John,
Admittedly my personal bias leads me in this direction
As does mine and we both need to recognise that and lean HARD to the right to make sure we go not outside of what the Word says.
In I Corinthians 1:17 Paul states... "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel..."
I knew sooner or later you would use the above scripture,:o) as most do in one way or another. Again, please leave it in context. Paul is trying to asure that NO believers are worshipping him or anyone else but God. That is the context of the conversation, as some were saying "I am of Paul or I am of Apollos or I am of Cephas," Remember also Paul in the same sentence saying "Were you baptized into Paul?" .So Paul is not saying what you may be thinking. Actually if you read it closer I think he makes a pretty good argument FOR baptism, albiet unintentionally at this point.
He is saying "were you baptized into Paul?" And then he is glad he had baptized not many SO.....SO they could not say,"I am of Paul..."
15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
So whose name was Paul implying that they WERE baptized into?
John, are you ignoring the very thing the Word says just to make a point?
8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
See what you posted?
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness
See what Jesus says:
Matt 3:15b Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.
How alike is that?
I have asked you this before. Do you think that baptism has to be in EVERY sentence of anything mentioned by the writers or the testament to be valid?? If that was so then there are many things that are not legit, cause they are offered FAR fewer times than baptism.
We can change the subject if you so desire. If the testament says ONE TIME that by being baptized I show a good conscience towards God then Yes Lord it is so. I don't need it in every verse.
6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
(Mat 3:16 KJV) And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
(Acts 2:38 KJV) Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
(Acts 8:12 KJV) But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
(Acts 8:13 KJV) Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
(Acts 16:33 KJV) And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
(Acts 22:16 KJV) And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
(Gal 3:27 KJV) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Have a good evening, I am going to hit the hay!!!!!
God bless you and yours, and God ,in the name of Jesus.. watch over our words.
dan
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