New Birth and Water Baptism
New Birth & water Baptism
What the scripture will prove in this study is that the new birth includes water and Spirit. Repentance alone, is NOT the new birth. Believing by itself, is NOT the new birth.
“born of water” is baptism by immersion with the name of Jesus Christ invoked.
“born of Spirit” is when one receives the gift of the Holy Ghost evidenced by tongues.
John 3:5
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Read it one more time please…
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
What does “cannot” mean? “you cannot go out with your friends”; “you cannot take the car tomorrow”; “you cannot miss work”; “you cannot afford to miss the rapture”; You cannot go to Heaven if you are not born of the water and Spirit. Did Jesus mean what he said? Did he? If you can go to Heaven without the correct baptism and the Holy Ghost, then Jesus is a liar! Does this Bible give us more than one way to get to Heaven? NO!
Peter preaches in agreement with Jesus…”water & Spirit’
Acts 2:38
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Again we see water and Spirit.
Compare these two verses and find the truth and find the lie!
Here are two verses of 1 Peter 3:21, one of them is a lie and one of them is truth. All lies come from Satan but Jesus Christ is truth!
You choose the one you will believe.
1 Peter 3:21
21 The like figure whereunto even baptism does not save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
1 Peter 3:21
21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
Here are two verses of Mark 16:16, one of them is a lie and one of them is truth. All lies come from Satan but Jesus Christ is truth!
You choose the one you will believe.
Mark 16:16
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Mark 16:16
16 He that believeth is saved, and should be baptized; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
2 Thess 2:10-12
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
1 John 2:21
21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
Can you believe the lie about these two verses that water baptism in Jesus name is not necessary, and still go to Heaven?
Fact:
1. No lie is of the truth
2. All will be damned who believe not the truth
3. “baptism doth also now save us”
4. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved”
More passages proving that the water and the Spirit is how the New Testament church was saved and born again… Remember, the New Testament church was born in Acts chapter two. The gospels were all under the law and NOT New testament dispensation. The renting of the veil at Jesus’ death is when the Old Testament era ended! So, let us go to the book of Acts.
Acts 8:16-17
16(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
Here is vivid proof that Cornelius was NOT saved as he was.
Acts 10:1-6
10:1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:
6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. (do what? Do to be saved! He was not yet born of the water and Spirit!)
What did Peter tell him to do?
Acts 10:44-48
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
They all, including Cornelius were water baptized in Jesus name and filled with the Holy Ghost! Everyone, including Cornelius needs a preacher in their life!
Fact:
1. Cornelius’ good works did not save him
2. His giving to the poor did not save him
3. His fasting did not save him
4. His praying to God always did not save him
5. Him seeing an angel did not save him
6. Him fearing God did not save him
7. Him being devout did not save him
Cornelius obeyed this verse
John 3:5
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Can you go to Heaven and NOT obey this verse? Can you forbid water and be saved? NO.
The fact is that God answered a hungry man. Cornelius desired more truth. His fasting and praying brought to him the angel to tell him to find Peter, so that he would tell him how to be saved!
Water baptism was so important to being saved that Paul inconvenienced himself and twelve believers and re-baptized them in Jesus name and they received the Holy Ghost.
Acts 19:1-7
19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
7 And all the men were about twelve.
These twelve believers/disciples received the water and Spirit birth just as Jesus taught it 20 years before! They could have said “I have been baptized, besides baptism is not needed to go to heaven”. They did not, they were rebaptized in Jesus name!
Fact:
1. They were disciples
2. They were believers
3. They had been baptized before
4. They received more truth and were born of the water and Spirit!
What is the gospel?
It is termed as the “good news’.
What is the good news?
It is, Jesus died, was buried and rose from the dead!
The only way to get to Heaven is by obeying the gospel!
How can a person obey the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus???
Matt 24:14
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Rom 1:16
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Rom 10:16
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
2 Thess 1:8
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
1 Peter 4:17
17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
2 Cor 4:3-4
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
1 Cor 15:1-4
15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
The Gospel of Jesus Christ must be obeyed!
1. Jesus died – You must die (in repentance)
2. Jesus was buried – you must be buried (by water baptism in Jesus name. Col 2:12)
3. Jesus rose from the dead – you must rise from the dead (by receiving the Holy Ghost you rise from the dead. The Holy Ghost is your new life)
Acts 2:38
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
When water baptism is administered it MUST be done with the name of Jesus invoked! Many are baptizing with the words “father, son and Holy Ghost”. The problem is, no one in the Bible was baptized that way! Not one single preacher in the Bible baptized in the titles “father, Son and Holy Ghost”, it was always done in the name of “Jesus”. God will not honor a man made baptism. It must be done according to the New Testament plan!
