Since Acts 2:38 teaches that the baptism commanded is "for the remission of sins,"
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Re: Since Acts 2:38 teaches that the baptism commanded is "for the remission of sins,
Sorry this did not post with the rest of this. Guess I did something wrong. Here is the composite of the great commission from the four gospel accounts and Acts 1.
“Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. Behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you which you heard of from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now,” and He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. But you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
Sorry this did not post with the rest of this. Guess I did something wrong. Here is the composite of the great commission from the four gospel accounts and Acts 1.
“Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. Behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you which you heard of from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now,” and He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. But you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
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Re: Since Acts 2:38 teaches that the baptism commanded is "for the remission of sins,
Galatians 3:26 - For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus (Period.) *Not through faith and water baptism. Also read John 1:12 - But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. *Received Him, given the right to become children of God, through believing in His name, not through water baptism.
Galatians 3:27 - For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on/clothed yourself with Christ. The Greek word for "put on" is "enduo" and means to enclose oneself in, as when one "puts on" clothes or armor or some other item. Involved in this is the idea of "imitation" and "identification." Just as 1 Corinthians 10:2 says that all (the Israelites) were "baptized into Moses" in the cloud and in the sea, but this does not mean they were literally water baptized into the body of Moses.
So how does one "put on" Christ in baptism? Is it because one becomes a "child of God" through water baptism? NO. Is Paul saying that we become children of God by water baptism as much as children of God by faith in Christ? NO.
"Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light...put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof" (Romans 13:12,14). This exhortation is written to Christians (those already saved). Evidently then, baptism is not the only way to "put on" Christ. To "put on" Christ is to conform to Him, imitate Him. So it is in baptism; we "put on" Christ, conforming to Him in the ordinance that declares Him to be our Savior. So if "put on" Christ means saved through water baptism, apparently we are not saved yet. We must also "put on" Christ by making no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts in order to be saved as well (Romans 13:14). Right? NO. This exhortation is to those ALREADY SAVED.
"Put off," wrote Paul, "the old man," and "put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness"(Ephesians 4:22,24); And, "put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11).
The allusion is to putting off old clothes and putting on new ones, to enclosing oneself in armor, etc. When a soldier puts on armor he is imitating his superiors and trainers, is revealing himself to be a soldier.
One does not put on a uniform in order to become a soldier. Simply putting on a soldier's uniform does not make one become a soldier. Once one is made a soldier one is then able to put on and wear the uniform that distinguishes or marks them as a soldier.
Putting on a judge's robe does not, in itself, make anyone a "judge." But, one who has been made a judge is qualified to put on "judicial robes" and thus declare their qualifications.
So too with being water baptized, the Christian puts on robes for which they has previously been qualified to wear. The putting on of Christ is not what makes one become a Christian, but one which becomes a token of it, as in Romans 13:14.
If one puts on the clothes of a Christian, in water baptism, without first becoming a Christian (child of God through faith), then one becomes an imposter, and is declaring, in baptism, to be what they are not.
Ephesians 4:5 - one Lord, one faith, one baptism.
1 Corinthians 12:13 - For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. This is Spirit baptism, not water baptism.
Water baptism is not the cause of becoming a member of the Body of Christ. Spirit baptism is the reality and water baptism is the PICTURE of the reality. As Greek scholar AT Robertson said - "A symbol is not the reality, but the PICTURE of the reality."
God bless you,
Dan
Galatians 3:26 - For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus (Period.) *Not through faith and water baptism. Also read John 1:12 - But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. *Received Him, given the right to become children of God, through believing in His name, not through water baptism.
Galatians 3:27 - For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on/clothed yourself with Christ. The Greek word for "put on" is "enduo" and means to enclose oneself in, as when one "puts on" clothes or armor or some other item. Involved in this is the idea of "imitation" and "identification." Just as 1 Corinthians 10:2 says that all (the Israelites) were "baptized into Moses" in the cloud and in the sea, but this does not mean they were literally water baptized into the body of Moses.
