Hi Brother Roughsoul.
Well, the verse says, "be baptized and wash away your sins". If Baptism was just a symbol, Apostle Paul would never have said that. We hold that the Blood of Christ washes away our sins IN the Baptismal Fount. That jibes with what St. Paul was saying "be baptized, and wash away your sins".
If you read the Early Church Fathers, it is clear that virtually all of them, including some of whom were disciples of the Apostles, believed in Baptismal Regeneration. Because we cannot literally be washed in Blood, Christ gave us Baptism to signify that Washing.
Here's an article:
https://www.calledtocommunion.com/2010/06/the-church-fathers-on-baptismal-regeneration/
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II. Church Fathers on Baptism
A. Second Century Fathers
In AD 107,
St. Ignatius, bishop of Antioch, wrote a letter to the Church at Ephesus, while being escorted by Roman soldiers to Rome to be martyred. In that letter he writes:
For our God, Jesus Christ, was, according to the appointment of God, conceived in the womb by Mary, of the seed of David, but by the Holy Ghost. He was born and baptized, that by His passion He might purify the water. (
Epistle to the Ephesians, 18)
This notion that Christ purified the waters is found in other Church Fathers as well, but this is the earliest record we have of the statement. Christ was not purified by being baptized, since Christ was already pure. Rather, in His baptism, the waters were purified for our sake, that when we are baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we are purified, not by the removal of dirt from the body, but by the forgiveness of sin and the reception of the Life of God within us."
I believe Christ was Baptized in order to purify the water. Water purifies us by His Blood, but He Himself had no need of purification. That imo is the meaning of "fulfil all righteousness". Another thing the Church Fathers explain is that Blood and Water flowed out from the pierced Heart of Christ on the Cross, to signify that being washed in the water of Baptism is like being washed in the Blood of Christ. As mentioned earlier, John the Baptist, St. Peter and the Nicene Creed say Baptism "is for the remission of sins", i.e. forgiveness.
God Bless,
N. Xavier.
The blood of Jesus Christ established the umbrella...if you will... for .....grace.......,under which we can repent, be baptized and thereby be cleansed of sin...as scripture says.
Very simple transition from OT to NT.
That is new under the NT vs the OT requiring animal sacrifice.
All of scripture references about baptism support baptism. We can't just select one and do a..............ah ha!..........it doesn't work that way.'
Baptism is Required
Peter 3: 21....
whereunto even baptism doth also now save us...
John 3:5 .......Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and
of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Acts 2;38-....Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 10;47 ....Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.
Acts 22;16... And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
Galations 3:26...... For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
KJV Marrk 16:16
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
KJV Matthew 3:14... But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15. Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now, for thus it becometh us to fulfil all rightesousness. Then He suffered Him.
KJV Matthew 28:19..... Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:.
Acts 8:12-18: But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.
Quote from Billy Graham that is note worthy;
....Also, to clarify I did not say remission of sin takes place at repentance. Scripture makes it clear that it occurs upon obedience to water baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus. Each is a step of faith, along with receiving the Holy Ghost, in the process of one's spiritual rebirth
.."Paul explains the doctrinal significance of what occurs when one is baptized.His explanation is found in his letter to those who had already been obedient to the command.
Paul tells the Roman Christians what actually occurred when they were/are baptized; they were baptized into His death. Being buried with Jesus into His death resulted in their sin being destroyed.
Even though Paul explains this concept, the NEW AGE RELIGION TEACHING is......... that water baptism is nothing other than a mere public display..........
And that is so far removed from the truth.
Keep in mind that Satan knows if he can continue to perpetuate that lie ...... he can keep people from entering the kingdom of God. Thus He has proven scripture which says ...in the end times there will be ...great delusions.....they are here.
Conclusion....teaching that baptism is not necessary is violation of Rev. 22;19.... And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Also two other books of the Bib