Saved By Laver of Regeneration and Cleansed By A Laver of Water

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Mar 12, 2014
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#61
Important note here: Baptism of the Holy Spirit.. is often not associated with eternal salvation either.

There were who groups in Acts that had this form of baptism.. like in Acts 2.. and other parts of Acts. This is a whole group being empowered.

Eg. a group of already saved people is baptised by the Holy Spirit in Acts.. they speak in tongues etc..

Acts 19: it has two different kinds of baptism:

(Act 19:1) And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

Disciples- already converted. Look at Acts 18.


(Act 19:2) He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

Have you received the Holy Ghost? Has the WHOLE GROUP received the Holy Spirit 'in the midst?'-- that is what he is effectively asking.


(Act 19:3) And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.


(Act 19:4) Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.


(Act 19:5) When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

These disciples were re-baptised in the name of Jesus..because Apollos had tried to baptise them and Apollos wasn't doing it right.


(Act 19:6) And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

NOW-- this part is the Holy Spirit baptism... the Holy Spirit 'UPON' them.



So here you see:

Conversion before water baptism and before baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Unless you are prepared to say a group of christian disciples weren't actually converted to begin with.
Baptism with the Holy Spirit was a prophecy of Joel (Joel 2:28) Peter repeats this prophecy in Acts 2 and associates the apostles being baptized with this baptism. "All flesh" does not mean each and every person (or animals since they have flesh) but refers to Jews and Gentiles the two groups that made up mankind. Baptism with the HS occurs twice in the NT, Acts 2 with the apostles (Jews) Acts 10 with Cornelius (Gentile) therefore all flesh Jew and Gentile were baptized with the HS fulfilling this prophecy of Joel bringing to and end baptism with the HS therefore it is not the ONE baptism of Eph 4:5.

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In Acts 19:1 'disciple' means a learner, a pupil. Probably a disciple of John, but not of Christ per Acts 19:4,5.

Acts 19:2 "He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost"

Paul said "when ye believed" associating the word "believed" to back when they were baptized with John's baptism. Another instant where the word "believed" includes being baptized.

These Ephesians then indicate they have no knowledge of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 19:3 "And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism."

The question here show how Paul took for granted one who is a disciple had been baptized as Paul understood there's no such thing as an unbaptized disciple. No reason to ask such a question if baptism were not necessary.

Acts 19:5 "When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus."

At this point John had been dead for a long time (20+ years) yet still had disciples teaching his baptism (Acts 18:24,25) which expired and was replaced by Christ's baptism back on Pentecost in Acts 2. With the limited information given, my guess is these 12 Ephesians were baptized with John's expired baptism (possibly baptized by Apollos) here in v5 Paul baptizes them with the correct baptism of Christ. From this context we know John's baptism is NOT the one baptism of Eph 4:5 but Christ's human administered water baptism of the great commission being that ONE baptism.

Acts 19:6 "And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied."

Paul laying his hands upon them is NOT baptism with the Holy Spirit. Baptism with the HS occurs twice in the NT, with the apostles Acts 2 and Cornelius Acts 10 where God baptized with the HS without any intervention of the hands of men.

Paul was passing on a miraculous gifts, something only the apostles could do, (Acts 18:8). Not every Christian in the first had an apostle lay hands on them imparting a miraculous gift..."not all are workers of miracles" 1 Cor 12:29.
 
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Mar 12, 2014
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#62
fixed your typo for you :rolleyes:
Where/when does God remove sin by the blood of Christ? Water baptism, Acts 2:28; Col 2:11,12, the laver of water, baptismal font. No verses says God removes one's sins with the blood of Christ at the point of faith only.
 
Mar 12, 2014
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#63
Your faulty human logic has already been refuted in post #29.
Your bad exegesis has failed you once again.


mailmandan said:
Was this baptism of repentance for "in order to obtain" the remission of sins in Mark 1:4 PRIOR TO PENTECOST or was it for "in regards to/on the basis of" the remission of sins that is received through repentance? Also, in Matthew 3:11, I baptize you with water for "in order to obtain" repentance or for "in regards to/on the basis of" repentance? Jesus said born of water, NOT born of water baptism. Jesus also said water, living water, fountain of water springing up into eternal life (John 4:10,14).
John's baptism was for-in order to obtain the remission of sins. "For" (eis) cannot mean "because of" for the Hebrew writer said "without shedding of blood is no remission" Heb 9:22. Yet at the time of John's baptism Christ's blood had NOT yet been shed. Therefore John's baptism remitted sins in promise for when Christ did shed His blood it flowed back to those that were baptized with John's baptism remitting there sins, so "for" cannot mean "because of" here...or Acts 2;38.


mailmandan said:
Not at all. In John 3:23, Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus is over and He and his disciples have already moved on to the land of Judea. You need to rightly divide the word of truth.
Absolutely the 'water' of Jn 3:5 is the water john baptized with and the baptism Nicodemus had no excuse not being baptized with rejecting God's counsel, Lk 7;30

mailmandan said:
This is just a vain attempt to escape the truth that water baptism and Spirit baptism are TWO DISTINCT baptisms. 1 Corinthians 12:13 - For by one Spirit we were ALL baptized into one body.. This is not limited to the apostles.
You can never prove from the context of Mt 3:11 that either pronoun "you" refers to mailmandan or anyone else alive today.
1 Cor 12:13 is water baptism Paul baptized with 1 Cor 1:14,16. the ONE baptism of Eph 4:5.


