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Christian Baptism had not been extended yet, as Christ's blood had not be shed for the forgiveness of man's sins, nor had Jesus died. John's baptism was for the forgiveness of sins, which looked forward to Calvary, where the sacrifice of Christ was going to be made for mankind's sins. The baptism that we receive illustrates a believer's identification with Christ's death, burial and resurrection; it is not a baptism of repentance. Thus, the thief could not have received it. Prior to His Ascension, Jesus gave the "Great Commission", which includes the baptism we receive today, not the baptism of John.
“Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Rom 6:3-4 The action of being immersed in the water illustrates dying and being buried with Christ. The action of coming out of the water pictures Christ’s resurrection. There is no indication in scripture that John baptised in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; the name of Jesus Christ.
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Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:3-4
This baptism into Christ is not accomplished with ordinary water. All four gospels attest to the fact that Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit, which water symbolizes.
They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Rev 7:16-17
Jesus’ baptism symbolized His coming ministry to “fulfill all righteousness," pointing forward to His future death as the spotless Lamb of God sacrificed to pay the sin debt of the world. His baptism also identified Him to John, and affirmed John's ministry as the forerunner of the promised Messiah.
Christians are encouraged to be baptized because it symbolizes the death of our old life of rebellion against God.
This baptism into Christ is not accomplished with ordinary water. All four gospels attest to the fact that Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit, which water symbolizes.
"Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of
his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” John 7:38
his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” John 7:38
Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13b-14
And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment." Rev 21:6
The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say,“Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. Rev 22:17
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. Isa 12:3
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. Rev 22:1
On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. John 7:37-39a
They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Rev 7:16-17
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” John 4:10
Jesus’ baptism symbolized His coming ministry to “fulfill all righteousness," pointing forward to His future death as the spotless Lamb of God sacrificed to pay the sin debt of the world. His baptism also identified Him to John, and affirmed John's ministry as the forerunner of the promised Messiah.
Jesus did not need John's baptism of repentance, for He had no sin to repent of. His baptism did identify Him as the One Who would be the sin bearer and Whose baptism of the Holy Spirit would regenerate us to new life, in being born again of the Spirit through faith in His work on our behalf due to His great and everlasting love for us... for the flesh counts for nought.
Christians are encouraged to be baptized because it symbolizes the death of our old life of rebellion against God.
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Wasn't dodging your question, I answered it at #945. And in respect to your question "are there any consequences to not fulfilling all righteousness" I have a difficult time believing that someone with the Holy Spirit in them would not want to put on the righteousness of Jesus Christ, via of following the leading of the Spirit in regard to baptism. The Spirit brings conviction if one is disobedient, and with disobedience how will there be peace? It would be wise to be obedient to the One you love.
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You make your comments as though you believe there are those in this thread that do not understand that baptism is a command. I have not read that any where, unless I've possibly missed it somewhere along the way. Are there any other commands of works of righteousness whereby my eternal security can be hinged upon, or does this solely apply to baptism? I believe this would be extremely important to consider if we are to base our salvation on our ability to fulfill righteousness. It would seem to be an imposable task considering God looks on our righteousness as filthy rags. So, to what avail are works of righteousness? How can they be accomplished and not be a vile thing in the sight of God? Does adding my righteousness to the grace of God satisfy the requirements for salvation, or should we be obedient as a children adopted into the family of God fulfilling all righteousness in the context of sanctification that our righteousness not be soiled?
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The command of baptism can be seen in Matt. 28:19-20 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the ages." This command might be seen as instructional in that it was instructing the disciples on how to baptize new converts, and it shows us that the baptism that Jesus was commanding is very different from the one that than John the Baptist had initiated; a baptism for repentance. With this in mind, it could be concluded that Jesus expected that those who came to faith in Him would be expected to be baptised. More specifically, the Holy Spirit would direct them that baptism is a necessary outward proclamation of an inward conversion, a ceremonial act undertaken upon accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Considering it is command for the disciples to do, then it is reasonable to conclude that there is a reciprocating factor in which Jesus is also commanding those who came to faith in Him to be baptized.
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Understood, but please read my entire comment. If Jesus gave the command, then it would be reasonable to conclude that He wanted those who came to faith in Him to be baptized. In other words, the Holy Spirit would command or direct baptism of the believer. Jesus is not separate from the Holy Spirit, which guides us in our walk. Therefore, such a command would be given with the expectation that the person coming into faith in Him, is also under direction to be baptised. Why would Jesus give such a command if He did not require that the convert (follower) to be baptized? Jesus sets the standard with His baptism by John, and following His baptism Jesus began His ministry. We are to follow, and following requires obedience to direction or command.
This is a very common misinterpretation of the passage in Mat 28. The context is making disciples through instruction of Who Christ is and teaching them to obey Christ in belief.
The Greek uses the word baptizo which makes is highly unlikely that water baptism is the subject of the passage.
Teaching them of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit is doctrinal not ritual.
For the cause of Christ
Roger
The Greek uses the word baptizo which makes is highly unlikely that water baptism is the subject of the passage.
Teaching them of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit is doctrinal not ritual.
For the cause of Christ
Roger
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In some respect they are being taught of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but in this context they are actually being baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. We agree that the word "baptizing" used in Mat 28:19 comes from the Greek baptizo; however, according to Strongs (G0907) and other texts it means: to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the New Testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism: — Baptist, baptize, wash.
Jesus was not commanding them to baptise them with His Spirit, which had not yet come, only God can do that. This is why John the Baptist said he needed to be baptized by Him.
Jesus was not commanding them to baptise them with His Spirit, which had not yet come, only God can do that. This is why John the Baptist said he needed to be baptized by Him.
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