Religion or Salvation? Water Baptism is a SYMBOLIC testimony, by which the new Born Again Believer, publicly declares they have died spiritually, and are now beginning a new life, in Christ. Baptize is the English form of a Greek word which means to immerse: to place something into something else. Water baptism is a Statement of faith publically, usually to the church: my old life is behind me -- I am now a new person, Water baptism is a public sign of repentance -- Repentance means a change of mind resulting in a change of life style-- This act, however well meaning, does not make you acceptable to God. As a work of Righteousness, trying to obtain a good standing with God, it is worthless. Water baptism is a way of giving testimony to what has happened inwardly. Water baptism outwardly demonstrates what has happened inwardly. That you have been Born Again in your Spirit by His Grace through Faith alone. But your soul and body are still under the curse, until they are redeemed to unite with your Born Again Spirit. Water baptism is only as important as you Believe it to be. Water baptism is your confession and testimony before others. It is not something we must do to impress God, but something to testify to others, what happened to us inwardly. Because, God already knows the Truth of your Spirit. Meaning Of The Word Baptize= Baptizo: To make a thing dipped or dyed to change from one color to another. To immerse for a religious purpose, as a testimony that this person has changed. Whenever the idea of total submergence was to be expressed, whether literally or metaphorically, baptizo was the word used. As you read the Bible, mentally translating the word baptize to the word immerse will greatly help your understanding. NOTE: Not every time the word baptize or baptism is used in the Bible refers to water baptism. Being baptized in water, means you are saying that you have died to sin, selfishness, and the worlds ways. Water baptism is a public testimony of the burial of the old life. By this, you declare that you have changed your MIND=Repentance and will change your life style to show it. Baptism is NOT required for Salvation, but it is recommended as a good course of action, after a person is Saved. So, generally, those who receive Jesus Christ and are Born Again, should normally be baptized in water. In the book of Acts, water baptism always seemed to be done without delay. Although it can take place at any time, AFTER being Born Again, by Faith alone. Water baptism acknowledges and testifies that the person being immersed is indeed a Born Again Believer saved by Grace through Faith alone. The words spoken by the person Baptizing you in water will not save you, or condemn you. Water baptism is not some Magic ritual which makes you right with God. It is not important, what words are used, but the attitudes and faith of the people involved are what matters. Must You Be Baptized To Be Saved?=In Luke 23:42-43 And he was saying, Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom ! 43 And He said to him, Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise. The thief on the cross and Jesus answer..Abrahams Bosom in Hades. was called Paradise. Jesus told the criminal he would be with Him in Paradise, even though he was not baptized in water. Also, in Acts 10:44-48, Cornelius household became believers, received the Holy Spirit, and began speaking in tongues, BEFORE BEING BAPTIZED in water. According to Jesus the Christ (John 7:38-39, Mark 16:17), BEING BAPTIZED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT ONLY HAPPENS TO THOSE WHO ARE BELIEVERS AND THEREFORE ALREADY SAVED BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH. So, we must conclude that these Born Again Believers were born again by Gods Grace through Faith alone in what Jesus the Christ has done, and ready for Heaven, before they were baptized in water. TITUS 3:4-6 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared (through Jesus the Christ), 5 He saved us, not on the basis of (any) deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, We are not saved by ANY works of Righteousness that WE DO. Many think, wrongly, of water baptism as a work that must be done to be right with God. EPHESIANS 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. If water baptism was necessary for salvation, then salvation would partly be by works, and not by grace ALONE. EPHESIANS 1:13-14 In Him (Jesus the Christ), you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation -having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of Gods own possession, to the praise of His glory. 1 CORINTHIANS 1:17 For Christ did not send me (Paul the Apostle to the Gentiles) to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void. The apostle Paul, who received the Gospel direct from the risen Lord Jesus, said he was NOT sent to baptize. So If water baptism was necessary for salvation, that would not make any sense. I know many are preaching that you must repent and be baptized in water to be saved, but what if there is no water present for the baptism, when someone believes....Then are they required to wait until there is water available until their Salvation is complete? ONCE AGAIN THIS does not make sense. Baptism in water is not necessary for Salvation, but is beneficial for the Born Again Believer. BECAUSE, Water baptism provides a good foundation, if understood correctly. The main points to remember about Water Baptism are: It does not make you a Christian, or RIGHTEOUS BEFORE God. It is only a symbolic act with no power to save you. It is a testimony of what has ALREADY TAKEN PLACE IN THE BORN AGAIN BELIEVER. TECHNICALLY, It is a complete immersion into water. It should be In Public, as a testimony to others. It should be done only by someone old enough to understand what they are doing. It should be done only by those who have received the Lord Jesus Christ and are committed to Him. Should you, as a Born Again Believer, be baptized in water? Yes, if you understand clearly what you are doing, and know what baptism means and signifies. Otherwise, YOU SHOULD NOT BE BAPTIZED IN WATER...because it will do you no good whatsoever. Water baptism could even harm you by giving you a false sense of hope and security. Taking away from the FACT that all of us have to be SAVED by GRACE through FAITH ALONE, Jesus the Christ has done it all.....SALVATION REQUIRES NO WORKS BY YOU. ONLY FAITH in what He has DONE. https://youtube/watch?v=1IAhDGYlpqY
Posted on: Mon, 25 Aug 2014 07:18:40 +0000
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