mailmandan said:
False. We should not lose sight of the fact that when Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus, the ordinance of Christian baptism was not yet in effect. This important inconsistency in interpreting Scripture is seen when one asks those who believe baptism is required for salvation why the thief on the cross did not need to be baptized to be saved. A common reply to that question is: “The thief on the cross was still under the Old Covenant and therefore not subject to this baptism. He was saved just like anyone else under the Old Covenant.” So, in essence, the same people who say the thief did not need to be baptized because he was “under the Old Covenant” will use John 3:5 as “proof” that baptism is necessary for salvation. They insist that Jesus is telling Nicodemus that he must be baptized to be saved, even though he too was under the Old Covenant. If the thief on the cross was saved without being baptized (because he was under the Old Covenant), why would Jesus tell Nicodemus (who was also under the Old Covenant) that he needed to be baptized?
Jn 7 the HS had not yet been given so no way possible in Jn 3:5 is baptism with the HS with the recipient receiving the HS. Your argument is down in flames trying take the water baptism out of Jn 3:5 replacing it with baptism with the HS.
The thief was not baptized with the HS, so he is lost?


mailmandan said:
John 3:5-----------Spirit+++++++++++water>>>>>>>>>in the kingdom - *no mention of baptism.
1 Cor 12:13------Spirit++++++++++Spirit/baptized>>>>>>>>>into one body/drink into one Spirit

It's only obvious to the natural man who can only understand natural water. Take note of the words water/living water/drink/Spirit in John 3:5; 4:10,14; 7:37-39; 1 Corinthians 12:13. You just don't have eyes to see (1 Corinthians 2:11-14).
'WATER' in Jn 3:5 is EQUIVALENT to 'BAPTIZED' of 1 Cor 12:13 so there is your WATER BAPTISM that you refuse to see. For the second time you ADD the word "spirit baptized" to 1 Cor 12;13 when the verse does not say that. Your argument has no validity when you have to ADD to God's word and CHANGE it.


mailmandan said:
Ephesians 4:5 - One Lord, one faith, one baptism.
1 Corinthians 12:13 - By one Spirit baptized into one body.. Clearly a reference to Spirit baptism. There is only ONE baptism that places us into the body of Christ and that is SPIRIT baptism, NOT water baptism.

By ONE SPIRIT, not by H20.
I already showed how the Spirit baptizes as Christ, Jn 4:1,2. Christ and the Holy SPirit do not baptize anyone personally but baptize by giving authority to the disciples to water baptize as Paul in 1 Cor 1:14,16 and Phillip in Acts 8. No need for the Spirit to send Phillip to water baptize the eunuch if the one baptism of Eph 4:5 is baptism with the HS. The HS could have baptized the eunuch without Phillip.

mailmandan said:
Becoming a disciple of Jesus is a heart decision made before one gets water baptized and this decision is signified, but not procured in the waters of baptism.
Great commission of Mt 28:19,20 shows human administered water baptism is how disciples are made.

mailmandan said:
False. As usual, you are confusing the picture with the reality.

Did Jesus say the bread and wine is just a picture/symbolic of His body and blood or did Jesus mean it was literally His body and blood? Common sense.
Fruit of the vine represented His blood the unleaven bread represented His body but nowhere does the bible say water baptism represents the salvation that has already occurred.

mailmandan said:
AT Robertson is right and your church and the Roman Catholic church and the Mormon church and YOU are WRONG.
Robertson claimed baptism does not secure salvation never proved it and he had to make this claim after admitting "laver of regeneration/water" of Eph 5:26 Tts 3:5 refers to water baptism.

Again Rom 6 shows it is water baptism that makes one "dead" yet one must be "dead" to be freed from sin verse 7 implying freed from sin/justification cannot happen without baptism.


mailmandan said:
Born of water/living water/Spirit/drink into one Spirit. Spiritual washing/purification of the soul accomplished by the Holy Spirit at salvation prior to water baptism.

False. The laver of plain ordinary water does not literally spiritual cleanse us on the inside. Robertson is right.

I'm not hearing Robertson admit this is water baptism and is also the cause of regeneration. Robertson - Were baptized into Christ (ebaptisqhmen ei Criston). First aorist passive indicative of baptizw. Better, "were baptized unto Christ or in Christ." The translation "into" makes Paul say that the union with Christ was brought to pass by means of baptism, which is not his idea, for Paul was not a sacramentarian. Ei is at bottom the same word as en. Baptism is the public proclamation of one's inward spiritual relation to Christ attained before the baptism. See on "Ga 3:27" where it is like putting on an outward garment or uniform. Into his death (ei ton qanaton autou). So here "unto his death," "in relation to his death," which relation Paul proceeds to explain by the symbolism of the ordinance. In regards to Titus 3:5, Robertson said - Probably in both cases there is a reference to baptism, but, as in Romans 6:3-6 , the immersion is the picture or the symbol of the new birth, not the means of securing it. And renewing of the Holy Spirit (kai anakainwsew pneumato agiou). "And renewal by the Holy Spirit" (subjective genitive). For the late word anakainwsi, see Romans 12:2 . Here, as often, Paul has put the objective symbol before the reality. The Holy Spirit does the renewing, man submits to the baptism after the new birth to picture it forth to men.


