Featured what is the true significance of water baptism?

yes, and he also probably had jewish understandings regarding OT, so he was not someone "brand new to the faith"...

Jewish persons preached to in Acts fully relaised what the Apsotles were saying regarding claims of yeshua as Jewish messiah, but MANY in America just don't have the church/bible background to really know what baptism represents!

 

No doubt you're right, but if we baptize anyone who is ignorant of the significance, then it's our fault. We ought to baptize nobody without making sure they understand.

 

Well I havent read any of the previous posts, so I might be way outside if the prevalent view, for me I see water baptism being an outwardly *spectacular* picture of what has has happened inwardly for the new Christian...and nothing more than that.

 

What scripture are you basing that idea on?

 

I really like how the Camblite groups do baptisms. They do it imedietly after the request.

I read some material of theirs, and one assistant pastor shared that he was appoached around 11 Oclock one night. (he was actually starting to get ready to get in bed) He talked with the man very briefly..just to make sure he was sincere..and finding the guy to be genuine.. he took him and found some water somewhere and baptised him! I like that! And it seems to be very scriptural as well.

 

the jewish first Chrsitians would have understood well what Baptism meant to those in the Covenant with God, but gentiles would not know that and would need to be instructed in the ways of it!

 

What scripture are you basing that idea on?

 

We know the early Church baptised those professing faith In jesus as messiah, early converts ALL Jewish, would have understood the significance of the act, but gentiles being ignorant to God would need instruction!

Not saying had to wait until knew Romans fully, but would be instructed in what it was all about!

 

What scripture are you basing that idea on?

 

Acts 8, for one, the story of the Ethiopian eunch.

Philip, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, approached the eunuch's chariot and asked him if he understand what he was reading in Isaiah.
The eunuch said no, so Philip got in the chariot and expounded the passage, pointing him to Jesus as the fulfillment.

Afterward, the eunuch asked Philip, "okay, here's some water. What's to keep me from being baptized?"

Philip answered "If you believe, you may."

The eunuch said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."

That was good enough for Philip.

The point is that Philip extensively explained the scriptures, and then made sure that he understood that faith precedes baptism.

When the eunuch said he believes Jesus Christ is the Son of God, he was making a pretty broad statement. He was saying that Jesus was the Messiah, the Anointed One Isaiah wrote about. He was also confessing that he believed Jesus was God in the flesh. And he was confessing that he understood the significance of Jesus' death on the cross to save sinners. And he did not understand that until taught by Philip.

 

Several years ago, two young girls, around 9 or 10, responded to the invitation. The pastor motioned to me to come down and talk to them. I took them outside. Both wanted to be baptized. But during questioning, it became clear that they did not understand anything about baptism, about their relationship to God, or their need to be saved.

I so advised my pastor. Needless to say, their desire to be baptized was not sufficient without understanding.

 

This is why my church errs on side of caution, as we are trying to make those being dunked into the water already been washed by the Blood!

 

Very good! Contex is important, as the bible when addressing jews becoming saved and following yeshua were those who were fully aware of that baptism represented, and gentiles like us were apart from God, and did need some 'bringing up to speed" on what it all meant!