Do You Believe/Are You Baptized of Water and the Holy Ghost?
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KJV says "damned" instead of "condemned", but they both, according to Strongs concordance means "to judge worthy of punishment.
Heb 12:5-11 - For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth. They are not condemned to hell.
"The kingdom of God" is one of many names that refer to the church of whom Christ is the husband of. Very few of God's adopted children are members of his visible church but are included in those that God gave to his Son (John 6:37) to redeem them from their sins and promise them an inheritance of heaven.
Believing is not the cause of obtaining eternal life (John 12:27) (2 Tim 2:13).
This scripture is used incorrectly.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Jesus answered: Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
This is a improper translation. Since it is found nowhere else, I must seriously question your motive for using it.
American Standard Version
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Physical birth & spiritual birth.
Born physically & born of the Holy Spirit. There's nothing in the context about baptism.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Jesus answered: Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
This is a improper translation. Since it is found nowhere else, I must seriously question your motive for using it.
American Standard Version
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Physical birth & spiritual birth.
Born physically & born of the Holy Spirit. There's nothing in the context about baptism.
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Not that I don’t want to. I used to go to a reform church and they never seen them do this. I’ve been a part of a new church now for a few months and my pastor says that they will be doing this in November but so far I’ve never seen them do it also, I did baptize my son and he baptized me in the lake in the desert when we were having fun. But to answer your question, I Ve been to a few reformed churches and they have not emphasized this. So I’ve been a part of 3 churches in total and have not seen anyone get baptized by water.
I don't find myself agreeing with you very often here on CC, but I couldn't agree with you more on this. I was born again (born of His Spirit) before I got baptized. To be honest I'd imagine this is the way most born again Christians do it. The order seems right. That said I was baptized in water before I was saved as well. When I was a false convert and still 100% ignorant of the things of the Spirit. I thought I was saved, I didn't "try" to fake it. I just didn't know what it really was or meant.
Once I was born again for real, in truth, I was baptized again the first chance I had. Being born again led me to His word and His word said go be baptized. Why would anyone not want to?
Once I was born again for real, in truth, I was baptized again the first chance I had. Being born again led me to His word and His word said go be baptized. Why would anyone not want to?
ChatGPT
Most Reformed churches do practice water baptism, but the form and understanding of baptism may differ from other Christian traditions. Reformed theology generally recognizes two sacraments: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. However, there may be different practices or emphases regarding how baptism is carried out. Here’s why some Christian Reformed churches might appear not to emphasize water baptism as strongly as other denominations:
1. Infant Baptism vs. Believer’s Baptism:
• Reformed churches often practice infant baptism (paedobaptism), viewing it as a sign of God’s covenant with His people, similar to circumcision in the Old Testament. In this tradition, infants of believing parents are baptized to signify their inclusion in the covenant community, even though the child has not made a personal profession of faith.
• In contrast, some Christian traditions practice believer’s baptism, where only those who have made a personal profession of faith are baptized. Because Reformed churches often baptize infants, it might seem like there are fewer baptisms occurring, particularly if one is expecting baptisms to follow a profession of faith.
2. Baptism as a Sign and Seal:
• In Reformed theology, baptism is seen as a sign and seal of God’s covenant of grace, rather than a means of salvation itself. It symbolizes spiritual cleansing, union with Christ, and entry into the covenant community. This sacramental understanding differs from traditions that view baptism as a necessary step for salvation or a public declaration of personal faith.
• Because of this view, the emphasis is placed on the meaning of the sacrament rather than the act itself, which may make water baptism seem less central in some Reformed church services.
3. Understanding of Regeneration:
• Many Reformed churches teach that regeneration (being born again) is a work of the Holy Spirit that can occur independently of the act of baptism. While baptism is important and commanded, it is not viewed as the moment when regeneration necessarily happens. This can differ from other Christian groups that place a stronger emphasis on baptism as the moment of salvation.
4. Variations in Reformed Practice:
• There may also be differences within Reformed traditions. For example, some may perform baptism by sprinkling or pouring rather than full immersion. This may be based on their understanding of biblical passages and historical practices, which can differ from denominations that exclusively practice immersion.
In summary, while Reformed churches do practice water baptism, their theological understanding and emphasis may differ, which can sometimes give the impression that it is not as central as in other traditions. They see baptism as an important covenantal sign, but not as the sole act that brings about salvation or spiritual renewal.
Most Reformed churches do practice water baptism, but the form and understanding of baptism may differ from other Christian traditions. Reformed theology generally recognizes two sacraments: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. However, there may be different practices or emphases regarding how baptism is carried out. Here’s why some Christian Reformed churches might appear not to emphasize water baptism as strongly as other denominations:
1. Infant Baptism vs. Believer’s Baptism:
• Reformed churches often practice infant baptism (paedobaptism), viewing it as a sign of God’s covenant with His people, similar to circumcision in the Old Testament. In this tradition, infants of believing parents are baptized to signify their inclusion in the covenant community, even though the child has not made a personal profession of faith.
• In contrast, some Christian traditions practice believer’s baptism, where only those who have made a personal profession of faith are baptized. Because Reformed churches often baptize infants, it might seem like there are fewer baptisms occurring, particularly if one is expecting baptisms to follow a profession of faith.
2. Baptism as a Sign and Seal:
• In Reformed theology, baptism is seen as a sign and seal of God’s covenant of grace, rather than a means of salvation itself. It symbolizes spiritual cleansing, union with Christ, and entry into the covenant community. This sacramental understanding differs from traditions that view baptism as a necessary step for salvation or a public declaration of personal faith.
• Because of this view, the emphasis is placed on the meaning of the sacrament rather than the act itself, which may make water baptism seem less central in some Reformed church services.
3. Understanding of Regeneration:
• Many Reformed churches teach that regeneration (being born again) is a work of the Holy Spirit that can occur independently of the act of baptism. While baptism is important and commanded, it is not viewed as the moment when regeneration necessarily happens. This can differ from other Christian groups that place a stronger emphasis on baptism as the moment of salvation.
4. Variations in Reformed Practice:
• There may also be differences within Reformed traditions. For example, some may perform baptism by sprinkling or pouring rather than full immersion. This may be based on their understanding of biblical passages and historical practices, which can differ from denominations that exclusively practice immersion.
In summary, while Reformed churches do practice water baptism, their theological understanding and emphasis may differ, which can sometimes give the impression that it is not as central as in other traditions. They see baptism as an important covenantal sign, but not as the sole act that brings about salvation or spiritual renewal.
You realize there is already a Thread discussing these issues, right?
What Does "Born of Water" Mean?
What Does "Born of Water" Mean?
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