Robertson's commentary on Tts 3:5 "Through the washing of regeneration (δια λουτρου παλινγενεσιας — dia loutrou palingenesias). Late and common word with the Stoics (Dibelius) and in the Mystery-religions (Angus), also in the papyri and Philo. Only twice in the N.T. (Matthew 19:28 with which compare αποκαταστασια — apokatastasia in Acts 3:21, and here in personal sense of new birth). For λουτρον — loutron see note on Ephesians 5:26, here as there the laver or the bath. Probably in both cases there is a reference to baptism, but, as in Romans 6:3-6, the immersion is the picture or the symbol of the new birth, not the means of securing it. "

Do you see where Robertson said probably BOTH Eph 5:26 and Tts 3:5 there is a reference to baptism???

See also how Robertson refers to the baptism in rom as an "immersion"?

So you agree with Robertson Eph 5:26; Tts 3;5 and Rom 6 refer to baptism, an immersion?

IF Robertson is not saying Eph 5:26 & Tts 3:5 refers to water baptism then why does he make the quick reference to Rom 6 to try and prove water baptism does not secure salvation?

Robertson's comm. on Rom 6:3 "
Were baptized into Christ (εβαπτιστημεν εις Χριστον — ebaptisthēmen eis Christon). First aorist passive indicative of βαπτιζω — baptizō Better, “were baptized unto Christ or in Christ.” The translation “into” makes Paul say that the union with Christ was brought to pass by means of baptism, which is not his idea, for Paul was not a sacramentarian. Εις — Eis is at bottom the same word as εν — en Baptism is the public proclamation of one‘s inward spiritual relation to Christ attained before the baptism. See note on Galatians 3:27 where it is like putting on an outward garment or uniform. "

Note how he admits this is water baptism but then to try and thwart that water baptism saves he then CLAIMS "Baptism is the public proclamation of one‘s inward spiritual relation to Christ attained before the baptism"
to try and take away the necessity of the water baptism in ROm 6:3. No need to make such a statement if he did not think Rom 6:3 refers to water baptism.
 
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Mar 12, 2014
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#64
One means there is one baptism by which we are placed into the body of Christ, not 2 or 3 or 4 and that is by Spirit baptism, not water baptism. But there are still other baptism(s) plural (Matthew 3:11; Hebrews 6:2). If there was only one baptism that existed period and it was water baptism, then nobody would be baptized by one Spirit into one body, in contradiction to 1 Corinthians 12:13 - by one Spirit we were ALL baptized into one body.
One = one which means 1 Cor 1:14,15 cannot be water baptism and 1 Cor 12:13 cannot be baptism with the HS for that is TWO and One does not equal two. Both contexts refer to water baptism.
 
Mar 12, 2014
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#65
Jn 3:5
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.
KJV



The Greek 'kai' is usually rendered 'and'; but, it may also be rendered: but, even, or 'which is'.


In light of Jn 7:38-39

38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
KJV

which shows water to be a figure of the Holy Spirit, 'which is' may be the preferred reading in this context


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

Christ did not say except a man be born of the spirit and of the spirit. If Spirit is all needed Jesus would have said "except a man be born of the spirit he shall not enter the kingdom of heaven"

Jn 3:5-------------Spirit++++++++++++++++water>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>in the kingdom
1Cor12:13-------Spirit++++++++++++++++baptized>>>>>>>>>>>>>>in the body
Tts 3:5---------Holy Spirit++++++++++laver of regeneration>>>>>>>>saved
Eph5:26--------the word++++++++++++++laver of water>>>>>>>>>>cleansed
1Pet1:22-------Spirit++++++++++++++++obey the truth>>>>>>>>>>>>>purified your souls

From the above, if you try and change "water" to "spirit" in Jn 3"5 then somehow you must find a way to change "baptized" "laver of regeneration", "laver of water" and "obey the truth" to "Spirit" also.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
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#66
Jesus said water. No one here can et the water out of Jn 3:5 no matter how hard they may try.
and He said that being born of water was not enough.
you must be born again.flesh begets flesh; spirit begets spirit.
flesh & spirit are not one and the same.
one, two things. one passes away. the other is eternal.

 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
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#67
Where/when does God remove sin by the blood of Christ? Water baptism, Acts 2:28; Col 2:11,12, the laver of water, baptismal font. No verses says God removes one's sins with the blood of Christ at the point of faith only.
seriously?

1 John 1:7 - But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Matthew 26:28 - For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Revelation 1:5 - And from Jesus Christ, [who is] the faithful witness, [and] the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood

Hebrews 9:22 - And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.


Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
(Luke 7:50)

if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
(Romans 10:9)

it is like talking to a trout!
no matter what i say, "glub glub glub" with no comprehension.
 

MarcR

Senior Member
Feb 12, 2015
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#68
except that in the immediate context, He says you must be born again (John 3:3) implying a second sort of birth, which is how Nicodemus understood Him to be speaking (John 3:4), and which He affirms in verse 7, and also in verse 6, when He says "what is born of flesh is flesh, and what is born of spirit is spirit" -- H[SUB]2[/SUB]O is not spirit. those who were baptized by John were not spoken of as having been "reborn" - in Acts 19 we see that H[SUB]2[/SUB]O immersion, signifying (but not tantamount to) repentance, was not sufficient.
throughout this conversation Christ is presenting a dichotomy. flesh vs. spirit. two births, one natural and insufficient by which to enter the kingdom of God, and a second (you must be born again) necessary to enter in. He is not talking about a single birth, and He is not talking about baptism by mere H[SUB]2[/SUB]O.
you can draw parallels, and one can insert regeneration by ritual immersion into an isolated verse, but it doesn't agree with the context of the entire conversation.
IMHO.

