Can I start out by saying that it troubles me to read some of the comments. People have reasons why they believe certain doctrines. They are not all idiots and not necessarily profaning God's word. It's obvious that some don't even know what baptism they are talking about or referring to.
There is one Lord, one faith and one baptism. Yet the Bible states that there are three. Some people think immersion in water when the word baptism is mentioned. Some think it is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. However, the baptism that is God's doing and not subject to the choice of the individual is the baptism into Christ.
Romans 6:2-4
…Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer? Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life.…
I'm not a fan of the NIV but this time it makes the meaning clear....
Ephesians 1:13
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, (emphasis mine)
We can say that God included or baptised us into Christ. Because we are in Christ, by God's doing, not ours, we are also baptised into his death. Hey, we're up to four baptisms now (just kidding). However, again it is something that God does.
What do you do when someone dies? You bury them. And that is exactly what water baptism is about. As we have read, we were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death....It is our outward, public declaration of our new birth, our death to sin, Satan, self and the world and our resurrection to new life.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a second and optional experience. If you believe otherwise, I suggest that you reread your Bible. Nowhere does it even imply that you must be baptised in either water or the Holy Spirit to be born again. Yes, you can cherry pick Bible verses to try and prove a point. I can assure you that you future Kingdom rewards do not depend on your theological disposition. God is far more interested in fruit. I don't remember where it is said, "By their perfect doctrines will you know them."
Part of the problem is the religious word "baptise". It frightened the translators of the King James because baby sprinkling was the norm in those days. Those who taught immersion of adult believers were persecuted. Perhaps the best known is John Bunyan, who paid a huge price for standing up for truth. "Baptise" is simply an anglicised version of the Greek word. It was used to describe sunken ships. Not ships that were sprinkled by clean water. If all this is a little confusing, try replacing "baptise" with "immerse".
Before the baby sprinklers get upset, I understand the basis for the practice. I don't agree, but neither will I refuse to have fellowship with those who accept it. I've met Anglicans who are a delight and Pentecostals that I could get away from quickly enough. And yes, vice versa. God looks to see if we are alive in Christ. If that is the case, God delights in us. If not, theological perfection is of no value.
There is one Lord, one faith and one baptism. Yet the Bible states that there are three. Some people think immersion in water when the word baptism is mentioned. Some think it is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. However, the baptism that is God's doing and not subject to the choice of the individual is the baptism into Christ.
Romans 6:2-4
…Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer? Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life.…
I'm not a fan of the NIV but this time it makes the meaning clear....
Ephesians 1:13
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, (emphasis mine)
We can say that God included or baptised us into Christ. Because we are in Christ, by God's doing, not ours, we are also baptised into his death. Hey, we're up to four baptisms now (just kidding). However, again it is something that God does.
What do you do when someone dies? You bury them. And that is exactly what water baptism is about. As we have read, we were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death....It is our outward, public declaration of our new birth, our death to sin, Satan, self and the world and our resurrection to new life.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a second and optional experience. If you believe otherwise, I suggest that you reread your Bible. Nowhere does it even imply that you must be baptised in either water or the Holy Spirit to be born again. Yes, you can cherry pick Bible verses to try and prove a point. I can assure you that you future Kingdom rewards do not depend on your theological disposition. God is far more interested in fruit. I don't remember where it is said, "By their perfect doctrines will you know them."
Part of the problem is the religious word "baptise". It frightened the translators of the King James because baby sprinkling was the norm in those days. Those who taught immersion of adult believers were persecuted. Perhaps the best known is John Bunyan, who paid a huge price for standing up for truth. "Baptise" is simply an anglicised version of the Greek word. It was used to describe sunken ships. Not ships that were sprinkled by clean water. If all this is a little confusing, try replacing "baptise" with "immerse".
Before the baby sprinklers get upset, I understand the basis for the practice. I don't agree, but neither will I refuse to have fellowship with those who accept it. I've met Anglicans who are a delight and Pentecostals that I could get away from quickly enough. And yes, vice versa. God looks to see if we are alive in Christ. If that is the case, God delights in us. If not, theological perfection is of no value.
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