So how does one "put on" Christ in baptism? Is it because one becomes a "child of God" through water baptism? NO. Is Paul saying that we become children of God by water baptism as much as children of God by faith in Christ? NO.
"Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light...put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof" (Romans 13:12,14). This exhortation is written to Christians (those already saved). Evidently then, baptism is not the only way to "put on" Christ. To "put on" Christ is to conform to Him, imitate Him. So it is in baptism; we "put on" Christ, conforming to Him in the ordinance that declares Him to be our Savior. So if "put on" Christ means saved through water baptism, apparently we are not saved yet. We must also "put on" Christ by making no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts in order to be saved as well (Romans 13:14). Right? NO. This exhortation is to those ALREADY SAVED.
"Put off," wrote Paul, "the old man," and "put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness"(Ephesians 4:22,24); And, "put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11).
The allusion is to putting off old clothes and putting on new ones, to enclosing oneself in armor, etc. When a soldier puts on armor he is imitating his superiors and trainers, is revealing himself to be a soldier.
One does not put on a uniform in order to become a soldier. Simply putting on a soldier's uniform does not make one become a soldier. Once one is made a soldier one is then able to put on and wear the uniform that distinguishes or marks them as a soldier.
Putting on a judge's robe does not, in itself, make anyone a "judge." But, one who has been made a judge is qualified to put on "judicial robes" and thus declare their qualifications.
So too with being water baptized, the Christian puts on robes for which they has previously been qualified to wear. The putting on of Christ is not what makes one become a Christian, but one which becomes a token of it, as in Romans 13:14.
If one puts on the clothes of a Christian, in water baptism, without first becoming a Christian (child of God through faith), then one becomes an imposter, and is declaring, in baptism, to be what they are not.
Ephesians 4:5 - one Lord, one faith, one baptism.
1 Corinthians 12:13 - For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. This is Spirit baptism, not water baptism.
Water baptism is not the cause of becoming a member of the Body of Christ. Spirit baptism is the reality and water baptism is the PICTURE of the reality. As Greek scholar AT Robertson said - "A symbol is not the reality, but the PICTURE of the reality."
God bless you,
Dan
Re: Since Acts 2:38 teaches that the baptism commanded is "for the remission of sins,
Ever time the gospel is given either calling on the name of the Lord, repentance or faith, etc., is mentioned. All are definitions of belief. You cannot call upon, repent, or place your faith in Christ without belief.
Romans 10:9-13 states the definition of how one is saved as clear as can possibly be:
"That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture says 'whoever believes in Him shall not be put to shame.' For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
If baptism is included for salvation, it surely would have be mentioned at least once in that passage.
I never said baptism is not from the Lord. It is commanded, but not for the purpose of salvation. If that were true, anyone who repents and places their faith in Christ and then dies before they could be baptized, goes straight to hell. It is not dunking in water that saves in any way, it is repentance and faith - which are not works - as baptism clearly is.
Once again, if baptism is required for salvation, how do you explain those people in the New Testament who received the Holy Spirit before baptism? No unsaved person receives the Holy Spirit.
Ever time the gospel is given either calling on the name of the Lord, repentance or faith, etc., is mentioned. All are definitions of belief. You cannot call upon, repent, or place your faith in Christ without belief.
Romans 10:9-13 states the definition of how one is saved as clear as can possibly be:
"That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture says 'whoever believes in Him shall not be put to shame.' For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
If baptism is included for salvation, it surely would have be mentioned at least once in that passage.
I never said baptism is not from the Lord. It is commanded, but not for the purpose of salvation. If that were true, anyone who repents and places their faith in Christ and then dies before they could be baptized, goes straight to hell. It is not dunking in water that saves in any way, it is repentance and faith - which are not works - as baptism clearly is.
Once again, if baptism is required for salvation, how do you explain those people in the New Testament who received the Holy Spirit before baptism? No unsaved person receives the Holy Spirit.
