My take on water baptism...

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Jan 12, 2019
7,497
1,399
113
wrong.

review the book of Acts

Paul got after Peter for backing down on not having Gentiles circumcised

now for Acts 21:20. people who are trying to prove a point not found in scripture will always resort to taking ONE or 2 verses out of context that seem to identify with what they are saying BUT when the context is examined, we find the opposite of what you say. NO Jews had to obey the law; they simply wanted to obey the law because they were Jews and that is what they did in the context of their understanding

17When we arrived in Jerusalem, the brothers welcomed us joyfully. 18The next day Paul went in with us to see James, and all the elders were present. 19Paul greeted them and recounted one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.

20When they heard this, they glorified God. Then they said to Paul, “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. 21But they are under the impression that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or observe our customs. 22What then should we do? They will certainly hear that you have come.

23Therefore do what we advise you. There are four men with us who have taken a vow. 24Take these men, purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know that there is no truth to these rumors about you, but that you also live in obedience to the law.

Paul was asked to sponsor 4 Jewish men who had taken vows in observance of their customs and in so doing it would be shown that Paul was not teaching against them but was not enforcing them upon Gentiles. Paul did this to show he did not teach against Jewish customs. He was not teaching law as you seem to suggest.



I am going with what scripture states and not your understanding of it. Everyone cannot have a different understanding of scripture when it says a certain thing, that is what you acknowledge. You don't take one verse and say you have a different understanding

context. always context
When I mention acts 21, the context was that James and those elders do not fully understand the mystery that was revealed to Paul

As far as they are concerned, Jesus never told them that the law was nailed to the cross
 
Jan 12, 2019
7,497
1,399
113
No... Paul was baptized because Jesus commanded it.. the same reason Peter and the other apostles taught and did it, starting at Pentecost. The same reason the church has taught and practiced it for nearly 2000 years.... until "enlightened" folks came along and told us how wrong we all are.
I agree with you. I already stated that water baptism was a requirement under Israel’s program

And yes Jesus commanded it in mark 16:16
 
L

lenna

Guest
this is what you said, what I responded to:

Paul was a ethnic Jew. Until the ascended Christ revealed to him the mystery that the Law of Moses is now nailed to the cross, all Jews had to obey the Law, even after they believed in Jesus as their Messiah. (Acts 21:20)
now you say this:

When I mention acts 21, the context was that James and those elders do not fully understand the mystery that was revealed to Paul

As far as they are concerned, Jesus never told them that the law was nailed to the cross
so you were originally talking about Paul but you backpedal and state you meant James and the elders

you say this after I put Acts 21:20 in context and showed it did not support your position

I'm not trying to be right. I'm trying to get scripture right

anyway, Paul was not teaching the law and he was not sent to the Jews but he understood their position but he did not want them putting burdens on new Gentile converts

that's the basic break down
 
Jan 12, 2019
7,497
1,399
113
this is what you said, what I responded to:



now you say this:



so you were originally talking about Paul but you backpedal and state you meant James and the elders

you say this after I put Acts 21:20 in context and showed it did not support your position

I'm not trying to be right. I'm trying to get scripture right

anyway, Paul was not teaching the law and he was not sent to the Jews but he understood their position but he did not want them putting burdens on new Gentile converts

that's the basic break down
Obviously the moment Paul was saved, thru that blinding light, the mystery had yet to be revealed to him correct?

As far as everyone is present at that time, water baptism was still required.

The revelation of the mystery was only given to Paul later. My view is that it was revealed during the years Paul spent in Arabia (Galatians 1:17)
 
Aug 14, 2019
1,374
307
83
So how did they baptize, or how do y'all think baptism should be done today? In Jesus's Name, and then what?
I think it should be done in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. It's a gift that all three divine persons cooperated in giving.

The Son ascended to the Father and asked the Father to send the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit completed the Baptism of the Church at Pentecost having been sent from the Father and the Son.
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,212
2,547
113
I think it should be done in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. It's a gift that all three divine persons cooperated in giving.

