Do we stress baptism enough?

Throughout the book of Acts there are accounts of people being baptized as soon as possible upon believing the good news. This indicates that baptism was an integral and important part of the message. Nowhere is this more clear than Acts 8:34-36:

"So the eunuch answered Philip and said, 'I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?' Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, 'See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?' "

After Philip "preached Jesus to him" the eunuch wanted to be baptized at the first opportunity, indicating that part—an important part—of the message Philip preached to him was baptism.

So often all you hear preached is only part of the good news—believing and receiving. Whether or not you believe baptism is critical for the forgiveness of sins or rebirth, it can't be denied that it should be preached and practiced. Organizations like the Salvation Army don't even teach or practice baptism at all.

I agree good post to consider. I’m not sure we need to stress it so much as just share what the word says about it and not explain it away when it comes up.

for instance paul wasn’t a Baptizer like John but the apostle Paul taught a lot in his epistles about baptism he teaches depth of what it means or ( revelation of ) regarding our sins being remitted just one example of many look at all the understanding he’s showing us regarding its function if we don’t reject it or ignore it’s importance like your getting at

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:3-9, 11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

there’s so much in Paul and also
Peters epistles and also acts , regarding baptism and what it means and it’s function for a believer walking in the life of faith.

It is an act of faith believing what we hear about it in Gods word should be what leads us to do it. A lot of these important things in scripture simply require us not to reject them when we hear or read them and be willing to learn from what’s written and let it change our thinking.

God bless indeed

I’m with you I believe it’s an important matter but I’m not sure we should think people who haven’t been baptized are going to hell or anythingas some seem to think. But it’s Just my own thoughts and doesn’t mean it’s the right thinking for everyone

“And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭9:17-18‬ ‭

amen Paul was called to be a witness and a teacher of the gospel , others were called to baptize in christs name. Paul taught it in depth though

Which baptism: of fire, of the Spirit, by the Spirit, or in water?

Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the
calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience,
showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit
in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one
hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all Who
is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:1-6)

You are absolutely right. Given what Peter preached on the day of Pentecost, and what he COMMANDED in the house of Cornelius, one would think that every preacher worth his salt would make sure that those who hear the Gospel also hear about Christ's command to be baptized. And water baptism is neither for (a) the forgiveness of sins, nor is it (b) for regeneration. It is for full identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ -- "buried in the likeness of His death and raised to walk in newness of life".

The one baptism here is the baptism by the Spirit. The Spirit positions us within the Body of Christ (e.g. we are immersed into the Body by the Spirit). This is the baptism that makes us one in Christ.

Amen one is what we’re meant to do ( water baptism ) and the Other part of that is what Jesus promised to do for us who believe the gospel. two parts one baptism for the church the other part a gift from heaven the Holy Ghost

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭16:15-16‬ ‭KJV‬‬


“And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭8:36-38‬ ‭

to the Jews after Jesus rose and went to heaven

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,

and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:38‬ ‭KJV‬‬

to the Gentiles even after that

“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. …..Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? ….And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭10:44, 47-48‬ ‭

Notice the two parts ? Water for remission of sins is something we act in because we believe and spirit from belief is what Jesus promised to do for us

“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.”
‭‭John‬ ‭3:5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

two aspects of one baptism one is an action the other a result they complete each other

“ water baptism is neither for (a) the forgiveness of sins,” ????

(remission of )

“Given what Peter preached on the day of Pentecost,”

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,

and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:38‬ ‭KJV‬‬

given what Peter said ( which you quoted but seem to also disagree with )there it seems it’s plainly for remission of sins.

That’s the reason people react like this when they come to understand that it’s Gods promise to remit thier sins

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:41‬ ‭KJV‬‬

what repentant sinner wouldn’t go get baptized if they receive the word of what it’s for and believe ? Thats how faith operates we believe and therefore act upon our belief

No verse should be taken in isolation. Yes it does appear from the order of words in this verse that baptism is necessary for the remission of sins. And if we stopped right there and failed to take the total Gospel message into account we would conclude that that is the case. But is it? Not if you take other Scriptures into account.

THE WORDS OF CHRIST IN LUKE 24 DO NOT INCLUDE BAPTISM
Jesus said: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Lk 24:47) It is both logical and spiritually sound to believe that it is repentance which leads to the remission of sins. The narrative of Zacchaeus confirms this. When he repented of his sins Christ said that salvation had come to his house. Also, when we go all the way back to the book of Jonah we see the connection between repentance and remission of sins.

THE WORDS OF PETER IN ACTS 3 DO NOT INCLUDED BAPTISM
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; (Acts 3:19) Here Peter includes the necessity of both repentance and conversion in order for sins to be blotted out. Which is what the remission of sins means.

