Why is “repentenc” necessary prior to water baptism.
IF we understand that water baptism is a symbolic act giving "witness" to a spiritual rebirth, then we can understand the need for "repentance." Our spiritual rebirth into Jesus can not be seen/witnessed by the naked eye, thus Jesus commanded that we be water baptized, and, in this way, we profess to the Church and the World that we have become His disciples. The forgiveness of sin HAS ALREADY occurred.......Water baptism IS NOT unto salvation. It IS a "witness" OF our salvation to the Church, and to the World. So why would Jesus want us to do this? Let Him tell us Himself:
Matthew 10:32) Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
33 .) But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Luke 12:8) Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
9 .) But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.
Ok, what about repentance............
The first word Jesus preached in public was “repent”………..
Matthew 4:17) From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Look at what is said in Acts 4:16) Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. 17 .) For as much then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? 18 .) When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
And again in Acts 20:20) And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, 21 .) Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
So, in Acts 2:38, when Peter said: “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” He was well in line with the teaching of Jesus…….This is not a new concept/teaching…….consider:
Proverbs 28:13)He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
John taught this as well……consider:
1[SUP]st[/SUP] John 1:6) If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
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. 8 .) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 .) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Again, consider what Luke wrote……….Luke 15:10) Likewise, I sa y unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. And in the 13[SUP]th[/SUP] Chapter, Luke records this…..from verse 3) I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
And Peter taught in Acts 3:19) Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
You can decide for yourselves IF we should "repent" of our sins..........as for me and my house we will with a sincere and contrite heart repent of our sins and pray that God will be faithful to forgive us of our sins.....
AND we will be water baptized because Jesus said we were to be.......and to PROCLAIM to the Church and the World that we are His disciples.
God bless you each and every one.
IF we understand that water baptism is a symbolic act giving "witness" to a spiritual rebirth, then we can understand the need for "repentance." Our spiritual rebirth into Jesus can not be seen/witnessed by the naked eye, thus Jesus commanded that we be water baptized, and, in this way, we profess to the Church and the World that we have become His disciples. The forgiveness of sin HAS ALREADY occurred.......Water baptism IS NOT unto salvation. It IS a "witness" OF our salvation to the Church, and to the World. So why would Jesus want us to do this? Let Him tell us Himself:
Matthew 10:32) Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
33 .) But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Luke 12:8) Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
9 .) But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.
Ok, what about repentance............
The first word Jesus preached in public was “repent”………..
Matthew 4:17) From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Look at what is said in Acts 4:16) Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. 17 .) For as much then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? 18 .) When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
And again in Acts 20:20) And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, 21 .) Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
So, in Acts 2:38, when Peter said: “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” He was well in line with the teaching of Jesus…….This is not a new concept/teaching…….consider:
Proverbs 28:13)He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
John taught this as well……consider:
1[SUP]st[/SUP] John 1:6) If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
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. 8 .) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 .) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Again, consider what Luke wrote……….Luke 15:10) Likewise, I sa y unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. And in the 13[SUP]th[/SUP] Chapter, Luke records this…..from verse 3) I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
And Peter taught in Acts 3:19) Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
You can decide for yourselves IF we should "repent" of our sins..........as for me and my house we will with a sincere and contrite heart repent of our sins and pray that God will be faithful to forgive us of our sins.....
AND we will be water baptized because Jesus said we were to be.......and to PROCLAIM to the Church and the World that we are His disciples.
God bless you each and every one.
laughing out loud.......very loudly......YOU COMPLETELY misunderstood everything I said.........so, there is really no reason for me to go through all of your commentary and correct you............maybe you should read the other thread on baptism on this Forum, and read my comments there............then get back to me.........