The Unity of Faith.....What do you believe?

[Starise]

I believe all.

[Neighbor]

On 5/26/2024 at 7:22 PM, Marilyn C said:

we disqualify ourselves

I find question with the idea that I can disqualify myself, for I could not qualify myself in the first place.  

I am to run the race as though to win it, knowing that all that run do not win a race, but to disqualify myself from running or being counted as finishing the race-??? Might be unmerited as in no Garland for you bud. But disqualify? I don't know if I can disqualify myself, as I am qualified only by the everlasting mercy and grace of God.

So how do I disqualify myself and attribute that to me alone?  I do not think I have that capacity.

[Marilyn C]

14 hours ago, Starise said:

I believe all.

That`s great Starise, thanks.

[Marilyn C]

13 hours ago, Neighbor said:

I find question with the idea that I can disqualify myself, for I could not qualify myself in the first place.  

I am to run the race as though to win it, knowing that all that run do not win a race, but to disqualify myself from running or being counted as finishing the race-??? Might be unmerited as in no Garland for you bud. But disqualify? I don't know if I can disqualify myself, as I am qualified only by the everlasting mercy and grace of God.

So how do I disqualify myself and attribute that to me alone?  I do not think I have that capacity.

Well, if we do not keep the unity of the Spirit with a right attitude, then who is going to keep us in the Body?

[Marilyn C]

16 hours ago, Cntrysner said:

Hello @Marilyn C

I hold you in high regard for defending the Body of Christ.

Would you please define "believers baptism" inception and how the Lord uses it to build His Body with scripture. 

Hi Cntrysner,

Thank you for the encouraging word. So, to your question. A big subject but will just give a few thoughts. 

I believe the believer`s baptism is a living and lasting pictorial representation of the vital principals of spiritual life. It is a testimony of decision, of separation, of resurrection. Through the form of service provided, the candidate sees in a more vivid manner than ever the truth of faith union with Christ in death and resurrection. 

`Buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.` (Col. 2: 12)

`Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.` (Rom. 6: 4) 

`And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptised.` (Acts 16: 33)

[farouk]

1 hour ago, Marilyn C said:

Hi Cntrysner,

Thank you for the encouraging word. So, to your question. A big subject but will just give a few thoughts. 

I believe the believer`s baptism is a living and lasting pictorial representation of the vital principals of spiritual life. It is a testimony of decision, of separation, of resurrection. Through the form of service provided, the candidate sees in a more vivid manner than ever the truth of faith union with Christ in death and resurrection. 

`Buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.` (Col. 2: 12)

`Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.` (Rom. 6: 4) 

`And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptised.` (Acts 16: 33)

Hi @Marilyn C What you quoted is complemented also by Acts 2.41-42:

"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."

[Marilyn C]

21 hours ago, Cntrysner said:

Hello @Marilyn C

I hold you in high regard for defending the Body of Christ.

Would you please define "believers baptism" inception and how the Lord uses it to build His Body with scripture. 

Now for the second part of your question - `how does the Lord use it to build His Body, with scripture.

God has ordained, that by means of the ordinance, He would communicate a rich impartation. It is the divine motive that eyes should be opened to truth. Through the form of service provided, the candidate sees in a more vivid manner than ever the truth of faith union with Christ in death and resurrection.

`Buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the working of God who raised Him from the dead. ` (Col. 2: 12)

It is a living and lasting pictorial representation of the vital principles of spiritual life. That these should be thus etched indelibly upon our hearts is a matter for real gratitude. 

This service is set forth that hearts might be opened to obedience. `To obey is better than sacrifice. ` The act of water baptism presents an opportunity for exact obedience on the part of the believer. This pattern obedience sets a standard right at the threshold of Christian life.

The divine approval increase our sense of realisation. This need seems to gather up all that has been known about Calvary and the Risen Life in the moment of the portrayal of the ordinance and carries it forward in deeper realisation. This, of course, depends upon the measure of faith and insight of the one baptised.

Water Baptism increases our scope of appropriation. The obedient disciple is able to appropriate more of God and of His blessing. Faith brings its own larger reward. 

It increases our spirit of jubilation. There is real joy in obedience. The heart sings when completely yield to the Lord`s plan. 

Ref. these are just some notes from my former pastor - W.A.C. Rowe.

[Your closest friendnt]

7 hours ago, Marilyn C said:

Well, if we do not keep the unity of the Spirit with a right attitude, then who is going to keep us in the Body?

What Spirit? Please. 

[farouk]

On 5/29/2024 at 1:41 AM, Willa said:

..... I see more basic truths about the person and work  of Christ as part of our unity of faith.  Salvation by faith in Christ's suffering, death and blood shed for the propitiation of our sin is central to the Gospel as is His resurrection. 

@Willa I must admit I don't fully grasp the question; but your answer seems to contain very good statements.

[Cntrysner]

8 hours ago, Marilyn C said:

Thank you for the encouraging word. So, to your question. A big subject but will just give a few thoughts. 

I believe the believer`s baptism is a living and lasting pictorial representation of the vital principals of spiritual life. It is a testimony of decision, of separation, of resurrection. Through the form of service provided, the candidate sees in a more vivid manner than ever the truth of faith union with Christ in death and resurrection. 

Tradition can be a great thing as it binds families together but concerning the Body of Christ it must be based on scripture therefore it requires a scriptural foundation, a beginning. Would you say "believers baptism" began with the Baptist or did it have an earlier foundation? 

Edited June 1, 2024 by Cntrysner