I'm a bit shy of being baptized this Saturday, help me!

[Word of Life]

Another one from Gotquestions:

Question: "Is baptism necessary for salvation? What is baptismal regeneration?"

Answer: Baptismal regeneration is the belief that a person must be baptized in order to be saved. It is our contention that baptism is an important step of obedience for a Christian, but we adamantly reject baptism as being required for salvation. We strongly believe that each and every Christian should be water baptized by immersion. Baptism illustrates a believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Romans 6:3-4 declares, “Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” The action of being immersed in the water illustrates being buried with Christ. The action of coming out of the water pictures Christ’s resurrection.

Anything in addition to faith in Jesus Christ as being required for salvation is a works-based salvation. To add ANYTHING to the Gospel is to say that Jesus' death on the cross was not sufficient to purchase our salvation. To say that we must be baptized in order to be saved is to say that we must add our own good works and obedience to Christ's death in order to make it sufficient for salvation. Jesus' death alone paid for our sins (Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus' payment for our sins is appropriated to our "account" by faith alone (John 3:16; Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:8-9). Therefore, baptism is an important step of obedience after salvation, but cannot be a requirement for salvation.

Yes, there are some verses that seem to indicate baptism as a necessary requirement for salvation. However, since the Bible so clearly tells us that salvation is received by faith alone (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5), there must be a different interpretation of those verses. Scripture does not contradict Scripture. In Bible times, a person who converted from one religion to another was often baptized to identify conversion. Baptism was the means of making a decision public. Those who refused to be baptized were saying they did not truly believe. So, in the minds of the apostles and early disciples, the idea of an un-baptized believer was unheard of. When a person claimed to believe in Christ, yet was ashamed to proclaim his faith in public, it indicated that he did not have true faith.

If baptism is necessary for salvation, why would Paul have said, "I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius" (1 Corinthians 1:14)? Why would he have said, "For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel - not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power" (1 Corinthians 1:17)? Granted, in this passage Paul is arguing against the divisions that plagued the Corinthian church. However, how could Paul possibly say, “I am thankful that I did not baptize…” or “For Christ did not send me to baptize…” if baptism were necessary for salvation? If baptism is necessary for salvation, Paul would literally be saying, “I am thankful that you were not saved…” and “For Christ did not send me to save…” That would be an unbelievably ridiculous statement for Paul to make. Further, when Paul gives a detailed outline of what he considers the Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-8), why does he neglect to mention baptism? If baptism is a requirement for salvation, how could any presentation of the Gospel lack a mentioning of baptism?

Does Acts 2:38 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?

Does Mark 16:16 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?

Does 1 Peter 3:21 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?

Does John 3:5 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?

Does Acts 22:16 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?

Baptismal regeneration is not a Biblical concept. Baptism does not save from sin, but from a bad conscience. Peter clearly taught that baptism was not a ceremonial act of physical purification, but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. Baptism is the symbol of what has already occurred in the heart and life of one who has trusted Christ as Savior (cf. Romans 6:3-5; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12). To make the source of salvation perfectly clear, Peter added, “by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (cf. 1 Peter 1:3). Baptism is an important step of obedience that every Christian should take. Baptism cannot be a requirement for salvation. To make it such is an attack on the sufficiency of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

 

[ladylovesJesus]

Dear sister wol

There is no need to start a new thread on a subject already being discussed. The rules state to check first before starting new threads. It will only lead to confusion to have 2 running together.

I have merged the two threads together.

The links posted by brother Faithful Son you thanked him for.

by F.S.
Baptism In The Holy Spirit
Baptism in Water

by WOL. Thanks for those links Faithful Son. Are there two baptisms then?

by F.S. in reply to your question. Two baptisms, both being equally important.

God bless

You just complicated matters by trying to put more information when Chad has provided the answers in Scriptural answers. The links are above.

God bless

LLJ :rainbow: :rose:

 

[trulyblezzed]

Originally Posted by Faithful Son
Then you should agree that the command Jesus gave to baptize all nations is to baptize with water, since we as humans can't baptize with the Holy Spirit.

If we have the Holy Spirit living in us, why can't we baptize others with the Holy Spirit?

Just a question.

 

[Cody]

Romans 5:1
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:" KJV

We are saved by faith alone. When we accept Jesus as our savior, we are baptized with the Holy Spirit. Baptism by water is publicly showing what Jesus has already done in your heart. If you are truly saved why would you deny to get baptized?

1 Corinthians 1:17
"For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect." KJV

If baptism was necessary for salvation, then why would Paul make this statement? If we believe the gospel of Jesus Christ, we are saved and on our way to heaven, end of story. God Bless

 

[jiggyfly]

There are actually four baptisms concerning the new covenant.
The baptism in Christ
The baptism in HolySpirit
The baptism in fire
The baptism in water

The baptism into Christ is done by HolySpirit as one becomes a believer.
The baptism into HolySpirit is done by Christ and is a seperate experience from the baptism into Christ.
The baptism into fire is done by Christ, also known as the sanctification through sufferings or trial process.
The baptism into water is a symbolic ceremony in which one believer baptizes another believer to signify the baptism into Christ.

Not everyone who is baptized into Christ is baptized into HolySpirit and water baptism does not cause a spiritual experience it merely symbolizes one.

Baptizo means to make welmed or to cover fully or to make completely wet.

I would say that we need all of these if we are to become all that Father has purposed. To resist any of these would be to resist Father and His will.

