Water Baptism-What Does God's Word Say?

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Mar 28, 2016
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The Prophet John the Baptist and His message:

Prior to John’s conception, which was miraculous in itself, an angel told his father Zacharias that his son would be:

Great in the sight of the Lord.
He would turn the Jews to the Lord their God.
He would make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;” Luke 1:67-69


John’s name was of utmost importance it spoke of a wonderful truth:

An angel told his father his son’s name would be John.

Due to his unbelief in the angel’s message he was struck dumb and was unable to speak until the day his son was circumcised.

When they came to circumcise baby John they called his name Zacharias, meaning the Lord has remembered, but his mother intervened and said not so, his name is John. Those present thought it odd because they had no family members with the name John. Normally babies were named after a family member. They questioned Zacharias and he wrote “His name is John,” on a tablet. Immediately Zacharias’ tongue was loosed.

The name John means God graciously gives. Ask yourself what God-given message was professed by John the Baptist; faith in the coming messiah, Jesus Christ and water baptism.

Consider, also, the following words spoken to Zacharias about his son:

“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,

To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.´ Luke 1:76-79


John begins preaching about the coming messiah who will take away the sins of the world and water baptism for remission of those sins:

The Word of God came unto John the Baptist while he was in the wilderness. Notice John’s message was preached to those in the wilderness. The wilderness symbolizes the natural world wherein is spiritual darkness. Luke 3:2

John began preaching the need for water baptism for the remission of sin. (1st time remission of sin connected to water baptism) Luke 3:3 One sees the continuation of the message that sins are remitted in water baptism in Acts 2:38.

After Jesus secured salvation through His death, burial, and resurrection, all of mankind must step out in faith and get water baptized into the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins.
Water baptism a old testament cerinimoinal law that has to do with a desire to become a member of the priesthood of believers has nothing to do with the remission of their sin. But like all shadows pointed to the unseen substance. A desire to be used as a priest/king.
 

Wansvic

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Acts 10:42-43 NIV
He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
The scripture you quoted above from Acts 10 says one receives forgiveness of sins through his name. And then goes on to describe the events that took place when Cornelius and the Gentiles had the name of Jesus applied during their water baptism, when their sins were forgiven, in verses 44 through 48.
 
E

eternally-gratefull

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The scripture you quoted above from Acts 10 says one receives forgiveness of sins through his name. And then goes on to describe the events that took place when Cornelius and the Gentiles had the name of Jesus applied during their water baptism, when their sins were forgiven, in verses 44 through 48.

They showed signs of being baptised by God already before they were baptised in water. They were already saved completely when they obeyed Gods first of many commands to be baptised.
 

Sketch

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The scripture you quoted above from Acts 10 says one receives forgiveness of sins through his name. And then goes on to describe the events that took place when Cornelius and the Gentiles had the name of Jesus applied during their water baptism, when their sins were forgiven, in verses 44 through 48.
Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness. By faith we were saved.

Acts 10:42-43 NIV
He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
 

Wansvic

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They showed signs of being baptised by God already before they were baptised in water. They were already saved completely when they obeyed Gods first of many commands to be baptised.
In Acts chapter 2, Peter stated that everyone must repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. The following scripture shows the Gentile people doing the exact three things Peter said was necessary on the Day of Pentecost.

Acts 10:43-48

43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

45 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.

46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
 

Wansvic

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Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness. By faith we were saved.

Acts 10:42-43 NIV
He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
As verse 43 indicates, through Jesus' name sins are indeed forgiven.
In Acts chapter 2, Peter stated that everyone must repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. The following scripture shows the Gentile people doing the exact three things Peter said was necessary on the Day of Pentecost.

Acts 10:43-48

43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

45 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.

46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
In Acts chapter 2, Peter stated that everyone must repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. The following scripture shows the Gentile people doing the exact three things Peter said was necessary on the Day of Pentecost.

Acts 10:43-48

43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

45 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.

46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
They receved the HS

That means they were already saved. BEFORE they were immersed in water

Acts 2 does nt say what you think it does.
 

