Recent content by Mark1616

I understand, Reba. Issues like these aren't very pleasant to talk about sometimes. But it's the most unpleasant conversations that are usually the most important (if conducted with gentleness and respect, of course). This book addresses vital, life-or-death, Heaven-or-Hell issues. And the...

I understand if you don't want to read it. I'll just say that if you DO read this book in its entirety, then you'll have a better understanding of where Michael Shank is coming from with his replies in this link.

Sounds like a good idea! I'll look into it tomorrow; for now, gotta go! God bless you too, and everyone else on here!

Okay, so Jesus came by flesh and blood. Yes. He did that according to God's plan to save us. And angels are not eligible for salvation. You're right about that. But that's because they don't NEED it. They're already in Heaven! It's like saying that humans are not eligible for dorsal fins. Okay...

I almost forgot, JLB.......to address John 3:6 as well. At first glance, the context of verse 6 seems to back up the notion that verse 5 is speaking of physical birth. But upon closer inspection.......I don't think so. It seems to me that Jesus is saying that if we're born of FLESH (that part of...

Thank you, JLB, for your civility and respect. I was going to stop posting and just take this to one-on-one PM discussions, but since you were so.....so.....so "last-4-words-of- 1 Peter 3:15" just now, I'll gladly answer your question, my friend! So, you're saying that you see what the Elders...

First of all, I'm well aware of WHY this is a hot topic. We're all aware that this is life or death stuff.......an eternity in Heaven or Hell.......which is exactly why I started this thread to begin with. Secondly, I HAVE been very clear on this subject (if you've read my posts, then you know...

Part 2 of my "community response" (again, from my church Elder): Water and the new birth: God sent one prophet to prepare the way for Jesus. His name was John. He was called “the baptizer” because in preparation for the coming Messiah/Christ he baptized people; so many people that he was...

Since this thread covers a very hot topic, I now see that responding to one person at a time, one per day, is going to be an endless endeavor. I'm still responding to arguments from page 1, and we're on page 5 already! So what I'll do is just put up a 2-part response, to EVERYONE on this thread...

Veryberry, thank you for your opinion. I've carefully examined and considered all your arguments.......and I think I'll keep the Elders I currently have.

The following response was shared with me by one of my Elders at church. Regarding 1 Peter 3:21.......Remember that it was Peter who commanded those who heard the gospel on Pentecost to be baptized in Jesus’ name, Acts 2:36-38 which is in perfect harmony with what Jesus told him and the other...

Gr8grace3, you're up next. :) I'll respond to your arguments tomorrow. And veryberry, I'm glad to hear that you have faith in the blood of Jesus. And yes, I agree, that is what saves us. Not the water itself. That having been said, when you say things like "Go ahead and put your faith in your...

Turnorburn, I used to raise this exact same point myself. Now, I used to bring this up in order to make a "God wouldn't do that" argument. In this argument, a person believes and repents, but dies before getting baptized, and my argument was that God wouldn't send the person to Hell, simply...

Lots of them, JLB! But for now, I'll focus on the baptisms that are important to the argument that I'm making.......baptism accounts from the NT on THIS side of the cross. Baptisms into CHRIST, for salvation. There's about 3,000 people in Acts 2:41. Some Samaritans in Acts 8:12. Simon in Acts...

Moving along (ever so slowly, LOL)! I'm up to post #6 now, and will address what farouk said about John 3. Jesus said in John 3:5 that we gotta be "born of water". Now, since you said that baptism plays no part in John 3, I'm guessing that you think John 3:5 is referring to live birth instead of...