> General Discussions

Is water baptism necessary

<< < (7/7)

mharrell08:

--- Quote from: EJW on December 29, 2009, 08:31:57 PM ---         Hello Again Marques.
   I would say the circumstances in this case would be,  The thief did not want to repent untill he was
hanging on the stake. and then it was too late.  And I don't think it was his fault.
As you know it is God who calls people.  Jesus said "no one can come to Me unless the Father who sent
Me draws him;"  and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:44.
Jesus told Thomas, John 14:6,  " I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father
except through Me." So therefore I would say the circumstances in this case was God's decision.

   The second part of your question. ( how is this decision made?)
Marques,   I would say from the scriptures, It is Gods' decision, and how He makes it is all in His hands.
I don't know.   

   Thanks for your reply.    EJW
--- End quote ---


Hello EJW,

Thanks for your reply.

You stated that water baptism is only necessary if God decides so, through particular circumstances. And how He makes these decisions you do not know. But then you stated that the thief on the cross repented 'too late' and could not be baptized.

So according to this logic, God waited until it was too late to call the thief and it cost him eonian life. And further more, this thief is to come up in the 2nd resurrection only because he never got the chance to dunk his head in water?

EJW, believe me, I'm not trying to belittle you. I'm really not, but this is the same unscriptural reasoning that the church teaches regarding tithing, altar calls, water baptism, witnessing, etc.

You agreed yourself that baptism is symbolic of a higher, spiritual reality. You even likened the American flag being symbolic. But even you know that one can be a US Citizen without owning a flag.

The scriptures are clear: IN Christ we are complete [Col 2:10]. When we worship the Lord in spirit & truth, by reading and doing His Word, we are being made complete. Water baptism is a sign as is circumcision, animal sacrifice, tithing, etc. They are not necessary (though one can do them if they would like) as they only point to a higher, spiritual truth.

Gal 3:24-25  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

The members have provided ample teachings on this matter. I know that baptism was done early in the apostle ministry, but you have to realize that they continued to GROW, spiritually. Peter himself was hesitant to go talk to the house of Cornelius (Gentile household) and was only persuaded because of a dream [Act 10]. And this was AFTER Pentecost, with the spirit falling upon them. Christ had told the apostles to teach ALL NATIONS [Matt 28:19, Luke 24:47] months before then as well.

I think now, this is an issue that you have to grow from, spiritually. This is not meant to be condescending, but even the apostles had room to grow. PM me or the other members if you would like more links regarding this issue, but I think we've beaten the horse enough for this thread.


Hope this helps,

Marques

Craig:
I'm locking the horse in the barn now.

We can agree to disagree and still be bothers and sisters.

Craig

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[*] Previous page