Why be baptised?

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Evmur

Evmur

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#41
Feb 28, 2021
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#41
Gideon300 said:
I was led to the Lord by a baby sprinkler. I was born again but I knew nothing about baptism. I'd been sprinkled as an infant, but it meant nothing to me. For sure I remember nothing about the event!

I ended up attending a Baptist church and I was introduced to believer's baptism. I got baptised because it seemed the correct thing to do. I did not understand what it was about. I felt nothing except cold and wet. But I could tick it off the to do list.

I very much appreciate the teachings of Watchman Nee. His explanation, which was as deep and comprehensive as everything else he taught, made a lot of sense to me. I won't cover all that he said about the subject. I doubt anyone would read it if I did. There is one aspect I would like to cover that not too many seem to understand.

One of the great truths of salvation is that we are crucified with Christ. This is not preached so much these days. What it means is that the old nature we inherit from Adam is included in the death of Christ. The part of man that died when Adam sinned is the spirit. The only way to escape this life is to die. So all will die eventually, but then the second death awaits those who reject Christ in this life.

If we will accept the cross, then God will raise us up again to new life. Galatians 2:20 has been called the gospel in a nutshell. It's one of the most memorised but least understood bible verses. Ok, so we die with Christ. What do you do with a dead person? You bury them. 1 Peter 3:20-22 likens baptism to Noah's flood. The whole world perished apart from those in the ark.

Those Christians who suffer constant accusations of failure, of not being worthy, of sinning and not being Christlike should agree. Yes, I am a sinner. But let's not stop there. We are dead and buried, so we can say, rightly, that the accusations are against a dead person. Who bothers to charge a dead man or put them in prison? No, they are buried and can never trouble anyone again, no matter how wicked they were.

If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. The old is passed away. When we see this truth, we realise that the Christian life is simply depending on Christ to live out His life in and through us. Baptism helps us to cement this truth. It testifies to Satan that you mean business with God. It declares to the world that you are no longer the same person.
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It's our testimony, our confession that we have been crucified dead and have been buried with Christ and raised up to newness of Life. This confession or profession is an important part of our salvation.

And it is JOYFUL. The Holy Ghost really enjoys Himself.
 
GRACE_ambassador

GRACE_ambassador

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#42
Feb 22, 2021
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#42
Evmur said:
It's our testimony, our confession that we have been crucified dead and have been buried with Christ and raised up to newness of Life.
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Precious friend, I'm a bit Confused on this symbolic testimony/confession "to the world" {only in a local congregation?}, because, I possibly see somewhat:

(1) IF water IS ADDED to Romans 6 {which I believe is spiritual}, then you
all come up with the symbolic immersion for the "burial and resurrection,"
Correct? But what I do NOT see is:

(2) WHERE is the symbolism for the Crucifixion and Death? I believe some
South American groups have a ritual where they "carry crosses and mutilate
themselves" as symbolism, but, I don't think they do this in the U.S., or, do
they?

What think ye?
 
S

SophieT

Guest
#43
#43
GRACE_ambassador said:
Precious friend, I'm a bit Confused on this symbolic testimony/confession "to the world" {only in a local congregation?}, because, I possibly see somewhat:

(1) IF water IS ADDED to Romans 6 {which I believe is spiritual}, then you
all come up with the symbolic immersion for the "burial and resurrection,"
Correct? But what I do NOT see is:

(2) WHERE is the symbolism for the Crucifixion and Death? I believe some
South American groups have a ritual where they "carry crosses and mutilate
themselves" as symbolism, but, I don't think they do this in the U.S., or, do
they?

What think ye?
Click to expand...

I think you are less confused than you state and actually simply wish to press in with your own interpretation :giggle:
 
Nehemiah6

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
#44
Jul 18, 2017
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#44
GRACE_ambassador said:
(2) WHERE is the symbolism for the Crucifixion and Death?
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Burial under water symbolizes death. Raising up out of water symbolizes resurrection to "newness of life". As to the crucifixion, Paul tells believers to "mortify" and "crucify" the flesh daily.
 
GRACE_ambassador

GRACE_ambassador

Well-known member
#45
Feb 22, 2021
3,215
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#45
SophieT said:
I think you are less confused than you state and actually simply wish to press in with your own interpretation
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Thanks, I hope so. So, the TWO Different interpretations are:
(1) There is NO water in The Spiritual interpretation of Romans 6?
(2) There is water in the physical interpretation of it?

Gotta Choose one or the other, Correct? ;)
 
S

SophieT

Guest
#46
#46
GRACE_ambassador said:
Thanks, I hope so. So, the TWO Different interpretations are:
(1) There is NO water in The Spiritual interpretation of Romans 6?
(2) There is water in the physical interpretation of it?

Gotta Choose one or the other, Correct? ;)
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I'm not sure anyone reads your posts

it's like formatting from another planet :oops: :whistle:
 
GRACE_ambassador

GRACE_ambassador

Well-known member
#47
Feb 22, 2021
3,215
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113
Midwest
#47
SophieT said:
I'm not sure anyone reads your posts

it's like formatting from another planet :oops:
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Thanks, I'm sure by now that I'm on a LOT of ignore lists...

Just "planting/watering seeds" For The LORD, Since only HE
"Gives The Increase!"

Be Blessed!
 
S

SophieT

Guest
#48
#48
GRACE_ambassador said:
Thanks, I'm sure by now that I'm on a LOT of ignore lists...

Just "planting/watering seeds" For The LORD, Since only HE
"Gives The Increase!"

Be Blessed!
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you seem to be working on it ;)

you are not on my ignore list. reading one of your posts is like too much homework in high school
 
Evmur

Evmur

Well-known member
#49
Feb 28, 2021
5,219
2,618
113
London
christianchat.com
#49
GRACE_ambassador said:
Precious friend, I'm a bit Confused on this symbolic testimony/confession "to the world" {only in a local congregation?}, because, I possibly see somewhat:

(1) IF water IS ADDED to Romans 6 {which I believe is spiritual}, then you
all come up with the symbolic immersion for the "burial and resurrection,"
Correct? But what I do NOT see is:

(2) WHERE is the symbolism for the Crucifixion and Death? I believe some
South American groups have a ritual where they "carry crosses and mutilate
themselves" as symbolism, but, I don't think they do this in the U.S., or, do
they?e

What think ye?
Click to expand...
Paul gave the symbolism "Baptism [quoth he] pictures our being buried with Him in death and being raised again to newness of life"

This picture only suits water baptism, it does not picture baptism with the Holy Spirit.
 
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