with all due respect bro James....it is not my intention to be rude to anyone....and if I say someone is confused it is not out of anger or hate but based on their comment......in my view... three study bible is confidence in man and not God it is a recipe for confusion...but if I came across as offensive my apologies to bro elf and to anyone who may think of me as such....but if anyone is offended by the word of God which I speak... I make no apology......
my, with all due respect to you reply is not pin pointing based on your anger but your young ignorance to John 3;5. You and others and i cannot justify that without Baptism one in believing, is justified as saved because there is also continuing knowledge about physical baptism and this in negligence may be in future be justified as 'lawlessness' in continuous ignorance.
Because in the book of Acts, after the resurrection of JESUS, Philip baptized the Eunuch and upon together seeing water. Apostle Peter also said, 'Who is going to stop us from baptizing people'. Apostle Paul also mentioned about physically burying the old man and coming out of the water a new person or being buried with CHRIST and then resurrect with CHRIST.
This is also i believe is a public declaration, witnessing to other believers who are present together and the Kingdom of GOD, of their conversion into the faith. And Abraham (written in the New Testament as our 'Father of faith'), in faith at that time in agreement to GOD, circumcised him and all his household males to GOD's promise (for we know, in future fulfilled through CHRIST).
Everyone, once and for all please read John 3;5, where JESUS clearly speak about baptism and water is also mentioned by HIM, also saying, "...., 'unless one is born of water' ......".
What does this mean then?
That 'water baptism' is essential to those who have become believers of the Gospel and continuing in 'practices' of them and accepting in 'agreement' to GOD of the New Covenant of Eternal Life.
Thank you and be blessed in the name of LORD JESUS CHRIST.
