Not By Works

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benhur

Senior Member
Feb 8, 2018
1,534
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What scares me is the jews thought the work of circumcision is essential for salvation. Paul had to come down hard on them. Calling them fools for trying to begin in the spirit, but perfect it in the flesh (by works) even telling them if they are going to add one aspect. They better add them all.

As for the thought many decide not to get baptised. I have been to many churches. Known many children of God. And I have never heard such a thing. In fact when I see new believers they usually can not wait to get baptised. For the few who really want to, but are afraid due to fear of public speaking. Even they eventually get baptised. So if people are not getting baptised. I would wonder deep and hard why. And wonder deep and hard why they are not following the HS. And i think you get the picture.

What’s worries me is if people are trusting in the work of baptism (A sign for a believer) which I believe is nothing more than modern day circumcision, (A sign for a jew) Then the warning of paul stands. If circumcision was so sinful when added to the gospel. That paul said anyone teaching it should be anathema’d, what makes adding the work of baptism any less dangerous?
Your covered by baptism, I am covered by the blood of the cross. I hope and pray you see the difference.
See post # 57157, look at second paragraph. Then ask the question: why has this person decided not to be water baptized?

Since I have had the immersion of the HS, I too am saved by the blood of the cross. Your words cannot take that away from me.
 

benhur

Senior Member
Feb 8, 2018
1,534
121
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I would not be so bold to add works to the gospel of grace, Jesus mentioned many works and commands that he demanded his followers obey. Not just one. You should stop focusing on one and start focusing on serving others, And stop trying to promote o0ne work as superior to the others. The jews made the same mistake with circumcision. We see where it got them. Take the warning they recieved.
What does it matter to you if I believe or don't believe that baptism is necessary for salvation, since according to your belief, when one believes in Jesus and is immersed by the HG, he is saved immediately and nothing (even a belief that baptism is necessary for salvation) can separate that person from God and eternal life. Do you really believe what you say?
 

benhur

Senior Member
Feb 8, 2018
1,534
121
63
Your adding it to the gospel and making it a requirment, That is dangerous.
It could be dangerous except Jesus and his disciples and apostles went around water baptizing people throughout all the NT. If that is not true, and if that is truly dangerous, then you should go into the NT text and take all references to water baptism out of the text, so that it is not confusing to people who believe it is not necessary for salvation.

If it is so dangerous, get to work and come out with your version of the bible, there are hundreds of versions you know.
 

benhur

Senior Member
Feb 8, 2018
1,534
121
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I've said it milennia times before, but here it is again. Getting dipped in water has NOTHING to do with salvation. It is NOT a requirement. I mean, do you get saved every time you dip into a pool, or take a shower or bath? I didn't think so. :rolleyes:

LOL
Your words are ingenuous, and your examples are silly.
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
See post # 57157, look at second paragraph. Then ask the question: why has this person decided not to be water baptized?

Since I have had the immersion of the HS, I too am saved by the blood of the cross. Your words cannot take that away from me.
How do you know you had the baptism of the spirit?

 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
25,563
13,547
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Then explain to us Ableology? Able offered his works and they were not only accepted by God, but commanded by God.

Cain offered unclean works, and God did reject his works. Which brings us to Paul's use of the word 'works'. As in the Cain and Able example, Paul is telling us that there are unclean 'works' that will get us nowhere, but Paul also talks of ' good works' that are important to our eternal life. Good example, thanks.
It was by or "out of" faith that Abel offered a sacrifice. Abel's faith was evidenced in obedience to God's requirement for sacrifice by which he obtained witness that he was righteous (Hebrews 11:4). Cain, who was of the evil one, demonstrated an evil heart by evil deeds, while Abel demonstrated a righteous heart by his righteous deeds (1 John 3:12) so Abel offered his sacrifice by or "out of" faith and Cain did not.
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
What does it matter to you if I believe or don't believe that baptism is necessary for salvation, since according to your belief, when one believes in Jesus and is immersed by the HG, he is saved immediately and nothing (even a belief that baptism is necessary for salvation) can separate that person from God and eternal life. Do you really believe what you say?
It does not matter to me, You can do as you wish. But it may matter to god.

