Well, yes, I would say that one "should" have faith in God, i.e. be a believer, before one is baptized. I have already shown that I do not scream bloody murder at infant baptism, but I do think it is better practiced by believers. I do not see baptism as having any salvational effects, therefore there is no rush. I see it as an obedience to God, a public profession of faith, and an observation of what God has already done for His elect. I agree with the following about baptism from "The Baptist Faith and Message":
"... It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead. Being a church ordinance, it is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and to the Lord's Supper."
No one has to earn baptism, unless one counts believing in Christ "earning". On if it is a "work of man", I suppose it could be taken that way in the same sense that the Lord's Supper is. It is symbolic and done in remembrance.
The Apostles must have seen her apparent sinlessness, and Scriptures point to the "fittingness" of Mary being sinless - JUST like we presume that Jesus also didn't have a sinful thought, even though Paul or the Apostles couldn't have known either person's mind or thoughts.
I am unaware of the scriptures that point to the "fittingness" of Mary being sinless. I also don't think we need to presume at all about the thoughts of Jesus. Paul tells us specifically that He was without sin. Paul knows that includes thoughts. We can presume about how Paul found that out, but not as to whether it's true, if we believe that the Bible is inerrant. Paul makes no corresponding statement about Mary of any kind.
I don't see any sin from Mary's actions at Cana. You need to look beyond the literal in John's Gospel, brother. It goes much deeper, pointing to the woman at the foot of the cross and the woman in the Garden of Eden.
Sometimes you won't take "YES" for an answer. :) Please re-read my post. I said that I do NOT think Mary sinned at Cana.
That's interesting, because that is one of Jesus' final commands - to Baptize... If baptism is for the remission of sins, and we die before our sins are remitted, where is our final resting place?
I am unaware of the scriptures that point to the "fittingness" of Mary being sinless.
The Church Fathers wrote about Mary being the New Eve, making the connection between Mary and Eve. I have already explained this. Eve, Adam, Jesus ... and Mary were all born without sin. God untied the knot of disobedience with the New Adam and Eve.
Paul tells us specifically that He was without sin. Paul knows that includes thoughts.
The only way Paul would know anything about that is through oral tradition given to him from the Apostles. In the same way, the tradition tells us that Mary, too, was sinless.
Paul makes no corresponding statement about Mary of any kind.
Apparently, Mary wasn't a problem that other communities asked Paul to clarify.
Sometimes you won't take "YES" for an answer. :) Please re-read my post. I said that I do NOT think Mary sinned at Cana.
Hmm. Well, here is your post. You tell me what you are trying to say...
#6690, FK wrote:
One example of Mary's sin that I have heard of was at the wedding in Cana. Frankly, I'd be willing to let that one slide. Objectively, I honestly don't see enough evidence. However, and since I'm thinking of it at this moment, :) is it a sin to disbelieve when one has no excuse?
How would YOU read that if you were me? That Mary sinned? No?
Regards