Posted on 12/17/2006 1:50:49 PM PST by DouglasKC
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The greatest gifts anyone can receive come "from above"—from our Creator God (James 1:17). And God offers us two gifts that are by far the most important that any human being can receive in this life. The first gift is the forgiveness of sins. The second is the indwelling presence of God's Holy Spirit.
In turn, these two gifts make possible the greatest gift of all, which is eternal, glorified life after death in the everlasting Kingdom of God (Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 15:50-58).
Countless people are confused, thinking they have already received God's forgiveness when they haven't, and thinking they already have God's Holy Spirit when they haven't. This article will help you to know one way or the other.
First, it is always God who must initiate a relationship with Him. Jesus said, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws [or calls] him" (John 6:44). God calls a person by causing him to hear the true gospel while at the same time opening up his mind to spiritual understanding (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; 1 Corinthians 2:10-14).
There is nothing we can possibly do to earn eternal life, but God does have conditions that we must fulfill. The last article in this series focused on one of those conditions—real heartfelt repentance over having disobeyed God's laws. Another condition is faith in God—trusting in Him and believing His Word, the Bible. Jesus Christ emphasized these two conditions during His ministry (Mark 1:15).
What shall we do?
But for us to receive forgiveness and the gift of the Holy Spirit, more is required than just repentance and faith. In Acts 2, we read a summary of the apostle Peter's inspired sermon. He explained that the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ was necessary to pay the penalty for our sins. It is our sinfulness that was responsible for His suffering. In essence, "you crucified" Him (Acts 2:36).
Notice the reaction of the listeners: "Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, 'Men and brethren, what shall we do?'" (verse 37, emphasis added throughout). They knew God would require them to do certain things if they were to be given eternal life.
"Then Peter said to them, 'Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission [forgiveness] of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit'" (verse 38). Peter made it clear that we must receive two things to be reconciled to God—forgiveness and the Holy Spirit.
Peter said we must first repent. But Peter didn't mention the other condition, which is faith. Why not? The very question "What shall we do?" showed Peter that the people believed in his message and in the Scriptures. They wanted to know what they should do next to act on that faith!
Therefore, once a person mature enough to make important lifelong decisions has a basic spiritual understanding of and belief in the "gospel," meaning the good news
of the coming Kingdom of God and His plan of salvation, God urgently desires to see him or her repent and be baptized as soon as is practical. Then he can receive the forgiveness of sins and the Holy Spirit.
What is baptism?
The Greek word translated "baptize" is baptizo, the common Greek term for immerse, submerge or put into. So most English Bibles merely anglicize the word to a slightly different spelling rather than translate it. The important point is that, in the Bible, "baptize" always means immerse.
Other authors of the time write of naval battles in which ships were "baptized" —completely sunk—in the sea. Therefore, it is nonsensical to say one can baptize (immerse or submerge) by pouring or sprinkling. The Bible itself proves that baptism meant immersion. John the Baptist needed "much water" for baptizing (John 3:23). Jesus, when John baptized Him, "came up immediately from the water" (Matthew 3:16). When Philip baptized the eunuch, they "went down into the water" (Acts 8:38). Afterwards, "they came up out of the water" (verse 39).
Why is this important? Because of what baptism represents. Being put into and under water pictures a burial, and rising from the water pictures a resurrection.
Baptism actually pictures three deaths, burials and resurrections. First, baptism symbolizes our faith "that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
Second, it symbolizes our acknowledgement of the need for our old sinful way of life to be "put to death" and be buried forever (Colossians 3:5; 2:12). And our rising from the water symbolizes our beginning to "walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:3-6). Of course our spiritual character isn't immediately transformed in those few seconds. Baptism is a sign of our lifelong dedication and commitment to that goal.
Third, baptism symbolizes one's faith in the hope of the literal resurrection to come—"that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust" (Acts 24:15).
Baptism: Much more than a ceremony
Symbolism is important, but baptism is much more than symbolism. If you were to ask 100 people who are seeking to be baptized, "Have you ever asked God to forgive you?" probably 99 would say yes. Then ask the 99, "Do you think God answered those prayers and forgave you?" Maybe 98 of them will say yes. Then ask them, "So why be baptized if God has already forgiven you, since Acts 2:38 says that the purpose of baptism is to have your sins forgiven?"
Most people are confused. Even when they realize baptism is a biblical requirement, they think of it as a mere ritual of thanksgiving for God's forgiveness. But Acts 2:38 states that baptism is a required condition for forgiveness. Before forgiveness, God requires this public profession of commitment to Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord (meaning Master —to rule over our lives, Luke 6:46).
Many have misinterpreted 1 John 1:9, which says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Most people fail to realize that the New Testament epistles were written primarily to Church members—those who had already been baptized. In the epistles, the pronouns "we" and "us" refer to baptized members; "they" and "them" usually refer to nonmembers.