My faith is in God

Your faith is in God plus your baptism. So I would personally question if you had faith in God. Just as paul did when he questioned the jews who had faiht in God plus circumcision
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
It could be dangerous except Jesus and his disciples and apostles went around water baptizing people throughout all the NT. If that is not true, and if that is truly dangerous, then you should go into the NT text and take all references to water baptism out of the text, so that it is not confusing to people who believe it is not necessary for salvation.

If it is so dangerous, get to work and come out with your version of the bible, there are hundreds of versions you know.
They also demanded the people go to church, Follow his commands, Love other people etc etc etc. Yet none of them are required.

I am not against water Baptism, I am all for it. I am against the doctrine that makes it part of the way to eternal life.
 

VCO

Senior Member
Oct 14, 2013
11,995
4,615
113
Then why did Jesus have to be water baptized to fulfill all righteousness? (Matthew 3:15)
Here are some Commentaries that may help you to understand, and hopefully my comments too.

LUKE
3:15, 16a John's self-effacement was remarkable. For a time, at least, he could have posed as the Messiah and attracted a great following. But instead he compared himself most unfavorably with Christ. He explained that his baptism was outward and physical, whereas Christ's would be inward and spiritual. He stated that he was not worthy to untie the Messiah's sandal strap.

Believer's Bible Commentary: A Thorough, Yet Easy-to-Read Bible Commentary That Turns Complicated Theology Into Practical Understanding.

The Water was only a picture of Christ's true Spiritual Baptism, immerses us into CHRIST'S Spiritual BODY.


Matthew
3:15. Jesus' response to John was that it was fitting for Him to take part in John's baptism at this time in order to fulfill all righteousness. What did Jesus mean? The Law included no requirements about baptism, so Jesus could not have had in view anything pertaining to Levitical righteousness. But John's message was a message of repentance, and those experiencing it were looking forward to a coming Messiah who would be righteous and who would bring in righteousness. If Messiah were to provide righteousness for sinners, He must be identified with sinners. It was therefore in the will of God for Him to be baptized by John in order to be identified (the real meaning of the word "baptized") with sinners.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty.


We are to be identified with Christ as HE was identified with us sinners, but the TRUE BAPTISM which is the INNER PERSONNEL RELATIONSHIP with the LORD JESUS CHRIST is the Spiritual Relationship with HIM AS MASTER, and it is a LOVE RELATIONSHIP.


3:15 it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. Through His baptism, Christ identifies with sinners. He will ultimately bear their sins; His perfect righteousness will be imputed to them (2 Cor. 5:21). This act of baptism is a necessary part of the righteousness He secured for sinners. This first public event of His ministry is also rich in meaning: (1) it pictures His death and resurrection (Luke 12:50); (2) it, therefore, prefigures the significance of Christian baptism (see note on v. 6); (3) it marks His first public identification with those whose sins He would bear (Isa. 53:11; 1 Pet. 3:18); and (4) it affirms His messiahship publicly by testimony directly from heaven (see note on v. 17).

The MacArthur Bible Commentary.

The Water does not SAVE US, as DOES IMMERSION INTO HIS SPIRITUAL BODY ACTUALLY DOES. Is Baptism in Water important? YES, it is one of the first few Steps in our Obedient WALK with the LORD, and that Obedience is OUT OF LOVE FOR HIM. You seem to think it is part of SALVATION, and NO, we were SAVED THE MOMENT WE CAME TO BELIEVE IN HIM. That is the MOMENT the Holy Spirit entered our hearts, causing our once DEAD human spirit to come to ETERNAL LIFE, while pouring out GOD's LOVE into our hearts, Immersing us into the the spiritual BODY of Christ, and HE proceeds to teach us all things. IF you were SAVED, it happened LONG before you even thought about climbing into the BAPTISTERY.
 
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Jan 25, 2018
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They also demanded the people go to church, Follow his commands, Love other people etc etc etc. Yet none of them are required.

