But faith negates the necessity of baptism.
Abraham BELIEVED God and it was credited to him as righteousness.
>“Not as a removal of dirt from the body…
IOW, NOT water baptism.
...
You got the wrong type of baptism here…”
Well there’s the problem. There is only ONE type of baptism:
“one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all…” Eph 4:5-6
“Water” baptism IS “Spirit” baptism:
“And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” John 3:5. Water and Spirit - together.
Of course, “water baptism” is actually a redundant phrase because the word baptizo already implies the use of water.
The reference to not removing dirt from the body makes it clear that it is not WATER that is accomplishing anything, but GOD. Baptism doesn’t save you because it got you wet. Water alone doesn’t accomplish anything. Baptism saves you because God said it does.
The Bible is extremely clear about what (water) baptism accomplishes:
Forgives your sins. Acts 2:38 (With repentance)
Gives you the Holy Spirit. John 3:5, Acts 2:38.
Joins you with the death and resurrection of Jesus. Romans 6:2-5, Colossians 2:12.
Clothes you in Christ. Galatians 3:27.
Regenerates you. Titus 3:5.
Saves you. 1 Peter 3:21.
Nowhere is a Christian baptism referenced as merely symbolic.
>“But faith negates the necessity of baptism. Abraham BELIEVED God and it was credited to him as righteousness.“
Of course, one who believes and is not baptized is saved. The Bible is clear. But one must wonder at the one who claims to believe but rejects being baptized. Does he truly have faith in Christ to openly reject what He and his apostles said baptism accomplishes?
I don’t speak Greek, and I assume you don’t either, so here’s a short exegesis on 1 Peter 3:21, directly from the Greek. It’s enlightening, and only ten minutes. Well worth your time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjcrsZFVyKw Does focus somewhat on the NIV translation, but then breaks the entire verse down in the Greek. According to Pastor Fisk, the literal Greek reads as such:
“The thing also/and you a type now it saves baptism not of the flesh the removal of dirt but for a clean conscience request into God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (word order is used for emphasis in Greek, unlike English)