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.
In Acts 9:17, we have the story of Paul’s interaction with Ananias. That account agrees with 22:13. In both, Ananias comes in and says, “Saul, brother….” Baptism comes later. The only way Saul could be his brother is if he had already been regenerated. And he doesn’t say, “be baptized and wash away your sins,“ he says, “wash away your sins calling on His name.” This agrees with Peter, “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Acts 2:21).” He saves us through the washing of REGENERATION and the renewing of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5). What shall I give unto the Lord for all His benefits for me? I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord (Ps. 116:12-13).
I don’t dispute baptism is necessary. However, baptism in water without baptism into the Holy Spirit is an empty ritual. The Spirit of the glorified Jesus is the reality of the water according to Jn. 7:37-39. The reality of baptism, is first into the name, or person, of the Triune God. The Father is in the Son, the Son became a life-giving Spirit, so whether you are baptized into the Name of the F, S, and S, or the name of Christ, or the Spirit, it is the same, because They are one. But that’s not all. No one baptizes himself: “In one Spirit we are all baptized into one Body…” Through baptism in the Spirit, we are placed into the Body of Christ. That’s why the accounts of those baptized were through a member of the Body. Baptism in water is a testimony to God, the angels, Satan, the demons, the world, our friends and family, and the members of the Body of Christ, that we have chosen by faith to be transferred out of Adam, who is under condemnation and the authority of Satan, and into Christ. We are transferred through faith, Baptism in water is a testimony of the reality that has taken place.
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.
In Acts 9:17, we have the story of Paul’s interaction with Ananias. That account agrees with 22:13. In both, Ananias comes in and says, “Saul, brother….” Baptism comes later. The only way Saul could be his brother is if he had already been regenerated. And he doesn’t say, “be baptized and wash away your sins,“ he says, “wash away your sins calling on His name.” This agrees with Peter, “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Acts 2:21).” He saves us through the washing of REGENERATION and the renewing of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5). What shall I give unto the Lord for all His benefits for me? I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord (Ps. 116:12-13).
I don’t dispute baptism is necessary. However, baptism in water without baptism into the Holy Spirit is an empty ritual. The Spirit of the glorified Jesus is the reality of the water according to Jn. 7:37-39. The reality of baptism, is first into the name, or person, of the Triune God. The Father is in the Son, the Son became a life-giving Spirit, so whether you are baptized into the Name of the F, S, and S, or the name of Christ, or the Spirit, it is the same, because They are one. But that’s not all. No one baptizes himself: “In one Spirit we are all baptized into one Body…” Through baptism in the Spirit, we are placed into the Body of Christ. That’s why the accounts of those baptized were through a member of the Body. Baptism in water is a testimony to God, the angels, Satan, the demons, the world, our friends and family, and the members of the Body of Christ, that we have chosen by faith to be transferred out of Adam, who is under condemnation and the authority of Satan, and into Christ. We are transferred through faith, Baptism in water is a testimony of the reality that has taken place.