> General Discussions
Paul and Baptism
hillsbororiver:
Hi Barbara, that is a very legitimate question. Perhaps it is answered by John the Baptist himself;
Mat 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Mar 1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
Once you begin your baptism in the Spirit, and by fire (which was not available yet, not until Christ's death and resurrection) would the act which symbolizes this be necessary?
Phi 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
This appears to be the very last physical rite of the Old Covenant which Jesus fulfilled, this was the last shadow typifying what the New Covenant would represent.
Remember the increase in understanding and the change of heart the apostles experienced, such as the status of the Gentiles, circumcision, etc. and how it took a period of time (accelerated after Pentecost) to come to these "truths."
The total immersion of water baptism was a shadow of the total immersion of ones life in Christ, of dying to the flesh and being reborn in the Spirit;
Mat 20:22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
Luk 12:50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!
Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Barbara, I have attached a couple e-mails Ray has received that ask the very same question, I hope it helps answer this for you;
http://bible-truths.com/email3.htm#baptism
Joe
BBryant:
Thank you so much, Joe.
Is it not just amazing how one can read a verse of scripture hundreds and hundreds of times and still 'not get it'? I am so thankful that I was led to Ray's and Mike's site because there have been so many of my questions answered. Although I've been a 'student' of the scriptures for years and even taught what I thought was truth :cry: , at some point, I began to realize somewhere deep in my heart/mind that something was wrong because there were so many 'seemingly contradictions'. How could I know that the answer wasn't in my intellect? I had to be led by the Spirit to the spiritual truth! Amen And, as you can see, I struggle each day with letting go of some of what I thought was the 'way' for so many years. No one can describe the relief and joy to finally began to understand! Praise His name!
Please pray for me that the Spirit will continue to lead me.
In His Love,
Barbara
hillsbororiver:
Barbara, you are very welcome. We are all shedding our old carnal beliefs as the Spirit opens our eyes. There are many here that will study and pray with you, sharing the things the Spirit has opened up to them. Continue to read (and reread) and study Ray & Mike's papers with your bible at your side and bring us your revelations and questions. Welcome to the forum.
Joe
worm:
do we believe Paul or Ray or Mike or Jesus?
this is what Jesus said to Nicodemus (talking about being "born-again"):
John 3:5
"I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit."
could it be more simple?
hillsbororiver:
--- Quote from: worm ---do we believe Paul or Ray or Mike or Jesus?
this is what Jesus said to Nicodemus (talking about being "born-again"):
John 3:5
"I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit."
could it be more simple?
--- End quote ---
Worm, it actually isn't quite that simple, when Jesus spoke these words He hadn't been crucified and resurrected, there was a transition period during His Ministry. After His death on the cross the New Covenent was implemented, even then the apostles were not immediately transformed or fully understood the implications, that began after Pentecost. Remember the debate among them about circumcism?
"There is ONE body, and ONE Spirit, even as ye are called in ONE hope of your calling; ONE Lord, ONE faith, ONE BAPTISM, ONE God and Father of all, Who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Eph. 4:4-6)
1Co 1:14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
1Co 1:15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
1Co 1:16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
1Co 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.
One baptism in Spirit.
Physical rituals died on the cross.
Joe
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version