Believing and repentance are the prerequisites for being born again of the water and Spirit.
Look at the two verses of John 3:5. One is a lie and the other is true. One will get you to Heaven and the other will take you to Hell. Which one will you believe?
John 3:5
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When a man gets saved he does not need to be born of water and of the Spirit, he will enter into the kingdom of God without it.
John 3:5
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Categories: You Must Be Born Again,Water Baptism
Tags: new birth water baptism new birth water baptism
Very interesting,indeed.Many christains believe you donot need water baptism to be saved.The Devil is still a liar,Paul says there be some that trouble you,and would pervert the gospel of Christ.Galatians 1:7.It is very important that we all,be buried with Christ in baptism.Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ,amen.peace steve
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I praise and thank God that I have experienced Acts 2:38, and got the Holy Ghost , I was baptized in Jesus name on January 18th 2009 26 years prior I was baptized in the name of the Father, Son, Holy Ghost, and I always thought that it was the right way, but in Matthew's Great Commission, GO YE THEREFORE AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE NATIONS BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER,SON,HOLY GHOST, know if you look at that verse you will notice that Jesus said name (singular) not names (plural) He saide NAME OF... and if you John 1:1 In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God, and in John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. and also read 1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
So when you are baptized it is not just an example like alot of church thinks it is, but it is part of New Testament Salvation, Praise the Lord, So in Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Who is the name of Father (Jesus) who is the name of the Son (Jesus) and the name of the Holy Ghost (Jesus) YOU MUST REPENT OF YOUR SINS AND BE BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE REMMISSION OF SINS AND YE SHALL RECIEVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST
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The epistles are letters to people who had already obeyed Acts 2:38 to become Christians.
Bro. Winter
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LOVE your blog! I have created a blog similar to yours but in a broader scope of topics. I will definitely trackback to some of your articles when I write on some of these topics. I think you might enjoy some of my recent blogs if you get a chance to check them out. Here are the links:
http://www.apostolicsanonymous.com/blog/2009/12/10/more-than-ye-all.html
http://www.apostolicsanonymous.com/blog/2009/12/10/if-the-question-hasnt-changed.html
Thanks so much for your blog! Very inspirational. Giving me the writing bug, lol! I have put your blog in my blogroll on my homepage. Look forward to more of your articles and be sure to check mine out if you get a chance. Maybe I can help inspire you also
God Bless!
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Some claim,Paul did not practice water baptism in his ministry as a rule saying:"Christ did not send me to baptize (with water),but to preach the Gospel.They also say that in the great commission.It is apparent that Paul recognized the baptism mentioned in the great commission at (Matthew 28:19-20).To be baptized with the Holy Ghost.Its time those people read the Bible.This is a example how scripture get lifted out of context,the Devil is a expert at this.steve
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The Apostle Paul preached the same salvation procedure as Peter including Jesus Name water baptism and the Holy Ghost speaking in other tongues.
Acts 19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
Acts 19:2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
Acts 19:3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
Acts 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
Acts 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Bro Steve Winter
For Bible doctrine www.prime.org
For Christian music www.winterband.com
For Christian community www.OneLordJesus.com
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The Holy Spirit is NOT ALWAYS evident by the speaking in tongues.
"Now there are varieties of gifts, bu tthe same Spirit, and there are varieties of ministries and the same Lord. And there are varieties of efffects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of th eSpirit for the common good." 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
continue reading verses 8-11
verse 30: " All do not have gifts of healings do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret do they?"
1 Corinthians 14:1-4:
"Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spairitual gifts, but ESPECIALLY THAT YOU MAY PROPHESY. For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God, for no one understands, but in his spieit he speaks mysteries. But one who PROPHESIES speaks to men FOR EDIFICATION and EXHORTATION and CONSOLATION. One wo speaks in a tongue edifies HIMSELF, but one who PROPHESIES EDIFIES THE CHURCH."
Verse 12
"So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual GIFTS, SEEK TO ABOUND IN THE EDIFICATION OF THE CHURCH."
Verse19:
"however, in the church I desire to speak five words WITH MY MIND, that I may INSTRUCT OTHERS also, RATHER THAN TEN THOUSAND WORDS IN A TONGUE."
Verse 39:
"There fore, my brethren, desire earnestly TO PROPHESY, and do not forbid to speak in tongues, but let all things be done properly and in an orderly manner."
So as Paul clearly explained, not all have the same gift. Not all speaks in tongues. But we are to strive for the "greater gift" of being able TO PROPHESY for the edification of the Church."
