Posted on 10/06/2015 10:35:57 AM PDT by envisio
I have read a little and did some research on baptism and if there is a need to get baptized as an adult after being baptized as a child.
I looked for the Church’s standing on it and I looked for scripture written about it. My research left me with the half-baked conclusion, in the eyes of the Lord, one only needs baptized once.
I was baptized as a small child without any realization of what was happening. In the 40 years to follow there were plenty of times I was lost, sinning, doing the devils deeds with the liquor and the drugs and the whores and on all fours in the parkinglot puking only to repeat it again the next day for years in my 20s. I never got into any real trouble; no felonies or violence, just drunken antics of a stupid 20something year old. Of course, as we get older, we settle down and put away our childish behavior to be adults. In no way will my wild youth define my legacy since then.
Recent events have tested my faith and questioned a merciful God. Ultimately those events brought me closer to God, and it was my wife’s wish that I completely give my life to Christ. She did and I am quite sure she is sitting by His side right now, praying that I do the same.
I am a sinner. I have confessed my sins and asked for forgiveness. I have accepted Jesus Christ as my savior. I want to complete it with water. I want to get baptized again, but I don’t want it to be vain. I don’t want to do it for myself as a vain show that’s not necessary just to make me feel better. I want to do it because God wants me to do it.
So, since you folks are far more learned on the teachings of the bible, and FReepdom is unmatched in advice dealing with church and God, my question is… Even if the original baptism was done at a time when I did not know what was happening… Is a second baptism common? Is it vain? Will it make me complete in my transition to being born again? Is it necessary?
So you admit. Hearing and repenting is not necessary for salvation.
And why not? Hearing and repenting - like baptism - is predicated on ME doing something. And if you insist that salvation is God’s gift - AND NOT OUR ACCEPTANCE - of that gift, then you can feel free to cherry pick all the scriptures you want to.
And ignore the ones you don’t like.
hmmm, no... you are wrong.
You see, Baptism is a work of the hands and body, like making something. The Pharisees were legalistic in their interpretation of working on the Sabbath and did nothing, yet they walked everywhere.. walking would be a works too by your definition. Jesus rebuked them for their action on the letter of the law and not the spirit of the law.
Of course, having to SAY something is a work, yet all can do it - but it is clear Salvation is for everyone free of charge, the only thing you need to do it get it... if that be the works involve, it is the only thing you need to do.
So... Baptize all you want, I am not against it. I am against the lie that you have to be baptized to be saved.. are you washed in the blood, or just rinsed in a bathtub?
Baptism is a work of the hands and body...
______________________________________
And confession is a work of the mouth. Believing is a work of the heart. (Romans 10:9)
So what?
You’ve gone from denying baptism is necessary to now denying repentance is necessary.
You are one confused individual.
um I didn’t admit to anything except that Baptism isn’t required for salvation and I have provided scriptures to prove it. Not my words, but God’s words...
I am pretty sure that I’m not the one cherry picking here...
If you want to believe baptism is necessary for salvation, that is your conviction... not scriptural.. need to do some research and lighten up on the pompous attitude.
what? I have never said repentance wasn’t necessary!
“You cannot have remission of sins without baptism.”
1. Remission of sins comes first when someone entrusted themselves to Christ.
2. Baptism is an act commanded to believers *because of* the remission of sins that already occurred.
That is what it means in Greek.
Thanks to all your responses, everyone. It has been a great help. Some of it is over my head, but still greatly appreciated.
And I’m sorry if I opened a big can of worms here.....
Do it. God’s people will welcome you, and you will feel His presence in your life even more.
No it does not. Besides the valid points that negate your points in post 75, here are more.
Acts 2:38
Baptism is not an obscure Bible topic. It is featured very prominently in the pages of the New Testament. We do not have to wonder what the purpose for baptism is in God's mind because He has plainly indicated its purpose already. We do not have to wonder who a proper subject for baptism is because the Bible tells us. We do not have to guess about the proper mode of baptism because the Bible reveals exactly what that is. Baptism is found in numerous passages in the New Testament, and the teachings found there relating to baptism are consistent.There is no excuse for not accepting what God has revealed in His word about baptism. There is no good reason to deny what the Scriptures say in favor of some religious creed that some church leaders somewhere have egotistically legislated.The Holy Spirit revealed the purpose of baptism during the very first gospel sermon preached following the ascension of Jesus back into heaven. By the Spirit Peter answers the peoples' plea, "What must we do?" He says, "Repent, and let each of you be baptized 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).
THE DIFFICULT TASK AND THE SOLUTION
"...which the untaught and the unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction." (II PETER 3:16). It is indeed a difficult thing to read such a plain passage as ACTS 2:38 and then try to explain to others why baptism is not necessary to be forgiven of one's sins. And yet, that is exactly what the overwhelming majority of denominations teach in their various creed books.Why take such an awkward view of baptism? Because they must support the doctrine of salvation by faith alone. Rather than restudy "faith alone" they simply explain away every passage in the New Testament which shows the necessity of baptism in God's plan of redemption.Let me simply quote their distortion of ACTS 2:38 in their attempt to make the passage say something other than baptism in the name of Jesus Christ is for the forgiveness of sins. They say that "This baptism would also be for (eis) the forgiveness of sins. 'Eis' here means 'because of." Do you see what they are saying? They are contending that one is not baptized "for" (i.e. in order to have) the remission of sins but "for" (i.e. because of the fact) their sins have been forgiven; that they were forgiven before baptism and were baptized because of forgiveness.
"FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS"
"...this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins" (MATTHEW 26:28). In determining the meaning of the phrase "for the forgiveness of sins" we can look for the phrase in other places. In the above verse, Jesus is speaking with His apostles at the last supper. The exact same Greek phrase is used. Does Jesus mean to say that His blood is poured out "because" sins have already been forgiven or that His blood is poured out "in order that" our sins may be forgiven? Everyone understands that Jesus is saying that His blood is being shed so that we may have our sins forgiven. So why is it so easy to understand here and so difficult in ACTS 2:38?
WHAT THE TRANSLATIONS SAY
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit" (MATTHEW 28:18). Teaching the gospel to all nations makes translating the Scriptures into various languages necessary. We have English translations because we speak English. How do the various English versions translate ACTS 2:38 from Greek to English? How many say the Greek word "eis" (for) means "because of" or something similar? Which translation do you use? What does it say?
"..and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.." (King James).
"..let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.." (New American Standard).
"..let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins.." (New King James).
"..and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven.." (Today's English).
"..be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.." (Challoner-Rheims).
"..be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven.." (New International - 1978 edition).
"..be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins.." (American Standard).
"..be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.." (Revised Standard).
".. each one of you must be immersed by the authority of Jesus the Messiah, so that your sins may be forgiven.." (Simple English Bible).
The version you use is probably listed above. None of them translate "eis" into "because of". These constitute the major works of the best Greek scholars of the past several centuries.
REPENTANCE AND BAPTISM ARE "FOR" THE SAME PURPOSE
"...Unless you repent you will all likewise perish" (LUKE 13:3). Very few would say that one is forgiven of his sins even before he repents of them. They would not say that one repents because his sins have already been forgiven. And they are right because the Bible says one must repent in order to receive forgiveness.
Interestingly enough, one of the verses of Scripture that teach this about repentance is ACTS 2:38. Even more to the point, it mentions two prerequisites to the remission of sins. One is repentance and the other is baptism! How can one split the verse down the middle accepting that repentance is necessary but not baptism? Maybe instead of playing such games we had better respect God enough just to take Him at His word. Amen!
I repeat for emphasis.....
The version you use is probably listed above. None of them translate "eis" into "because of". These constitute the major works of the best Greek scholars of the past several centuries.
More on eis....
https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/395-dallas-professor-rebuffs-common-quibble-on-eis
and
http://executableoutlines.com/acts_so/ac2_38a.htm
and thousands more....
Point is - Because of the remission of sins is not Greek. And its not Biblical.
Lying again.
You argue that works are not necessary. Repentance is a work. Repentance is not mentioned in Romans 10:9. I've asked you numerous times - you deny the need to repent.
I say again - You are one confused individual.
What does the Bible say?
http://biblehub.com/ephesians/4-5.htm
…4There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;
5one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.…
Well, any Baptist will say you get baptized AFTER you believe, not before. Anything done without belief is just a bath.
The baptism which saves you and unites you to Christ is the baptism of the Holy Spirit:
“For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.” - 1 Cor 12
There is a reason why Jesus never baptized anyone with water. HIS baptism is different:
11 “As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” - Matt 3
Jesus WILL baptize all - unbelievers with the fire of judgment, and believers in the Spirit. “ This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?”
Water baptism without faith - life changing faith - is just water. The trinitarian formula is then just some words. The new life follows the new birth:
“As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 15 so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. 16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” - John 3
No one believes for you. If that worked, a person could believe for everyone in the world. Until you repent and believe, there is no meaning to water poured on you (or that you are dunked under).
Water baptism justifies no one. Water baptism does NOT unite you to Christ. Only the baptism of Jesus - immersion in the Holy Spirit and giving the Holy Spirit control - saves us. Water baptism is the outward declaration of what God has done inside.
One acceptable option is to take the Greek preposition translated “for” (eis) as “because of” or “on the basis of.” This is not the usual meaning of the word. The usual meaning is “for” designating aim or purpose.
However it clearly means “because of” in some passages (e.g., Matt. 3:11; 12:14; Mark 1:4).
This explanation links forgiveness with baptizing. We could paraphrase this view as follows. “Repent and you will receive the gift of the Spirit. Be baptized because your sins are forgiven.”171
Constable, T. (2003). Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Ac 2:38).
BTW:
28 This made them ask him, “What must we do to carry out the work of God?”
29 “The work of God for you,” replied Jesus, “is to believe in the one whom he has sent to you.” - John 6
It depends on whether you want to follow the Apostles and the consistent teaching of the Church for close to 2,000 years or not.
Actually, it does not. You have been baptized already. There is only one baptism.
If you attempt to try and be “rebaptized” , it is not baptism so it doesn’t matter what you do.
This thread shows the result of religious confusion the devil has spread in the Christian world.......do what you want......do it if it will make you feel better.....pray about it........blah blah blah.
Are you saying that Baptists don’t follow the Bible where one baptism is stipulated?
One receives forgiveness of sins and the Holy Spirit at the same time. Knowing that, the correct way to translate Acts 2:38 is quite clear and that is why every reputable translation has for the forgiveness of sins, not because of. See Acts 22:16 for confirmation baptism is for the remission of sins and doesn’t follow the remission of sins.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.