“Written to those already born again”
Incorrect. The specific scripture is clear and the intention is to inform those who are not saved about how to obtain salvation. Otherwise there would be no need to state “though shalt be saved” if it were targeted specifically to those who were already born again and salvation had already occurred.
In Mark 1:8 John talks about the baptism to come, not water baptism but baptism in the spirit through Christ - “I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.”
“Know ye not, that as many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his DEATH? Therefore we are BURIED with him INTO DEATH..”
Again, and if you read through the rest of the chapter you’ll see that it’s spiritual baptism being discussed here with the risen Christ. The old water baptism was simply symbolic of the greater reality of the true baptism of the Holy Spirit. Water baptism makes for a nice ceremony, but it’s not what gets one saved.
“That reasoning is another example of people twisting the scriptures to their own destruction, as Peter warned of.”
Your denial of the meaning of Romans 10:9 comes to mind.
**The specific scripture is clear and the intention is to inform those who are not saved about how to obtain salvation.**
You are using one verse, and not taking the epistle as a whole. Context is your friend. Romans was written to those called to be saints. Say it ain’t so, and defy the scriptures. The epistle of Romans gives testamony to how they were saved:
“But God be thanked, that ye were” (past tense) “the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed” (past tense) “from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered” (past tense) “you. Being THEN” (past tense) “made free from sin, ye became” (past tense) “the servants of righteousness”. Rms 6:17,18
Romans 10 DOES talk about people being saved in a present and future tense form; but it also DETAILS the believing unto righteousness is accomplished by HEARING a preacher (witness) sent from God. The first was Peter, and after he preached Jesus Christ, he said to the hungry souls: “Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost”. (Acts 2:38) Three very distinct steps in the conversion instructions. It’s very plain, very simple.
Is the following your interpretation?... “Repent for remission of sins, and in the name of Jesus, be baptized with the Holy Ghost.” If so, you have reduced it to two distinct steps, that disagrees with the Word.
I can continue this discussion, although it may be a while, since this truck driver’s 34 hr restart will happen shortly, and I will be rolling.