what is the true significance of water baptism?

[Onlybygrace]

Is water baptism necssary for any other reason than the fact that Jesus commanded us to do it? In every incident in scripture baptism and the act of repentence go hand in hand and baptism is immediately subsequent to faith and repentence. Why do we tell people to rather wait and require them to attend baptismal classes, neither of which are scriptual. Is water baptism related to salvation? When Paul says in Ephesians that there is one baptism which one is he talking about and since he only mentions that one does that mean the others are insignificant?
Sorry, I know that's a lot of questions but I would appreciate some answers.

 

[preachinjesus]

If Jesus commands something, that in and of itself should be sufficient grounds for its practice.

There are other reasons, like the symbolism of our spiritual death and resurrection, the unifying element (with all other believers,) and it's confessional value.

 

[Onlybygrace]

Lol, that is true. I am not. In any way implying that Jesus' endorsement is an insufficient mandate for baptism in and of itself. However, I AM asking whether or not we are blindly pbeying a command without fully understanding its true significance or the purpose for which it was issued in the first place. Jesus obviously attached great importance to baptism and so did the apostles in the early church. But they were baptised for the remission of sins. Although Paul expllains in great detaill the meaning of baptism he never once , as far as I can tell, I stand to be corrected, actually says it is merely symbolic. He also states there is one baptism. Is that water or spirit baptism?

 

[Zaac]

Lol, that is true. I am not. In any way implying that Jesus' endorsement is an insufficient mandate for baptism in and of itself. However, I AM asking whether or not we are blindly pbeying a command without fully understanding its true significance or the purpose for which it was issued in the first place. Jesus obviously attached great importance to baptism and so did the apostles in the early church. But they were baptised for the remission of sins. Although Paul expllains in great detaill the meaning of baptism he never once , as far as I can tell, I stand to be corrected, actually says it is merely symbolic. He also states there is one baptism. Is that water or spirit baptism?

Ours is not to understand everything. In fact, Christendom would save itself a lot of trouble if we would just obey even if we don't understand the Biblical significance.:laugh:

If God says it, obey it and let Him give each discernment as to the why.:thumbsup:

 

[Tom Butler]

Romans 6:4

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Baptism is a picture. When Jesus was baptized, he did not literally die. When he came up out of the water he did not literally rise from the dead.

Same with our baptism. We don't literally die, nor do we literally rise from the dead. It is to identify with Jesus and to picture the gospel. We show by the baptism that we have died to sin and and are raised to walk in new life.

That's why baptism (immersion,at least) can be called symbolic.

 

[Mexdeaf]

Baptism is important because it is an act of obedience and also is symbolic as Tom mentioned. It does not "add to" nor is it required for salvation. Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone, plus nothing and minus nothing.

Nowhere in the Scriptures is immediate baptism stated as required, although that may have been the pattern in the book of Acts. The situations there were more likely reflective of the times and of the availability of a place to baptize. Some churches today don't have a baptistery and cannot baptize every service so converts must wait to be baptized.

I'm kind of like Paul- baptism is important but it isn't THE most important thing.

1 Cor. 1:14-17

I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

 

[freeatlast]

Is water baptism necssary for any other reason than the fact that Jesus commanded us to do it? In every incident in scripture baptism and the act of repentence go hand in hand and baptism is immediately subsequent to faith and repentence. Why do we tell people to rather wait and require them to attend baptismal classes, neither of which are scriptual. Is water baptism related to salvation? When Paul says in Ephesians that there is one baptism which one is he talking about and since he only mentions that one does that mean the others are insignificant?
Sorry, I know that's a lot of questions but I would appreciate some answers.

Is water baptism necessary for any other reason than the fact that Jesus commanded us to do it?

The answer is yes. I am afraid that the church today puts far too little significance on water baptism and this is why we see churches that put off baptism in the condition they are in and they are of course in sin.
According to scripture we are baptized into His death. Romans 6:3-5 and Col. 2:12. Unfortunately many today claim that baptism is only a symbol and they treat it like we can do it if we want or when we get around to it. Keep in mind that the church is probably also at its lowest spiritual place in history since its beginning and this is just one of the reasons.

Why do we tell people to rather wait and require them to attend baptismal classes, neither of which are scriptural.

That is done because there is a low regard for the command to carry it out and how it was set up. Every time we see baptism in scripture it is done at the time of salvation because of the high regard for God's command even if it had to be done in a mud hole, not weeks and months later. The church has lost its faith in this area and is following mans teachings instead.

Is water baptism related to salvation?

Not in the sense that it saves, but it is a product of salvation and is to follow immediately.

When Paul says in Ephesians that there is one baptism which one is he talking about and since he only mentions that one does that mean the others are insignificant?

Paul is speaking of water baptism, not the Baptism with the Spirit. Water Baptism does not equate Spirit baptism. We receive the Spirit at salvation not at water baptism.

 

[Yeshua1]

Is water baptism necessary for any other reason than the fact that Jesus commanded us to do it?

The answer is yes. I am afraid that the church today puts far too little significance on water baptism and this is why we see churches that put off baptism in the condition they are in and they are of course in sin.
According to scripture we are baptized into His death. Romans 6:3-5 and Col. 2:12. Unfortunately many today claim that baptism is only a symbol and they treat it like we can do it if we want or when we get around to it. Keep in mind that the church is probably also at its lowest spiritual place in history since its beginning and this is just one of the reasons.

Why do we tell people to rather wait and require them to attend baptismal classes, neither of which are scriptural.

That is done because there is a low regard for the command to carry it out and how it was set up. Every time we see baptism in scripture it is done at the time of salvation because of the high regard for God's command even if it had to be done in a mud hole, not weeks and months later. The church has lost its faith in this area and is following mans teachings instead.

