-
Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.
If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!
To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
K
The answer to this is that water baptism is just an outward show of faith now as you mention. The baptism we partake of now is of the Holy Spirit. When you confess Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior you are baptized by the Holy Spirit, so as a believer how you know you have this baptism is by whenever you sin again you will feel the conviction from the Holy Spirit bringing you to repent of the sin.
Now those who believe faith only is all you need writes off half of what it means to believe and have faith. To believe and have faith in Jesus means to believe in what He said as well, and He gave us things we are to do in order to inherit the kingdom.
Now those who believe faith only is all you need writes off half of what it means to believe and have faith. To believe and have faith in Jesus means to believe in what He said as well, and He gave us things we are to do in order to inherit the kingdom.
T
Water is natural, God is Spirit. Imagine a 90 year old lady on an oxygen tank who gives her life to Christ in that condition. Baptizing her would be almost impossible don't ya think? It would be possible that she could die in the process, what a dysfunctional story that would end up being. Would God send her to hell if she didn't get a natural water baptism? I hope not. You are baptized in God's Holy Spirit at the point of your salvation. And you're going to get people on here claiming, there is no indwelling of the Holy Spirit anymore, as well as people who will believe you have to ask for it. Also, some Christian's believe you must ''speak in tongues'' as evidence for having the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor 12:13
declares, “For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Romans 8:9
tells us that if a person does not possess the Holy Spirit, he or she does not belong to Christ: “You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.” It's weird as to why people would think these verses only apply to those in the time this was written.
Last edited by a moderator:
Would you like some Bible verses to go with that GM777?
Jesus got baptized. Not because he needed to repent but he insisted and told John the Baptist "we must fulfill all righteousness" (Matt 3:15)
Criminal on the cross next to Jesus was promised paradise, but no time to be baptized. (Luke 23:43)
When he commissioned his disciples before ascending to heaven, Jesus commanded them to baptize new disciples (followers) (Matt 28:19, Mark 16:16)
Baptism was common and usually followed ASAP after a decision to follow Jesus in the book of Acts.
The only other thing I can add is that in many non-Western cultures, baptism is a much bigger deal and when you are baptized is kind of like when you officially become christian (to the point that a recently saved friend of mine thought God was so good to have her grandmother pass right before she was baptized because she had no qualms participating in the religious aspects of the funeral then).
Growing up in church, I wasn't baptized until it became a point of the church I was going to required it for membership. I don't think it is a salvation issue, but why wait to be obedient to what it is pretty clear that God desires? Most churches will want to hear your story of how you came to know Christ and probably do a short class to explain what baptism is and is not. I will state that I am convinced Biblical baptism is by immersion, but I would make the sprinkle exception for those who cannot be immersed.
Jesus got baptized. Not because he needed to repent but he insisted and told John the Baptist "we must fulfill all righteousness" (Matt 3:15)
Criminal on the cross next to Jesus was promised paradise, but no time to be baptized. (Luke 23:43)
When he commissioned his disciples before ascending to heaven, Jesus commanded them to baptize new disciples (followers) (Matt 28:19, Mark 16:16)
Baptism was common and usually followed ASAP after a decision to follow Jesus in the book of Acts.
The only other thing I can add is that in many non-Western cultures, baptism is a much bigger deal and when you are baptized is kind of like when you officially become christian (to the point that a recently saved friend of mine thought God was so good to have her grandmother pass right before she was baptized because she had no qualms participating in the religious aspects of the funeral then).
Growing up in church, I wasn't baptized until it became a point of the church I was going to required it for membership. I don't think it is a salvation issue, but why wait to be obedient to what it is pretty clear that God desires? Most churches will want to hear your story of how you came to know Christ and probably do a short class to explain what baptism is and is not. I will state that I am convinced Biblical baptism is by immersion, but I would make the sprinkle exception for those who cannot be immersed.
I see it this way, if your bodily able to be baptised as in, not hanging on a cross or disabled in some way that would make it exceedingly difficult to be baptised in water, your heart should be desiring it. To be baptised in the Holy Spirit is even easier! lol No Christian should not be baptised in the Holy Spirit.
Certainly NOT! (John 6v37, Acts 2v21, Rom 10v8,9,13 and so forth)
However, in Peter's first gospel message, he indicates that it is certainly desirable and should be fulfilled...Acts 2v38,39
And when Paul got saved, the first thing he did after getting filled with the Holy Spirit was get baptised in water!
It is also one of the "principles of the doctrine of Christ" referred to in Heb 6v1,2, "baptisms" which refers to baptism in water and baptism in the Holy Spirit.
You can find a short study Here on baptism in water...
Yahweh Shalom
However, in Peter's first gospel message, he indicates that it is certainly desirable and should be fulfilled...Acts 2v38,39
And when Paul got saved, the first thing he did after getting filled with the Holy Spirit was get baptised in water!
It is also one of the "principles of the doctrine of Christ" referred to in Heb 6v1,2, "baptisms" which refers to baptism in water and baptism in the Holy Spirit.