G
Re: Since Acts 2:38 teaches that the baptism commanded is "for the remission of sins,
Allow me to make a correction. I had stated that baptism is mentioned in more conversion example than belief. This is not entirely true. I went back and examined some of the lesser mentioned examples of conversion in Acts such as in Jerusalem, Lystra, Derbe, Iconium and other places and it is clear that conversions resulted in these places. Here are some examples.
Jerusalem Acts 4:4 "But many of those who had heard the message believed."
At Lydda and Sharon Acts 9:35 "And all who lived at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord."
Joppa Acts 9:42 "and many believed."
Pisidian Antioch Acts 13:48 "and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed."
Lystra Acts 14:20 and 22 “But while the disciples stood around him, he got up and entered the city.” “strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith,”
Derbe Acts 14:21 "and made many disciples."
The Thessalonians 17:4 "And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of the God-fearing Greeks and a number of the leading women."
So, taking these examples into account as well the mention of belief outnumbers the mention of baptism.
Allow me to make a correction. I had stated that baptism is mentioned in more conversion example than belief. This is not entirely true. I went back and examined some of the lesser mentioned examples of conversion in Acts such as in Jerusalem, Lystra, Derbe, Iconium and other places and it is clear that conversions resulted in these places. Here are some examples.
Jerusalem Acts 4:4 "But many of those who had heard the message believed."
At Lydda and Sharon Acts 9:35 "And all who lived at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord."
Joppa Acts 9:42 "and many believed."
Pisidian Antioch Acts 13:48 "and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed."
Lystra Acts 14:20 and 22 “But while the disciples stood around him, he got up and entered the city.” “strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith,”
Derbe Acts 14:21 "and made many disciples."
The Thessalonians 17:4 "And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of the God-fearing Greeks and a number of the leading women."
So, taking these examples into account as well the mention of belief outnumbers the mention of baptism.
Re: Since Acts 2:38 teaches that the baptism commanded is "for the remission of sins,
By believing it simply means trusting in the fact that Jesus died on the cross and arose on the third day for the forgiveness of personal/the world's sins.
And expanding on what I touched on regarding one who repents but dies before baptism, Matt Slick from CARM said this:
"Let's further suppose that this person confesses his sinfulness, cries out in repentance to the Lord, and receives Jesus as Savior and then walks across the street to get baptized at a local church. In the middle of the road, he gets hit by a car and is killed. Does he go to Heaven or Hell? If he goes to Heaven, then baptism is not necessary for salvation. If he goes to Hell, then trusting in Jesus by faith is not enough for salvation. Doesn't that go against the Scriptures that say that salvation is a free gift (Rom. 6:23) received by faith (Eph. 2:8-9)?
Saying that baptism is necessary for salvation is dangerous because it is saying that there is something we must do to complete salvation. That is wrong! See Gal. 2:21, 5:4."
Matt is right because Jesus made salvation complete through His shed blood. It is the very reason He said, "It is finished!"
Salvation cannot be a gift if there is anything we must do to complete it.
Link to Matt's full article: https://carm.org/is-baptism-necessary-salvation
By believing it simply means trusting in the fact that Jesus died on the cross and arose on the third day for the forgiveness of personal/the world's sins.
And expanding on what I touched on regarding one who repents but dies before baptism, Matt Slick from CARM said this:
"Let's further suppose that this person confesses his sinfulness, cries out in repentance to the Lord, and receives Jesus as Savior and then walks across the street to get baptized at a local church. In the middle of the road, he gets hit by a car and is killed. Does he go to Heaven or Hell? If he goes to Heaven, then baptism is not necessary for salvation. If he goes to Hell, then trusting in Jesus by faith is not enough for salvation. Doesn't that go against the Scriptures that say that salvation is a free gift (Rom. 6:23) received by faith (Eph. 2:8-9)?
Saying that baptism is necessary for salvation is dangerous because it is saying that there is something we must do to complete salvation. That is wrong! See Gal. 2:21, 5:4."