Therefore, 1 John 1:9 tells us that if a person who has received initial forgiveness through baptism sins after that, he does not need to be baptized again and again. Each subsequent time he sins, he only needs to repent of that sin, confess it to God and ask God's forgiveness—and God will immediately forgive. This is one of the awesome privileges a person has once he has been baptized!
This explains why baptism is so important! God holds each person guilty of every sin he has ever committed until those sins are blotted out at baptism (Acts 3:19; 22:16). At the moment the repentant person is immersed in water, all his past sins are forgiven! What a joy it is to stand clean before God!
The next step: Receive God's Holy Spirit
Once a person has been baptized, he is ready to receive God's Holy Spirit. The Bible shows that the Holy Spirit is the spiritual essence and power that emanates from God the Father and from Jesus Christ. Many are surprised to find that the Bible never mentions a Trinity. Indeed, careful study shows that the traditional formulations of men are quite different from the biblical teaching. (For a definitive scriptural study, read our free booklet Who Is God?)
The gift of the Holy Spirit does not come during the baptism. Scripture shows that God gives it immediately afterwards during the laying on of hands by one of God's ministers as he prays for the baptized person to receive the gift of God's Spirit (Acts 8:14-17; 19:6; 2 Timothy 1:6).
Once you have the Holy Spirit, you have "Christ in you" (Colossians 1:27). You are "baptized into Christ" (Galatians 3:27). You abide in Christ and He abides in you (1 John 3:24). You are among the "partakers of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4). You have a "new heart" and are becoming a "new man" (Ezekiel 18:31; Ephesians 4:24).
"For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body . . . the body of Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:13, 27). That "body" is the Church—the "church of God" (Colossians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 1:2). We cannot "join" the Church of God. God adds us to it when He gives us the gift of His Spirit. We are then members of God's Church
(1 Corinthians 12:27).
"Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His"—he doesn't belong to Christ (Romans 8:9). He is not a true Christian or "son of God" (verse 14). To become a real Christian, you must believe, repent, be baptized, experience the laying on of hands from one of God's ministers, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Once a mature person has spiritual understanding and faith and has repented of his sins, he should not delay baptism. When God is offering you a gift, why not accept it? Jesus warned against rejecting God's offer: "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:16). As Ananias said to Saul (whose name was changed to Paul), "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins" (Acts 22:16).
After one receives the Holy Spirit, that is when real spiritual growth begins! The next article in this series will explain much about what a baptized member should do to grow spiritually.
***Other authors of the time write of naval battles in which ships were "baptized" —completely sunk—in the sea. Therefore, it is nonsensical to say one can baptize (immerse or submerge) by pouring or sprinkling.***
Baptize.. completely sunk or immersed. like a cucumber in vinegar. that is our baptism into CHRIST. Completely immersed in Christ. That is why I do not believe baptism in water saves.
***Not sprinkling or pouring...*** but what did John the Baptist say? I came baptizing with water but HE shall BAPTIZE you with the HOLY Spirit.
And What did Peter say? These are the things which the Prophet Joel spoke of when he said, "I will POUR OUT my spirit on all flesh.."
WE could just cut and paste from these threads as these questions have been hammered out here. Plus dozens of other threads over the last year.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1753354/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1750468/posts
Baptize does not always mean immerse. It doesn't mean it even in the bible.
The children of Israel were baptized in crossing the Red Sea, but they went through on dry ground.
The Holy Spirit was POURED out on the day of pentecost and it was called baptism.
We were baptized into the death of Christ, but we are said told that his blood would sprinkle many nations.
With this basic assumption flawed everything else in the article is meaningless.
The water baptism that was commanded by Christ and taught by His Apostles is a burial(Romans 6:3-4), which is not possible with sprinkling or pouring.
There is no water mentioned in Romans 6. It's about dying to this world like Christ died.
And the word immersion NEVER appears in the New Testament. Not even once.
Nada.
That should make immersionists a little humble.
The Greek word baptizo appears many times in the New Testament, and that word means immersion. If the word had been translated, instead of transliterated, your statement about the word immersion never appearing in the New Testament would be absolutely false.
It obviously does not mean immersion.
The children of Israel walked through the Red Sea on dry ground, but they were baptized.
The only ones "immersed" were the Egyptians.
The Cornelius group was baptized by the Holy Spirit in the presence of Peter, and he said it was baptism by the "pouring out" of the Holy Spirit.
If there is one exception, then the article is incorrect to say that baptism always means "immersion."
It does not.
In fact, Paul was told to "stand up and be baptized."
He did and was.
1 Corinthians 10:1-2
1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
Notice what Paul says here. The children of Israel were baptized "in the cloud and in the sea". It is significant that Paul mentions both the cloud and the sea. Take both of them combined, and they were "immersed". They were covered on the top by the cloud, and on the sides by the sea.
