Baptism symbol only ?

[IAm3rd]

Please understand... I agree that it is through faith in Christ that we are saved by the grace of God! NOTHING of ourselves... but it is through baptism that we enter into Christ Rom 6:3 and Gal. 3:27-29.
Thats why Peter says baptism now saves you!
Why did God choose to do this through baptism ? I have no idea... but we must obey.

 

[SolidGround]

Lets look at this section of 1st Peter.


so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the [n]spirit; 19 in [o]which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, 20 who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the [p]water. 21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God [q]for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,


Lets look closely at how Christ made the proclamation. v18 in the [n]spirit
Remember also the word "now" in verse 19. This means they were not in prison at the time of the proclamation.
Lets look at the context of 1st Peter to understand what he is saying of the Spirit of Christ
chapter 1
10 As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, 11 [h]seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories [i]to follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to [j]look.

Christ proclaimed His Gospel to all men who heard the prophets, and to all who hear us today, because we proclaim it through the power of the Spirit of Christ.
----------------
As for baptism, notice how the baptism relates to salvation.
By appeal, and good conscience.
And what is the connection?
The resurrection of Christ.
Notice also the separation from the physical act.

See how the water that baptized Noah and his family is separate from the Spirit Baptism that is through Christ.

 

[sacraig67]

Think upon this. the thief on the cross accepted Jesus and was not baptized. If baptism is necessary how could Jesus then say he was saved? Is it true for one person and not for another?
I am sorry all i need to sleep...church in the morning. Good night and God bless!

 

[IAm3rd]

Lets look at this section of 1st Peter.


so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the [n]spirit;19 in [o]which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison,20 who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the [p]water.21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God [q]for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,


Lets look closely at how Christ made the proclamation. v18 in the [n]spirit
Remember also the word "now" in verse 19. This means they were not in prison at the time of the proclamation.
Lets look at the context of 1st Peter to understand what he is saying of the Spirit of Christ
chapter 1
10 As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries,11 [h]seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories [i]to follow.12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to [j]look.

Christ proclaimed His Gospel to all men who heard the prophets, and to all who hear us today, because we proclaim it through the power of the Spirit of Christ.
----------------
As for baptism, notice how the baptism relates to salvation.
By appeal, and good conscience.
And what is the connection?
The resurrection of Christ.
Notice also the separation from the physical act.

See how the water that baptized Noah and his family is separate from the Spirit Baptism that is through Christ.

Ill leave the proclaiming to those in prison alone... its off topic.

As for Baptism, We know Peter is talking about WATER baptism, because thats the context. You are correct that it is not the physical water etc that saves us, but it IS BAPTISM through which we enter into Christ. it is a mystery, but a fact. Romans 6:3 and Galatians 3:27-29.
Ananias told Paul to "wash his sins away through baptism"... Repent and be baptized for the remission of sin, etc etc etc...

I really dont know what else to say on it.

 

[SolidGround]

Ill leave the proclaiming to those in prison alone... its off topic.

As for Baptism, We know Peter is talking about WATER baptism, because thats the context. You are correct that it is not the physical water etc that saves us, but it IS BAPTISM through which we enter into Christ. it is a mystery, but a fact. Romans 6:3 and Galatians 3:27-29.
Ananias told Paul to "wash his sins away through baptism"... Repent and be baptized for the remission of sin, etc etc etc...

I really dont know what else to say on it.

We agree on far too much to really get caught up in such small divisions.
If our faith is in Christ, then the purpose of water baptism is a very small issue by comparison.

In practice, we are saying the same thing: that we are to follow in the example of Christ, and be baptized in water and of Spirit.

If the motive is out of love for Christ, and appreciation of His finished work, then there is really no issue or difference at all.

(unless you were to hold that people cannot have remission of sins if they died before being baptized, like in the case of any deathbed conversion; then we would hold a rather important disagreement.)

 

[RedTent]

Think upon this. the thief on the cross accepted Jesus and was not baptized. If baptism is necessary how could Jesus then say he was saved? Is it true for one person and not for another?
I am sorry all i need to sleep...church in the morning. Good night and God bless!

Yes, it is true for one person and not for another. The thief wasn't given an opportunity to be baptized so we don't know if he turned down baptism or not, and that would be important to know.

 

[sacraig67]

Yes, it is true for one person and not for another. The thief wasn't given an opportunity to be baptized so we don't know if he turned down baptism or not, and that would be important to know.

So therfore if it is true for one person and not for another how can we say we absolutely have to be baptized.

 

[Charlie24]

I was wondering if you all could help me find where the scripture says baptism is just a symbol one can choose to do if they want.
Thanks...

( note: looking for scripture here... not your opinions. )

Baptism as a symbol is a matter of interpretation. I believe if water baptism is necessary for salvation it would have been said plain and simple. The Apostle Paul tells us plainly what we must do to be saved and doesn't mention water baptism.

[SUP]8 [/SUP]But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
[SUP]9 [/SUP]That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
[SUP]10 [/SUP]For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Rom. 10:8-10

I believe the greatest soul winner Christ ever produced would have told us water baptism is necessary for salvation right here if it were so. Paul also tells us when and how we recieve the indwelling Holy Spirit and water baptism is not part of it.

[SUP]13 [/SUP]In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise. Eph. 1:13

Yes I believe water baptism is a commandment of Christ, but is not necessary for salvation. Anyone who is truly born again would never refuse to follow the Lord in believers baptism. There are many other things to be said on this subject but depending on your interpretation, it's an arguement that will continue till Christ returns.