Matt is right because Jesus made salvation complete through His shed blood. It is the very reason He said, "It is finished!"
Salvation cannot be a gift if there is anything we must do to complete it.
Link to Matt's full article: https://carm.org/is-baptism-necessary-salvation
Re: Since Acts 2:38 teaches that the baptism commanded is "for the remission of sins,
The NT speaks of two distinct types of baptism:
1) Water baptism of believers.
2) Baptism of the Holy Spirit (which is the means by which the Holy Spirit indwells believers.
Baptism of the Holy Spirit happens when a believer comes to faith; and is totally necessary for Salvation.
Water baptism is a physical witness to what has already taken place Spiritually and is NOT necessary for Salvation.
The NT speaks of two distinct types of baptism:
1) Water baptism of believers.
2) Baptism of the Holy Spirit (which is the means by which the Holy Spirit indwells believers.
Baptism of the Holy Spirit happens when a believer comes to faith; and is totally necessary for Salvation.
Water baptism is a physical witness to what has already taken place Spiritually and is NOT necessary for Salvation.
Re: Since Acts 2:38 teaches that the baptism commanded is "for the remission of sins,
Sorry it has taken so long to respond to this. Been off line last couple of days. Family emergency.
First of all, I do not deal in scenarios. The inherent problem with using scenarios as a tool for challenging things in scripture is that scenarios are always rooted in one's desire to satisfy a personal view point, whether consciously or unconsciously. This serves only to render the biblical text contingent upon the context of the scenario. The scenario will always be presented as a human condition and is always the product of human intelligence. Here is what scenarios are designed to do.
1. Scenarios are an attempt to rationalize human will and behavior that is contrary to a foundational truth.
2. Scenarios will generally ignore the language of the biblical text.
3. Scenarios are used to justify a given human agenda. i.e. The end justifies the means.
4. Scenarios are an attempt to overturn the authority of the Word of God in favor of human will.
5. Scenarios exalt human intelligence above the the revelation of the text.
6. Scenarios assume that the language of the biblical text cannot stand against the logical argument.
7. Scenarios assume that scripture will break down in the extreme case.
In short, the use of scenarios never add to our understand of the Word of God nor will they overturn the will of God. Since neither of us are God let us not render judgment in such matters and leave this to the wisdom of the Almighty. Since scripture offers us no example of the scenario you gave it is rather foolish to speculate on that which scripture does not tell us. Let is rather address what information scripture provides.
Belief is from the word πίστις which means 'to be persuaded.' The word is translated in the NT as both faith and belief and reflects two interlocking dynamics. The first is the mental acceptance of a set of facts. The second is the action that responds to that acceptance. Belief/faith is the fundamental structure for salvation but belief is not presented in scripture as simply an intellectual exercise. Biblical belief is more than just a simple acknowledgement of a set of revealed truths. Belief is always presented as a behavior structure that actively responds to the word of God. Belief, apart from obedience to the will of God, is not faith. Belief is legitimized only when it is linked to action. We see this in a number of examples given by the Hebrew writer. In Hebrews 11 belief/faith is inseparably linked to active response that legitimizes what the mind has accepted as true. Without obedience to the will of God, there is no acknowledgement of faith. By faith those offered as examples of faith did what God commanded. What we learn from these pragmatic examples is that without obedience, there is no belief, no acknowledgement of faith. As we are told in James 2:17, “faith without works is dead by itself.” A mental ascent to God is of no value without the pragmatic response. For faith/belief to be complete, it must comprise both dynamics – mental ascent and obedience. Either one apart from the other is not faith.
.
Sorry it has taken so long to respond to this. Been off line last couple of days. Family emergency.
First of all, I do not deal in scenarios. The inherent problem with using scenarios as a tool for challenging things in scripture is that scenarios are always rooted in one's desire to satisfy a personal view point, whether consciously or unconsciously. This serves only to render the biblical text contingent upon the context of the scenario. The scenario will always be presented as a human condition and is always the product of human intelligence. Here is what scenarios are designed to do.
