Do we stress baptism enough?

goose bumps

To You ----------Please provide Scripture that states that Water baptism takes away your sins -----

Scripture clearly states this ---

Hebrews 9:22
Amplified Bible
In fact under the Law almost everything is cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness [neither release from sin and its guilt, nor cancellation of the merited punishment].

Context
Redemption through His Blood
…21In the same way, he sprinkled with blood the tabernacle and all the vessels used in worship.

22According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

23So it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.…

I say
No mention of water Baptism here ----Just the Blood of Jesus for the remission of sins ------without your sins being forgiven ---your DOOMED ------

You make good points, and those seem to be really pertinent scriptures too. I'm thinking though, that there's two stages to my salvation, the first being my acquiring the faith that causes me to believe in Jesus as The Christ and that saves me from penalties due to me through the ungodliness of my past, and stage two being the continuance of that faith plus my subsequent faithfulness/loyalty/obedience to the Lord of my faith throughout the rest of my life, this will cement my salvation. Does that seem to make sense?

The answer is, there are no scriptures that state water baptism is to be done as a public display. This in itself should prompt further study.

There are scriptures, however, that state obedience to the command is when an individual's sins are remitted. And it is only because of Jesus' shed blood that following the God-given command brings about the reality.

Mark 1:1-4
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.

Luke 3:2-3
Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;

Acts 2:38-40
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.
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Acts 22:14-16 (Paul's water baptism)
And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

The answer to the OP question becomes painfully obvious considering how few are willing to accept what the bible actually says about water baptism. Faith requires believing what is stated in the Word and acting on that belief. Therefore, to believe that obedience to water baptism is required as a public display is to reject what God's Word actually says. Not good according to Jesus. (John 12:48)

It would seem tradition has clouded the minds of many and as Jesus said, has made the Word of God of none effect. (Matt. 15:6, Mk. 7:13) Case in point, one's unwillingness to accept that their sins are forgiven in obedience to water baptism in the name of Jesus retain their sin.

There are no scriptures that state water baptism is to be done as a public display. This in itself should prompt further study.

There are scriptures that state obedience to the command is when an individual's sins are remitted. I've included a few below. And it is only because of the shed blood of our Savior Jesus Christ that following the God-given command brings about that reality.

Mark 1:1-4
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.

Luke 3:2-3
Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;

Acts 2:38-40
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.
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Acts 22:14-16 (Paul's water baptism)
And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Wansvic, do you believe that through baptism our sins are forgiven?

Thank you for sharing scripture, and advice.

Here is a thing though. Even though I agree with you mostly, your insistence that new believers must be baptised in water, I have found to be incorrect. I know what the Bible says about it, but I also know the reality of what happened in my own life.

I was born again when given the gift of faith to believe, in my own home whist reading the New Testament of the Christian Bible for the first time. God opened my mind, took the shutters of it, to believe that Jesus is the Christ, and that I ought follow and obey Him., There was no one there to baptise me, and I knew of nowhere I could go. As I continued to read on through the Bible, I realised that Jesus did not institute denominations as they go against His will that there be no divisions in His church. I therefore concluded it would be likely that I will go through life without being water baptised, since it would be hard for me to find a servant of God that could do it for me, and so I gave up thinking about. That was about 39 years ago.

I have concluded that it would be wrong for me to claim that water baptism is essential to salvation, but I did realise that an alive spirit and a heart dedicated to serving Jesus, are!

Thanks again for sharing 🙂. Shalom.

The new testament teaches that new believers are to be baptized in water. The only way a person can get around this is to put on blinders and deliberately ignore the scriptures' clear teaching.

Jesus shed His blood for forgiveness of the sins of all humanity. And faith is what appropriates this, God's grace, to individual's. Belief in and yielding to God's water baptism command results in one's personal sin being washed away in accordance with Jesus' sacrifice. (Acts 22:16, 2:2-40)

If not for Jesus' death, burial and resurrection water baptism would result in nothing more than getting wet.

