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Pastimes : The Grafted Tree (Gentile's & Jews learn from each other) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Alan Markoff who wrote (25)	1/27/1998 12:37:00 AM
From: WTCausby	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 702

I have always thought of baptism as an outward sign, something like a testamony, of one's acceptance of the Lord, but not something absolutely necessary for salvation. I offer the following scripture in support: Mark 16:16 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (NIV) Notice this verse says that whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but only says that the person who does not believe will be condemned. This tells me that condemnation does not come from a lack of baptism, only from a lack of belief. I think of baptism in connection with being born again. See, for example: John 3:3-7 3 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." 4 "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" 5 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' (NIV) Baptism, at least in this context, represents being born again. Think about it. When we are in our mother's womb we are in water (amniotic fluid) and when we are born we are, so to speak, brought out of the water and into our new surroundings. When we are submerged (or sprinkled) in baptism we are symbolically taken back into the womb and then reborn, not in flesh, but in spirit. That is, we are no longer from Adam's race (imperfect and sinful) as we were with our physical birth, but after being saved we are from the New Adam (Jesus), a new spiritual race with roots in a perfect and sin-free Christ. Our rebirth, symbolized by being resubmerged in water as we were with our physical birth, frees us from our originally sinful nature and allows us to live a Holy life. Therefore, I cannot think of baptism as a legalistic requirement for entry into heaven. As you have pointed out, Alan, if baptism were actually required for entering heaven then Jesus lied to the man on the cross (impossible, of course). Thank God legalism is dead and we are saved through Grace!! In Christ, Tom