Wrong. They walked through on dry ground.
The Egyptians, on the other hand, got very wet.
Please explain how walking on dry ground excludes the children of Israel from being immersed in the cloud and in the sea.
Baptizing was the process whereby cloth was dunked in a vat to dye it. John was a dunker.
Christening was annointing.
In both processes the idea was naming, or rather, renaming.
They aren't wet.
If the word "baptized" in reference to the children of Israel and the cloud and the sea does not mean immersion, please explain what you believe the word means?
I believe the word "baptism" is the word in Greek chosen to explain many Jewish customs from the law that had to do with washing, dipping, cleansing, and sprinkling.
Luke 11:38 for example; they get upset with Jesus for not getting baptised before reclining to eat.
I don't think they were referring to being held underwater for a sufficient period of time.
***If there is one exception, then the article is incorrect to say that baptism always means "immersion." ***
Luk 12:50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!
Since Jesus had already been baptized by John why would he have to have another "immersion".
(Ok, we know what it really means and it is not water.)
The word "baptizo" can also mean to wash by dipping or submerging, which is a good way to wash one's hands. The word "baptizo" never means sprinkling or pouring.
**The word "baptizo" can also mean to wash by dipping or submerging, which is a good way to wash one's hands. The word "baptizo" never means sprinkling or pouring.***
Mar 1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall BAPTIZE you with the Holy Ghost.
Joe 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, [that] I will POUR out my spirit upon all flesh; ....
Act 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will POUR out of my Spirit upon all flesh:
First of all, just so you don't confuse the two, the word that is translated as pour in Acts 2:17 is not "baptizo", but rather is "ekcheo". Also, one definition of the word "baptizo" is to overwhelm. That is an accurate representation of what took place at Pentecost to the Apostles, and it is consistent with the idea of immersion. The word is still never translated as pouring or sprinkling
***First of all, just so you don't confuse the two, the word that is translated as pour in Acts 2:17 is not "baptizo", but rather is "ekcheo". ***
Mar 1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize (baptizo; Strong's 907 )you with the Holy Ghost.
So, did JOHN speak of a DIFFERENT baptism than what Joel prophecied and what happened in ACTS?
I did not say that. The word that is transliterated as baptize in Mark 1:8 is indeed the Greek word "baptizo". One definition of that word is "to overwhelm" which describes what was done by the Holy Spirit in the case of the Apostles. In his reiteration of the prophecy of Joel in Acts 2, Peter does use the word "ekcheo", which is translated as "pour". This is word refers to how the power of the Holy Spirit was delivered.
LOL.
It either SHOWS immersion or it doesn't. This doesn't. They walked through on dry ground.
Peter says that the house of Cornelius was baptized in the Holy Spirit. How? He said that the Spirit was "Poured Out" on them.
He could just as easily have said that they were immersed in it, submerged in it, coated in it, covered in it, etc.
But, he didn't.
Amen.
The word baptizo never means poured or sprinkled. The word that is translated "pour" or "poured", ekcheo, means "to pour out, shed forth" or "metaph. to bestow or distribute largely". The word that is transliterated baptized, baptizo, can also mean "to overwhelm", which would accurately describe what happened when the Holy Spirit fell on them.
***The Greek word translated "baptize" is baptizo, the common Greek term for immerse, submerge or put into. ***
I like this!
Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been PUT into Christ have PUT on Christ.
Much clearer!
Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were PUT into Jesus Christ were PUT into his death?
1Cr 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
1Cr 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all PUT into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
It makes this verse more powerful.
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:
It still means the same thing.
Good post
Numbers 19: 16 `And every one who cometh, on the face of the field, against the pierced of a sword, or against the dead, or against a bone of man, or against a grave, is unclean seven days; 17 and they have taken for the unclean person of the ashes of the burning of the [cleansing], and he hath put upon it running water unto a vessel; 18 and a clean person hath taken hyssop, and hath dipped [it] in water, and hath sprinkled on the tent, and on all the vessels, and on the persons who have been there, and on him who is coming against a bone, or against one pierced, or against the dead, or against a grave.
15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance--now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. 16 In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, 17 because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. 18 This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood. 19 When Moses had proclaimed every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people. 20 He said, "This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep." 21 In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. 22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
Joh 19:34 - Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.
You have yet to show that the Greek word "baptizo" can mean sprinkling or pouring. If it were the case, you could easily produce a Greek lexicon that said as much.
***It still means the same thing.***
If being "baptized into Christ" is water (burial) baptism we must also conclude that "Crucified with Christ" means someone drove nails into your hands and feet.
Any holes in your hands?
By the way, where is DouglasKC. He is no where around to defend his post.
