I don't believe I said anything about baptism. Correct, John's baptism was while Jesus lived. Agreed, we’re not talking about infant baptism. While Jesus was dying on the cross, He was initiating the New Covenant. If you look at the history of making covenants, it involved a sacrifice. He was that sacrifice.
Some believe, based on Mark 16:16, that we must be baptized to be saved. That is what the first part of the sentence says, however, the second part of the sentence says, "but he who does not believe shall be condemned." it does NOT say, he who is not baptized shall be condemned. It is because of unbelief that we are condemned, NOT because we are not baptized. There are many places that state that we receive eternal life through belief alone (see: Jn. 3:36; Gal. 3:6, 9, 11; Jn. 11:25-26). In Acts 2:21, we’re saved by calling on His name. So, what does baptism save us from if it is not condemnation? "Saved" implies more than just release from eternal perdition (see Acts 2:40ish).
In one Spirit, we are baptized INTO His name, which means INTO Christ Himself AND His Body (1 Cor. 12:13). Here, the Gr. Preposition “eis,” is used, which means “into”, or going from one place to another. Same Gr. word is used in Matt. 28:19.). So, it’s not just a contract, it is a union. In the Bible, baptism implies death and resurrection in union with Christ. Going into the water signifies being one with Christ in death and burial. Coming out of the water signifies coming out with Him in resurrection (Rom. 6:3, 4; Col. 2:12) to live in newness of life. I know there are other verses, but we can’t cover them all here.
Mk. 16:16. Among Protestants, they probably wouldn't be. Among Catholics millions are baptized as babies, but it doesn't negate the point that it is faith that saves you, not baptism.
Re Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, read v. 37.
1 Pet. 3:21 The reality of water is not water. It is the Spirit according to Jn. 7:37-39. Baptism as a symbol, a counterpart to our belief in all the accomplishments of Christ, testifies that all the problems we have before God and with God have been solved. Hence, it is also a testimony, witnessing that in our conscience there is no more accusation and that instead we are full of peace. We are saved from a guilty conscience. Without the Spirit of Christ as its reality, baptism by water immediately becomes an empty and dead ritual.
I don't believe I said anything about baptism. Correct, John's baptism was while Jesus lived. Agreed, we’re not talking about infant baptism. While Jesus was dying on the cross, He was initiating the New Covenant. If you look at the history of making covenants, it involved a sacrifice. He was that sacrifice.
Some believe, based on Mark 16:16, that we must be baptized to be saved. That is what the first part of the sentence says, however, the second part of the sentence says, "but he who does not believe shall be condemned." it does NOT say, he who is not baptized shall be condemned. It is because of unbelief that we are condemned, NOT because we are not baptized. There are many places that state that we receive eternal life through belief alone (see: Jn. 3:36; Gal. 3:6, 9, 11; Jn. 11:25-26). In Acts 2:21, we’re saved by calling on His name. So, what does baptism save us from if it is not condemnation? "Saved" implies more than just release from eternal perdition (see Acts 2:40ish).
In one Spirit, we are baptized INTO His name, which means INTO Christ Himself AND His Body (1 Cor. 12:13). Here, the Gr. Preposition “eis,” is used, which means “into”, or going from one place to another. Same Gr. word is used in Matt. 28:19.). So, it’s not just a contract, it is a union. In the Bible, baptism implies death and resurrection in union with Christ. Going into the water signifies being one with Christ in death and burial. Coming out of the water signifies coming out with Him in resurrection (Rom. 6:3, 4; Col. 2:12) to live in newness of life. I know there are other verses, but we can’t cover them all here.
Mk. 16:16. Among Protestants, they probably wouldn't be. Among Catholics millions are baptized as babies, but it doesn't negate the point that it is faith that saves you, not baptism.
Re Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, read v. 37.
1 Pet. 3:21 The reality of water is not water. It is the Spirit according to Jn. 7:37-39. Baptism as a symbol, a counterpart to our belief in all the accomplishments of Christ, testifies that all the problems we have before God and with God have been solved. Hence, it is also a testimony, witnessing that in our conscience there is no more accusation and that instead we are full of peace. We are saved from a guilty conscience. Without the Spirit of Christ as its reality, baptism by water immediately becomes an empty and dead ritual.