1. Scenarios are an attempt to rationalize human will and behavior that is contrary to a foundational truth.
2. Scenarios will generally ignore the language of the biblical text.
3. Scenarios are used to justify a given human agenda. i.e. The end justifies the means.
4. Scenarios are an attempt to overturn the authority of the Word of God in favor of human will.
5. Scenarios exalt human intelligence above the the revelation of the text.
6. Scenarios assume that the language of the biblical text cannot stand against the logical argument.
7. Scenarios assume that scripture will break down in the extreme case.
In short, the use of scenarios never add to our understand of the Word of God nor will they overturn the will of God. Since neither of us are God let us not render judgment in such matters and leave this to the wisdom of the Almighty. Since scripture offers us no example of the scenario you gave it is rather foolish to speculate on that which scripture does not tell us. Let is rather address what information scripture provides.
Belief is from the word πίστις which means 'to be persuaded.' The word is translated in the NT as both faith and belief and reflects two interlocking dynamics. The first is the mental acceptance of a set of facts. The second is the action that responds to that acceptance. Belief/faith is the fundamental structure for salvation but belief is not presented in scripture as simply an intellectual exercise. Biblical belief is more than just a simple acknowledgement of a set of revealed truths. Belief is always presented as a behavior structure that actively responds to the word of God. Belief, apart from obedience to the will of God, is not faith. Belief is legitimized only when it is linked to action. We see this in a number of examples given by the Hebrew writer. In Hebrews 11 belief/faith is inseparably linked to active response that legitimizes what the mind has accepted as true. Without obedience to the will of God, there is no acknowledgement of faith. By faith those offered as examples of faith did what God commanded. What we learn from these pragmatic examples is that without obedience, there is no belief, no acknowledgement of faith. As we are told in James 2:17, “faith without works is dead by itself.” A mental ascent to God is of no value without the pragmatic response. For faith/belief to be complete, it must comprise both dynamics – mental ascent and obedience. Either one apart from the other is not faith.
.
S
Re: Since Acts 2:38 teaches that the baptism commanded is "for the remission of sins,
If baptism is neccessary for salvation then unsaved people can re ei e the holy spirit as the disciples did at pentecost and speak in tongues.(cornelius and his household) does any christian believe that?
Salvation came to zaccheus without him being baptised according to christ. He had a change of heart, and that is what brought him to receive salvation.
Not an outward act but an inner one so to speak.
All christians should be baptised, but not in order to be saved, but as a confession of their faith in christ which brought salvation to them
If baptism is neccessary for salvation then unsaved people can re ei e the holy spirit as the disciples did at pentecost and speak in tongues.(cornelius and his household) does any christian believe that?
Salvation came to zaccheus without him being baptised according to christ. He had a change of heart, and that is what brought him to receive salvation.
Not an outward act but an inner one so to speak.
All christians should be baptised, but not in order to be saved, but as a confession of their faith in christ which brought salvation to them
Re: Since Acts 2:38 teaches that the baptism commanded is "for the remission of sins,
What is water baptism if not an expression of this faith you are talking about? Why do you make faith and baptism two different things when they are in fact one and the same?
Water baptism is put on the new. Because through baptism one dies to himself and resurrects in Jesus Christ.
Baptism is an expression of faith.
We don't separate water baptism from Spirit baptism. When you get baptized, you get born from water and Spirit. Just like Christ said: you must get born from water and Spirit to enter His kingdom. The church is His kingdom, His body.
Water baptism is just one of the means of the Church by which we unite with other Christians and with Christ Himself, unification that is being made by the Holy Spirit.
Water baptism is the visible way in which an invisible reality (baptism with Holy Spirit) happens.
God bless you, too!
What is water baptism if not an expression of this faith you are talking about? Why do you make faith and baptism two different things when they are in fact one and the same?
Water baptism is put on the new. Because through baptism one dies to himself and resurrects in Jesus Christ.