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Many false-christians who claim the Holy Ghost when they really are not even Christians will often attack other tongues since they lack a real Biblical experience. They will prey upon ignorance regarding speaking in tongues and the TWO distinct types of tongues.
There is nothing loving about deceiving souls into hell.
IT IS ESSENTIAL to understand that there are TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT KINDS OF TONGUES in the Bible. #1: Other Tongues and #2: The Gift of Tongues (Unknown tongues).
When the 120 in the upper room were filled with the Holy Ghost they spoke in other tongues(#1).
Acts 1:15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)
Other tongues(#1) WAS UNDERSTOOD by men
Acts 2:5 ｶ And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
Acts 2:11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
In I Cor 14:2 however it says that when a man speaks in "unknown tongues (#2)" that NO MAN UNDERSTANDS him.
1 Corinthians 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh
not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in
the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
In I Cor 12: 29,30 Paul is speaking concerning "the Gift of Tongues( unknown tongues #2)" when he asks "Do all speak with tongues(#2)?",
the group that he was addressing all had spoken in "other tongues(#1)" when they had received the Holy Ghost.
1 Corinthians 12:29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
1 Corinthians 12:9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
Though ALL that receive the Holy Ghost DO SPEAK IN OTHER TONGUES(#1). Of these not everyone will be used in the "Gift of Tongues(#2)". Every new-testament Christian will speak in "other tongues(#1)", but every Christian will not be used in the "Gift of tongues(#2)"
Jesus Only - by WinterBand A Christian music video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flE-O9eG-L0
No Trinity On Me - by WinterBand A Christian music video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SLrQokwf_M
Bro Steve Winter
For Bible doctrine http://www.TheTruthOfTheBible.com
For Christian music http://www.winterband.com
New Christian community http://www.OneLordJesus.com
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I challenge the author of this site to a formal debate online. Let us debate your assertion that baptism is a requirement for salvation. Test your assertions, or perhaps you should change the subtitle of this site from "Oneness/Trinitarian" debate to "Oneness eisegesis absent of opposition."
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The debate has begun! My study is here on the blog. YOU respond with your disagreement.
Most of the debaters against water baptism in Jesus name will NOT use the scriptures directly relating to water baptism but will instead talk about the "blood" or "Grace". I agree on their arguments that it is the blood that saves us by his Grace. Our difference is "when" this takes place. You say upon confession, I say at the water and Spirit birth, see John 3:5.
I will not continue to rewrite what is here in this blog regarding my stand. If you choose to comment directly relating to my stand, then that is worthy of my time.
God bless all of our readers.
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Baptism is an ordinance instituted by the Lord Jesus (Matt 28:19), and it is therefore a command. A command of God is synonymous with a law of God. Obedience to a law of God cannot under any circumstances cannot save a sinner. Or as the Apostle puts it:
Galatians 2:16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
Paul places a high priority on faith in the Lord Jesus that is apart from works. This is further emphasized in his discourse on justification in the epistle to the Romans:
Romans 4:4-8 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”
Certainly no one can argue that the high point or pinnacle of teaching on justification is Paul's discourse in Romans chapters 2-5. Yet, he does not touch on the topic of baptism until chapter 6. We see that Paul has concluded his writing on the topic of justification by the phrase "what shall we say then?"(Rom 6:1). The Apostle proceeds to address abstinence from sin and baptism without connecting the doctrine of baptism and to the salvithic process. Rather, he points to baptism as the symbol that demonstrates the reality of union with Christ in death burial, resurrection, and the newness of life. His words regarding baptism relevant to the doctrine of sanctification rather than the remission of sins (Rom 6:1-4). The conclusion that we can draw from Romans is that baptism is the symbolic expression of authentic faith. The demonstration of an individuals allegiance and recognition of the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ is best seen in baptism. It is in baptism that Christians make look back as a reminder of their union with Christ. It is in baptism that we are reminded of the hope of resurrection (Rom 6:5).
Typically, we see that there are parallels between the institution of circumcision and baptism (Gen 17:10/Matt 28:19). I would not go as far as to suggest that baptism is the sign of the New Covenant, as circumcision is the sign of the Old Covenant. When we examine the way in which the ritual of circumcision is treated in light of the doctrine of justification there are certain parallels that can and should be drawn.
To be continued in next post...
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Part 2
Romans 4:9-11 Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well,
The Apostles point is this; Abraham's obedience to the ordinance of circumcision was representative of an inward reality; Abraham's faith was counted to him as righteousness. The obedience to the ordinance did not effect whether or not Abraham was justified. This principal can and should be rightly applied to our own understanding of how we are seen as righteous before God. It is our faith in Christ alone that is counted to us as righteousness. Baptism is the sign of that reality, but not the means of that reality.