i'm sick of talking to (rather, "at") SeaBass about this. but happy to discuss it with you Marc -- as you might surmise, i don't believe that H[SUB]2[/SUB]O immersion alone is sufficient to save (shouldn't be any point of contention) or that spiritual regeneration only occurs at the point of taking part in the rite. by no means do i deny that we should do this, or that it has worth; what i affirm is that just as the circumcision that has saving and redeeming value is that which is not by human hands, so the baptism. as i understand the gospel, there is one immersion - and that is immersion into the person of Jesus Christ. hope we are not at odds about that; i have found much fellowship with you and your insights and understanding. even if we don't see completely eye-to-eye here, i love you, elder brother :)

If, Jesus by talking to Nicodemus grants the presumption that Nicodemus has already had a birth of the flesh, He is then free to discuss the rebirth without belaboring physical birth. I think my premise is still valid.
 

MarcR

Senior Member
Feb 12, 2015
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#69
Christ did not say except a man be born of the spirit and of the spirit. If Spirit is all needed Jesus would have said "except a man be born of the spirit he shall not enter the kingdom of heaven"

Jn 3:5-------------Spirit++++++++++++++++water>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>in the kingdom
1Cor12:13-------Spirit++++++++++++++++baptized>>>>>>>>>>>>>>in the body
Tts 3:5---------Holy Spirit++++++++++laver of regeneration>>>>>>>>saved
Eph5:26--------the word++++++++++++++laver of water>>>>>>>>>>cleansed
1Pet1:22-------Spirit++++++++++++++++obey the truth>>>>>>>>>>>>>purified your souls

From the above, if you try and change "water" to "spirit" in Jn 3"5 then somehow you must find a way to change "baptized" "laver of regeneration", "laver of water" and "obey the truth" to "Spirit" also.

Good response, unless Jesus intent was that water baptism is only a figure of what the Holy Spirit has already accomplished.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
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#70
If, Jesus by talking to Nicodemus grants the presumption that Nicodemus has already had a birth of the flesh, He is then free to discuss the rebirth without belaboring physical birth. I think my premise is still valid.
Nicodemus understood Jesus to be talking about a second physical birth. Christ did not correct him in that He was not talking about a first physical birth, but that the second birth was not physical - and taught him that flesh begets flesh and spirit begets spirit.
if He meant that a man must be H[SUB]2[/SUB]O baptized and that such a dipping is tantamount and irrevocably linked to spiritual rebirth, He was inconsistent in His message to the thief on the cross. there is no indication that He sent Nicodemus off to see John, and Christ pointedly did not Himself baptize anyone with H[SUB]2[/SUB]O. with respect to the thief, there is no indication he had been baptized, and even if you make the assumption, it is obvious that it was ineffectual, as it was not until he believed and confessed that Christ commended him to the kingdom.
if He meant that a man must both be cleansed ritualistically (with reference to the washings of purification in the old covenant) and also be regenerated by Spirit, than we are again talking of two things - not equating H[SUB]2[/SUB]O immersion with spiritual rebirth. the similar figure of Christian immersion is then just as insufficient as the Mosaic immersions.
if He meant water as figurative of the Word, as Paul put it, faith coming by hearing, then we are not talking about H[SUB]2[/SUB]O baptism at all.

if He is not talking at all about physical birth at all, we have to deal with His statement that flesh begets flesh in some way other than physical birth. H[SUB]2[/SUB]O is a physical substance. Peter took care to emphasize that it is only effective in washing filth from the body. we know that it is the inside of the pot, not the outside, that must be cleaned.

Nicodemus, as a Jew, especially one with high standing relative to the law, would have considered his natural birth to have been worth something with regard to election. i feel like Christ was in part addressing this - don't you? and that Nicodemus did not see that there was another regeneration that had to take place, one that was not physical. it is likely he had taken part in a ritual baptism for purification many times. but Christ was directing him to a spiritual birth, not a physical act (flesh begets flesh; spirit begets spirit).

i just do not see how the reminder that spirit is not born of flesh is consistent with interpreting this whole dialogue to be about replacing the ritual purification of Moses' covenant - which had no intrinsic value apart from being the 'answer of a good conscience toward God' - with a new ritual purification that somehow does have an intrinsic salvific worth. i believe He is telling us that no matter how many laws and how many rites and how many works and how many signs we have, we have need of a Savior. that only God can remove our iniquity and make us new. that we must be born of the Spirit - being born by earthly things, whether it is the birthright of a chosen nation, or the sanctification of righteous works or the purification by obedient ritual acts, is not enough to merit our entrance into the kingdom of God.
He is the one who purges us and makes us clean. no human exertion of strength or will can do this, even pursued or done in obedience to His command.
 
