AGREE 50%
The other 50% is the LORD'S ministry was very public and so is the ministry of the Gospel.
And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, (very public) and when He was seated His disciples came to Him.
Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Water baptism = outside, a public occurrence mostly then transitions from large groups down to samll groups and individuals.
Nothing hidden and a bold alignment of one's heart with the Gospel = private in the heart and publicly for all to see.
NOT to be done as a religious spectacle or announcement or ceremony.
This is a spontaneous outward act that is expressing the FIRST ACT of the SPIRIT Speaking (WIND blowing) upon a man's heart.
Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it so desires,
and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes.
So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
“The other 50% is the LORD'S ministry was very public and so is the ministry of the Gospel.”
yeah you. Us understand what I’m saying he doesn’t tell Us to do anything for public display there’s meaning spiritual true meaning in all He teaches us noting is for a show is all I’m saying.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
yes agreed I’m saying he’s not saying “ get baptized so everyone can see make a public statement to everyone “ that’s not in scripture as the brother pointed out.
the only
explaination given of what baptism is for is for remission of sins it was johns purpose in this world to give knowledge of remission through Christ call To repentance the people and for them personally to have thier conscience cleared of sins through thier one act of faith in Christ and his sacrifice
“And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying,
His name is John. And they marvelled all. And thou,
child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: For thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
To give knowledge of salvation unto his people By the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God;
Whereby
the dayspring from on high hath visited us,”
Luke 1:63, 76-78 KJV
John was preaching
Jesus who would come after “ the lamb of God “ from
Prophecy who would be sacrificed for the sins of the people and rise to
Life again but he was baptizing THe people as was his purpose , with water but more importantly Gods ordaining word that sent John just as the world was about to receive Jesus the Christ to prepare the people through repentance of Mind and heart and remission of thier sins in him.
Baptism for repentance and remission calls the believer to a decision making point, “ do I believe this is true enough to start acting as if I believe it’s true ? “
“or do I believe this is true and that’s enough I don’t need to do anything he plainly says to do and receive the blessing he promises ? “
it calls us to humility repenting and needing to have our sins remitted , and real godly humility and faith in Jesus messiah is what’s needed to understand the gospel.
The recognition of the savior we need desperately and his name who will Never teach us error , tell us false promises and blessings or give us misleading instruction. He came to save us.
John was born full Of the Holy Ghost even in the womb. He also is in prophecy as an important figure who would arrive just before the messiah . When he arrived he was calling people to repentance , and baptizing them in water
for Remission of sins preparing them for the gospel and ministry of Jesus
“Behold, I will
send my messenger, and
he shall prepare the way before me:
and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even
the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. But
who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:”
Malachi 3:1-2 KJV
“Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me”
That’s about John and his baptism of repentance it paves the way for christs teachings to those who believe those sins are remitted and tbier able to approach him and know him
Baptism is important doctrine there’s no way around it. Coming tonjesus in an act of faith because we believe in his death and resurrection is important matter for us not for anyone else or the crowd or Public
but
for the person getting baptized because of what they believe , it has to be faith according to belief.
once you accept it’s just important doctrine of the gospel these concepts all makes sense itself with scripture alone regarding baptism
“Know ye not, that
so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Therefore we are
buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
Romans 6:3-4
see how it’s an Act of faith ?
“For ye are all the children of God
by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. …
And if ye be Christ's,
then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
Galatians 3:26-27, 29 KJV
“The like figure
whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the
answer of a good conscience toward God,)
by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:”
1 Peter 3:21 KJV
When you here about baptism bekng for remission of sins believing Jesus died and rose and get baptized because you believe that you have acted in faith and have this now “
answer of a good conscience toward God”
“I got baptized for remission of my sins just like Jesus said my conscience can. NOw witness this anytime my sins come up again there remitted by what God said , by obedience of faith my sins are remitted.
Now I can start learning from the lord jeering the word of righteousness
Some can hear things but some can’t
“For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become
such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
For
every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
But
strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
Hebrews 5:12-14 KJV
we’re all Ok but there’s really not a debate about baptism in my own opinion it’s foundational doctrine