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The New Testament also provides a number of narratives that are completely at odds with the Oneness doctrine of baptism.
Acts 10:44-48 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.
The Gentiles present in the above text were filled with the Holy Spirit. These people were regenerate before baptism. Note Peter's emphasis on baptism after their own confession of faith.
Consider too the work of the Apostle in the following texts:
Acts 16:29-31 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”(esv, bold mine)
What did Paul say the jailer must do to be saved? His concern wasn't baptism. No, Paul was concerned with faith. And that is why we read this in Acts 16:32:
Acts 16:32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.(esv)
Paul identified did not consider his heavenly commission to be centered around preaching Acts 2:38:
1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
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Paul,and he took them the same hour of the night,and washed their stripes:and was baptized,he and all his straightway (Acts 16:33).Why don't you tell the whole story,You only tell half the story.Paul could not have preached a different Gospel than Peter.There is no contradiction in the word of God.Thats what you are doing,preaching a contradiction.To try and justifie your own beliefs,sounds like you are Salvation Army.Its sounds like something there would say.Steve
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I did not suggest nor imply that Peter was preaching a different gospel. What Peter said and what Paul said were identical. But you take one text and eisegete your own meaning into it. Eis does not me "for," but "on behalf of."
The baptism came after they got saved: that is the point. Sounds to me, you enjoy works-righteousness.
Tell me Steve: Did Jesus or His Apostles ever connect damnation with a failure to get baptized? Or did our Lord and His Apostles only associate damnation with those who possess no faith in Christ?
It is funny. Out of all I commented you write three sentences in response? I thought you were the famed apostolic defender.
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I say at the water and Spirit birth,John 3:5.Also Acts 2:38.
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Regarding your assertions in reference to Acts 2:38
Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, 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.
The word "for" used in this verse is the Greek word "eis." This word can mean “because” or “on behalf of.” In light of that definition, it seems as though this text is a detractor of oneness soteriology. In addition, there is another interesting dynamic in the verse. The verb for "be baptized" in the Greek (baptizo) is in the singular, whereas the word for "repent" (metanoeo) is in the plural. The manor in which the text goes from a plural ("repent") to a singular ("be baptized") to plural ("your") suggests that "the forgiveness of sins" is a result of repentance and not baptism. Oneness theologian Jason Dulle even acknowleges the above.
I will send a number of comments pertaining to the topic of baptism because of the size of the comment boxes and the fact that you refuse formal debate.
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1Peter 3:18-21 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
Peter is comparing the waters of the flood to Christian baptism. We see in the narrative account of the flood, that it was God Himself that saved Noah and his family from the flood (Gen 7:16). How do the waters of the flood correspond with the water of Christian baptism? The flood waters symbolized the judgment of God upon the world. Baptism symbolizes the judgment of God upon Christ, and it is that judgment that Christians have been sheltered from. Christians are free from the wrath to come not because of baptism, but the person and work baptism represents. Just as Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:8-9 that faith is a gift from God. Faith is the means by which God saves us from judgment (Rom 5:9) and credits us with righteousness (Rom 4:3). Therefore baptism is the expression of the authentic faith possessed by the justified. To suggest that Peter is saying that baptism has a salvithic effect is to deny the obvious. The water of baptism does not cleanse us of sin says Peter; "not as a removal of dirt from the body." It is what baptism evidences; "an appeal to God for a good conscience." Baptism is the representation of union with Christ (Rom 6:1-4), and it only can save so far as it accurately represents an inward reality. Baptism can no more save a person than the flood waters could save Noah. It was the faith Noah had in his God that had a salvithic effect, so too, it is faith in Christ that saves us.
Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.(esv, bold mine)
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My arguement against your use of John 3:5 is to be seen at the link below, as it is far to long to post in this comment box.
http://onenessheresy.blogspot.com/2009/11/does-john-31-15-support-baptismal.html
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All of the early church baptized in the name of Jesus. All the apostles baptized in Jesus name. With your theory, they are all lost, in rebellion and on their way to Hell! Jesus taught the apostles, they and the prophets are the foundation of the church. I choose to stand with them since Jesus peersonally taught them!!!
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I haved to laugh,at those remarks,Mike.There is no other Gospel,other than what was preached in the Book of Acts.This Gospel was preached unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven (1 Peter 1:12).Beware of counterfeit Gospels,thats beening preached today.steve
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Baptism is not salvithic. Repentence and faith in the risen Son are. You have yet to address any of the points or questions I have asked. Is that due to your inability, or the invalidity of your claims?
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