Yep.. lol
I changed the order for replies based on what stood out the most.
WOW that's powerful. And we know they didn't like hearing stuff like that...Stuff like "even though you believe to some degree, there is more that you need to submit to if you want to escape damnation". (
John 8:30-47). Verse 47 is especially interesting because to those whom the bible in verse 31 describes as "those Jews
that believed on him" Jesus says "ye are not of God", and in verse 44 "Ye are of your father the devil".
I'm sure you'll also appreciate that this verse about "who you really belong to" is in a chapter highlighting the importance of baptism
Romans 6:16 KJV
"Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?"
I notice that it doesn't state whether he did or didn't baptize them. Plus, if he only said that when MANY of that type were gathered together, that implies that he'd already allowed a few others to pass through. So I'm still of the opinion that he would have gone ahead and baptized them. I THINK he's saying "I can wash you, but if internally you are still a swine, you'll go right back to the behavior of a swine". It seems to me that he is trying very hard to make it very clear that words and thoughts of belief weren't going to be enough if their behavior didn't change.
Love in Jesus,
Kelby
Matt 3:7-9
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.