THE WORDS OF PAUL IN ACTS 20 DO NOT INCLUDE BAPTISM
And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 20:20,21) Indeed Paul stated elsewhere that he was not sent to baptize but to preach the Gospel. Had baptism been necessary for the remission of sins he could not have said that.

So the purpose of water baptism, as already mentioned, is the full identification of the believer with the death. burial, and resurrection of Christ. There are also other aspects of baptism which are just as important, but we can discuss those separately. But we should not mislead people into thinking that baptism washes away sins. And here we have the example of the repentant thief on the cross, who died shortly after his confession of faith.

So why did Peter juxtapose baptism with both the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost? Because in his mind's eye the one who repents and believes is baptized immediately or almost immediately. And that is the pattern which we find in Acts.

God is Love. Isolated and ultimately true.

True, "stress" is perhaps the wrong word. It should simply be preached every time the good news is preached; and every time an "altar call" is given.

Thus, no stress or Confusion over What God Teaches is not for us, today.
Also, The GRACE Movement has no stress, either. ie:

God's Context of:

Prophecy/Law for ISRAEL, under the gospel of the kingdom ("faith Without works
is DEAD!) = "he that believeth AND IS baptized shall be saved," Correct?

►►► The Twelve Were Sent to {water} baptize! ◄◄◄

The TWO Main (of 12) baptismS =

A) water, For remission of sins/induction into Israeli "priesthood!":
(Matthew_3:5-6; Mark_1:4; Luke_3:3; John_1:31; Especially Luke 7:29-30;
Acts_10:37; Matthew_28:19; Mark_16:16; Acts_2:38, 22:16; Ezekiel_36:25)
+
B) WITH The Holy Spirit, Poured Out By CHRIST, for power, signs And wonders!
(Isaiah_44:3; Matthew_3:11; Mark_1:8, 16:17-18;
Luke_24:49; Acts_2:17-18, 38, 8:15-17, 11:16)

"Remains Consistent with God's Context" of Prophecy/Law, Correct?

Rightly Divided (2 Timothy 2:15) From “Things That DIFFER!” {online}:

God's Other Context Of: Mystery/GRACE! =

our "apostle to the Gentiles" for The Body Of CHRIST, with The
Gospel Of The GRACE Of God! (Salvation = GRACE Through faith
Apart FROM all works) = Eph 2:8-9; Rom 3:24; Titus 3:5; And MERCY!

►►► Paul Was Not Sent to {water} baptize! Why Not?: ◄◄◄

Today: Only ONE Baptism = "BY" The ONE Spirit = God's OPERATION,
Spiritually Identifying members In (The ONE Body Of) CHRIST!!
(Ephesians 4:5; Colossians_2:12; Galatians_3:27;
Romans_6:3-4; ►►► 1 Corinthians 12:13 ◄◄◄)

"Remains Consistent with God's Context" of Mystery/GRACE, Correct?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Conclusion: Why is This Sound Doctrine not "STRESSED enough" today?:

God's ONE Baptism Today? = ONE!

Is it not Possible That God's Answer Of "No water baptism, for
us Today," Under HIS Pure GRACE, absolutely vanquishes Satan's
{Many Severely DIVIDED denominations?} Confusion into oblivion!?

---------------------------------------------------

FULL "study" of ALL Bible baptisms is here:

12 baptisms vs ONE Baptism!

---------------------------------------

GRACE And Peace...

As usual, no sense whatsoever.

couldn’t agree more with your thinking in this thread and post it’s important stuff. I wish as Christians we could accept that scripture has a clear and complete message and having “ Faith “ doesn’t mean we are to ignore what he said and do the things he said offer salvation. It’s actually the opposite that we hear what he said and follow after those things in belief

I think this is an important thread sorry for saying so much in it God bless and keep You on the path of Life and light by the power of his word

so your point is places in scriptire don’t mention baptism ? Yeah I agree that’s why we need to accept it all.

To know what baptism means and is for lol we would want to find the scriptures that do mention it wouldn’t we ?

“No verse should be taken in isolation. Yes it does appear from the order of words in this verse that baptism is necessary for the remission of sins.”

yeah I agree that’s ya why I’ve offered many Saying the same thing before the cross after the cross tonjews and gentiles . Sort of my point exactly.

pauls words don’t negate peters , Paul is just another apostle no more, no less. We should look to what Jesus did and said that’s how the rest makes sense . And it’s what all of the apostles believed and witnessed.

Nothing Paul says in his letters change what’s already stated and made perfectly clear. we can find many scripture that doesn’t mention Jesus death or resurrection also but does that change the truth of those that do ?

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭16:15-16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

that’s always going to be true. It’s true for Jew and gentile yesterday today and forever That’s always going to be the case. It doesn’t say “ anyone who doesn’t get baptized is lost “ it’s faith it invites belief and action


you are the one who pointed to what Peter said at pentocost and in the house of Cornelius and both support baptism which was your point but at the same time now you are making an argument against what he said it is for ?