Apr 9, 2015
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#71
Nicodemus understood Jesus to be talking about a second physical birth. Christ did not correct him in that He was not talking about a first physical birth, but that the second birth was not physical - and taught him that flesh begets flesh and spirit begets spirit.
if He meant that a man must be H[SUB]2[/SUB]O baptized and that such a dipping is tantamount and irrevocably linked to spiritual rebirth, He was inconsistent in His message to the thief on the cross. there is no indication that He sent Nicodemus off to see John, and Christ pointedly did not Himself baptize anyone with H[SUB]2[/SUB]O. with respect to the thief, there is no indication he had been baptized, and even if you make the assumption, it is obvious that it was ineffectual, as it was not until he believed and confessed that Christ commended him to the kingdom.
if He meant that a man must both be cleansed ritualistically (with reference to the washings of purification in the old covenant) and also be regenerated by Spirit, than we are again talking of two things - not equating H[SUB]2[/SUB]O immersion with spiritual rebirth. the similar figure of Christian immersion is then just as insufficient as the Mosaic immersions.
if He meant water as figurative of the Word, as Paul put it, faith coming by hearing, then we are not talking about H[SUB]2[/SUB]O baptism at all.

if He is not talking at all about physical birth at all, we have to deal with His statement that flesh begets flesh in some way other than physical birth. H[SUB]2[/SUB]O is a physical substance. Peter took care to emphasize that it is only effective in washing filth from the body. we know that it is the inside of the pot, not the outside, that must be cleaned.

Nicodemus, as a Jew, especially one with high standing relative to the law, would have considered his natural birth to have been worth something with regard to election. i feel like Christ was in part addressing this - don't you? and that Nicodemus did not see that there was another regeneration that had to take place, one that was not physical. it is likely he had taken part in a ritual baptism for purification many times. but Christ was directing him to a spiritual birth, not a physical act (flesh begets flesh; spirit begets spirit).

i just do not see how the reminder that spirit is not born of flesh is consistent with interpreting this whole dialogue to be about replacing the ritual purification of Moses' covenant - which had no intrinsic value apart from being the 'answer of a good conscience toward God' - with a new ritual purification that somehow does have an intrinsic salvific worth. i believe He is telling us that no matter how many laws and how many rites and how many works and how many signs we have, we have need of a Savior. that only God can remove our iniquity and make us new. that we must be born of the Spirit - being born by earthly things, whether it is the birthright of a chosen nation, or the sanctification of righteous works or the purification by obedient ritual acts, is not enough to merit our entrance into the kingdom of God.
He is the one who purges us and makes us clean. no human exertion of strength or will can do this, even pursued or done in obedience to His command.

This ties into Pauls teaching, Spirit begets Spirit, when He taught, after Christ's Ascension, His Glorification in Heaven, He was made a Quickening Spirit, the first Adam made a Living Soul, the 2nd Adam a Quickening Spirit, referring to Christ after His Glorification, Set down at the Father's Right Side, and the Paraclete, sent as Promised and manifested in the Acts Writings. Jesus's Describe the New Birth to Nicodemus, who came to Jesus at night, for fear of his Jewish brothers, casting him out of the synagogue for , belief in Christ. that which is born of flesh is flesh, even carnal false conversions based on the works of man, ye see that Today, its widespread but Im not surprised because of these times..... their fruit is Manifest, its about 'their works' when confessing Christ, how 'they' found God and not God finding them... Works for Righteousness, Works to keep themselves instead of All Power Enabled thru the Father to 'keep' His sheep, etc... SPIRIT BEGETS SPIRIT, regeneration from on High, thru Christ who Was made a Quickening Spirit, Water Baptism, is an act out of Obedience to Christ, manifesting and declaring your burial with Him and Resurrection to a New Life, If Baptism was necessary for 'salvation'.. then How do ye explain the 'theif on the cross'.. was Never Baptized, never 'willed himself up that tree to be crucified' so that his 'free will' could obtain the Election of Grace.. no.. its the Blood of Christ that Saves, and only that, and this thru His Perfect propitiation as the Sinner is drawn to the LORD and His Un merited Grace, Love , Mercy revealed to that soul, that revelation of LOVE and MERCY, so strong the Sinner can do nothing but give everything to the LORD and believe that He is the True Messiah, and Eternal Life.. works salvation .. salvation thru Sacraments it false teaching. water Baptism is an obedient Act from Conversion that the 'convert' will Desire to fulfill because of the Un Merited Grace Mercy and Love shown to that 'sinner'.. salvation its about God, not man..
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
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#72
Your bad exegesis has failed you once again.
You are the master of irony. :rolleyes:

John's baptism was for-in order to obtain the remission of sins. "For" (eis) cannot mean "because of" for the Hebrew writer said "without shedding of blood is no remission" Heb 9:22.
Very interesting! I've heard people who attend the church of Christ say numerous times that before Pentecost while still "under the old law" water baptism was not necessary for salvation (in order to "get around" the thief on the cross being saved through faith apart from water baptism) then say it is necessary for salvation after Pentecost, under the new law. Keep in mind that this baptism of repentance in Mark 1:4 took place BEFORE Pentecost while still under the old law, but I'm hearing you say that water baptism is necessary for salvation under the old law. So which is it? You and your church cannot have it both ways. In Mark 1:4, baptism is clearly for "in regards to/on the basis of" the remission of sins received upon repentance. Just as in Matthew 3:11, "I baptize you with water for "in regards to/on the basis of" repentance," not in order to obtain repentance, which would not even make sense.

Yet at the time of John's baptism Christ's blood had NOT yet been shed. Therefore John's baptism remitted sins in promise for when Christ did shed His blood it flowed back to those that were baptized with John's baptism remitting there sins, so "for" cannot mean "because of" here...or Acts 2;38.
The blood of Christ remits sins and not plain ordinary H20. John's baptism was for "in regards to/on the basis of" the remission of sins received upon repentance. Luke 24:47 - and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Acts 3:19 - Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. Acts 11:17 - If therefore God gave them the same gift (Holy Spirit) as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, (BEFORE WATER BAPTISM - Acts 10:43-47) who was I that I could withstand God?" 18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance unto life." *That is in harmony with salvation through FAITH (not through water baptism) before and after Pentecost (John 3:16,18,36; 5:24; 6:40,47; 11:25,26; Acts 10:43; 13:39; 16:31; Romans 1:16; 3:22-28; 5:1; Ephesians 2:8,9 etc..).