Is this washing away literal or figurative?

The reason I am firm in my stance is because of what is actually stated in the bible. I know common belief differs, but Jesus said everyone is going to be judged by the bible not denominational beliefs. (John 12:48) And it is my sincere desire to share what is stated in the bible in an effort to help others not hinder them.

Consider the significance of every group of humanity being commanded to submit to water baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus as witnessed from the biblical record. (Jews-Acts 2:38-41, Samaritans- 8:12-18, Gentiles- 10:43-48, Individual disciples-19:1-6, Paul-22:16) It is confirmed that water baptism was not an option because Jesus instructed the apostles to teach and baptize all nations. And said he who believes and is baptized shall be saved. (Mark 16:16)

You mentioned there is no one to water baptize you. I believe God will provide such a person. Jesus said those who ask anything in His name will receive. Be blessed!

Literal since Jesus told the apostles: "Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained." John 20:23
This indicates that God brings about a spiritual reality when the gospel message is preached, believed, and acted upon.

Now you've lost me.

I believe baptism is an appeal to God for a good conscience per 1 Peter 3:21. When we believe in Christ's sacrifice for our sins, our sins are forgiven and washed away by His blood; we're pure as far as God is concerned. However, baptism represents the beginning of a new life and through it we're born again. Baptism washes away our past sins that pollute our own conscience, this is why it's so important.

That's how I see it at least.

Precious friend, thanks So Much for sharing. I was beginning to wonder if
anyone else had the same Bible view of "water not for today," that I found
Within It's Wonderful Pages.

About 43 years ago, I also was at home, when, on the phone, a dear lady
took my order for "booklets on Heaven, Hell, and Home Life," and asked if
was sure I was going to heaven. She shared God's Good News, I prayed,
and immediately knew Something was Different. Upon study of Scripture
I found out It was the "Peace Of God Which passeth all understanding."
(Romans 5:1; Philippians 4:7).

I still had to go through the "cult/denomination" traditions for several years.
I am a Very Slow student. As a new babe In Christ, the church of Christ
deceived/baptized me, but, just being on vacation, I never went back.

Next was "reformed" baptizing/dedicating infants. I did not see that in
Scripture, and asked them about it. Received a "booklet" explanation,
but, sadly, it was Far from Scripture.

Then found a baptist church, one of their "study books" telling
(deceiving?) me that they "were the Closest to a NT church?" They Re-did
the water ritual, saying the RCC baby bath water, and the coc dunking
I went through were illegitimate. But, hey, as a baby, what did I know?

After several more years of "taking church notes/studying Scriptures at
home," slowly "learning/growing In God's Amazing GRACE," I discovered
Right Division * And ONE Baptism.

Left all the Confusion behind, have never looked back = 31 years ago.

Again, Precious friend, Thanks for Sharing, And for listening.
* Please be Very RICHLY Enlightened, Encouraged, And Edified!

GRACE And Peace...

I say -----Your trying to make scripture say what you want it to say here -------there is not one Scripture that talks about Personal Sin being forgiven by water baptism ----and your scripture here in Acts says no such thing that your personal sin is being forgiven ====that is just False Doctrine -----your taking Scripture out of its CONTEXT

Jesus took ALL SIN------- PERSONAL and OTHERWISE ------and when BELIEVERS SIN ---GOD REMEMBERS them NO MORE -----water Baptism has nothing to do with sin ------it has everything to do with showing your Faith outwardly in Christ --now under the New Covenant =====

Understanding Scripture is very much needed ------your picking a piece of scripture and making up your own Doctrine -----very Dangerous peddling ------

Before Jesus died -----Baptism was for Repentance only ---a mind change to recognize they were sinners in need of a Saviour ----It had nothing to do with remittance of Sin ----John paved the Way for Jesus to remit sins ----by the washing of His Blood ------

In order for us to understand your cherry picked verse of 16 --you need to go back and read the previous chapters


If you read Acts ---Paul is Saved in Acts 9 ----

in Acts 21 ---we see this --the Law is being talked about here --and Paul is preaching to the Gentiles ----


Acts 21 AMP B

Paul at Jerusalem
15 After this we got ready and started on our way up to Jerusalem.