Baptism is an expression of faith.
We don't separate water baptism from Spirit baptism. When you get baptized, you get born from water and Spirit. Just like Christ said: you must get born from water and Spirit to enter His kingdom. The church is His kingdom, His body.
Water baptism is just one of the means of the Church by which we unite with other Christians and with Christ Himself, unification that is being made by the Holy Spirit.
Water baptism is the visible way in which an invisible reality (baptism with Holy Spirit) happens.
God bless you, too!
Re: Since Acts 2:38 teaches that the baptism commanded is "for the remission of sins,
It's one thing to say that baptism is an "expression" of faith and another thing to say that baptism "is" faith itself. Saving faith is belief, trust, reliance in Christ for salvation. Baptism is being immersed in water. Faith is not baptism and faith precedes baptism and we are saved through faith.
As I already explained in post #363. Galatians 3:27 - For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on/clothed yourself with Christ. The Greek word for "put on" is "enduo" and means to enclose oneself in, as when one "puts on" clothes or armor or some other item. Involved in this is the idea of "imitation" and "identification." Just as 1 Corinthians 10:2 says that all (the Israelites) were "baptized into Moses" in the cloud and in the sea, but this does not mean they were literally water baptized into the body of Moses.
So how does one "put on" Christ in baptism? Is it because one becomes a "child of God" through water baptism? NO. Is Paul saying that we become children of God by water baptism as much as children of God by faith in Christ? NO.
"Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light...put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof" (Romans 13:12,14). This exhortation is written to Christians (those already saved). Evidently then, baptism is not the only way to "put on" Christ. To "put on" Christ is to conform to Him, imitate Him. So it is in baptism; we "put on" Christ, conforming to Him in the ordinance that declares Him to be our Savior. So if "put on" Christ means saved through water baptism, apparently we are not saved yet. We must also "put on" Christ by making no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts in order to be saved as well (Romans 13:14). Right? NO. This exhortation is to those ALREADY SAVED.
"Put off," wrote Paul, "the old man," and "put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness"(Ephesians 4:22,24); And, "put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11).
The allusion is to putting off old clothes and putting on new ones, to enclosing oneself in armor, etc. When a soldier puts on armor he is imitating his superiors and trainers, is revealing himself to be a soldier.
One does not put on a uniform in order to become a soldier. Simply putting on a soldier's uniform does not make one become a soldier. Once one is made a soldier one is then able to put on and wear the uniform that distinguishes or marks them as a soldier.
Putting on a judge's robe does not, in itself, make anyone a "judge." But, one who has been made a judge is qualified to put on "judicial robes" and thus declare their qualifications.
So too with being water baptized, the Christian puts on robes for which they has previously been qualified to wear. The putting on of Christ is not what makes one become a Christian, but one which becomes a token of it, as in Romans 13:14.
If one puts on the clothes of a Christian, in water baptism, without first becoming a Christian (child of God through faith), then one becomes an imposter, and is declaring, in baptism, to be what they are not. Do you understand this?
Expression of faith does not mean essence of faith.
These are TWO DISTINCT baptisms. Matthew 3:11 - I baptize you with water for repentance, BUT He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. *Notice the distinction. In Acts 10:45, notice the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speaking with tongues and exalting God. (THEY ALREADY RECEIVED SPIRIT BAPTISM). Then Peter answered in verse 47 "Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?" *TWO DISTINCT baptisms.
Water baptism is the PICTURE, not the reality. In John 3:5, Jesus said born of water and the Spirit. He did not say born of baptism and the Spirit. To automatically read baptism into this verse simply because it mentions "water" is unwarranted. Scripture interprets itself. *Have you considered living water? Notice in John 7:37, If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of LIVING WATER. 39 But this He spoke concerning the SPIRIT. Did you see that? If "water" is arbitrarily defined as baptism, then we could just as justifiably say, "Out of his heart will flow rivers of living baptism" in John 7:38. If this sounds ridiculous, it is no more so than the idea that water baptism is the source or the means of becoming born again. In John 4:10, Jesus said, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." In John 4:14, Jesus said, "but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life. Jesus connects this living water here with everlasting life. *Living water is not water baptism. In 1 Corinthians 12:13, we also read - ..drink into one Spirit.