Not so.
bapto--to dip
baptisma--immersion
Other readings are metaphorical
Are you trying to say that it is valid to translate the word baptisma or baptizo as sprinkle or pour?
Dip is what wool cloth dyers do to their cloth to give it color. They immerse it thoroughly. These cloth workers are called baptistes. How anyone can do this by sprinkling or pouring I don't know.
If I understand you correctly, then we agree that there is no way to properly translate the terms as sprinkling or pouring ,correct?
There is no doubt in my mind that John was called the Baptist because he immersed his flock in the river. However, christening was widespread and it could be merely sprinkling, but if John were christening by sprinkling he would be called John the Christener, which would not be considered extraordinary. John the Baptist, now that's remarkable.
***Not so.***
Well, if you have been "buried" with Christ in water it stands to reason you must have been crucified with Christ. Paul said he was. So If getting wet buries you with Christ how do you get crucified with Christ.
Meanwhile, The famous DouglasKC is on the lam. With his posting of this article, DO YOU CONSIDER HIM A BROTHER IN THE LORD?
Baptism wasn't a burial and rebirth, although that is a common story. It was the process of dying and changing the color of the wool cloth. Change is the intent, and renaming or rededication to a new purpose is the result. The reference to the lamb and the flock is further indirect reference to the material of the cloth--wool.
Of course baptism in water doesn't save. I can baptize my cat but that doesn't mean he's saved. However, when one truly repents of their sin AND takes this first step, the first act of obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ. This is in the article, but scripture can't really be more clear on this point:
Act 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Act 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
The Israelites are remorsefulof the role they played in death of Christ. They NOW believe he WAS the Christ. "What should we do!" they say.
Act 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.
Your sin will not be remitted unless you take this basic, first step. It's an elemental part of Christian doctrine:
Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Heb 6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment
Yes, it does always mean immersed. But it doesn't always mean immersed in water, as you pointed out. And the author never says it always means "immersed in water."
With this basic assumption flawed everything else in the article is meaningless.
You should read the article then since your premise was incorrect.
I do have a life outside of FreeRepublic...sometimes. :-)
I think you're describing repentence, the end result of which is, or should be, baptism. But biblically, baptism indeed does symbolize burial and rebirth:
Col 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
***Your sin will not be remitted unless you take this basic, first step. It's an elemental part of Christian doctrine:***
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shall be saved.
Luk 1:76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
Luk 1:77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
Jhn 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name:
Act 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
Act 10:44 ¶ While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
Act 11:17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as [he did] unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
Of course, there are some on this thread that do not believe Cornelius was saved when he received the Holy Spirit before being baptized.
Act 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through FAITH IN HIS BLOOD, to declare HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
I'm famous? Who knew?
jkl1122, it won't hurt my feelings however you choose to answer. Ruy Dias is attempting to destroy your biblically correct stance on baptism by using the tactic known as "guilt by association".
Not that I feel I'm guilty of anything horrible.
That would be interpretation and explanation, which Paul did as best as he was able. The origin of the word baptist is in the wool cloth dyers trade, and which is why John was attracting attention as a curiosity. Explanations can be embellished no end, but mainly it is that the life starts over right there and then, new name and all.
Act 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
Sins are remitted after you obey and are baptized. If you refuse to be baptized, then you are welching on your end of the covenant you want to enter into with Christ.
Jhn 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name:
Do you think it's just coincidence that much of what follows the scripture you cited concerns John the Baptizer and the baptism of Christ?
Joh 1:25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elijah, neither that prophet?
Joh 1:26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;
Of course, there are some on this thread that do not believe Cornelius was saved when he received the Holy Spirit before being baptized.
Well presumably there's a good reason why they actually did baptize him after receiving the holy spirit:
Act 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
Act 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Biblically, there are only two groups of people that directly received the holy spirit of God WITHOUT having hands laid on them. That would be the first Jewish Christians in Acts 2, and the first gentile Christians in Acts 10. Nobody else receives the holy spirit unless they have hands laid on them.
But suppose that Cornelius and the others had refused to be baptized? What would have happened? Nothing?
I don't disbelieve you, but do you have a reference so that I can verify this for myself?
Correct...But it does not mean water...Immersed into something...Sometimes water, sometimes not...
***Act 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? ***
And whom did Peter ask? Those who came with him! So, was Cornelius saved when he received the Holy Spirit or not.
Act 11:14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
Act 11:15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
Act 11:16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
Act 11:17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as [he did] unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
Cornelius began the process of salvation. But I'm not one of the "once saved, always saved" crowd. If Cornelius refused to be baptized, he would have been well on the way to voluntarily giving up his salvation:
Heb 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
1Pe 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
Do a word search on "obey" and "obedience". Baptism IS obedience to God. Disobey and he will not remit sins.
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