16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea also came with us, taking us to [the house of] Mnason, a man from Cyprus, a disciple of long standing with whom we were to lodge.

17 When we arrived in Jerusalem, the [d]brothers and sisters welcomed us gladly.

18 On the next day Paul went with us to [see] [e]James, and all the elders of the church were present.

19 After greeting them, Paul began to give a detailed account of the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.

20 And when they heard it, they began glorifying and praising God; and they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands of believers there are among the Jews, and they are all enthusiastic supporters of the Law [of Moses].

21 Now they have been told about you, that you are teaching all the Jews who are living among the Gentiles to turn away from [the Law of] Moses, advising them not to circumcise their children or to live according to the [Mosaic] customs.

22 What then should be done? They will certainly hear that you have arrived.

23 Therefore do just what we tell you. We have four men who have taken a vow;

24 take these men and purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses [for the temple offerings] so that they may shave their heads. Then everyone will know that there is nothing to the things they have been told about you, but that you yourself also follow and keep the Law.

25 But with regard to the Gentiles who have believed [in Christ], we have sent them a letter with our decision that they should abstain from meat sacrificed to idols and from [consuming] blood and from [the meat of] what has been strangled and from sexual immorality.”

26 Then Paul took the [four] men, and the next day he purified himself along with them [by submitting to the ritual]. He went into the temple to give notice of [the time] when the days of purification [ending each vow] would be fulfilled and the usual offering could be presented on behalf of each one

Paul Seized in the Temple
37 Just as Paul was about to be taken into the barracks, he asked the commander, “May I say something to you?” And the man replied, “Do you know Greek? 38 Then you are not [as I assumed] the Egyptian who [f]some time ago stirred up a rebellion and led those 4,000 men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?”

39 Paul said, “I am a Jew from [g]Tarsus in Cilicia (Mersin Province, Turkey), a citizen of no insignificant city; and I beg you, allow me to speak to the people.”

When the commander had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, gestured with his hand to the people; and when there was a great hush, he spoke to them in the Hebrew dialect (Jewish Aramaic), saying,

I say ----Paul is speaking to his people here -------before he is arrested
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Acts 22 ----------carries on with him speaking about his Conversion ----to his people verses 6 to 16 Paul describes his conversion -------


Acts 22
Paul’s Defense before the Jews

3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of [a]Gamaliel according to the strictness of the law of our fathers, being ardent and passionate for God just as all of you are today. 4 I persecuted and pursued the followers of this [b]Way to the death, binding them with chains and putting [followers of Jesus] both men and women into prisons, 5 as the high priest and all the Council of the elders (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) can testify; because from them I received letters to the brothers, and I was on my way to Damascus in order to bring those [believers] who were there to Jerusalem in chains to be punished.

6 “But as I was on my way, approaching Damascus about noontime, a great blaze of light suddenly flashed from heaven and shone around me. 7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ 8 And I replied, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.’ 9 Now those who were with me [c]saw the light, but did not understand the voice of the One who was speaking to me. 10 And I asked, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord answered me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that is appointed and destined for you to do.’ 11 But since I could not see because of the [glorious intensity and dazzling] brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me and came into Damascus.

12 “And one Ananias, a devout man according to [d]the standard of the Law, and well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to [see] me, and standing near, he said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very moment I [recovered my sight and] looked up at him. 14 And he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will, [and to progressively understand His plan with clarity and power] and to see the Righteous One [Jesus Christ, the Messiah] and to hear a message from His [own] mouth. 15 For you will be His witness to all men testifying of what you have seen and heard.

