Baptist and Baptism

And just for the record...

I DO consider Baptism to be important.

And I have VERY strong views on it.

But I still get tired of arguing about it.

..

I don't argue...I just post G-d's word.
Feel free...just understand the consequences for not following G-d's Bible.

You seem to have a unusual definition of arguing.
What is wrong with discussing it?

G-d has strict convictions...why shouldn't we followers?...He commands it.

Recently Andy Stanley...son of mega tv minister Charles Stanley...proclaimed that the commandments does not apply to today's Christian. A great deception. The Bible tells us that in the end times ...there will be great deceptions......they are here.

We are reminded of scripture;......
"End Times Deception
Satan is going to bring great deceptions to this world in these end times, to deceive as many people as he can and keep them from Christ's kingdom. Revelation 12:17 says that "the dragon" which is Satan, is "wroth with the woman and went to make war were her remnant ... who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus." The remnant of this woman is God's end time church, His true followers who keep His ten commandments and have the testimony of Jesus. And Satan is wroth with these people, because they are doing what is right in God's eyes. So he goes to "make war" with them.
So what is Satan going to do? Is he preparing an army to fight against God's true church? Well, in a way he is preparing the leaders of the world to "fight" against God's people who refuse the beast's mark when it is enforced, as it says in Revelation 13:15 that they will be delivered up to be killed. But what is Satan's greatest weapon in war? DECEPTION! He is the arch deceiver, a mighty foe ...
... which is why we need to be grounded on the truth of God's Word in the Bible. This is the ONLY way we can discern any deceptions, by knowing the truth and living according to it.
Mark 13:5,22 ...'TAKE HEED, lest any man deceive you ... For false christs and false prophets shall arise and shall show signs and wonders to seduce, if possible, even the elect.'
Let me give you one example of a DANGEROUS spiritual deception that is sweeping through the churches of the world today. 'Contemplative Prayer'. What is contemplative prayer? It is a new age meditation process where you empty your mind of any thought, and 'center' your prayer upon say one word or name, and then keep repeating that word, in a bid to 'connect with God' and gain a 'real spiritual experience'.
Please stay away from this deception!"
Contemplative prayer (or centering prayer) is part of this 'spiritual formation' movement, which is also part of the emergent church movement. Now the obvious problem with this is that it is NOT Biblical. And Jesus actually warned us about using 'vain repetitions' in prayer (Matthew 6:7-8). So if you do something that is not Biblical and are seeking to get a 'feeling' or 'experience' from it. Then what is going to happen? You are going to open the door to satan and he will gladly give you a 'feeling' and 'experience' to trap you!
Jesus has warned us that the signs and wonders to come from these false "angels of light" will be so deceptive, that if we do not seek the truth with earnest hearts and live according to the truth, then we will be deceived. Those signs and wonders will be so seductive and even WILLhave many elements of truth in them that even the very elect may be deceived.
Unfortunately, there are many professing Christians today that rely on their own "feelings" as to whether something is of God. But to judge something on how it "feels" or "looks" rather than test it against God's Word in the Bible is a road that will lead to ruin. It will be an easy job for Satan to deceive those who rely on feelings rather than the Bible truth. And we see the groundwork for Satan's great end time deception already laid in the widely accepted teachings of "immortality of the soul", and "Sunday Sabbath". For the truth on these important issues, see what happens when we die and the sabbath day.
Revelation 16:13-14 ...'And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.'
These unclean spirits like frogs will be the last great deceptions from Satan to come upon the world before the second coming of Christ Jesus. Now the dragon in Bible prophecy is a symbol of Satan. The beast of Revelation 13 is the Papal Church of Rome (Roman Catholic Church). And the false prophet is the false religious movement in America. Now notice that it is out of the "mouths" that these deceiving spirits like frogs come. And with what do frogs catch their prey? With their tongues! So in the last days, the Roman Catholic Church and America will "speak" and cause/deceive the world into worshiping the image of the beast (Rev. 13:15), and ultimately Satan.....
Revelation 13:15 ...'And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should SPEAK and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be KILLED.'
The image of the beast, which will be a church-state union in Protestant America, (image of the Papacy) will "speak" laws into existence that will be contrary to the law of our Creator God. Which is why in Revelation 14:12 it says that the saints, the one's NOT taking the mark of the beast are those who are KEEPING GOD'S COMMANDMENTS. And one of the ways that Satan will seduce the world into thinking that this law is from God, is through spiritualism.......