Is water baptism related to salvation?

Not in the sense that it saves, but it is a product of salvation and is to follow immediately.

When Paul says in Ephesians that there is one baptism which one is he talking about and since he only mentions that one does that mean the others are insignificant?

Paul is speaking of water baptism, not the Baptism with the Spirit. Water Baptism does not equate Spirit baptism. We receive the Spirit at salvation not at water baptism.

actually, think that the reason some chuches do as we do , having them be interviwed and go thru what water baptism is from the biblical mandate, is that DO place an emphasis on baptism. and wish to have the candidate understand what it means, as many in our church came out of RCC, and some have them still thought the water saved them maybe!

 

[freeatlast]

actually, think that the reason some chuches do as we do , having them be interviwed and go thru what water baptism is from the biblical mandate, is that DO place an emphasis on baptism. and wish to have the candidate understand what it means, as many in our church came out of RCC, and some have them still thought the water saved them maybe!

I think your church has found a way to justify in their minds a way not follow the biblical examples of immediate baptism on profession. Such things are not uncommon today as it is easier to do things our way instead of trusting the Lord's.

 

[Mexdeaf]

I think your church has found a way to justify in their minds a way not follow the biblical examples of immediate baptism on profession. Such things are not uncommon today as it is easier to do things our way instead of trusting the Lord's.

I think you perhaps read into the Scripture something that is not there. With today's prevalence of a watered-down Gospel and a Biblically-illiterate society I would also err on the side of making sure that those to be baptized are indeed converts (to the best of my ability) rather than just taking their word for it.

The NT converts were by and large Jewish and had familiarity with the OT Scriptures so they were not the neophytes to Biblical truth in contrast to the people we are dealing with in society today.

 

[freeatlast]

I think you perhaps read into the Scripture something that is not there. With today's prevalence of a watered-down Gospel and a Biblically-illiterate society I would also err on the side of making sure that those to be baptized are indeed converts (to the best of my ability) rather than just taking their word for it.

The NT converts were by and large Jewish and had familiarity with the OT Scriptures so they were not the neophytes to Biblical truth in contrast to the people we are dealing with in society today.

There is never any error when we follow the Lord's examples. The only error is man deciding to do it their way.

 

[Don]

So are there any cases where failing to be baptized would result in "not being saved"?

For example, the thief on the cross comes to mind.

 

[Yeshua1]

I think you perhaps read into the Scripture something that is not there. With today's prevalence of a watered-down Gospel and a Biblically-illiterate society I would also err on the side of making sure that those to be baptized are indeed converts (to the best of my ability) rather than just taking their word for it.

The NT converts were by and large Jewish and had familiarity with the OT Scriptures so they were not the neophytes to Biblical truth in contrast to the people we are dealing with in society today.

We take all things in the bible seriously, as we require a person to be interviewed by either pastor or an Elder, to go over what they think being a Christian means, and require a class taught by Sr pastor on what/how/why of baptism, in order to have them really understand what they are going to be doing!

 

[Yeshua1]

There is never any error when we follow the Lord's examples. The only error is man deciding to do it their way.

have to realise that though the principles are always true, they can be applied in sdifferent ways per the society/culture/tradition being found living in!

In this case, many persons come to be sdaved by the Lord, and have little to no understanding to what water baptism actuall represents and entails!

 

[michael-acts17:11]

Water baptism is a type of the true baptism in the Holy Spirit. There is too much emphasis on water baptism as a means of membership in a church or denomination. The emphasis should be on the true Spiritual baptism & its intrinsic part in the New Covenant.

 

[Yeshua1]

So are there any cases where failing to be baptized would result in "not being saved"?

For example, the thief on the cross comes to mind.

Apostle paul did not seem to place it on same par as preaching the gospel!

 

[freeatlast]

have to realise that though the principles are always true, they can be applied in sdifferent ways per the society/culture/tradition being found living in!

In this case, many persons come to be sdaved by the Lord, and have little to no understanding to what water baptism actuall represents and entails!

If they understand how to get saved, they understand enough to be baptized. Culture has nothing to do with it. The Eunuch in Acts 8 makes that clear. You do not wait for some class to be held before you baptize.

 

[Mexdeaf]

We take all things in the bible seriously, as we require a person to be interviewed by either pastor or an Elder, to go over what they think being a Christian means, and require a class taught by Sr pastor on what/how/why of baptism, in order to have them really understand what they are going to be doing!

:thumbs:

I've met too many "Baptists" and folks from other groups that were sure that they were going to Heaven because they were baptized (or joined a church, or said a prayer , or ...), or that baptism plays a part in salvation that I am determined NOT to baptize anyone until (1) They show me some assurance that they were saved and (2) I am sure that they understand the whys and wherefores of baptism.

 

[percho]

Is water baptism necssary for any other reason than the fact that Jesus commanded us to do it? In every incident in scripture baptism and the act of repentence go hand in hand and baptism is immediately subsequent to faith and repentence. Why do we tell people to rather wait and require them to attend baptismal classes, neither of which are scriptual. Is water baptism related to salvation? When Paul says in Ephesians that there is one baptism which one is he talking about and since he only mentions that one does that mean the others are insignificant?
Sorry, I know that's a lot of questions but I would appreciate some answers.

I believe the water baptism of Jesus was prophetic and by our submitting to water baptism in his name we show that we also will drink of the cup he drink and be baptized with the baptism he was baptized with.

Luke 12:50 Matt 20:22,23

 

[prodical son]

phillip told the unic if you believe you may.
so belife is a MUST otherwise you are just going for a swim
"in answer to a good concience toward God"