The conversion of the Philippian Jailer in Acts 16.

[PaulThomson]

People were baptized pretty much sraight away then. Not because it was part of their salvation, but because people were much less hesitant about it.

Water baptism for salvation is not a christian doctrine. Its a sign of a cult.

Read the book of John and try to find water baptism in it.

What about Romans 10?

John chapter 3..mention of water.. is amniotic fluid of the womb because that is what the subject is.

Is the exchanging of wedding vows before witnesses a godly practice, or the a sign of a cult, and does it demonstrate more faith in God to simply start living and procreating together?

When Jesus told the rich young ruler to sell all he had and give it away to the poor and then come follow Jesus, would a more spiritually discerning disciple have been right to encourage him that there is no need to obey Christ to be saved, but it shows more faith in Christ's grace to obey Jesus only in the commands that don't make you feel uncomfortable, and to boldly ignore discomforting commands, nonetheless believing that Jesus saves you without requiring any works of you?

Jhn 3:22
After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
Jhn 3:23
And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
Jhn 3:26
And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
Jhn 4:1
When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
Jhn 4:2
(Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)

 

[studier]

To the work-phobic crowd anything and everything that we might do of our own will to please God is a work that demonstrates unbelief

Provocative statement nicely stated. I like the highlighted label.

 

[Lamar]

To the work-phobic crowd anything and everything that we might do of our own will to please God is a work that demonstrates unbelief

Very well said.

They see works under every rock.

Except their blind defense of Faith Alone Regeneration Theology.

 

[Lamar]

Provocative statement nicely stated. I like the highlighted label.

They suffer from ergophobia.

 

[Lamar]

Read the book of John and try to find water baptism in it.

Read the Bible and try not to find water baptism.

 

[Lamar]

John chapter 3..mention of water.. is amniotic fluid of the womb because that is what the subject is.

Amniotic fluid is not water...I promise.

Jesus knew it was not water also.

 

[wattie]

Amniotic fluid is not water...I promise.

Jesus knew it was not water also.

Nicodemus was talking about entering a second time in the mothers womb..amniotic fluid.. Jesus adds being born of the Spirit. He did not change what Nicodemus was saying..but added to it

The other way to look at it..if it is not water of the womb Jesus refers to, is the figurative water of the washing away of sin by regeneration of the Holy Spirit.

 

[Kroogz]

Very well said.

They see works under every rock.

Except their blind defense of Faith Alone Regeneration Theology.

The whole Christian way of life is based on divine works.

It's only when folks start saying "IF" one doesn't do this or that.......they were not really saved or will lose salvation.

Not really saved, because________________> Is works salvation.

One will lose salvation, because _________________> Is works salvation.

 

[Cameron143]

Nicodemus was talking about entering a second time in the mothers womb..amniotic fluid.. Jesus adds being born of the Spirit. He did not change what Nicodemus was saying..but added to it

The other way to look at it..if it is not water of the womb Jesus refers to, is the figurative water of the washing away of sin by regeneration of the Holy Spirit.

Have you ever considered that water there is the word of God...1 Peter 1:23?

 

[studier]

The other way to look at it..if it is not water of the womb Jesus refers to, is the figurative water of the washing away of sin by regeneration of the Holy Spirit.

It's the latter re: Ez36:25-27.

 

[mailmandan]

In regard to the word "water" in John 3:5, there are those who would argue that the natural sense of the passage parallels "water" with being born out of a mother’s womb (verse 4) and with "flesh" (verse 6). In that case, Jesus told Nicodemus that in order to see the kingdom of God two births are necessary. The first is a physical, "flesh" birth (accompanied by amniotic "water") and the second is Spirit.

There are also those who would point out that Jesus mentions "living water" in John 4:10, 14 and connects it with everlasting life and also in John 7:38-39, we read - "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the source of living water and spiritual cleansing.

Now if "water" is arbitrarily defined as baptism, then we could just as justifiably say, "Out of his heart will flow rivers of living baptism" in John 7:38. If this sounds ridiculous, it is no more so than the idea that water baptism is the source or the means of becoming born again.

Yet there are still others who point out that "water" is used in the Bible as an emblem of the word of God, and in such uses it is associated with cleansing or washing. (John 15:3; Ephesians 5:26) When we are born again, the Holy Spirit begets new life, so that we are said to become "partakers of the divine nature." (2 Peter 1:4) The new birth is brought to pass through "incorruptible seed, by the word of God, which lives and abides forever" (I Peter 1:23) and the Holy Spirit accomplishes the miracle of regeneration. (Titus 3:5)

So, to automatically read "baptism" into John 3:5 simply because it mentions "water" is unwarranted.

