Unreported News, Commentary, Resources and Discussion of Bible Prophecy
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mark s wrote:Hi Keith,
You are saying here that if I haven't been water baptized, it means I haven't repented? Is that correct?
Much love!
Mark
But when you say "repent", what exactly do you mean?
I'd suggest looking at Ephesians 4, the first several verses, and Romans 6, the first half of the chapter.
keithareilly wrote:But when you say "repent", what exactly do you mean?
Peter was addressing those who crucified Christ. He said "Repent and be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ".
Not everyone did. Those who did, repented, and their decision to be baptized is the evidence of their repentance.
Those who did not get baptized did not believe they did wrong by crucifying Christ.
The parable of the two sons where one says no he will not work in the field, then he does work in the field is an example of repentance.
If I behave one way, the AFTERwards behave another way, that is evidence I once thought one way, then AFTERwards thought another way.
AFTER-mind results in AFTER-actions.
Keith
How do we go from the true baptism to the requirement of a water baptism? If the real and only baptism is into Jesus, in His death, burial and resurrection, and if this is how we are born again, then this is not water baptism, which follows rebirth, was that right?
Jay Ross wrote:I have a problem with this prescriptive discussion as it is stetting out the hoops I must pass through to know that I have salvation.
keithareilly wrote:This topic is "Scriptures: Logic and Interpretation, Repent and be Baptized"
It is not "Opinion: What I believe despite what the scriptures say."
1Pe 3:18 Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but He died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but He was raised to life in the Spirit.
1Pe 3:19 So He went and preached to the spirits in prison—
1Pe 3:20 those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood.
1Pe 3:21 And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
39 One of the criminals hanging there hurled insults at him. “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other one spoke up and rebuked the first, saying, “Have you no fear of God? You’re getting the same punishment as he is. 41 Ours is only fair; we’re getting what we deserve for what we did. But this man did nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Yeshua, remember me when you come as King.” 43 Yeshua said to him, “Yes! I promise that you will be with me today in Gan-‘Eden.”
mark s wrote:I personally don't understand what you are getting at.
You've stated that someone who "refuses" water baptism hasn't repented, which would mean, at least to me, that they are not saved.
Now, if you are saying that an unrepentant sinner is saved, then we'll disagree on that.
Either a person is saved, or they are not.
If someone is saved, they are not under any law. Only what Jesus tells them to do.
I suppose then that it is your assertion that it's Jesus' instruction to all to be baptized. I believe you are saying that we receive better from God in this life if we are water baptized, is that correct?
I'd respond that we are accepted in the beloved, and that we cannot add one iota to that.
Much love!
Mark
But in first-century Judaism, baptism had a different meaning. In the book of Leviticus, God instructs Jews to cleanse themselves from ritual impurities, contracted through such acts as touching a corpse or a leper. Washing primarily fulfilled the legal requirements of ritual purity so that Jews could sacrifice at the Temple. Later, as "God-fearers" or "righteous" Gentiles expressed their desire to convert to Judaism, priests broadened the rite's meaning, and along with circumcision, performed baptism as a sign of the covenant given to Abraham.
Christian baptism today also symbolizes repentance, cleansing, and commitment, but Jesus has given it a different emphasis. Christian baptism is a mark of one’s identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. It is representative of a cleansing that is complete and a commitment that is the natural response of one who has been made new.
Part of our salvation is entering of the Kingdom of Heaven while we are still here, in the flesh.
The Kingdom of Heaven is available to us, here and now. We enter it, here and now, through water and Spirit. People enter the Kingdom of Heaven while in the flesh. This has been going on for nearly 2000 years. While we can enter the Kingdom of Heaven while in the flesh, we can not Inherit while in the flesh.
Keith, we are not saved by baptism. We are saved by the work of Christ on the cross.
keithareilly wrote:If you want to enter a country and be accepted, enter properly.
If you want to be a thief, enter improperly.
What is proper for the Kingdom of Heaven?
John 3:5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
What happens to those who enter improperly?
We're saved by faith alone, the way I read the Bible.
keithareilly wrote:We're saved by faith alone, the way I read the Bible.
James 2:24
24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
I am sorry you cannot accept this truth; but, I understand.
Thank you very much for your participation.
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