16 Now, why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins by calling on His name [for salvation].

i say
So Verse 16 ----is Paul telling of His conversion ----Paul is already saved and anointed here in this Chapter ------and is telling his own version of his meeting with Christ and his Salvation process -------the Baptism he speaks of here is the baptism of the HOLY SPIRIT which he received in Acts 9 -------and you will see in ACTS 9 -----that the Baptism Paul speaks of here is the baptism of the HOLY SPIRIT no water baptism

Continued -----

Now Read Acts 9 that tells you what happened to Paul when he met Jesus -------starting in verse 10 ----


Acts 9

The Conversion of Saul
. 3 As he traveled he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him [displaying the glory and majesty of Christ];

4 and he fell to the ground and heard a voice [from heaven] saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting and oppressing Me?”

5 And Saul said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He answered, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,

6 now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

7 The men who were traveling with him [were terrified and] stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.

8 Saul got up from the ground, but though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.

9 And he was unable to see for three days, and he neither ate nor drank.


10 Now in Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he answered, “Here I am, Lord.”

11 And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called [d]Straight, and ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul; for he is praying [there],

12 and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come in and place his hands on him, so that he may regain his sight.”

13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, especially how much suffering and evil he has brought on Your saints (God’s people) at Jerusalem;

14 and here [in Damascus] he has authority from the high priests to put in chains all who call on Your name [confessing You as Savior].”

15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is a [deliberately] chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;

16 for I will make clear to him how much he must suffer and endure for My name’s sake.”

17 So Ananias left and entered the house, and he laid his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came [to Damascus], has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit [in order to proclaim Christ to both Jews and Gentiles].”

18 Immediately something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized; 19 and he took some food and was strengthened
-----------------------------------------

I say -------So we see that after he regained his sight ----he was baptised in the Holy Spirit not in water here ---he was in a house and Ananias laid hands on him -----He had the anointing of the Holy Spirit on him to Preach the Gospel -right away ----no water baptism needed ---totally submerged -in the HOLY SPIRIT ----verses 19-20
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Saul Begins to Preach Christ
19 For several days [afterward] Saul remained with the disciples who were at Damascus.

20 And immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “This Man is the Son of God [the promised Messiah]!”
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i say
People need to stop picking one piece of scripture and running with it without doing research on the Chapters before and after the scripture chosen --------False Doctrine is escaping because of our ignorance and lack of research -----

I agree that people should be water baptised to show their outward Faith in Christ ---but it will not take sins away and should never be told to do so -------Jesus died a horrible death to pay for our sins ----only His Blood can save a person from their sins and eternal torment ------

That's a pretty wild interpretation of John. Since the Bible did not exist during the lifetime of Jesus, it's hard to believe that is what he meant.

Please explain why Jesus and the apostles explicitly taught that baptism is for the remission of sins. If that is not true, why did they say it?

Precious friend, A Very Warm Welcome to Chat.

GRACE And Peace...

Maybe this will help you -----

John the Baptise said this ------giving different versions here ----

Matthew 3:11
AMPC
I indeed baptize you in (with) water because of repentance [that is, because of your changing your minds for the better, heartily amending your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins]. But He Who is coming after me is mightier than I, Whose sandals I am not worthy or fit to take off or carry; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

ESV
“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

VOICE
I ritually cleanse you through baptism as a mark of turning your life around. But someone is coming after me, someone whose sandals I am not fit to carry, someone who is more powerful than I. He will wash you not in water but in fire and with the Holy Spirit.

WYC
I wash you in water [Soothly I christen you in water], into penance; but he that shall come after me is stronger than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear; he shall baptize you [he shall baptize, or christen, you] in the Holy Ghost and [in] fire.

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Baptism of the Holy Spirit
Dr. Roger Barrier describes the biblical doctrine of the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit" as the following:

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs at conversion (1 Corinthians 12:13; 6:19). It is not necessarily accompanied by the gift of speaking in tongues. It would be fair to say that most Christians do not speak in tongues when they receive Christ.

today. When we receive Christ, we are immersed (“baptized”) fully by the Holy Spirit into Christ and into the family of God (for example, read Romans 6:1-10).