You could not be more wrong. The thief on the cross was not baptised. Some Australians were born again in an Indonesian prison. They were refused the opportunity to be baptised. Those men witnessed to other prisoners and began a fellowship. Even the prison guards were impressed. The men exhausted their appeals and were executed by firing squad. They were singing Amazing Grace as they were shot.
I knew nothing about baptism before I was born again. I was at sea on a warship. Even if I wanted to, baptism was not an option. Captain's duties do not include stopping the ship so I could be baptised.
Acts 10:43-45, 46-48
"All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.” While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard his message. All the circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.…"
"Then Peter said, “Can anyone withhold the water to baptise these people? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have!” So he ordered that they be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ.
Water baptism followed salvation. Getting wet saves no one. The Holy Spirit does not fall on those who are spiritually dead. he will not dwell in an unclean vessel.
born again only by water and the Spirit! Jn 3:5
the thief not christian nor was the new covenant in effect. heb 9:16-17
baptism is required unless it is truly not possible, but of becomes possible it cannot be refused!
thks
eph 4:5 one baptism
Baptism implies water:
ez 36:25
Acts 8:36-38
acts 10:47
Jn 3:5
acts 22:16
1 cor 6:11
titus 3:5
heb 10:22
administered by the apostolic church:
mt 28:19
2 pet 1:11
2 cor 8:19
the only baptism is water baptism, the initial sacrament of the christian faith. water baptism includes, the supernatural gifts of faith, hope, & charity, sanctifying grace, and the life of the Spirit!
why all this water and washing?
((water))
John the baptist did not prepare the way by preaching faith alone!
Ex 36:25:27
Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
Jn 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.
(we must be born into the family of God)
((washing))
acts 22:16
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
(saul becomes Paul a christian in baptism)
titus 3:5
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
1 Corinthians 6:11
And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Hebrews 10:22
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Revelation 1:5
And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Baptism is the grace of justification:
Ex 36:25:27
baptism, new heart capable of love, and the Spirit!
Jn 3:5 baptism water & the Spirit!
Rom 5:5 Holy Spirit received in baptism cast His love abroad in our hearts so we can fulfill God's will!
1 cor 12:13 Baptism, filled with the Spirit!
Ez36:25-27
25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
Jn 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.
titus 3:5
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Rom 5:5
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
1 cor 12:13
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
“My Witnesses” (Acts 1:8)
The sacrament of Baptism is required for salvation!
St. Ambrose
St. Augustine
St. Justin Martyr
Tertullian
Pope St. Leo I
Origen
St. Cyril of Jerusalem
Fulgentius of Ruspe
Hippolytus
St. Irenaeus
Matt 16:18-19 binding on all Christians!
“Without the Sacrament of Baptism, no one is ever justified, If anyone says that Baptism is optional, that is, not necessary for salvation: let him be anathema." Council of Trent
Dogma: Divine Faith!
170. The Sacraments of the New Covenant are necessary for the salvation of mankind.
174. Baptism is a true Sacrament instituted by Jesus Christ.
175. The materia remota of the Sacrament of Baptism is true and natural water.
176. Baptism confers the grace of justification.
177. Baptism effects the remission of all punishments of sin, both the eternal and the temporal.
179. Baptism by water (Baptismus fluminis) is, since the promulgation of the Gospel, necessary
for all men without exception, for salvation. Mk 16:16
1 Corinthians 6:11
And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Jude 1:1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: ref: ez 36:25
col 2:11-13
11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
The Holy sacrament of Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the initiation to life in the Spirit!
(2 cor 1:22 eph 1:13 2 pet 1:11)
Through Baptism we are freed from all past sin and reborn as sons of God; (acts 22:16) we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church!
(1 cor 12:13)
"Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word." (Jn 3:5 titus 3:5)
Baptismal regeneration is the grace of justification then we abide in Christ (Jn 15:4) and practice the deeds of righteousness on the narrow road (mt 7:14) and endure to the end! (mt 10:22)
The Early Church Fathers were unanimous in affirming the necessity of baptism:
St. Justin Martyr (2nd century): “As many as are persuaded and believe that what we teach and say is true... are brought by us where there is water, and are regenerated in the same manner in which we were ourselves regenerated.”
St. Augustine: “No one becomes a member of Christ except by baptism.”
