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5-week-old born again baby

M

Mark1616

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Hi everyone! Mark1616 is just one of my favorite verses, not my actual name. My name is Josh, and I live in Oklahoma. My old self is 36 years old, and my new self is only 5 weeks old! I've been a believer for a few years now, but I wasn't yet saved. On Saturday, December 14, 2013 (because I was so eager to get it done, I simply couldn't wait until Sunday), I repented, publicly confessed that Jesus is God's Son, and was baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). My sins are now washed away (Acts 22:16), and for the first time in my life, I can KNOW beyond any doubt that I am saved (1 Peter 3:21, Mark 16:16). I couldn't be more excited as I begin my new life of serving the Lord and His church, and sharing the Gospel with everyone I know!
 
You are born again.That is wonderful.It is nice that you have joined us in our Love for Jesus Christ.
 
Mark1616 said:
Hi everyone! Mark1616 is just one of my favorite verses, not my actual name. My name is Josh, and I live in Oklahoma. My old self is 36 years old, and my new self is only 5 weeks old! I've been a believer for a few years now, but I wasn't yet saved. On Saturday, December 14, 2013 (because I was so eager to get it done, I simply couldn't wait until Sunday), I repented, publicly confessed that Jesus is God's Son, and was baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). My sins are now washed away (Acts 22:16), and for the first time in my life, I can KNOW beyond any doubt that I am saved (1 Peter 3:21, Mark 16:16). I couldn't be more excited as I begin my new life of serving the Lord and His church, and sharing the Gospel with everyone I know!
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Hi Mark1616: Good to see you! remember, it's not baptism, but the precious blood of Christ that cleanses from all sins (1 Peter 1, etc.). Baptism is a public sign that one has put away one's past sinful life and is living to the Lordship of Christ.
 
farouk said:
Hi Mark1616: Good to see you! remember, it's not baptism, but the precious blood of Christ that cleanses from all sins (1 Peter 1, etc.). Baptism is a public sign that one has put away one's past sinful life and is living to the Lordship of Christ.
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Thank you, farouk; good to see you too! You're right; there is nothing magical in the water. When 1 Peter 3:21 says that baptism saves us, it's understood that it's not the water itself that saves us; it's God who saves us when we obey the gospel. I'm sure we can agree that belief alone is not enough (the demons also believe and tremble). We are not saved if we have not obeyed the gospel (2 Thess. 1:7-8). We obey the gospel by reenacting it. We die, we're buried, and we resurrect, just like Jesus did (Romans 6:3-4). Our repentance (or as you said, "putting away our past sinful life") is the "dying" part. We "die" to our old self. Then we are "buried" in the watery grave of baptism. Then when we come up out of the water, we are "resurrected" to newness of life. Then we're saved (Mark 16:16).

So yes, baptism itself doesn't save us. But.......we're not saved until we're baptized. Just like we're not saved without belief and repentance.
 
Mark1616 said:
Thank you, farouk; good to see you too! You're right; there is nothing magical in the water. When 1 Peter 3:21 says that baptism saves us, it's understood that it's not the water itself that saves us; it's God who saves us when we obey the gospel. I'm sure we can agree that belief alone is not enough (the demons also believe and tremble). We are not saved if we have not obeyed the gospel (2 Thess. 1:7-8). We obey the gospel by reenacting it. We die, we're buried, and we resurrect, just like Jesus did (Romans 6:3-4). Our repentance (or as you said, "putting away our past sinful life") is the "dying" part. We "die" to our old self. Then we are "buried" in the watery grave of baptism. Then when we come up out of the water, we are "resurrected" to newness of life. Then we're saved (Mark 16:16).

So yes, baptism itself doesn't save us. But.......we're not saved until we're baptized. Just like we're not saved without belief and repentance.
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Well, if so, then, unfortunately, the thief on the Cross would not have been saved without baptism, but he was indeed saved, according to the Lord Jesus: 'Today shalt thou be with me in paradise'.

Acts 2.41 and 42 refer to baptism and the breaking of bread as the normal activity of Christians; but they don't save, and they are not essential to save. Christ alone saves.
 
The old Chopper say's "you found a good family here at CF.net, come on in Brother, we love you already.:hug
 
Welcome Josh, I notice that you said you are from Oklahoma. I live in Texas but Originally I am from Oklahoma City.
 
Hello Mark1616, I got a new bro, that's to cool. You'll love it more every day that you devote to closing the gap between you and our daddy by studying His Word.

Many blessings.
 
Mark1616 said:
Hi everyone! Mark1616 is just one of my favorite verses, not my actual name. My name is Josh, and I live in Oklahoma. My old self is 36 years old, and my new self is only 5 weeks old! I've been a believer for a few years now, but I wasn't yet saved. On Saturday, December 14, 2013 (because I was so eager to get it done, I simply couldn't wait until Sunday), I repented, publicly confessed that Jesus is God's Son, and was baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). My sins are now washed away (Acts 22:16), and for the first time in my life, I can KNOW beyond any doubt that I am saved (1 Peter 3:21, Mark 16:16). I couldn't be more excited as I begin my new life of serving the Lord and His church, and sharing the Gospel with everyone I know!
Click to expand...
Welcome to the Church of Christ Brother!
May God continue to show you his mercy and Grace!
 
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