You can find a short study Here on baptism in water...
Yahweh Shalom
Water baptism is surely necessary for a new believer........Why? Because Jesus commanded us to be baptized, and gave us an example to follow. Water baptism is an act of obedience to Him.
If one willingly refuses to be water baptized, then are they not willingly refusing to be obedient to Christ? Now, if water baptism is not possible (for one reason or another.......such as a death bed conversion.......battlefield conversion) then the believer will still receive the saving Grace of God which comes by believing in His Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. However, simply not having a "family" church does not excuse one not being baptized. If you know other Christians who have been baptized, any one of them can baptize you in accordance with Matthew, Chapter 28.
Why choose to tempt God by not being obedient to the commandment of Jesus Christ?
If one willingly refuses to be water baptized, then are they not willingly refusing to be obedient to Christ? Now, if water baptism is not possible (for one reason or another.......such as a death bed conversion.......battlefield conversion) then the believer will still receive the saving Grace of God which comes by believing in His Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. However, simply not having a "family" church does not excuse one not being baptized. If you know other Christians who have been baptized, any one of them can baptize you in accordance with Matthew, Chapter 28.
Why choose to tempt God by not being obedient to the commandment of Jesus Christ?
Great question! Baptism is a physical representation of what should happen in the spiritual realm. Baptism represents the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. (1st Corinthians 15:13) In the book of John 3:1-21, Jesus told Nicodemus "You must be born again." We cant enter in through the flesh, because no flesh shall glory in His presence; Nor can we please God in our flesh. Because God is Holy, He said "be ye Holy for I am Holy" and our flesh is corruptible. Therefore, baptism is essential to our overall transformation as we convert from carnal(flesh) to celestial(spiritual). As we begin to receive the word of God in our spirit we begin to be convicted. When we are convicted there is a disturbance within our spirit that desires to be right and do right also known as surrendering. We will always fail trying to do God, know God and receive God through our own knowledge and intellect.(Note: Peters revelation did not come until He renewed his mind; Then God revealed to him who Jesus was. Therefore we must die to our sin, and allow the spirit of God "His Word" to penatrate our hearts, wash us and make us whole. We show this through baptism. We illustrate dying to our sin nature which is our past ways, and former lifestyle and being Renewed in mind, body and the Spirit. (Romans 12:1-2). So regarding the oxymoron about Grandma dying before being saved; Only God knows that His Word broke up the fallow grounds of her heart and she received salvation which is Jesus Christ. (Believe,Have Faith,Confess Jesus is Lord, Repent & Be Transformed.)
A
Check out those NDE (Near Death Experiences) videos on YouTube. Jesus greets sincere believers and NEVER asks about your denomination or baptism or anything else like that. He sees His heart in you.
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”.
Near Death Experiences (NDE) And The Truth Being Lost in Religion
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”.
Near Death Experiences (NDE) And The Truth Being Lost in Religion
exactly if you clearly read my response I state the Gospel which is the death burial and resurrection of Christ Jesus. Because we cannot physically die, be buried and rise again we must demonstrate what Christ did physically with spiritual symbolism, The water represents the cleansing or washing away of our sins, when we go under we are dying or showing God that we desire to live for Him and no longer self, when we come up we declare and show that His power has redeemed us and we are one with Him. anyhow its not that complicated....Be bless I will not continue to respond I have given what the Holy Spirit has given me,
A
Besides, there is a baptism of water -- and one of fire. This post is for the whole website. If you want to quote The Word of God take a big gulp and go here:
Origin of the Bible and the Conspiracy That Removed Certain Books - P01
Origin of the Bible and the Conspiracy That Removed Certain Books - P01
T
lol yes sis Amen to everything you said. That! was a beautifully spelled out dissertation concerning baptism. That comment I wrote about grandma dying during baptism was supposed to be attached to an earlier comment I left on this thread of water baptism lol. I left it 2 weeks ago. Wow, how embarrassing that it ended up just being by itself looking like it makes no sense. I hypothetically drew out a scene of an elderly woman that confessed JEsus as Lord and Savior, but the catch is; she's hooked up to an oxygen tank because her lungs are rapidly failing. Now, under those circumstances, it is not illogical to say that it would be almost an impossibility to complete her water baptism without it resulting in death or immediate hospitalization. Also, in those conditions, it would even be a stretch to get her ready for baptism. That's a scary thought no? yes. What a dysfunctional story that would be if a group of believers that held strongly to selected scriptures that from the onset, (in their minds) looks like water baptism is necessary for salvation. I think it would charge them to reconsider their interpretation of their belief and teaching of it. BUT I AGREED FULLY WITH YOU. Awesome stuff sister. It's an inner working of the Holy Spirit, and we get in that water when the work is heartily and mentally undeniable, not by pressure. 
The oxymoronic part is that she is trying to get saved and receive life, but loses it in the process due to a somewhat wacky belief.
The oxymoronic part is that she is trying to get saved and receive life, but loses it in the process due to a somewhat wacky belief.