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Wish you the best, Penny? Are you writing it now or preparing for your defense of the dissertation?

This is not how the Bible defines “works.” Works is never defined as a person’s response to God’s grace. That is the opposite of a work. Works implies an attempt to earn righteousness by merit (see Romans 4:4-8). Accepting a gift is not working for it. It is the opposite of working for it...

Okay, well I am still waiting for an alternate definition of the word. Not sure what you mean by “Theology by word definition.” If we can’t develop our doctrine by the meaning of the words used in Scripture, how else do you propose we develop it? The whole point of studying Scripture is to...

Lol..ok. But when Scripture says, “they were baptized” or “Paul was baptized” the clear message is THEY (the people) or PAUL was baptized. Not their toes…them. It seems you are conceding the fact the word means to immerse. But now you are suggesting the immersion has a qualifier such as...

Why is this important to you? Seems you have a point you are trying to make about a particular formula necessary for baptism…

Thanks for your reply. However, I dont think these verses contradict New Testament passages which tie baptism to the regenerating work of the Spirit, viz., John 3:5; Romans 6:3ff; Colossians 2:12; and Titus 3:5. I have already written on Acts 10, but suffice it to say, the context in chapter...

Can you show me other meanings for the word? I‘ve studied several years of Koine Greek and the only definition I have ever seen is “immerse, or dip”

One more thought on this…. The only thing that is “obvious” is what the Bible says about baptism and discipleship. Baptism is ALWAYS taught in the NT that it happens at conversion. Conversion is ALWAYS taught in the Bible as something that occurs as a result of faith. So, what is OBVIOUS is...

So would you say repentance is a work? Does a person need to pray to be saved? Would that make prayer a work? How about hearing the Gospel? If someone hears the message, they are doing something…does that make them ”working” for their salvation? Jesus told his disciples to teach and...

That is like saying that if someone today were to say, “Go immerse Joe” that someone would reply, “do you mean sprinkle him with water or dunk him, because you’re not being clear?” The word ITSELF means immerse. It’s the same as if I tell you to immerse someone. It cannot mean sprinkle...

How is it obvious that there are infants in the household? Does every household have infants?

I dont have time to respond to all these verses at this moment, however, I dont think your argument makes sense. Why would Paul tell them to repent and be baptized for forgiveness of sins and receiving the Holy Spirit if it wasn’t something that would happen at that moment? Are you suggesting...

Well it does refer to people “coming up out of the water.” Also the word itself actually means “immerse.” The word baptizo is an onomatopoeia, which means that the word sounds out the act. bap-tiz-o is the sound water makes when you slap someone down it and submerge them. So, I’d argue...

In my opinion, you are making an argument from silence. I dont think that is a very good way to develop doctrine or church practices. There are a lot of things the Bible doesn’t say. If we just infer things from silence, we can come up with all kinds of ideas that aren’t actually taught in...

ClayPot, I do see what you are saying, however, I dont know that those who leave or get burnt out of ministry do so because they weren’t properly ”called” to do it. I think people can have good hearts and desires but get trampled on by carnal believers such that they lose their passion to do...

I appreciate your response. Yes, I think I agree. Certainly God can clearly tell a person if He wants them to do something specific…we see that plenty in Scripture. I have just seen in the NT that when it comes to teaching, elders, deacons and so forth, the only “requirements” are centered...

I appreciate your thoughts and sharing your experience. So the call would be the confirmation of other believers coupled with your desire to do some kind of ministry, in your opinion? Perhaps so. I am not saying my mind is made up one way or another, which is why I started the thread. I have...

Perhaps. But how do you know when you do recognize what his call is? That is the question I keep asking but so far haven’t received much by way of suggestions from people. It seems a lot of people believe in a call, but can’t specific what that call is or how we recognize it. I guess that is...

We dont have any indication that children were baptized. Nothing in the “household” statement indicates that non-believing children were among those baptized. That is an assumption some make, but it is not explicitly stated in the text and no where in scripture is there any teaching on...

I am not following the connections you are making here. How can you say water baptism and receiving the Holy Spirit do not happen at the same time And then cite Acts 2:38 when that text specifically says the hearers should be baptized “so that“ they might receive forgiveness and the Holy...