when one of our Baptist’s friends say any of the following:
baptism is symbolic
baptism is a first act of obedience
baptism is a picture
baptism is an outward sign of something that has happened already
there are two baptisms, water baptism and Spirit baptism
i have one response: show me one verse in the Bible that says any of the above!!
of course, they can’t point to a verse, because the Bible doesn’t support any of those beliefs.
that’s why no one believed this about baptism until the 16th century.
the biblical, historical, orthodox and apostolic Faith has always taught and believed that baptism is for:
1. the remission of sins
2. receiving the Holy Spirit
3. placing us into Christ.
“there are two baptisms, water baptism and Spirit baptism
i have one response: show me one verse in the Bible that says any of the above!!”
Actually, ignoring verses when they are pointed out to you is not the same as never having had them pointed out.
The only baptism required for salvation is the Baptism Jesus gives - in the Holy Spirit:
“John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
All men will be baptized, either with the Holy Spirit (”gather the wheat into his barn”) or with fire (”the chaff he will burn”).
Altho the disciples baptized with water, Jesus did not. (”Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples” - John 4)
Consider Cornelius:
“44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 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. 46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.”
It is receiving the Holy Spirit that matters. Water follows...