I am not against water Baptism, I am all for it. I am against the doctrine that makes it part of the way to eternal life.
The above is a lot of truth, with a small distortion.
We are called to know who Jesus is and what He has done for us.
As His light shines on our hearts, the truth becomes clear, we need to repent,
to confess both our sin and His offer of salvation through the cross.

We are purified, made whole, brought into the Kingdom.
Out of this reality we desire to love, to fellowship, to worship as a group of
believers growing in this glorious life we have in Him.

Now somehow this is changed to demanding things, yet it is the outflow of the
life that is within. But for those who do not have this outflow they need an
excuse, a way of saying they are really ok, and it is the legalists who insist
on this reality showing itself which is the deception.

Now if they knew this as the outflow, they would not hate it so and those who
live it. But make no mistake, their decision to make war is embedded in their hearts
as if some revenge or hurt must be put right. And it is this that speaks loudly and
clear and not the peace and grace of the Holy Spirit, and the rejoicing in the heavenlies
that someone takes joy in the salvation of our Lord and King Jesus Christ, Amen.

But I rejoice that anyone will exalt Jesus and lift Him up before mankind and seek His
face and ways. Praise the Lord for His name is to be exalted.

[video=youtube;7XAeyFagceQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XAeyFagceQ&list=RD7XAeyFagceQ[/video]
 

preston39

Senior Member
Dec 18, 2017
1,675
240
63
I don't believe that Jesus mentioned that you must be water baptized even once in the NT. Jesus did not baptize a single person during His earthly ministry.

t...,

You are so wrong;

Matt. 3:15
28: 18-20
Peter 3:21
John 3:5
Acts 22:16
2:38

Romans 6:3

I suggest you do a search and study all related scriptures...if you wish to be correct...there are many.
 
Jan 25, 2018
673
10
0
What does it matter to you if I believe or don't believe that baptism is necessary for salvation, since according to your belief, when one believes in Jesus and is immersed by the HG, he is saved immediately and nothing (even a belief that baptism is necessary for salvation) can separate that person from God and eternal life. Do you really believe what you say?
This is so true, brother in Christ.
If this believer thought you were saved he would not be so determined to win you over.
And if he believed he was saved eternally whether he changes or not from his current
position, he would not say he cannot believe anything else than he believes.

He believes we are not saved and wishes to win us to his gospel. Except we believe in
Jesus and His salvation, have been raised to life in Christ so there is nothing to convert
us to, because even in his faith we are actually saved. So what is all this talk other than
their own self deception, that in darkness they walk, and unless we admit we walk in the
same darkness, we are lost and hypocrites. All I hear is echoes of the people they blame
for their hurt and lostness from which they believe they have been saved.

As I grow in the Lord and in His word, I see these dreamers never getting anywhere other
than more convinced sin will dog them always, and reality is just living in failure and not seeking
love and righteousness, which is a simple denial of the way of Christ.

Praise the Lord He has delivered us from this endless cycle of condemnation and failure, into His
glorious light of love and revelation, Amen.
 

star

Senior Member
Nov 8, 2017
1,582
2,046
113
North Carolina
How insecure it must feel to believe one can undo what the Creator has done. How busy one must stay in order to maintain their salvation. Where is their peace? Where is their joy?
 
J

joefizz

Guest
How insecure it must feel to believe one can undo what the Creator has done. How busy one must stay in order to maintain their salvation. Where is their peace? Where is their joy?
Chaos is their Peace,
Pride is their Joy,Confusion is their help meet,Affliction of others is their Conviction.
 

Endoscopy

Senior Member
Oct 13, 2017
4,028
400
83
Abel did give back his work. works. He did not work to get the lambs mother pregnant. He did not work to give birth to the lamb, He did not work to make th elamb unblemished, the lamb was a gift from God and he gave it back in offering.

Cain did HARD work to till the ground, He did HARD work to plant the seed sand cultivate it, He did hard work keeping the garden for of weeds and he had to also do the hard work of harvesting the food.