Absolutely the 'water' of Jn 3:5 is the water john baptized with and the baptism Nicodemus had no excuse not being baptized with rejecting God's counsel, Lk 7;30
Jesus did not say water "baptism" in John 3:5 but Jesus said "water, living water and Spirit" in connection with eternal life in *John 4:10,14; 7:37-39.

You can never prove from the context of Mt 3:11 that either pronoun "you" refers to mailmandan or anyone else alive today. 1 Cor 12:13 is water baptism Paul baptized with 1 Cor 1:14,16. the ONE baptism of Eph 4:5.
None of us alive today were baptized by John the Baptist which doesn't change the fact that John said, "I baptize you with water for "in regards to/on the basis of" repentance not in order to obtain repentance, which makes no sense at all. Where is the word "water" in 1 Corinthians 12:13? Paul said by ONE SPIRIT we were all baptized into ONE BODY.. *SPIRIT BAPTISM. You don't even know the difference. Chapter 1 does not change what Paul said in chapter 12. *Notice though in 1 Corinthians 1:17, Paul said - For Christ did not send me to baptized, but to preach the gospel..

Jn 7 the HS had not yet been given so no way possible in Jn 3:5 is baptism with the HS with the recipient receiving the HS.
Again, when Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus, the ordinance of Christian baptism was not yet in effect, so Jesus is not teaching the erroneous doctrine of baptismal regeneration, as your church does along with Roman Catholics and Mormons. John 3:5 says "water"; John 4:10 says living water; John 4:14 says fountain of water springing up into everlasting life; John 7:38 says living water; John 7:39 says Spirit. It truly amazes me to see just how many hoops you will try to jump through in order to accommodate your flawed biased church doctrine.

Your argument is down in flames trying take the water baptism out of Jn 3:5 replacing it with baptism with the HS.
The thief was not baptized with the HS, so he is lost?
Your argument is been dead and buried. Jesus said unless a man is born again (from above) he cannot see the kingdom of God. You are replacing "living water" with plain ordinary H20 and negating what Jesus said in John 4:10,14; 7:37-39. Just because the Holy Spirit was not yet given (the thief was not sealed with the Holy Spirit) does not mean the thief on the cross was still lost. He was saved through faith just as we are. With that kind of logic, you would have to say that EVERYONE prior to Jesus being glorified remained lost.

'WATER' in Jn 3:5 is EQUIVALENT to 'BAPTIZED' of 1 Cor 12:13 so there is your WATER BAPTISM that you refuse to see.
1 Corinthians 12:13 is SPIRIT baptism that you refuse to see so your argument is moot. Roman Catholics, Mormons and Oneness Pentecostals would agree with you though. You are not in good company!

For the second time you ADD the word "spirit baptized" to 1 Cor 12;13 when the verse does not say that. Your argument has no validity when you have to ADD to God's word and CHANGE it.
I didn't ADD anything. Paul said by ONE SPIRIT we were all baptized into one body.. THAT IS SPIRIT BAPTIZED. You replace SPIRIT with "water" so it's you adding and changing God's word to make it fit your biased church doctrine.

I already showed how the Spirit baptizes as Christ, Jn 4:1,2. Christ and the Holy SPirit do not baptize anyone personally but baptize by giving authority to the disciples to water baptize as Paul in 1 Cor 1:14,16 and Phillip in Acts 8. No need for the Spirit to send Phillip to water baptize the eunuch if the one baptism of Eph 4:5 is baptism with the HS. The HS could have baptized the eunuch without Phillip.
More faulty human logic which does not change the fact that by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body...one baptism.

Great commission of Mt 28:19,20 shows human administered water baptism is how disciples are made.
We have here a command of Christ that we should go and make disciples of all nations, and then baptize them. Becoming a disciple of Christ is a heart decision that we make before we get water baptized. Water baptism does not make you become a disciple no more than putting on a robe makes one a judge. Putting on a judge's robe does not, in itself, make anyone a "judge." But, one who has been made a judge is qualified to put on "judicial robes" and thus declare his qualifications. We first choose to become disciples of Christ and then we signify this in baptism. Water baptism does not magically make us become disciples.

Fruit of the vine represented His blood the unleaven bread represented His body but nowhere does the bible say water baptism represents the salvation that has already occurred.
After reading Romans 4:11 and Colossians 2:11-12 it's pretty clear. Nowhere does the Bible say water baptized or condemned. Water baptism FOLLOWED the salvation that has already occurred in Acts 10:43-47. That is crystal clear, but you have closed your eyes and refuse to see the truth.

Robertson claimed baptism does not secure salvation never proved it and he had to make this claim after admitting "laver of regeneration/water" of Eph 5:26 Tts 3:5 refers to water baptism.
You never proved otherwise. There "is a reference" to baptism does not mean that water baptism is the cause of regeneration. Again, Probably in both cases there is a reference to baptism, but, as in Romans 6:3-6, the immersion is the picture or the symbol of the new birth, not the means of securing it. Amen! What Robertson admitted to does not support your accusation.