The church is the body of Christ (Colossians 1:18,24) which is made up of all those who are born again.
Believers who receive water baptism have already been saved through faith.
Water baptism is the visible picture of the invisible reality (Spirit baptism) that has already taken place when we believed the gospel (Acts 10:43-47; 11:17; Ephesians 1:13). Water baptism is not a cause of salvation, but a picture; and as such it serves both as a public acknowledgment (by those present) and a public confession (by the convert) that one has been Spirit baptized.
God bless you
It's one thing to say that baptism is an "expression" of faith and another thing to say that baptism "is" faith itself. Saving faith is belief, trust, reliance in Christ for salvation. Baptism is being immersed in water. Faith is not baptism and faith precedes baptism and we are saved through faith.
As I already explained in post #363. Galatians 3:27 - For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on/clothed yourself with Christ. The Greek word for "put on" is "enduo" and means to enclose oneself in, as when one "puts on" clothes or armor or some other item. Involved in this is the idea of "imitation" and "identification." Just as 1 Corinthians 10:2 says that all (the Israelites) were "baptized into Moses" in the cloud and in the sea, but this does not mean they were literally water baptized into the body of Moses.
So how does one "put on" Christ in baptism? Is it because one becomes a "child of God" through water baptism? NO. Is Paul saying that we become children of God by water baptism as much as children of God by faith in Christ? NO.
"Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light...put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof" (Romans 13:12,14). This exhortation is written to Christians (those already saved). Evidently then, baptism is not the only way to "put on" Christ. To "put on" Christ is to conform to Him, imitate Him. So it is in baptism; we "put on" Christ, conforming to Him in the ordinance that declares Him to be our Savior. So if "put on" Christ means saved through water baptism, apparently we are not saved yet. We must also "put on" Christ by making no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts in order to be saved as well (Romans 13:14). Right? NO. This exhortation is to those ALREADY SAVED.
"Put off," wrote Paul, "the old man," and "put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness"(Ephesians 4:22,24); And, "put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11).
The allusion is to putting off old clothes and putting on new ones, to enclosing oneself in armor, etc. When a soldier puts on armor he is imitating his superiors and trainers, is revealing himself to be a soldier.
One does not put on a uniform in order to become a soldier. Simply putting on a soldier's uniform does not make one become a soldier. Once one is made a soldier one is then able to put on and wear the uniform that distinguishes or marks them as a soldier.
Putting on a judge's robe does not, in itself, make anyone a "judge." But, one who has been made a judge is qualified to put on "judicial robes" and thus declare their qualifications.
So too with being water baptized, the Christian puts on robes for which they has previously been qualified to wear. The putting on of Christ is not what makes one become a Christian, but one which becomes a token of it, as in Romans 13:14.
If one puts on the clothes of a Christian, in water baptism, without first becoming a Christian (child of God through faith), then one becomes an imposter, and is declaring, in baptism, to be what they are not. Do you understand this?
Expression of faith does not mean essence of faith.
These are TWO DISTINCT baptisms. Matthew 3:11 - I baptize you with water for repentance, BUT He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. *Notice the distinction. In Acts 10:45, notice the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speaking with tongues and exalting God. (THEY ALREADY RECEIVED SPIRIT BAPTISM). Then Peter answered in verse 47 "Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?" *TWO DISTINCT baptisms.