For example this

“for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭26:28‬ ‭KJV‬‬

doesn’t mean baptism isn’t about remission of sins. This

“and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭24:47‬ ‭

doesn’t change baptism for remission of sins . this

“To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭10:43‬ ‭KJV‬‬

doesn’t change baptism for remission of sins . this

“whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭3:25‬ ‭KJV‬‬

None of those or any other bearers change what baptism is for in anyway because they aren’t teaching baptism in those verses thier witnessing belief in Christ who died for remission of sins.

If we want to know what baptism in water is for we need to read the verses that explain it not the ones that don’t mention it that’s just a diversion.

Baptism in water has always been the same beforehand in the beginning of the gospel

“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, Which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭1:1-4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

that message of remission is the whole poo t of baptism

“And there went out unto him all the land of Judæa, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭1:5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

after Jesus she’s his blood of remission according to his words in the gospel to both the Jews

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,

and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:38‬ ‭KJV‬‬

they do it because they believe and also gentile

“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

…Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭10:44-45, 47-48‬ ‭

Because Peter doesn’t specifically say “ for remission of sins “ doesn’t change anything of that was the case the Bible would just be one verse that always said the same thing

whe. Paul was converted to the church the first thing he did was get baptized and start preaching that Jesus is the son of God the promised messiah who would die for sins and be raised up again. This again doesn’t change anything regarding baptism

when we say I believe it doesn’t excuse us from doing what he said to do it means we believe and will do it because we do believe he is the one we then get baptized in his name who died for our sins. Once you learn something then after you add to it you don’t remove what’s already established

“And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭9:18-20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

this is doesn’t contradict anything else paul said or anything anyone else said each verse is meant to reconcile with the others.

but if you can find a single verse explaining baptism changed or baptism means another thing I’d be happy to think on it.

until then it remains clear (to
Me at least ) baptism
In Jesus name is for repentance and remission of sins.

does any scripture say anything different by itself ?

Since you are still failing to see the purpose of water baptism and want the Scriptures which are related, let's go to the passage which clarifies it:

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: (Romans 6:3-5)

1. What does Paul mean by "baptized into His death"? Does it not mean identified with the death of Christ symbolically through baptism?

2. What does Paul mean by "buried with Him by baptism into death" or "planted together in the likeness of His death? Does it not mean than when a person is immersed in water it symbolically represents burial with Christ who was entombed?

3. What does Paul mean by "raised to walk in newness of life" or "in the likeness of His resurrection"? Does it not mean that when a person is raised up out of the water, it symbolically represents resurrection with Christ.

So we can clearly see that the primary purpose of baptism by immersion is total identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. But there is also a deeper meaning. It means that the believer has died to his old sinful life, and will now live by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit "in newness of life" (a transformed life). This ties in with the New Birth, in which God gives the believer a new heart and a new spirit when He puts His Holy Spirit in that person (which is in fact the gift of the Holy Spirit). When Paul says "Know ye not" he is asking you, do you not know the true significance of water baptism?

I’m not failing to see what water baptism is for Peter makes it clear as do many other scriptures I just don’t try to explain them away as if Peter had no clue and I understand better than him who had as you pointed out Jist received the Holy Ghost at pentocost moments later he made it pretty clear

The spirit is a gift from heaven to believers because of this

“Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

(baptism is for this purpose )

…Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,

and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:33, 38‬ ‭KJV‬‬

I’m not foolish enough to think I understand better to an what’s actually there in the holy scripture spoken by Peter who had just received the Holy Spirit.

so I don’t try to reason and draw attention away from the plain truth I just believe it’s true , and so I share it with Other people who are able to accept it for what it is . Not not inventing theology and reasoning it into oblivion.

do you see this part ?

“Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.”

that’s what Jesus promised in the gospel and what John meant by he would baptize with the spirit. He was going to send the spirit to believers when he was glorified in heaven Peter is explaining that has happened and he’s sent the spirit into the world now and yet he’s still telling them to get baptized for remission of sins it’s the first thing he told thy en when they asked “ what shall we do ?”

“But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

( this is Paul and all the apostles role not to erase the word of Christ but to teach it with revelation )

I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come


. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.”
‭‭John‬ ‭16:5, 7, 12-15‬ ‭KJV‬‬


To understand the apostles one needs to believe the things Jesus taught that’s the foundation of all of it

but listen it’s okay if you don’t agree it’s senseless to argue about basics.

I think that people major in the minors way too much.

And they absolutely can't love God more than themselves.
They are incapable of loving their neighbors more than themselves.

And then what's worse is they heap legalisms on others. Don't touch, don't taste, don't look...and they appear to have some sort of wisdom but offer no value for getting closer to God. In fact they get you further from the truth than you were before.