You must think shepherds just lie around doing nothing. It is work to keep a herd of sheep together and safe. Constant vigilance is required and tracking down a sheep that wanders away. These animals are not the smartest animals around. A dog trained to herd sheep is a must. In Biblical times there were seasons where the shepherds spent the nights with them. They had a corral and the shepherd slept in the opening to it.
 
L

loverofjesus27

Guest
You must think shepherds just lie around doing nothing. It is work to keep a herd of sheep together and safe. Constant vigilance is required and tracking down a sheep that wanders away. These animals are not the smartest animals around. A dog trained to herd sheep is a must. In Biblical times there were seasons where the shepherds spent the nights with them. They had a corral and the shepherd slept in the opening to it.
this makes me think my dog is one special dog. way to go E.
 
J

joefizz

Guest
You must think shepherds just lie around doing nothing. It is work to keep a herd of sheep together and safe. Constant vigilance is required and tracking down a sheep that wanders away. These animals are not the smartest animals around. A dog trained to herd sheep is a must. In Biblical times there were seasons where the shepherds spent the nights with them. They had a corral and the shepherd slept in the opening to it.
I gotta admit E G,Endoscopy has you over a barrel on this one a bit,it is "hard work" to watch over an actual flock of sheep,keeping them from running off and if they manage to run off, to find and bring them back to the flock,something to consider.
 

Endoscopy

Senior Member
Oct 13, 2017
4,028
400
83
The above is a lot of truth, with a small distortion.
We are called to know who Jesus is and what He has done for us.
As His light shines on our hearts, the truth becomes clear, we need to repent,
to confess both our sin and His offer of salvation through the cross.

We are purified, made whole, brought into the Kingdom.
Out of this reality we desire to love, to fellowship, to worship as a group of
believers growing in this glorious life we have in Him.

Now somehow this is changed to demanding things, yet it is the outflow of the
life that is within. But for those who do not have this outflow they need an
excuse, a way of saying they are really ok, and it is the legalists who insist
on this reality showing itself which is the deception.

Now if they knew this as the outflow, they would not hate it so and those who
live it. But make no mistake, their decision to make war is embedded in their hearts
as if some revenge or hurt must be put right. And it is this that speaks loudly and
clear and not the peace and grace of the Holy Spirit, and the rejoicing in the heavenlies
that someone takes joy in the salvation of our Lord and King Jesus Christ, Amen.

But I rejoice that anyone will exalt Jesus and lift Him up before mankind and seek His
face and ways. Praise the Lord for His name is to be exalted.

[video=youtube;7XAeyFagceQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XAeyFagceQ&list=RD7XAeyFagceQ[/video]
The theological issue of the importance of baptism comes from the great commission.

Mathew 28:16 to 20 (great commission)
16 Now the elevendisciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed and made appointment with them.
17 And when they saw Him, they fell down and worshiped Him; but some doubted.
18 Jesus approached and, breaking the silence, said to them, All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.
19 Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. Amen (so let it be).

We are commanded to be baptized. Therefore what is the consequences of not getting baptized before you die? This is argued by different denominations. All agree that baptism is required but some say the intent is fine if the person dies before the scheduled event. Others will perform the baptism immediately after the person converts because they believe that the person might not be saved without it.

Then there is the other can of worms. The mode of baptism. There are three modes (or methods) of water baptism used in Christian churches today: immersion (in which the person is completely submerged), affusion (that is, pouring), and aspersion (sprinkling). There is nothing in the Bible that explicitly states the mode. The argument is an ongoing bone of contention between denominations. Some go to the supposed root word for baptism. One is immersing a cloth to be dyed and another is washing the feet at that time. Never ending argument with people dug in on all 3 types.

Let the arguments begin keeping in mind to respect others views that disagree with yours.
 
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Endoscopy

Senior Member
Oct 13, 2017
4,028
400
83
I gotta admit E G,Endoscopy has you over a barrel on this one a bit,it is "hard work" to watch over an actual flock of sheep,keeping them from running off and if they manage to run off, to find and bring them back to the flock,something to consider.
I grew up on a farm and for a time had sheep and goats.