Wansvic

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They receved the HS

That means they were already saved. BEFORE they were immersed in water

Acts 2 does nt say what you think it does.
I am not stating something I think or believe the bible means. I am providing a direct quote of the scripture from the bible.

"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." Acts 2:38

The bible says what it means and means what it says.
 
E

eternally-gratefull

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I am not stating something I think or believe the bible means. I am providing a direct quote of the scripture from the bible.

"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." Acts 2:38

The bible says what it means and means what it says.
You need to look at the greek, It does not say what you think it says. Even the origional king james shows that peter gave two different commands to two different people (when they used the plural and singular forms of words)

Peter told everyone to repent. He told only a select few to be baptized.

He did not tell them to be baptised to recieve remission of sin, He said be baptised BECAUSE YOU HAVE recieved remission of sin. (Unto or For can be interpreted this way so one must not assume it ony can be interpreted as you are intereting it)

The bible must be in agreement, Far to many places say we are saved not by works, but by faith. Water baptism is a work of righteousness Which true believers should obey. But it will NEVER save you no matter how many times you cry it does, (not by works of righteousness whcih we have done but by his mercy)

And as I showed you. Those people recieved the HS before they were water baptised. You can not claim you are just saying what the bible says and ignore what the bible says. The bible does not contradict. If baptism in water is required BEFORE the HS is given As you believe, then the bible contradicts.

In fact Acts showed this to be the case (those who believed were baptised) that they were saved by faith, and obeyed Gods command because they had repented, and that repentance brought them to faith.
 

GraceAndTruth

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The baptism of Jesus Christ by John the baptizer, was to fulfill the requirements of the Nazarite priesthood.
 
E

eternally-gratefull

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The baptism of Jesus Christ by John the baptizer, was to fulfill the requirements of the Nazarite priesthood.
Even a levitical priest had to be baptised (ceremonially washed) Moses Baptised (washed) Arron and his son in the river Jordan as part of the ceremony of anointing priests
 

Hevosmies

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In Acts chapter 2, Peter stated that everyone must repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. The following scripture shows the Gentile people doing the exact three things Peter said was necessary on the Day of Pentecost.

Acts 10:43-48

43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

45 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.

46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Didn't you notice that these people got the Holy Ghost BEFORE baptism?
 

Wansvic

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You need to look at the greek, It does not say what you think it says. Even the origional king james shows that peter gave two different commands to two different people (when they used the plural and singular forms of words)

Peter told everyone to repent. He told only a select few to be baptized.

He did not tell them to be baptised to recieve remission of sin, He said be baptised BECAUSE YOU HAVE recieved remission of sin. (Unto or For can be interpreted this way so one must not assume it ony can be interpreted as you are intereting it)

The bible must be in agreement, Far to many places say we are saved not by works, but by faith. Water baptism is a work of righteousness Which true believers should obey. But it will NEVER save you no matter how many times you cry it does, (not by works of righteousness whcih we have done but by his mercy)

And as I showed you. Those people recieved the HS before they were water baptised. You can not claim you are just saying what the bible says and ignore what the bible says. The bible does not contradict. If baptism in water is required BEFORE the HS is given As you believe, then the bible contradicts.

In fact Acts showed this to be the case (those who believed were baptised) that they were saved by faith, and obeyed Gods command because they had repented, and that repentance brought them to faith.
The bible indicates we are to step out in faith and accept Jesus as our personal Savior, repent, be water baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (baptism) We are not told to debate what the bible says but to obey God by faith.
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Romans 1:16-17
 

Wansvic

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Didn't you notice that these people got the Holy Ghost BEFORE baptism?
Yes. However, regardless of the sequence of events repentance, water baptism and Holy Ghost baptism took place in each case. The Samaritans did all three things as well but they were water baptized first and then filled with the Holy Ghost. And Paul water baptized certain disciples in Ephesus because they had only been water baptized by John so Paul rebaptized them into the name of Jesus Christ. Afterward he laid hands upon them and they received the Holy Ghost as well.
 