Again Rom 6 shows it is water baptism that makes one "dead" yet one must be "dead" to be freed from sin verse 7 implying freed from sin/justification cannot happen without baptism.
Before mentioning baptism in chapter 6, Paul had repeatedly emphasized that FAITH, not baptism is the instrumental cause of salvation/justification (Romans 1:16; 3:22-30; 4:4-6, 13; 5:1, 2). That is when the old man was put to death and united in the likeness of His death, which water baptism symbolizes and pictures. Righteousness is “imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised up because of our justification” (Romans 4:24,25). Since believers receive the benefits of Christ’s death and resurrection (justification), and that through faith, believers must be spiritually united to Him (delivered and raised up with Him). If baptism is taken as the instrumental cause, then Paul contradicts what he had established before, namely that justification is by FAITH, not baptism. *Hermeneutics. Paul clearly teaches that what is signified in baptism (buried and raised with Christ) actually occurs “through faith.” Christians are “buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead” (Colossians 2:12). Justification on account of union in Christ's death, burial and resurrection is brought about “through faith” - and is properly symbolized by dipping the new believer in and out of the water.

Robertson's commentary on Tts 3:5 "Through the washing of regeneration (δια λουτρου παλινγενεσιας — dia loutrou palingenesias). Late and common word with the Stoics (Dibelius) and in the Mystery-religions (Angus), also in the papyri and Philo. Only twice in the N.T. (Matthew 19:28 with which compare αποκαταστασια — apokatastasia in Acts 3:21, and here in personal sense of new birth). For λουτρον — loutron see note on Ephesians 5:26, here as there the laver or the bath. Probably in both cases there is a reference to baptism, but, as in Romans 6:3-6, the immersion is the picture or the symbol of the new birth, not the means of securing it. "

Do you see where Robertson said probably BOTH Eph 5:26 and Tts 3:5 there is a reference to baptism???

See also how Robertson refers to the baptism in rom as an "immersion"?
Reference as in the picture of the new birth, not the means of securing it. You are completely obsessed with water baptism. :rolleyes: I'm beginning to think that your church is a water baptism cult.

So you agree with Robertson Eph 5:26; Tts 3;5 and Rom 6 refer to baptism, an immersion?
I agree that it's the picture of the new birth, not the means of securing it. I don't throw out Jesus' words in John 4:10,14; 7:37-39 as you do.

IF Robertson is not saying Eph 5:26 & Tts 3:5 refers to water baptism then why does he make the quick reference to Rom 6 to try and prove water baptism does not secure salvation?
As Robertson said in regards to Romans 6:4 -
It should be said also that a symbol is not the reality, but the picture of the reality. Robertson did not say that water baptism is the source of washing in Ephesians 5:26 or Titus 3:5 so your argument is moot.

Robertson's comm. on Rom 6:3 "
Were baptized into Christ (εβαπτιστημεν εις Χριστον — ebaptisthēmen eis Christon). First aorist passive indicative of βαπτιζω — baptizō Better, “were baptized unto Christ or in Christ.” The translation “into” makes Paul say that the union with Christ was brought to pass by means of baptism, which is not his idea, for Paul was not a sacramentarian. Εις — Eis is at bottom the same word as εν — en Baptism is the public proclamation of one‘s inward spiritual relation to Christ attained before the baptism. See note on Galatians 3:27 where it is like putting on an outward garment or uniform. "
Now for the word “enduo” (put on). This word also appears in Romans 13:14 where we read, “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill it’s lusts.” This exhortation is not to a sinner, telling him to be baptized to “put on” Christ, but it is written to Christians. Evidently then, baptism is not the only way to “put on” Christ. To “put on” Christ is to conform to Him, imitate Him. So it is in baptism; we “put on” Christ, conforming to Him in the ordinance that declares Him to be our Savior. So if we must “put on” Christ to be saved through water baptism, apparently we are not saved yet. We must also “put on” Christ by making no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts (Romans 13:14). Right? Let’s be consistent. The verb in Greek translated “put on” has the meaning of putting on a badge or uniform of service like that of a soldier. According to Greek scholar A.T. Robertson: “This verb is common in the sense of putting on garments (literally and metaphorically as here). In I Thessalonians 5:8 Paul speaks of “putting on the breastplate of righteousness.” He does not here mean that one enters into Christ and so is saved by means of baptism after the teaching of the mystery religions, but just the opposite. We are justified by faith in Christ, not by circumcision or by baptism. But baptism was the public profession and pledge, the soldier’s sacramentum, oath of fealty to Christ, taking one’s stand with Christ, the symbolic picture of the change wrought by faith already (Romans 6:4-6).”

Note how he admits this is water baptism but then to try and thwart that water baptism saves he then CLAIMS "Baptism is the public proclamation of one‘s inward spiritual relation to Christ attained before the baptism"
to try and take away the necessity of the water baptism in ROm 6:3. No need to make such a statement if he did not think Rom 6:3 refers to water baptism.
You can try all you want to twist Robertson's statements and discredit him but the fact remains - water baptism is not absolutely necessary for salvation. FAITH IS. *You are not fooling any genuine believers on this forum.
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
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One = one which means 1 Cor 1:14,15 cannot be water baptism and 1 Cor 12:13 cannot be baptism with the HS for that is TWO and One does not equal two. Both contexts refer to water baptism.
ONE baptism in Ephesians 4:5 does not mean that there is only one baptism that exists period (Matthew 3:11; Hebrews 6:2). There is only one baptism which places us into the body of Christ and unites all believers into one body and that is SPIRIT baptism, NOT water baptism.