 

[4enlightment]

Ill leave the proclaiming to those in prison alone... its off topic.

As for Baptism, We know Peter is talking about WATER baptism, because thats the context. You are correct that it is not the physical water etc that saves us, but it IS BAPTISM through which we enter into Christ. it is a mystery, but a fact. Romans 6:3 and Galatians 3:27-29.
Ananias told Paul to "wash his sins away through baptism"... Repent and be baptized for the remission of sin, etc etc etc...

I really dont know what else to say on it.

John has said that he Baptize with water, but someone (God) that comes afterward will Baptize you with the Holy spirit and fire. So what if that someone that comes after John, tries to Baptize me with the Holy spirit and fire, should I stop them and say that I'm already save by the water, and so I don't need your Baptism? There's three stages of being purified, and one is clearing your conscience from guilt so that you can move forward to the next, and the Holy spirit will come upon you so that you'll be able to perceive the spiritual nature so that you will be able to perceive the truth, and then by fire, and which you will be put into the center of this world and all hell will break loose upon you to show you how the fruits of evil taste so that you will not desire to serve it to anyone no more. And then you be consider clean.

Isaiah 4:4 The Lord will wash away the filth of the women of Zion; he will cleanse the bloodstains from Jerusalem by a spirit of judgment and a spirit of fire.

 

[directline2iam]

33 .) And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost./QUOTE p_rehbein

And there you have it, ONE baptism the washing of the water by the Word who is Holy Spirit.

 

[homwardbound]

I was wondering if you all could help me find where the scripture says baptism is just a symbol one can choose to do if they want.
Thanks...

( note: looking for scripture here... not your opinions. )

I am wondering how an anyone help you as you in this post you started
I have read through an have posted.
I am now under the impression you had an agenda from the start, your mind already made up, and have lied about needing help

You already know there is no actual verse that says symbol. It all lies in the interpreters of the word

 

[4enlightment]

I am wondering how an anyone help you as you in this post you started
I have read through an have posted.
I am now under the impression you had an agenda from the start, your mind already made up, and have lied about needing help

You already know there is no actual verse that says symbol. It all lies in the interpreters of the word

1 Peter 3:21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

When you use the word "symbolize", it is referring that you are using it as a symbol or an example towards something. The water is use as an allegory or spiritual meaning of becoming purify or consecrated for someone.

 

[homwardbound]

But you realize Peter says it does ?
1 Peter 3: in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. [SUP]21 [/SUP]Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you...

you are literaly saying the opposite of scripture.

No I think Not. getting water Baptized is a good conscience before God and a confession one believes before men, and it is not the removing of sin either. It is the Spirit of truth that saves, that reveals to us Christy alone is the removal of sins. and how can one forbid water Baptism after being saved, I don't know as in the day of Acts when Peter (not peter) but God preached the word through Peter and the Holy Ghost fell upon them before any water Baptism
Go figure what is up with that, and in that next Chapter as Peter rehearsed what happened, he saw clear that God gives freely new life in Spirit and truth
Thanks

 

[Kerry]

So you get baptized then what, you keep going to the strip club every Friday and Saturday you play some golf and then go to the strip club. You gonna stand before God and say I was baptized. Yeah right.

 

[homwardbound]

So therfore if it is true for one person and not for another how can we say we absolutely have to be baptized.

Especially since there is no respect of persons before Father

Proverbs 24:23
These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
Proverbs 28:21
To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
Acts 10:34
Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
Romans 2:11
for there is no respect of persons with God.
Colossians 3:25
But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
James 2:1
My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

 

[homwardbound]

So therfore if it is true for one person and not for another how can we say we absolutely have to be baptized.

Baptized yes n Spirit and truth, getting the free gift from Father thanks to Son, and I could not refuse water Baptism afterwards, my good conscience before Father. and m announcement I believe to mankind

 

[Kerry]

Water Baptism is a willful thing and not a necessary thing, the only necessary thing is to accept the the work of the cross, Baptism is a result and not the means.

 

[homwardbound]

1 Peter 3:21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

When you use the word "symbolize", it is referring that you are using it as a symbol or an example towards something. The water is use as an allegory or spiritual meaning of becoming purify or consecrated for someone.

one faith , one lord, one Baptism, we are beyond the symbol of water Baptism

and yes it does save us, when one gets seriously water Baptized, for the will go after it to the point of exhaustion, and will see the born again life in Spirit and truth and fully trust God, no longer self and or the world in humble service to Father.

Micah 6:8
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Humbly is the key that holds the other two in place

2 Corinthians 12:7-10Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)[SUP]7 [/SUP]And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. [SUP]8 [/SUP]For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. [SUP]9 [/SUP]And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [SUP]10 [/SUP]Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

 

[homwardbound]

So you get baptized then what, you keep going to the strip club every Friday and Saturday you play some golf and then go to the strip club. You gonna stand before God and say I was baptized. Yeah right.

Yes sir Kerry yes sir, I did that in the past, took grace for granted, and God still to this day keeps me in humility, since I quit that. n I sill know I can go, and because this grace now I see no need. I have been in the world, and it is only temporary. I would rather have eternity

 

[homwardbound]

So you get baptized then what, you keep going to the strip club every Friday and Saturday you play some golf and then go to the strip club. You gonna stand before God and say I was baptized. Yeah right.

Not really like this, yet you spoke truth, so I like