Water Baptism.....Just What Is It For?

[Warmbee]

Originally Posted by stmatthew

Would like to see what some of you theologians think water baptism represents. ALL you other folks can answer as well.

Water baptizim is taking on the blood of Jesus, which covers your sins and gives you his name over your life.

You can't be a Christian without the name of Christ over your life.

[Neck]

Originally Posted by Chan

Agreed.

I disagree with those who might suggest that there is some sort of saving power in the act of baptism itself, since that would mean our salvation is by works and not by the grace of God.

It is not the act itself. It is the faith in the act, as to the command from Peter. To believe is an act in and of itself is it not? For rman to do nothing would mean everyman would be saved.

Baptism is not an act it and of it's self. It is an act of faith, just as believing is an act of faith.

[Neck]

Originally Posted by Chan

And Paul said that salvation is not "of yourselves" and that it is "the gift of God."

It is the superior that accepts the inferior: I can't believe you would suggest that sinful humans are somehow superior to God or to His gift of salvation. There is not even one passage of scripture that says we "accept" God or salvation but there are scriptures that refer to God accepting us. It has nothing whatsoever to do with our "cooperating." Jesus specifically said that no one can come to Him unless the Father draws him - that is not man "cooperating." Jesus said that all those whom the Father has given Him WILL come to Him. There is no passage anywhere in scripture that ever refers to anything resembling man having to "cooperate" with God with regard to the gospel (and, no, I don't mean passages that have "cooperate" in them). Again, Paul said "By grace are ye saved" (Ephesians 2:5). The scripture says "Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ" and not "We were dead in sins but then we cooperated with Christ and accepted His quickening of us."

But getting back to the subject of this thread, I agree with Praxeas' earlier post regarding the purpose of water baptism. I would also add that while I disagree with your notion that baptism itself has some sort of saving power, I also disagree with the various denominations that teach baptism is nothing more than a public confession or testimony of what Christ has done in one's life.

And the gift of God is received by faith. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. And Peter commanded that we repent, be baptized we shall receive the Holy Ghost.

Is the gift of God salvation or the price he paid for salvation was to be our mediator between God and Man. That is the gift, it cost us nothing, death was to be our payment... It the gift of God is free and not of ourselves, why do we then have to believe?

Originally Posted by Neckstadt

It is not the act itself. It is the faith in the act, as to the command from Peter. To believe is an act in and of itself is it not? For rman to do nothing would mean everyman would be saved.

Baptism is not an act it and of it's self. It is an act of faith, just as believing is an act of faith.

It isn't even in the faith and it is most certainly not faith in the act! The Bible is clear: "BY GRACE ARE YE SAVED"! Faith (in Christ, not in an act) is itself a gift of God. As for believing, even the demons believe.

Baptism is an act - it is something you do. There is no doubt that God commands us to do certain things so that we may become beneficiaries of His grace; but there is no saving power in any of the things we do: the saving power is solely in God's grace.

[Warmbee]

Chan, have you been baptized?

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by Chan

It isn't even in the faith and it is most certainly not faith in the act! The Bible is clear: "BY GRACE ARE YE SAVED"! Faith (in Christ, not in an act) is itself a gift of God. As for believing, even the demons believe.

Baptism is an act - it is something you do. There is no doubt that God commands us to do certain things so that we may become beneficiaries of His grace; but there is no saving power in any of the things we do: the saving power is solely in God's grace.

Thank God for His grace in our lives. His grace is evident in every aspect of our obedience to Him. I was a contrary to God and wanted nothing to do with Him before His grace drew me to pray. His goodness led me to faith in His Son and repentance. I would've never sought God on my own. He washed my sins away when I was baptized in Jesus' name. His grace was shown toward me because of my faith in Christ ( the faith He gave to me )when He filled me with His Holy Spirit. His grace has kept me this far and His grace will lead me home if I continue believing in Him. Jesus

Originally Posted by Warmbee

Chan, have you been baptized?

Yes.

[Warmbee]

In Jesus name?

[OneAccord]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

Again very good and true. Baptism ALONE saves no more than faith ALONE or Repentance ALONE. Blood-water-Spirit.

Wow. I got a "very good" from Bro. Epley. I'm marking that on my calendar. Course, he'll probably take it away from me when I say this: The Blood, signifying His death and our repentance, is applied (or appropriated) when we die to sin (repent). Then, after our sin sacrifice is presented at our repentance, we are baptized (washed) in Jesus name (burial) and made ready for the infilling of the Holy Ghost. (resurrection). I do believe baptism is necessary, but, should a repented person die without having the opportunity to be baptized, I do not believe they will be lost. God judges the intents of the heart, and, if the person fully intended to obey what God requires of him, I don't think God will condemn that soul to hell. Course, I'm no preacher, nor am a preachers son... so what do I know?

[OneAccord]

Originally Posted by Chan

It isn't even in the faith and it is most certainly not faith in the act! The Bible is clear: "BY GRACE ARE YE SAVED"! Faith (in Christ, not in an act) is itself a gift of God. As for believing, even the demons believe.

Baptism is an act - it is something you do. There is no doubt that God commands us to do certain things so that we may become beneficiaries of His grace; but there is no saving power in any of the things we do: the saving power is solely in God's grace.

Baptism is our response of obedience for what Christ did for us at Calvary.