The Son ascended to the Father and asked the Father to send the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit completed the Baptism of the Church at Pentecost having been sent from the Father and the Son.
Maybe I missed it but what is your take on water baptism? like what is is for in todays church?
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,839
13,558
113
To me it’s fascinating why us gentiles in the body of Christ are insisting that it is also for us.

This is despite the observation that Paul never talks about water baptism and even told us he was not sent to baptise
well because in the same place that Paul says he was sent not to baptize but to preach "the gospel" ((singular)), he says that he baptized several of the households in Corinth - but that he really can't even remember who he baptized and who he didn't.

when did Paul first get to Corinth?
what's he doing baptizing people there?

do you reckon Paul preached a different gospel when he first came to them than he did in his letters to them later?

the point being, his purpose was to bring the message of God's Salvation. baptizing is secondary to that: the baptism doesn't save anyone, faith in the work of Christ does. but this doesn't exclude baptism, it just means baptism isn't the point. he's not going around preaching baptism any more than he is preaching the Lord's supper -- however he's compelling everyone who believes to do both because of their saving faith.

the whole 'don't be baptized, baptism doesn't save' attitude here is little different from saying 'don't do any good works, your works don't save you'
Paul isn't preaching works, he's preaching Christ. that doesn't exclude works, and i bet just as Paul couldn't remember who he's baptized and who he hasn't, he probably couldn't remember every good deed he'd done. because baptizing and doing righteous acts isn't the gospel -- they are the answer of a good conscious toward God upon hearing and believing the gospel.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,839
13,558
113
when did Paul first get to Corinth?
what's he doing baptizing people there?
do you reckon Paul preached a different gospel when he first came to them than he did in his letters to them later?
here:

After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.
When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah.
(Acts 18:1-6)
compare with 1 Corinthians 1:13-18
apparently when Paul first came to Corinth, he preached and he also baptized in water those who believed. then, when Silas & Timothy came to help him minister & build the church, those two took over the 'functionary' aspects of the ministry and Paul 'devoted himself exclusively to preaching'


this does not mean water baptism stopped being performed -- nowhere is it ever spoken against in scripture. it means Paul was more useful as a preacher, that faith comes through hearing the word of God, so once he had help to baptize and shepherd those being brought in, the workload was divvied up & Paul simply stopped being the one doing the baptizing, so he could do more preaching.

when you hire someone to work the register so your best cook can stay in the kitchen full-time, it doesn't mean you stop taking payment for the food.
 
Jan 12, 2019
7,497
1,399
113
well because in the same place that Paul says he was sent not to baptize but to preach "the gospel" ((singular)), he says that he baptized several of the households in Corinth - but that he really can't even remember who he baptized and who he didn't.

when did Paul first get to Corinth?
what's he doing baptizing people there?
do you reckon Paul preached a different gospel when he first came to them than he did in his letters to them later?


the point being, his purpose was to bring the message of God's Salvation. baptizing is secondary to that: the baptism doesn't save anyone, faith in the work of Christ does. but this doesn't exclude baptism, it just means baptism isn't the point. he's not going around preaching baptism any more than he is preaching the Lord's supper -- however he's compelling everyone who believes to do both because of their saving faith.

the whole 'don't be baptized, baptism doesn't save' attitude here is little different from saying 'don't do any good works, your works don't save you'
Paul isn't preaching works, he's preaching Christ. that doesn't exclude works, and i bet just as Paul couldn't remember who he's baptized and who he hasn't, he probably couldn't remember every good deed he'd done. because baptizing and doing righteous acts isn't the gospel -- they are the answer of a good conscious toward God upon hearing and believing the gospel.
Paul is focused on preaching the message of reconcilation, as found in 2 Cor 5:11-21, and he has given us that same ministry.

That gets people saved. If people asked me "But what about water baptism?", my answer would be "That is not necessary at all to be reconciled with God. It is not a sin if you still want to do it."
 
