is Baptism a work of God or man?
Mat 21:25 The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?
Col 2:11 in whom ye were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ; Col 2:12 having been buried with him in baptism, wherein ye were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
suppose I wanted to build a house and got a architect to design it> Then I got contractors to build it. Whose work would it be? Did I build my own house or not? If I have servants to serve me, and I told then go out and tell every about me. Whose work are they doing ? Their work or my work. Whose work are the disciples doing when they follow the commandments of the lord?
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: Mat 28:20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
Whoses work are they doing when they don't follow the Commandments of the Lord?
Man baptizes with water, God baptizes with the Holy Spirit.
You simply put too much emphasis on the symbolism of baptism. It symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Suppose I get married but don't have a wedding ring. Am I still married? The ring SYMBOLIZES the union of the two but the two are still married even without the ring.
Wasn't I in this discussion with you the other day? God Bless you brother...you are persistent!
I think however I will move on to those around me now who don't even know Christ. I will tell them of the necessity of the shedding of His blood for the remission of my sins. I will also tell them that the act of baptism will show their obedience to Him, but the water won't do a thing for their salvation any more than rubbing beads will. (No slam intended). The baptism that I will show them is the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
In Christ, Wiley