Ephesians 4:5 - One Lord, one faith, one baptism.
1 Corinthians 12:13 - For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body..
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
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#74
some interesting verses to think about . .

no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.
(1 Corinthians 12:3)

And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
(Luke 23:42)​

So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him.
But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.

(John 19:32-33)


 

MarcR

Senior Member
Feb 12, 2015
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#75
Nicodemus understood Jesus to be talking about a second physical birth. Christ did not correct him in that He was not talking about a first physical birth, but that the second birth was not physical - and taught him that flesh begets flesh and spirit begets spirit.
if He meant that a man must be H[SUB]2[/SUB]O baptized and that such a dipping is tantamount and irrevocably linked to spiritual rebirth, He was inconsistent in His message to the thief on the cross. there is no indication that He sent Nicodemus off to see John, and Christ pointedly did not Himself baptize anyone with H[SUB]2[/SUB]O. with respect to the thief, there is no indication he had been baptized, and even if you make the assumption, it is obvious that it was ineffectual, as it was not until he believed and confessed that Christ commended him to the kingdom.
if He meant that a man must both be cleansed ritualistically (with reference to the washings of purification in the old covenant) and also be regenerated by Spirit, than we are again talking of two things - not equating H[SUB]2[/SUB]O immersion with spiritual rebirth. the similar figure of Christian immersion is then just as insufficient as the Mosaic immersions.
if He meant water as figurative of the Word, as Paul put it, faith coming by hearing, then we are not talking about H[SUB]2[/SUB]O baptism at all.

if He is not talking at all about physical birth at all, we have to deal with His statement that flesh begets flesh in some way other than physical birth. H[SUB]2[/SUB]O is a physical substance. Peter took care to emphasize that it is only effective in washing filth from the body. we know that it is the inside of the pot, not the outside, that must be cleaned.

Nicodemus, as a Jew, especially one with high standing relative to the law, would have considered his natural birth to have been worth something with regard to election. i feel like Christ was in part addressing this - don't you? and that Nicodemus did not see that there was another regeneration that had to take place, one that was not physical. it is likely he had taken part in a ritual baptism for purification many times. but Christ was directing him to a spiritual birth, not a physical act (flesh begets flesh; spirit begets spirit).

i just do not see how the reminder that spirit is not born of flesh is consistent with interpreting this whole dialogue to be about replacing the ritual purification of Moses' covenant - which had no intrinsic value apart from being the 'answer of a good conscience toward God' - with a new ritual purification that somehow does have an intrinsic salvific worth. i believe He is telling us that no matter how many laws and how many rites and how many works and how many signs we have, we have need of a Savior. that only God can remove our iniquity and make us new. that we must be born of the Spirit - being born by earthly things, whether it is the birthright of a chosen nation, or the sanctification of righteous works or the purification by obedient ritual acts, is not enough to merit our entrance into the kingdom of God.
He is the one who purges us and makes us clean. no human exertion of strength or will can do this, even pursued or done in obedience to His command.
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.


you are correct I was tired and misread the verse. The verse says born of water and of the Spirit; and I mistakenly read baptized of water and the Spirit.
 
Apr 9, 2015
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when I saw this thread and the the 'saved by a LAVER', WHAT came to mind is this soap.. sure does clean on the outside in washing away the 'filth', but it does nothing the Inside of the Person, thats God's Work thru the Circumcision of the Spirit!-----> baptism an outward act of obedience done by the Convert after being Genuinely Saved from Above... its Christ's Blood that cleans the inside, thru the Sprinkling of the Blood of Jesus Christ, thru the Paraclete's Action upon the Conscious of the Genuine convert... this done thru the Power of the Holy Ghost!



Lava-Soap-coupon.jpg
 
Dec 9, 2011
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I thought that I made myself clear; and be nice if it is in your ability, please control yourself.

There IS only one baptism at the moment we are sealed with the Holy Spirit, then after conversion Christ commands us to be water baptised, as an act of obedience and to show all that you are dead, buried, and raised to walk in newness of life. We go down into the water to show that we died with Christ, we are raised to show that we have been resurrected with Christ.
One it the substance and one is a demonstration of our history in Christ.

To all, we are handling the precious word of God and we are brethren, I beg you, don't act out of love toward one whom Christ died. It quenches the Holy Spirit and grieves my spirit.
I didn't think that someone would really believe that the baptism to be saved is by water instead of by the SPIRIT of GOD but I guess they really do believe that you have to be baptized by water to be saved.
 
Dec 9, 2011
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The one question that a person that tries to understand spiritual things with human reason would be how does a person clean the inside with water?
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
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yes! saved by a particular "laver"
He IS that true laver --

O LORD, the hope of Israel,
all who forsake you shall be put to shame;
those who turn away from you shall be written in the earth,
for they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living water.
(Jeremiah 17:3)

Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’
(John 7:38)

If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him and make our home with him.

(John 14:3)

:D

Emmanuel is the name that saves, the only One who can wash us and make us clean!

my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters,
and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.

(Jeremiah 2:13)

all i mean to argue against is making an idol out of a baptismal.
let's not get so hung up on words and works that we forget who all these things are for - if we're forgetting to thank Him and praise Him, we're missing the point - which is that He has washed away all our sins, because of His love for us, in His mercy and grace - we having been unable and undeserving!