Starhunter wrote:Then there are all kinds of baptisms invented by men of all sorts, sprinkling, finger dipping, dunking the head only, washing the hands only, going underwater several times, the list goes on. Many don't even use water.
But the Baptist's have got it right - there is only "one baptism" by immersion, at the time of conversion or at the age of accountability - no infant sprinkling. Baptism by immersion is Biblical. And if you are aware of this fact, then Baptism by water is essential for salvation - if it is available and convenient. But if you don't know about it here are some texts to start with.
Matthew 3:13-16, 28:19-20
Acts 2:38, 8:38,39, 16:30-33, 22:16,
Colossians 2:12,13
Galatians 3:27.
Romans 6:1-4
I Corinthians 12:13
Baptism by immersion means all the body going under water. That's why rivers and lakes were used and not pots and cups.
This has somewhat been addressed but I'll throw in my two cents.
Galatians 3:27 "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."
The Greek word Baptizo has no direct object. It means "to immerse." In this case the verse says baptized INTO Christ. Not into water. There are verses where water is the direct object. For example, JTB said he came baptizing WITH water, but one was coming who would baptize WITH the HS and WITH fire.
Are there any Christians here who want to literally suggest that we use flames for baptism?
Next: Romans 6:1-4 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized
into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Water is never mentioned. The direct object in this case is Christ and death. That is, we are immersed into his death so that we may have new life. It is Christ's death and not water that we must be cleansed in. Theologically this holds because it is the blood of Christ that cleanses us. 1 John 1:7, Heb. 9:22, Matt. 26:28, Heb. 9:12, Col. 1:14, Rev. 1:5
Paul was chosen to unpack the theology. No one else does. And in all of Paul's writings on justification and salvation, water baptism just doesn't register. In fact Paul avoided the whole water baptism thing. 1 Cor. 1:14
To add, water baptism does play a role in the church. In fact, we could say there is a correlation of baptism and water. However, there are obvious exceptions as noted. It is a far different thing to claim that water baptism is salvific. And I would say that the quote from the OP has failed to follow sound exegesis in drawing its damnable conclusions.
For today's beleiver, Paul says there is ONE baptism. That baptism is described as being by one spirit
into one body. (1 Cor. 12:13)
Acts 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you,
in the
name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Much like this verse, Jesus commissions the disciples to go and make disciples of all nations baptizing IN the name of the father, son and HS.
I have no problem with someone inferring that water baptism is in play here. But, Jesus never says that water baptism is essential to receiving eternal life. Over and over again we have examples, from Jesus himself, where salvation is offered by believing with NO sacramental conditions.
-“The Bible treated allegorically becomes putty in the hands of the exegete.” John Walvoord
"I'm not saying scientists don't overstate their results. They do. And it's understandable, too...If you spend years working toward a certain goal and make no progress, of course you are going to spin your results in a positive light." Ivellious
