Originally Posted by
Bookends
Yeah, why baptist infants.
So a believer doesn't receive the HS upon conversion? Receiving the HS is what Christ does upon conversion: Man has not involvement with it accept by the confession of his heart and mouth.
Joh_1:33 And I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water, that One said to me, Upon whom you shall see the Spirit descending, and remaining upon Him, He is the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.
Originally Posted by
Bookends
Does Circumcision in OT = Baptism of the Holy Spirit? There is only one baptism. Baptism of the HS only happens upon repentance, belief and faith in the Work of Christ.
The indwelling of the HS once someone receives Christ as Lord and savior.
1 Corinthians 6:17
[SUP]17 [/SUP]But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.
If you want to experience the true meaning of water baptism, IMO, go to N. Korea, Iran, or where ever Christians are being persecuted for their faith, and be baptized publicly before those who might give you up to the authorities for a beating and possible death. Water baptism today I feel has no more significance then a literal foot washing
[which is also absurd, and I currently go to a church that has these but I don't participate, I'd much rather do what the symbol represents like helping a brother or sister out in times of need and having common courtesy. What good does for the person to wash somebodies feet, then do nothing beneficial in ordinary daily living-hypocrite, false sense of work for the brethren (sorry for my rant)]..Most Churches today, do their water baptisms indoors in front of other believers, some confession or witness, doesn't take much guts or faith to do that...and Yes I'm feeling guilty of this myself. Water baptism in the 1st Church had a profound effect of the believer and the observer, because the believer knew this act was picking up his/her cross and when observers see this, hearts are changed.
No, I'd be more concerned for the one who was baptized upon or soon after conversion, or a supposed conversion, who lead a continuous life of carnality, which equals no change in living at all from his previous life.
I'm sure I'll GET IT now from you all...