Aug 14, 2019
1,374
307
83
Maybe I missed it but what is your take on water baptism? like what is is for in todays church?
I Believe that Baptism done properly, guarantees that God will wash all our sins away and Grant the Grace to conform our lives to the pattern of Christ's death.

It initiates life in Christ.

Thanks for asking. Feel free to let me know if I misunderstood the question.
May the Lord continue to bless you.
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
Not so...we are born again while on this earth.....we are not saved until God judges and grants such status.
If we could be saved while on this earth then God's judgement would be pointless...don't you see? If we were ...saved...while on this earth and chose to return to a sinful way...we wouldn't fit the ...saved...status..would we.?
Paul would disagree

not by works of righteousness which we have done (good deeds) But by HIS MERCY he SAVED US (a completed action) By the washing and new birth of the HS (titus 3: 5)

I am completely saved

however, I will not see the final act of my salvation until eternity.
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
Obviously the moment Paul was saved, thru that blinding light, the mystery had yet to be revealed to him correct?

As far as everyone is present at that time, water baptism was still required.

The revelation of the mystery was only given to Paul later. My view is that it was revealed during the years Paul spent in Arabia (Galatians 1:17)
Water baptism has never been required, unless you were being set up, as a priest Or a gentile who wanted to become a jew
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
I Believe that Baptism done properly, guarantees that God will wash all our sins away and Grant the Grace to conform our lives to the pattern of Christ's death.

It initiates life in Christ.

Thanks for asking. Feel free to let me know if I misunderstood the question.
May the Lord continue to bless you.
So this is done at water baptism, not spirit baptism?
 
Jan 12, 2019
7,497
1,399
113
Water baptism has never been required, unless you were being set up, as a priest Or a gentile who wanted to become a jew
Exodus 19:5-6
5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:

6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

Yes, all the Jews are expected to be priests to spread the good news to gentile nations, once Jesus return for Israel after Daniel 70th week.

That was why Jesus spoke Mark 16:16 emphasizing that Israel needed to believe and be water baptized to be saved.

When Jesus return for Israel, Zechariah 8 tells us the role of all the Jews.

23 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
Exodus 19:5-6
5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:

6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

Yes, all the Jews are expected to be priests to spread the good news to gentile nations, once Jesus return for Israel after Daniel 70th week.

That was why Jesus spoke Mark 16:16 emphasizing that Israel needed to believe and be water baptized to be saved.

When Jesus return for Israel, Zechariah 8 tells us the role of all the Jews.

23 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.
If you look at the law. Only a priest was taken to the river and washed. It was instituted when Moses anointed Arron and his sins as priests
And high priests
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
They are one Baptism. The water washes away sin and the Spirit confirms and empowers new life in Christ.
Why do you think this?

Both Titus 3 and Col 2 state our washing, or as Paul Called it a spiritual circumcision, is performed by the HS. Not by some man in water

The water baptism is a command
Given for newly Converted disciples to obey As in Matt 28. (Baptize then) it is the spiritual Circumcision Jesus spoke of which saves
 
Jan 12, 2019
7,497
1,399
113
If you look at the law. Only a priest was taken to the river and washed. It was instituted when Moses anointed Arron and his sins as priests
And high priests
So you do not agree that, the entire nation of Israel will be priests, as stated in Exodus 19:6?

Peter also repeated that for Israel in 1 Peter 2:9.
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
So you do not agree that, the entire nation of Israel will be priests, as stated in Exodus 19:6?

Peter also repeated that for Israel in 1 Peter 2:9.
I never stated that

I stated what was required by law

Are you saying ever Jew was baptized according to the law?
 
Jan 12, 2019
7,497
1,399
113
I never stated that

I stated what was required by law

Are you saying ever Jew was baptized according to the law?
Yes, When Jesus arrive on earth to preach to Israel that their promised kingdom was at hand, yes every Jew must be water baptised to be considered saved

Mark 16:16 made that clear

Of course we know by acts 7 that their leaders refuse to do so, and they killed Stephen