; Rom. 15: 16; Ez. 37: 14)
Renewal and transformation into the image of the Son. (Rom. 12: 2; 2 Cor. 4: 16; Col. 3: 10; Titus 3: 5; Eph. 4: 23)
Receiving a new heart and spirit of power, love and discipline. (Ez. 36: 26, 27; 2 Tim. 1: 7)
Baptism- total outer being is exposed to the work and influence of the Spirit (1 Cor. 12: 13)
Drink the Spirit- inner self is exposed to the work and influence of the Spirit. (1 Cor. 12: 13)
Seal- that we are God’s children. (Eph. 1: 13; 4: 30; Rom. 8: 16)
Pledge- that God will redeem our mortal bodies. (Rom. 8: 11, 23)
Guidance and instruction. (Rom. 8: 14; Gal. 5: 18)
Indwelling. (Rom. 8: 9, 11; 1 Cor. 3: 16)
Jesus and the Father dwell in us and abide with us through the Holy Spirit. (Eph. 2: 22)

God bless.
 

plaintalk

Senior Member
Jul 20, 2015
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post # 450
(8) Do we need both?
We need ask two questions. Do I need to have my sins washed away by the blood of Christ? Do I need the new life imparted by the Spirit? If you like me have answered affirmatively, then you have answered the original question, do we need both? Yes!

The “one baptism” is about the unity of the Spirit. (Eph. 4: 5) How so? Everyone who has received the word has been baptized in water in the name of Christ (Acts 2: 41), signifying the sprinkling and washing by the blood of Christ. Everyone who has been baptized with the Spirt has received the Spirit. (1 Cor. 12: 13) Those who do not have the Spirit do not belong to Him. (Rom. 8: 9) The one baptism unifies all perfected or completed believers.

God bless.
 

notuptome

Senior Member
May 17, 2013
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Are you really depending on your water baptism for salvation?

For the cause of Christ
Roger
 

plaintalk

Senior Member
Jul 20, 2015
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Roger: #473
Roger what you wrote may be true, but that is not IMO what started it.
Why did Jesus get baptized? This is the better question and provides the better answer. "Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. (Matt. 3: 15) NASB
Why do we get baptized? To fulfill all righteousness, to fulfill all that God has commanded. How so? Exodus 29 outlines a process appointed by God to consecrate Aaron and his sons to God's service. This process foreshadows our consecration to God.
(1) the appropriate sacrifices and offerings were made.
(2) they were washed with water. (Ex. 29: 4)
(3) they were clothed with the priestly garments. (v 5, 6)
(4) they were anointed with the oil of gladness.

Our consecration
(1) the appropriate sacrifice, Jesus our Lord, has been made once for all.
(2) we are cleansed with the blood of Christ when we are washed with water. (1 Peter 1: 1,2; Heb. 10: 22) John the Baptist shows us that this baptism in water is about, baptism, repentance and the forgiveness of sin. (Mark 1: 4)
(3) in baptism we are clothed with Christ and His righteousness. (Gal 3: 26, 27)
(4) we are not only anointed with the Holy Spirit, but we are baptized with the Spirit and made to drink the Spirit. (1 John 2: 20,27; 1 Cor. 12:13)
God bless.
 

notuptome

Senior Member
May 17, 2013
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You still have not answered the real question. Are you saved by your water baptism? Are you depending on your water baptism for merit in salvation?

You posts indicate that you impute too much to water baptism and rob Holy Spirit baptism of its full and eternal effect.

Jesus baptism did not make Him any more righteous than He was before He was baptized.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
 

biwicks

Junior Member
Aug 28, 2016
9
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You still have not answered the real question. Are you saved by your water baptism? Are you depending on your water baptism for merit in salvation?

You posts indicate that you impute too much to water baptism and rob Holy Spirit baptism of its full and eternal effect.

Jesus baptism did not make Him any more righteous than He was before He was baptized.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
!!! PLEASE READ TO THE END!!! Baptism is much important just as any other doctrin. To my own amusement is that people love substituting God's instruction with their own doctrine which has no bible foundation. Its a regret to see how people don't know why is important to be baptized in the right way. We are all given grace but we take that grace for granted. When we were are baptize we unite with jesus in his dead and resurection and by uniting with him we fulfill the law of the garden which was given to Adam " if you sin you will surely die "..Rom 6:3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?...Rom 6:4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.... And by being baptize we are delivered from sin...Rom 6:7 For he who has died has been freed from sin..... And that is why mark say whoever who will be baptize will be saved during the end ...Mar 16:16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned....
 

notuptome

Senior Member
May 17, 2013
15,050
2,538
113
!!! PLEASE READ TO THE END!!! Baptism is much important just as any other doctrin. To my own amusement is that people love substituting God's instruction with their own doctrine which has no bible foundation. Its a regret to see how people don't know why is important to be baptized in the right way. We are all given grace but we take that grace for granted. When we were are baptize we unite with jesus in his dead and resurection and by uniting with him we fulfill the law of the garden which was given to Adam " if you sin you will surely die "..Rom 6:3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?...Rom 6:4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.... And by being baptize we are delivered from sin...Rom 6:7 For he who has died has been freed from sin..... And that is why mark say whoever who will be baptize will be saved during the end ...Mar 16:16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned....
You answered the question but you still receive a fail. The only baptism that saves is Holy Spirit baptism and that is administered only by Jesus not any man.

The eunuch received water baptism only after he made a testimony of having believed in Jesus. He was saved before he went into the water. Philip asked the question that too many today are afraid to ask. Just want to count the baptisms and ask for a testimony of having trusted Christ as their Savior.

We are saved by grace and not water baptism.

For the cause of Christ
Roger