Up to this point I entirely agree with you. You ask why in the world would anybody not wish to be water baptised? When it was said to me "Jesus Himself was baptised ... don't you want to follow the Lord?" I asked where's the water?
Paul speaks about what water baptism signifies, I cannot think that Paul thought of it as part of the salvation process for he himself did not baptise, and we have his oh so simple saving formula which he gave to the jailer "believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thy household."
Keep it simple, Get the folks saved, then we can tell them about water baptism and everything else. And baptism is such a joyful occasion ... I LOVE baptism services. keep it joyful, let's not make it onerous.
Why do folks want to enforce things that are meant to make us free indeed? what's their motive?
arhats my point exactly you just went in an irrelevant circle of reason and what you think , I’m only talking about what Jesus
the lord said about salvstion and said applies to every creature
and my point is this is what the lord of all creation said to all creation and it will
always be the same
“And
he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;
but he that
believeth not shall be damned.”
Mark 16:15-16 KJV
You see how simple my point is ? Why is there any reason for me to now say hmmm I wonder if what Jesus says is actually true ? Maybr I should try to find a teacher to explain that I don’t need to hear and believe what he said ? Maybe I should just claim it’s another person trying to enforce some “ man made rule of being dunked in water “ if someone mentions baptism ?
But
no it’s established by God almighty for remission of sins is my point . Why would I then say “water baptism “ is this or that ?
It was before Jesus died
and after when he filled them with the Holy Ghost at pentocost like John said he would it’s still the same baptism for remission of sins it will never change.
“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. ( John the Baptist said this also before Christ died )
For
the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. ( baptism for remission of sins receiving holy ghost like Jesus said is for all people of the world )
Then
they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And
they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
….praising God, and having favour with all the people.
And
the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
Acts 2:38-39, 41-42, 47 KJV
they added to the church like this
“Then Philip opened his mouth, and
began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way,
they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest (whoever believes and is baptized shall be saved ) with all thine heart, thou mayest.
And he answered and said,
I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and
they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.”
Acts 8:35-39 KJV
It doesn’t matter if it’s gentiles they get baptized in his name for remission of sins d receive the Holy Ghost also same gospel for everyone
“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.”
Acts 10:44-48 KJV
Im a believer of Gods word why after I hear him speak would I then look for another answer ? Why do I then need to try to figure out why I don’t really need to do what he said will save me ????
There is no reason it’s to reject it it’s very clearly established in scripture
faith isn’t a replacement for what god said to do and be saved it’s when you hear and believe his word
It’s really though a circle I e done this many times baotism is just baptism there’s one baptism there’s what we do and what Jesus does
We hear and believe the gospel and get baptized for remission of sins in Jesus name that’s what God said for us believers to do it’s an act of faith it’s no different than this
“And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt. And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days:”
Exodus 10:21-22 KJV
whoever believes the real gospel and is baptized shall be saved
now again though there’s no place that says “ a believer who isn’t yet baptized is lost or rejected “
people need to just read and learn what the scriptures actually say about baptism themselves not just one Paul verse then a mule explanation of what it “ really means “ but do a comprehensive study about baptism in scripture anyone who’s willing to do that will get baptized gladly and will rejoice knowing what they know and have accomplished by faith and the promise that he made according to it
But some people will not hear it nor have it , which is every man’s choice I won’t explain why Jesus words aren’t true s d eternal ever I’ll just believe them and share that thought with others that they too should hear and believe the things Jesus taught because
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
John 5:24 KJV
Jesus said to get baptized in his name and the apostles explained what it’s for especially Paul he wrote chapters about it’s application and meaning to us
“And
Jesus came and spake unto them, saying,
All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Matthew 28:18-20 KJV
a you see what they did steering in acts chapter 2 baotism for remission was always be of the foret actions commanded and done before and after the cross , my own point is just that there’s absolutely no grounds or reason for us to try to remove baptism for remission of sins god doesn’t speak constrary thkngs like that he doesn’t say go baptize everyone in my name for remission of sins and whoever believes and is baptized will be saved ….and the. Later say we’ll never mind read Joseph prince he’ll explain the real truth in the year 2000
the gospel is eternal and can’t change it’s the same salvation for everyone alive we have to accept it as is and not try to re invent anything or remove anything just be believers who hear and believe the gospel and then actually follow where that faith leads us for a simple example it will lead us to get baptized asap just from learning what the Bible actually teaches about it
a lot of people already know that’s why they went and got baptized
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