Spiritual Baptism

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What is being "shed forth"? Did Jesus molt???

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For example, you say that the thief on the cross died prior to the institution of the NT rebirth (whatever that means). So when Jesus refers to OT people in heaven, e.g., Abraham, Elijah, and Moses, did they experience the "NT rebirth"? Obviously not....

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Repentance and remission of sin are not water baptism. If that was the case, all those baptized by John in the Jordan didn't need a Savior.
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John 12:47, "If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world."
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That verse does not say that water baptism is spiritual circumcision.

It says they were circumcised having been buried in baptism. I don't see how it can mean anything else. What do you believe it says?
And do you know a verse that tells us when/what/how we are circumcised?

It is saying they were circumcised after having been baptized. It does not say that they are one and the same thing, or happen concurrently. Heart circumcision is very rarely discussed here and I am not aware of any verse that specifically tells us when exactly it happens, but it is definitely something I am interested in, and think I know exactly when my heart was circumcsised.

That verse does not say that water baptism is spiritual circumcision.

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=> The earliest manuscripts and some other ancient witnesses do not have verses Mark 16:9–20 <= Do you believe Mark 16:17-18, "And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
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Sure I believe all of God's word. To reject any scripture is unwise. Generally speaking, many refuse to accept things they don't believe make sense. But make no mistake, God has a reason for every single jot and tittle in His word. Often times understanding only comes as a result of belief and obedience; it's called faith.

Consider John Mark is the accepted writer of the Gospel of Mark. He went on mission trips with the Apostle Paul. (Acts 12:12, 25; 13:5, 13; 15:37-40) As such, he would have first hand knowledge of the things he penned. I expect your objection to the scripture is the snake and poison reference. See Acts 28:3-6 below. Clearly God has the power to protect His children.


"And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.
And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god." Acts 28:3-6

"And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." Mark 16:17-18

"John Mark (Greek: Ἰωάννης Μάρκος, romanized: Iōannēs Markos) is named in the Acts of the Apostles as an assistant accompanying Paul and Barnabas on their missionary journeys. Traditionally he is regarded as identical with Mark the Evangelist, the traditional writer of the Gospel of Mark." wikipedia

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John 3:16-17, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
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Ephesians 2:6-9, " And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast."
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You should get rid of your Old Testament judgmental, harsh thinking and accept the beautiful kindness of God as expressed in the New Testament.

I suggest the verse tells us when and why it happens. I'm going to suggest some things and then not bother you with this.

Please consider. I'm sure you know that what Paul means by being circumcised, he is telling them they are God's chosen people, heirs to the promise. It says having been baptized, past tense. They are not heirs before baptism as many would suggest but after baptism. And that agrees exactly with what Jesus said.
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved "and is baptized", past tense.

If it said anything other than baptism, you would have no problems accepting it. For example, 11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been "believing, confessing, appealing", in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.

Baptism is what puts us into Christ.
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Since it is the final step in being saved, Satan is doing his best to convince us it cannot save us. Just as he did in the garden.
and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also

If the circumcision happens at water baptism, then it is a circumcision made with hands isn’t it? If it happens at water baptism, and water baptism is required, then it would never happen without water baptism and hands would always be involved.