 

[wattie]

Have you ever considered that water there is the word of God...1 Peter 1:23?

Yes..that's what i mean by washing of the regeneration of the Holy Spirit. That would be in line with the 1 Peter reference. That's if it isn t what Nicodemus meant.

Either way, its not water baptism.

 

[TrustandObey]

the figurative water of the washing away of sin

Or maybe Jesus is speaking of the baptism of water for the remission of sins that John the Baptist spoke of in Mark 1:4 & Luke 3:3.

Maybe?

 

[TrustandObey]

So, to automatically read "baptism" into John 3:5 simply because it mentions "water" is unwarranted.

To read "amniotic fluid" into John 3:5 simply because it does not match your theology is grasping at straws.

I will not drink the amniotic Kool-Aid of this absurd notion.

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

Or maybe Jesus is speaking of the baptism of water for the remission of sins that John the Baptist spoke of in Mark 1:4 & Luke 3:3.

Maybe?

The same language that Peter used at Pentecost - be baptized into release of sins (literal translation)

 

[TrustandObey]

Not really saved, because________________> Is works salvation.

One will lose salvation, because _________________> Is works salvation.

I will fill in those blanks for you.

Not really saved, because they don't accept faith alone theology.
One will lose salvation, because they don't accept faith alone theology.

Am I right?

People like Mailmandan and others are the modern day scribes, looking down on those who accept baptism and not some undefined occasion of "faith" as the moment for the remission of sins.

 

[TrustandObey]

The same language that Peter used at Pentecost - be baptized into release of sins (literal translation)

American Standard Version
And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Complete Jewish Bible
Kefa answered them, “Turn from sin, return to God, and each of you be immersed on the authority of Yeshua the Messiah into forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Ruach HaKodesh!

God's Word
Peter answered them, “All of you must turn to God and change the way you think and act, and each of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins will be forgiven. Then you will receive the Holy Spirit as a gift.

Phillips
Peter told them, “You must repent and every one of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that you may have your sins forgiven and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For this great promise is for you and your children—yes, and for all who are far away, for as many as the Lord our God shall call to himself!”

Etc. Etc. Etc.

 

[Inquisitor]

Have you ever considered that water there is the word of God...1 Peter 1:23?

I had a look at how Chat GPT read the scripture on water baptism versus spiritual baptism.

1. Water Baptism vs. Spiritual Baptism:

• Water Baptism: A symbolic act where a believer publicly declares their faith in Jesus Christ. It's often seen as an outward sign of an inward change, representing cleansing from sin and identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4).
• Spiritual Baptism: Refers to being filled with or indwelt by the Holy Spirit, which empowers the believer to live a godly life and is a transformative, ongoing reality (1 Corinthians 12:13).

2. Fulfillment or Complementary Practices?
Some argue that spiritual baptism fulfills the deeper reality that water baptism symbolizes. John the Baptist himself highlighted this distinction:

"I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me... will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire" (Matthew 3:11).​

In this sense, the spiritual baptism is seen as the ultimate goal — being filled with divine love and power through the Spirit.

3. Early Church Practice:
Water baptism was universally practiced in the early church (Acts 2:38, Acts 8:36-38) and remains a sacrament in most Christian traditions. It served as a public sign of joining the community of faith and obedience to Christ's command (Matthew 28:19).

4. Growing Importance of Spiritual Baptism:
As Christianity matured, the emphasis in many traditions shifted toward spiritual baptism and ongoing transformation. This aligns with your point — spiritual baptism remains throughout the Christian life and nurtures divine love, the hallmark of the faith.

Conclusion:
While water baptism holds historical and symbolic importance, spiritual baptism represents the essence of the Christian experience. As Jesus emphasized to Nicodemus, it's the Spirit that gives new life (John 3:5-6). Pursuing a life filled with the Spirit seems to align closely with your emphasis on divine love over mere rituals.

 

[HeIsHere]

People like Mailmandan and others are the modern day scribes, looking down on those who accept baptism and not some undefined occasion of "faith" as the moment for the remission of sins.

The occasion of grace through faith which saves is very well defined by Christ Jesus himself.
See John 3 1-21

 

[HeIsHere]

Amniotic fluid is not water...I promise.

Jesus knew it was not water also.

Science agrees it is mostly H2O