Wansvic

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That's good.
The way I like to explain it is, baptism is a ceremony.
A ceremony is an outward sign of an inward reality.
Or at least it should be. My understanding is that baptism is a PUBLIC confession of faith that
FOLLOWS a personal confession of faith. The outward ceremony for the inward reality.
If baptism is in fact a public confession why did the eunuch insist Philip baptize him immediately. No audience around.

36 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?
37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38 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." Acts 8:36-38

And what about the jailer? Paul and Silas baptized him and his family at midnight. No audience there either.

"And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway." Acts 16:33
 
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eternally-gratefull

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The bible indicates we are to step out in faith and accept Jesus as our personal Savior, repent, be water baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (baptism) We are not told to debate what the bible says but to obey God by faith.
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Romans 1:16-17
Well it does not say one must be baptised in water to be saved, Thats your interpretation.

But hey, if you want to work to EARN your salvation by works of righteousness YOU have done. Feel free.

I was saved NOT by works of righteousness which I have done, but by Gods mercy.

Salvation is a result of faith, Works are a result of salvation.
 

Sketch

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If baptism is in fact a public confession why did the eunuch insist Philip baptize him immediately. No audience around.

36 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?
37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38 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." Acts 8:36-38

And what about the jailer? Paul and Silas baptized him and his family at midnight. No audience there either.

"And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway." Acts 16:33
The two example you give are seemingly not public confessions.
What do you conclude from that?
 
Mar 28, 2016
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The baptism of Jesus Christ by John the baptizer, was to fulfill the requirements of the Nazarite priesthood.

I would think when the Son of man, Jesus from the tribe of Judah was baptized by John from the tribe of Levi baptized the new manner of priesthood of believers after the order of Melchizedek was introduced fulfilling the prophecy of Joel.

Today Christianity represents the Kingdom of priest sent as Ambassadors of a foreign land ..The new heavenly Jerusalem. Calling all believers who desire to be a part of the kingdom of priest, "kings". Like that of the Noble Bereans.

Acts 2:15-17 King James Version (KJV) But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

The priesthood was no longer Hebrew in respect to the tribe of Levi. It was now after all the nations of the world after the order of Melchizedek.

Psalm 110:4 The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
 
Mar 28, 2016
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If baptism is in fact a public confession why did the eunuch insist Philip baptize him immediately. No audience around.

36 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?
37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38 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." Acts 8:36-38

And what about the jailer? Paul and Silas baptized him and his family at midnight. No audience there either.

"And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway." Acts 16:33
The public demonstration used when a new member of the priesthood of believers showing they had a desire to go out into the world with the gospel required the usual witness of men . Whenever two or three gather together under the authority of God word . (The third witness) . He sends us out as apostles two by two to establish the witness of His word.

One thing the Jehovah Witnesses has as a biblical principle .(not promoting J.W.ism )

But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.Mathew 18:16-20

Or where two or three billion are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (two the least)
 

Hevosmies

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Here is an article dealing with this topic: https://carm.org/should-we-baptize-name-father-son-and-holy-spirit-or-name-jesus

Some quotes from it:

"The proper form of baptism is in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as Jesus designated in Matt. 28:19, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." The clear command of Jesus is to baptize this way. But, if that is so, then why do we see so many instances in the New Testament where people were baptized "in Jesus' name"?

The reason they were baptizing "in the name of Jesus" is not because it was a formula, but because the phrase, "in the name of" means "in the authority of.

"in the name of Jesus" speaks of "in the authority of Jesus." Therefore, when someone is properly baptized, they are baptized in the name of Jesus; that is, by the authority of Jesus. Therefore, when they are properly baptized in the name of Jesus, they should say, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit," just as Jesus commanded us to do."

The Didache is not Scripture, but it is clearly an ancient document and sheds light on what the early church was doing in the first century and what the baptismal formula was.

"But concerning baptism, thus baptize ye: having first recited all these precepts, baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in running water," (Didache 7:1).

If the early church did what some modern-day groups like the Oneness Pentecostal cult do and baptized "in the name of Jesus," then why does the Didache not teach the same thing? The reason is because the early church baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus commanded them to do ( Matthew 28:19)."