Excellent Info. About Water Baptism...

[Floatingaxe]

It is so sad to see such divisiveness about Baptism. It is clearly taught that baptism is for believers in the first place. Repentance leads to salvation, then by obedience we are baptized. Baptism in and of itself does not bring salvation. If it did, what happened to the thief on the cross? He wasn't baptized. He received Christ's salvation by his faith, as we all do.

It would be a nice thing if our churches behaved in the way the early church did---bringing people to repentance and baptizing them all at the same occasion.

Blessings.

[Isaiah-smiles]

If you are suggesting that the thief

[Isaiah-smiles]

If you are suggesting that the thief

[Isaiah-smiles]

Ooops, sorry for repeat. Have no idea of what happened.

[Isaiah-smiles]

Quoting horizoneast-

No my friend I am not Roman Catholic and have never been associated with the RCC in any way. The RCC teaches baptismal regeneration which is not a biblical concept. I am aware of the many aberrant beliefs associated with Romanism. The fact that Peter was given the

Edited July 19, 2006 by Isaiah-smiles

[thepreacher]

Here is some excellent information about water baptism information about baptism.

"While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. 45And all the circumcised believers who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon the Gentiles also. 46For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, 47"Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?" 48And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days," (Acts 10:44-48).

Notice that Peter had been preaching the gospel and the Holy Spirit fell upon the people. In verse 45 we see that "the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon the Gentiles also." These people were saved. The gift of the Holy Spirit was on the Gentiles and they were speaking in tongues. This is significant because tongues is a gift given to believers, see 1 Cor. 14:1-5. Also, unbelievers don't praise God. They can't because praise to the true God is a deep spiritual matter that is foreign to the unsaved (1 Cor. 2:14). Therefore, the ones in Acts 10:44-48 who are speaking in tongues and praising God are definitely saved and they are saved before they are baptized. This simply isn't an exception. It is a reality.

Acts 2:38 so closely ties repentance and baptism because it is contextually covenant language and covenant concept. It is not stating that you must be baptized in order to be saved. It is saying that baptism is the complete and total covenantal identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. It is not the covenant representation (baptism) of what Christ did that saves us, but the reality of His sacrifice which we receive by faith (Rom. 5:1; Gal. 3:8).

That is why we can see in Acts 10:44-48 a group of people who are saved before they are baptized.

Baptism is not what saves. It is not part of salvation. It is something someone does who is already saved.

Baptism is not necessary for salvation. It is the initiatory sign and seal into the covenant of grace. As circumcision referred to the cutting away of sin and to a change of heart (Deut. 10:16; 30:6; Jer. 4:4; 9:25,26; Ez. 44:7,9) baptism refers to the washing away of sin (Acts 2:38; 1 Pet. 3:21; Tit. 3:5) and to spiritual renewal (Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:11-12). The circumcision of the heart is signified by the circumcision of the flesh, that is, baptism (Col. 2:11-12).

One last thought: If someone maintains that baptism is necessary for salvation, is he adding a work, his own, to the finished work of Christ? If the answer is yes, then that person would be in terrible risk of not being saved. If the answer is no, then why is baptism maintained as being necessary the same way as the Jews maintained that works were necessary?

The conversation below is a good illustration of the need to know more than basic theology when discussing the issue of whether or not baptism is necessary for salvation.

Frank: What do you think of water baptism regeneration?

Matt: It is a false doctrine.

Frank: Still another meaning refers to the sacrament of baptism, which is a spiritual rather than bodily cleansing (Matt. 28:19, Rom. 6:3, 1 Pet. 3:21).

Matt: Correct. It is important, but it is not what saves us.

Frank: event from water baptism (see John 3:5, Acts 2:38, 19:2-3, 22:16, Rom. 6:3, Col. 2:11-12, Titus 3:5, and 1 Pet. 3:21 on the subject of baptism's graces). But something instructive can be learned about the mode of baptism and the meaning of the word 'baptizo' even if they insist on separating Spirit baptism from water baptism. Aren't they the same?

Matt: water baptism is a sacrament - a physical manifestation of a spiritual reality. Spirit baptism is an anointing, possession, movement of God on a person.

Frank: Isn't it essential for salvation? "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit," Acts 2:38; what about this? Acts 19:1-6 weren't they baptized immediately in this passage of scripture?

Matt: Do you believe baptism is necessary for salvation?

Frank: I don't know.

Matt: Have you got a Bible?

Frank: Yep.

Matt: Acts 10:44, They are baptized after receiving the holy spirit, right? It was after they speak in tongues and glorify God. Tongues is a gift for the church, for church members, for the saved