This is where the great signs and wonders are brought in to deceive the people of the world into thinking that these "religious" laws will be from God. There will be great revivals, healings and even 'impersonations' of loved ones coming down from heaven to try and confirm that this is from God. But we are not to be deceived by these things, because we stand firm on the truth of God's Word. We know that believers who have passed away are still in their graves awaiting the resurrection, they are not in heaven (see here). And we know that TRUE revival is a revival of holy living, following in Jesus' footsteps and keeping God's eternal law, not just a gathering of thousands of people listening and dancing to a modern rock 'worship' band. Just look at what Jesus said:
Matthew 7:21-23 ...'Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.'
"As the teachings of spiritualism are accepted by the churches, the restraint imposed upon the carnal heart is removed, and the profession of religion will become a cloak to conceal the basest iniquity. A belief in spiritual manifestations opens the door to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, and thus the influence of evil angels will be felt in the churches." (E.White, The Great Controversy, p.603)
Why will Jesus say to these people "depart from Me", even though they did many wonderful things in "His name"? Because they were not truly transformed by the renewing of their hearts in turning away from sin and keeping God's commandments. So what does this mean with regards to the healings and miracles that they performed? They were done through the power of Satan.
Now on top of these deceptions, look at what the "earth beast" (America) does in the sight of men ... Revelation 13:13-14 ...'And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast.' ... (Acts 2:3)....
There are so many deceptions going on in these end times, that if we don't study the Bible for ourselves we will end up falling victim to these deceptions!
Please! Study the Word of God for yourself and find out the truth!
Satan, with his fallen angels are working with the leaders of this world to deceive the people into accepting a false form of worship. We have this drive going on around the world to unite the denominations and different faiths in an effort to bring peace to this world. But God's people cannot unite with the fallen churches who have gone the way of the world and rejected the precepts of our Heavenly Father. Instead God is calling his people OUT of these churches saying, come out of her my people (Revelation 18:4).
So we must stand by the truth of God's Word and let Christ Jesus dwell in us and live in us, transforming our hearts and minds into His likeness. This is the only way to overcome end times deceptions. We must stand firm on the truth, no matter what is going on around us. No matter what "miracles" or "signs" or "wonders" are being performed, if it is not according to the truth and if the people performing them are living contrary to the commandments of God, then reject it".


We need much Bible study.

1. You are actually starting a line of argumentation regarding why I don't want to argue.

Do you realize how crazy this is getting?

Seriously Bro, you're starting to sound like an old girlfriend or something.


2. There is nothing wrong with you discusing anything you wish to discuss with those who wish to discuss it with you.

You are perfectly free to discuss, argue, debate, dialogue etc etc etc about whatever you like.

I was simply stating that I personally get tired of arguing about the same things all the time.
Baptism is just one of those issues we debate constantly.

If "constantly" isn't enough, and you feel the need for even more, that's perfectly fine.



Have fun in the forums.
..

No probs

So tell us preston39, if you were standing at the gates of heaven right now and Jesus Christ asked you why He should let you into heaven, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR EXACT ANSWER?

I will answer...but, Why do you ask such question?

The answer to my question will demonstrate exactly what you are trusting in for salvation.

There is nothing elusive about G-d's plan;

I would say...." Because I believe in and trust your grace".

Only by G-d's grace are we able to meet His standards for eternal salvation.

Same question........and what do you trust in?

Well I believe in adult Baptisim as both an outward sign as well as a public testimony. However since the day of Pentacost the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is what circumcises the heart and boosts our faith.

My answer would be because you died for my sins, were buried and rose again the third day to provide for me eternal life. I believe the gospel by trusting in your finished work of redemption as the ALL-sufficient means of my salvation.

Man is saved by grace through faith, not works. (Ephesians 2:8,9)

Romans 10:1-13

Israel Needs the Gospel
1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.
2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
5 For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, “The man who does those things shall live by them.”
6 But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down from above)
7 or, “ ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).
8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach):
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”
12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.
13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”


Ephesians 2:8-10
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Amen

It is the work of God we believe,, Even our faith is Gods work..

...or an ex-wife.

Ephesians 2:8-10
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

I am saved by grace through faith and confession of the risen Lord Jesus.
Upon confession of the sin of unbelief which the Holy Spirit came to convict me off then I walk according to the way he walked.

Just wanna be like Jesus.
The walk does not save me but my faith saves me.

We cannot be saved by works without faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus.
If so then he did not need to die.
He died for our sins in order to tear the temple curtain in two to reconcile us back to the Father.

John 12:44-45
44 Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me.45 For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me.

Romans 5:1-5

1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.
2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.
4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.
5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

The word faith seems to missing.
No mention of faith at all.

That says it all.