 

[Word of Life]

Thanks jiggyfly for your reply.

I thought having just two to decide on was bad enough, but now I have 4 baptisms to deal with. Sorry, I am not being sarcastic, even though it may seem so, I am just trying to lighten things up a bit and learn from this.

You see I was told one way, and I thought that way was right, but we are here to learn from each other, and receive it with enthusiasm then go back to our bibles and speak to God about it and get His advise, to see if it's the truth, which was given to us, was in fact correct and true. No offence to you, or anyone else on this forum.

Act 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Anyway, I have been in this subject on and off, since my last post and the one thing that still concerns me, is this scripture.

Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

As always, your posts have given more to think about, and more studies to do. lol But I thank you anyway.

If you have anything else which may help me, please PM with it, or place it up here?

 

[Chad]

There are actually four baptisms concerning the new covenant.
The baptism in Christ
The baptism in HolySpirit
The baptism in fire
The baptism in water

The baptism into Christ is done by HolySpirit as one becomes a believer.
The baptism into HolySpirit is done by Christ and is a seperate experience from the baptism into Christ.
The baptism into fire is done by Christ, also known as the sanctification through sufferings or trial process.
The baptism into water is a symbolic ceremony in which one believer baptizes another believer to signify the baptism into Christ.

Not everyone who is baptized into Christ is baptized into HolySpirit and water baptism does not cause a spiritual experience it merely symbolizes one.

Baptizo means to make welmed or to cover fully or to make completely wet.

I would say that we need all of these if we are to become all that Father has purposed. To resist any of these would be to resist Father and His will.

This is excellent brother thank you. You simplified it nicely.

 

[Faithful Son]

I agree with you brother Jiggyfly, but you said water baptism does not cause a spiritual experience, it symbolizes one.

I disagree slightly there, when I was baptised in water, I felt a spiritual experience, I felt cleansed and renewed, not in my flesh, but in my spirit. I did not know however that the baptism in fire is trials and tribulations done by Jesus, that explains a lot of things in my life.

The past 2 years has been the time of my life where I experienced the most hardships and trials, and it's good to know that Jesus is the Author of that.

God bless you
Much love
Faithful Son

 

[Stylez4Christ]

I got baptize in this pretty river and when I got baptize you could feel the holy spirit and it was kind of raining to! Man since like 5 min later it then rain hard with this strong thunderstorm but my pastor still Baptizing people, so then we sing in the rain and it call "open the flood gate of Heaven let it rain" it was very nice!
What a time of my life, it may have been the wettest time of my life but man the rain was falling really hard I believed that was God controlling the rain!

 

[ladylovesJesus]

Good to hear that testimony from you brother. Baptism in a river is good too.

Praise God for what He is doing in your life.

God bless

LLJ :rainbow: :rose:

 

[Stylez4Christ]

Good to hear that testimony from you brother. Baptism in a river is good too.

Praise God for what He is doing in your life.

God bless

LLJ :rainbow: :rose:

Plus I'm being odained to, this sunday wich is tomorrow!

 

[jiggyfly]

Thanks jiggyfly for your reply.

I thought having just two to decide on was bad enough, but now I have 4 baptisms to deal with. Sorry, I am not being sarcastic, even though it may seem so, I am just trying to lighten things up a bit and learn from this.

You see I was told one way, and I thought that way was right, but we are here to learn from each other, and receive it with enthusiasm then go back to our bibles and speak to God about it and get His advise, to see if it's the truth, which was given to us, was in fact correct and true. No offence to you, or anyone else on this forum.

Act 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Anyway, I have been in this subject on and off, since my last post and the one thing that still concerns me, is this scripture.

Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

As always, your posts have given more to think about, and more studies to do. lol But I thank you anyway.

If you have anything else which may help me, please PM with it, or place it up here?

Hello Word of Life, sorry it has taken me so long to respond to your post.
First of I totally agree with you on going to God with your bible and asking Him to reveal truth. I believe it is an absolute necessity to spiritual growth, after all we are to be disciples of Christ not man. I try to limit my posts so that they provoke this.

There are some different views concerning the scripture you posted(Ephesians 4:5) Some say that Paul is referring water baptism. I believe he is referring to our baptism into Christ here. In context he is talking about a spiritual unity here concerning the whole body of Christ and there is only one baptism in which one is birthed and placed into Christ' body. Water baptism is the earthly witness and the baptism of the HolySpirit is the heavenly witness to the baptism into Christ. Without experiencing the baptism into Christ first, there is nothing to give witness to.

Hope this helps, if you have any more questions feel free to PM me or ask them here in the thread.


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I agree with you brother Jiggyfly, but you said water baptism does not cause a spiritual experience, it symbolizes one.

I disagree slightly there, when I was baptised in water, I felt a spiritual experience, I felt cleansed and renewed, not in my flesh, but in my spirit. I did not know however that the baptism in fire is trials and tribulations done by Jesus, that explains a lot of things in my life.

The past 2 years has been the time of my life where I experienced the most hardships and trials, and it's good to know that Jesus is the Author of that.

God bless you
Much love
Faithful Son

I see your point and I agree. I failed to communicate my point clearly.
I meant to say that water baptism doesn't cause a spiritual birth experience. Anytime we are obedient to Father we should experience the witness of HolySpirit and this includes the act of being water baptized. I have witnessed many powerful water baptisms. A few where the participants were baptized in HolySpirit at that same time, they were raised up out of the water and were speaking in tongues. Father, Son and HolySpirit are truely amazing.