Baptism

[Smalcald]

Baptism is an outward statement of an inward change, a public confirmation to faith. It is not something God does to us, but a confirmation that we are now a follower of Christ. The baptism God does is through the Holy Spirit, not water.

How many baptisms are there? It sounds as if you are saying there is one God does and one we do?

I am. Baptism in water is something we do to express that we are a new creature in Him. We can do this where ever there is water. The baptism that is of God is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We can not do this, He has to baptize us. Why do you thing John the Baptist said ...

Matthew 3:11

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Right and we are not Baptized by John we are not Baptized for John or by John or in His name, we are children of Christ baptized in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and are indeed baptized as John predicted by Christ and His Spirit. Baptism is no empty ritual, it is by the Holy Spirit and fire.

4There is one body and one Spirit

[leoxiii]

Baptism in water is something we do to express that we are a new creature in Him. We can do this where ever there is water. The baptism that is of God is the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Are you saying that baptism in water - the rite of Christian baptism that puts one "into Christ Jesus" - is not "of God"? Was it not commanded by the Lord Himself? Doesn't Jesus plainly state that both belief and baptism precede "shall be saved"?

“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved...” (Mark 16:16)

"These words are very important. The first clause [belief and baptism] opposes the notion that faith alone is sufficient for salvation, without those works which are the fruit of faith" ~ Pulpit Commentary

..."but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned."

"...in the latter clause baptism is omitted, because it is not simply the want of baptism, but the contemptuous neglect of it, which makes men guilty of damnation..." ~ Matthew Henry

Baptism does not put anyone into Christ. You are not understanding water baptism right. You are also placing works into salvation when salvation is a free gift from God and nothing we can do can cause us to be saved. Jesus did all there ever needs to be done for salvation. As any gift, all we need to do is accept it.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (New King James Version)

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Please show me scripture that tells us that water baptism puts one "into Christ Jesus".

Why did you not finish the quote?

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, for it is the gift of God; 9 Not of works, that no man may glory. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus in good works, which God hath prepared that we should walk in them.

Do you really think you can be saved if you refuse to walk in the good works that God has prepared for you?

And, if it is God who commanded us to be baptized, is not Baptism, then, one of those good works?

[OneLight]

Baptism is an outward statement of an inward change, a public confirmation to faith. It is not something God does to us, but a confirmation that we are now a follower of Christ. The baptism God does is through the Holy Spirit, not water.

How many baptisms are there? It sounds as if you are saying there is one God does and one we do?

I am. Baptism in water is something we do to express that we are a new creature in Him. We can do this where ever there is water. The baptism that is of God is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We can not do this, He has to baptize us. Why do you thing John the Baptist said ...

Matthew 3:11

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Right and we are not Baptized by John we are not Baptized for John or by John or in His name, we are children of Christ baptized in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and are indeed baptized as John predicted by Christ and His Spirit. Baptism is no empty ritual, it is by the Holy Spirit and fire.

4There is one body and one Spirit

[OneLight]

an answer from CALM.org

Is this the answer to all of my questions you have left unanswered

[OneLight]

Baptism in water is something we do to express that we are a new creature in Him. We can do this where ever there is water. The baptism that is of God is the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Are you saying that baptism in water - the rite of Christian baptism that puts one "into Christ Jesus" - is not "of God"? Was it not commanded by the Lord Himself? Doesn't Jesus plainly state that both belief and baptism precede "shall be saved"?

[leoxiii]

When we are saved, the Holy Spirit enters us and convicts us of our sins, causing a new creation and a renewed mind.

This is called an ontological change.

It would seem from what you are saying that

(1). the Gospel is preached to us,

(2). we give our intellectual assent to the Gospel,

(3). we are saved.

Is that correct?

Are we saved because we give your intellectual assent to the Gospel that is preached to us?

[Guest shiloh357]

When we are saved, the Holy Spirit enters us and convicts us of our sins, causing a new creation and a renewed mind.

This is called an ontological change.

It would seem from what you are saying that

(1). the Gospel is preached to us,

(2). we give our intellectual assent to the Gospel,

(3). we are saved.

Is that correct?

Are we saved because we give your intellectual assent to the Gospel that is preached to us?

Salvation occurs when one puts their faith (not mental assent) in the finished work on the cross. All of the works necessary for salvation were done by Jesus. We are saved by Christ's works, not our own. Salvation is Jesus + Zero. Jesus is the beginning and the end of our salvation. He is the author and He is finisher. Salvation is complete in the full and complete sufficiency of Christ and Christ alone.

Works that we were foreordained to perform are the demonstration and outworking of the salvation already received. Nothing can be added to work of Christ on the cross, and that includes immersion in water.

[OneLight]

When we are saved, the Holy Spirit enters us and convicts us of our sins, causing a new creation and a renewed mind.

This is called an ontological change.

It would seem from what you are saying that

(1). the Gospel is preached to us,

(2). we give our intellectual assent to the Gospel,

(3). we are saved.

Is that correct?

Are we saved because we give your intellectual assent to the Gospel that is preached to us?

1. The Holy Spirit convicts of our sin and our condition of not being saved.

2. Through the opening of our eyes, we agree that we are lost and need a Savior.

3. We ask Jesus to forgive our sins and accepting His blood to wash away our sins for salvation.

4. Jesus places His Spirit in us to help us in every way.

5. Through the working of the Holy Spirit, we become a new creation, having our minds renewed to be like Christs.

6. Through this process, we obey His guidance, which includes all the works we are to do in His will, including being baptized.

7. We continue the race until we are called home or Christ returns, which ever comes first.

8. When we are finally with him, in our new bodies, His work in us is completed and we know as we are known, that which was in part is done away with.

This is a very rough outline, but you can see what I believe.

[leoxiii]

When we are saved, the Holy Spirit enters us and convicts us of our sins, causing a new creation and a renewed mind.

This is called an ontological change.

It would seem from what you are saying that

(1). the Gospel is preached to us,

(2). we give our intellectual assent to the Gospel,

(3). we are saved.

Is that correct?

Are we saved because we give your intellectual assent to the Gospel that is preached to us?

1. The Holy Spirit convicts of our sin and our condition of not being saved.

2. Through the opening of our eyes, we agree that we are lost and need a Savior.

3. We ask Jesus to forgive our sins and accepting His blood to wash away our sins for salvation.

4. Jesus places His Spirit in us to help us in every way.

5. Through the working of the Holy Spirit, we become a new creation, having our minds renewed to be like Christs.

6. Through this process, we obey His guidance, which includes all the works we are to do in His will, including being baptized.

7. We continue the race until we are called home or Christ returns, which ever comes first.

8. When we are finally with him, in our new bodies, His work in us is completed and we know as we are known, that which was in part is done away with.

This is a very rough outline, but you can see what I believe.

Can the Holy Spirit convict those who are below the age of reason that they need to be saved?

[leoxiii]

Salvation occurs when one puts their faith (not mental assent) in the finished work on the cross.

Please explain how "puts their faith" is not a work.

Is putting our faith in the finished work on the Cross something we do of our own free will?

Or is it something that God brings about in us?