Water baptism is the PICTURE, not the reality. In John 3:5, Jesus said born of water and the Spirit. He did not say born of baptism and the Spirit. To automatically read baptism into this verse simply because it mentions "water" is unwarranted. Scripture interprets itself. *Have you considered living water? Notice in John 7:37, If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of LIVING WATER. 39 But this He spoke concerning the SPIRIT. Did you see that? If "water" is arbitrarily defined as baptism, then we could just as justifiably say, "Out of his heart will flow rivers of living baptism" in John 7:38. If this sounds ridiculous, it is no more so than the idea that water baptism is the source or the means of becoming born again. In John 4:10, Jesus said, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." In John 4:14, Jesus said, "but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life. Jesus connects this living water here with everlasting life. *Living water is not water baptism. In 1 Corinthians 12:13, we also read - ..drink into one Spirit.
The church is the body of Christ (Colossians 1:18,24) which is made up of all those who are born again.
Believers who receive water baptism have already been saved through faith.
Water baptism is the visible picture of the invisible reality (Spirit baptism) that has already taken place when we believed the gospel (Acts 10:43-47; 11:17; Ephesians 1:13). Water baptism is not a cause of salvation, but a picture; and as such it serves both as a public acknowledgment (by those present) and a public confession (by the convert) that one has been Spirit baptized.
God bless you
Re: Since Acts 2:38 teaches that the baptism commanded is "for the remission of sins,
Yes, John's baptism was for "in regards to/on the basis of" the remission of sins received upon repentance but it did not wash away sin.
This baptism of repentance was FOR "in regards to/on the basis" of the remission of sins received upon repentance. This baptism was not in order to obtain the remission of sins. In Matthew 3:11, we read - I baptize you with water FOR repentance.. Was this baptism FOR "in order to obtain" the remission of sins or FOR "in regards to/on the basis of" the remission of sins? Getting water baptized in order to obtain repentance makes no sense at all. We repent first and receive remission of sins (Luke 24:47; Acts 3:19) then water baptism FOLLOWS (11:17,18).
Yes, John's baptism was for "in regards to/on the basis of" the remission of sins received upon repentance but it did not wash away sin.
This baptism of repentance was FOR "in regards to/on the basis" of the remission of sins received upon repentance. This baptism was not in order to obtain the remission of sins. In Matthew 3:11, we read - I baptize you with water FOR repentance.. Was this baptism FOR "in order to obtain" the remission of sins or FOR "in regards to/on the basis of" the remission of sins? Getting water baptized in order to obtain repentance makes no sense at all. We repent first and receive remission of sins (Luke 24:47; Acts 3:19) then water baptism FOLLOWS (11:17,18).
Re: Since Acts 2:38 teaches that the baptism commanded is "for the remission of sins,
Amen! Matthew 3:11 - I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. These are clearly two distinct baptisms.
Acts 11:17 - If therefore God gave them the same gift (Holy Spirit) as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ.. Ephesians 1:13 - In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation - having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise.
Amen! Water baptism is not a cause of salvation, but a picture; and as such it serves both as a public acknowledgment (by those present) and a public confession (by the convert) that one has been Spirit baptized. Water baptism and Spirit baptism are clearly two distinct baptisms and one baptism in Ephesians 4:5 does not mean that only water baptism or only Spirit baptism is in effect today but not the other. They are both in effect today yet there is only one baptism that places us into the body of Christ and that is Spirit baptism, not water baptism.
Ephesians 4:5 - One Lord, one faith, one baptism..
1 Corinthians 12:13 - For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
Amen! Matthew 3:11 - I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. These are clearly two distinct baptisms.
Acts 11:17 - If therefore God gave them the same gift (Holy Spirit) as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ.. Ephesians 1:13 - In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation - having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise.
Amen! Water baptism is not a cause of salvation, but a picture; and as such it serves both as a public acknowledgment (by those present) and a public confession (by the convert) that one has been Spirit baptized. Water baptism and Spirit baptism are clearly two distinct baptisms and one baptism in Ephesians 4:5 does not mean that only water baptism or only Spirit baptism is in effect today but not the other. They are both in effect today yet there is only one baptism that places us into the body of Christ and that is Spirit baptism, not water baptism.
Ephesians 4:5 - One Lord, one faith, one baptism..
1 Corinthians 12:13 - For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.