Let me repeat myself:
If this interpretation (baptism being part of our salvation experience) is correct, Paul really missed the mark when it comes to evangelizing the lost.
1Cor 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.
If baptism was essential, why would Paul make light of it here?
What is water referring to?
Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by Jedi Knight, Jan 7, 2011.
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Water baptism
10.7% -
The Word of God
25.0% -
Physical Birth
42.9% -
Other
25.0%
Multiple votes are allowed.
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I always thought it meant physical birth.
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Also, Paul did not refrain from baptizing when he needed to. We know he baptized two individual Corinthians and one Corinthian household. He also baptized 12 men at Ephesus, and he probably baptized Lydia and her household and the Philippian jailer and his household. -
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My understanding of the water and the spirit
I believe Jesus is drawing on what is written in the scriptures of their day (OT to us, of course) which ties together the water and the spirit to describe the New Covenant.
Ezekiel 36:25-27 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.
There was an association of water to ceremonially cleanse the people of Israel from their sins at the time of the coming of the Messiah. This was evidenced by the baptisms taking place by John the Baptist and further work of the disciples. Hence you could think of the water as the washing away of sins by the work of Christ upon acceptance of His salvation represented by baptism and receiving the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus is describing the new way to have the proper relationship with God under the New Covenant superseding the rituals of the Old Covenant.
“Your understanding of the inspiration of Scripture is utterly astounding!” Mel
Why thank you Mel! -
Maybe because the Koine word for "fire" is pur which is the root of the English word purify.
Revelation 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Oh, BTW, I am not a 'Greek guy' but of Italian heritage :)
HankD -
Water Baptism has no salvific purposes other than to bring praise to the Father.
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