The Victorious Christ

[Hopeful]

Yes. But, as I observed, it is not immediately and plainly evident that Christ has been victorious. There are many who are powerfully bound in the grip of the World, the Flesh and the devil. Why doesn't his victory extend to them? How is it that many born-again people continue to labor under bondage to these things if they have been liberated from the power of all of them by their Savior?

"This victory" doesn't extend to them because they won't repent of sin.
They want the victory less than they want to commit sin.

 

[Hopeful]

Well, look more closely at the verse.

Mark 16:16 (NASB)
16 "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.

This verse offers a parallel: The saved, free-from-condemnation person has believed and been baptized; the unsaved, person doesn't believe and is condemned. What condemns the unsaved person? Their not being baptized? No, only the fact that they haven't believed. Regarding salvation, the parallel emphasizes belief, not baptism. Why? Because baptism is merely the result of belief, the by-product, or expression, of saving faith; baptism is not itself salvific. And so, Mark doesn't make the lack of baptism the distinguishing feature of the unsaved person, only their unbelief. This comports perfectly with the passages of the Bible that explicitly deny that one's salvation relies in any measure upon any good deed.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NASB)
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

2 Timothy 1:9 (NASB)
9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,

Titus 3:5-7 (NASB)
5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

What about the passage you cited from Matthew?

Matthew 28:19 (NASB)
19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

I don't see anything here that indicates that baptism is salvific. Baptism signifies the believer's spiritual union with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:1-11); baptism signifies the dying of the believer to a life of Self and sin unto a life of submission and new identity in Jesus Christ; baptism associates faith with action, ideally giving the new believer their first opportunity to manifest their belief in Christ in a concrete manner (Acts 2:41; 8:12-13, 36; 10:44-48, etc.). But Matthew 28:19 says nothing about baptism being the means of salvation; you must read that into the verse, not extract it from the verse.

1 Peter 3:18-22 (NASB)
18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;
19 in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison,
20 who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water.
21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
22 who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.

Here, Peter indicated that baptism isn't about cleaning one's exterior by a dunking in water, but is merely "an appeal to God for a good conscience." The born-again believer has been placed "in Christ," baptized into him, by the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 3:11 (NASB)
11 "As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Acts 1:4-5 (NASB)
4 Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, "Which," He said, "you heard of from Me;
5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."

What did the disciples expect the "baptism of the Holy Spirit" to be? A water ritual? No:

Acts 1:8 (NASB)
8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you...

The baptism of which Peter wrote, which he likened to Noah's Ark, was, I believe, the baptism of the Spirit by whom all believers are "baptized" into Christ, entirely apart from any action they might take, as in the case of the disciples in Acts who simply waited until the Holy Spirit "came upon them." Christ is the believer's "Ark," in the Person of the indwelling Holy Spirit, carrying them safe through the judgment of God upon the wicked at the End of Days.

At the end of Acts 10, there is an account of Gentile believers receiving the Holy Spirit, demonstrating their spiritual regeneration by speaking in tongues but without first being water-baptized. In the Person of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9), these Gentile believer's salvation was imparted to them (Titus 3:5; 1 John 4:13; Romans 8:9-15), who came upon them entirely apart from, and prior to, their water baptism. This comports with the salvation of the thief on the cross who also believed in Christ and was saved without being baptized in water.

It is only by way of eisegesis (reading into) of Scripture that water-baptism can be made to be a necessary feature of a person's salvation.

If they don't believe, they wont get baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.

 

[Hopeful]

AUGUSTINE
“There are three ways in which sins are forgiven: in baptism, in prayer, and in the greater humility of penance; yet God does not forgive sins except to the baptized” (Sermons to Catechumens on the Creed 7:15 [A.D. 395]).

I believe Augustine was a heretic.
The above citing says one thing, and then immediately refutes it.

 

[donadams]

Once again you are clearly wrong. Why can't you understand Scripture? Has Satan blinded you to the truth?

Be careful of what accuse!

Humility always obeys!
Pride always is in rebellion & opposition!
Humility is faithful!
Pride protests!
Humility loves the truth and being instructed!
Pride demands I decide truth!

The truth shall make you free, the opposite is also true: false doctrine shall keep you in bondage! Spiritual blindness!

Take the example of Saul:

Saul thought he was doing the will of God and acting righteously with correct faith!

Acts 9:1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

Then the risen Christ appeared!
The blinding light of truth prevailed!

Christ and His church are one! Acts 9:4 eph 5:32



Not accusing you personally only a charitable warning.

We must be taught or instructed:
Lk 1:4
That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
Matt 28:19
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Jn 20:21
Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
(Christ taught Matt 7:29, Mark 1:22)
Acts 8:31
And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me?

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Acts 4:1-2
1 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,

2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

Acts 18:25
This man was instructed in the way of the Lord;

1 thes 4:6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.

2 Timothy 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

One faith! The deposit of faith once handed to the saints!

No Christian has the authority to read scripture for yourself and decide your own doctrines or beliefs! Eph 4:5 Jude 1:3

Jn 14:6 Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life! (Not us)

Jn 1:16-17 grace and truth come by Jesus Christ!

Truth must be revealed by God, and in its fullness in the sacred deposit of faith by Christ to his church! Eph 4:5 Jude 1:3 and must be taught by the church, or proposed for our belief by the apostles!
Matt 28:19-20 Lk 1:4 Jn 20:21 acts 8:31 Rom 1:5 col 2:7 1 Tim 3:15
matt 18:17

Christ and His church are one! acts 9:4 Acts 5:32 Jn 15:1-5

Truth is immutable! Cannot change!

Truth and the church are divine!
They come from God and cannot be in error or imperfect so they cannot change or be reformed by man to say they can is blasphemy and treason against God who revealed them!

And same truths revealed by Christ and taught by the church are always believed and taught from the beginning when Christ taught his church in person! Jude 1:3 the faith once delivered to the saints or the deposit of faith eph 4:5 one faith!

Truth must be revealed by God thru Christ to His church (the apostles Jude 1:3) then must be proposed by the church, (Matt 28:19 gal 3:23) without error by the Holy Spirit! (Jn 16:13)

The evidence of true faith is humble subjection and obedience to Christ & His holy church!

The rule of faith for Christians is Jesus Christ Jn 14:6 and His church! Matt 18:17 acts 2:42 1 Tim 3:15

True Christians cannot listen to the errors of excommunicated heretics, but we listen faithfully to Christ, in the bosom of holy mother church, the only ark of salvation!
1 pet 3:20-21 matt 18:17 matt 16:18-19 matt 28:19-20 Jn 16:13 Jn 20:21-23

Peace

 

[donadams]

What do you mean by "faith alone"?



This is called a Strawman argument. It's fallacious.



Where does the verse say baptism is essential to salvation? There is one baptism in the Christian faith; this is all the verse says about baptism. That's it. Nothing about salvation, nothing about baptism being salvific, just one baptism (the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which doesn't involve water). The emphasis is solely upon the singularity of the things named, nothing else. I've no idea why this isn't totally obvious to you...



Jude 1:3 (NASB)
3 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.

No, it's not. This is so obvious, I don't know what else to say about them.

John 3:16-18 (NASB)
16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
17 "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
18 "He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.



This bit about "one baptism for the forgiveness of sins" I do.



Acts 22:16 (NASB)
16 'Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.'

Ananias was speaking to Saul (aka Paul).

Doesn't the shed blood of Christ cleanse a person from their sin?

Romans 5:8-9 (NASB)
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.

Ephesians 1:7-8 (NASB)
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace
8 which He lavished on us...

Colossians 1:19-20 (NASB)
19 For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him,
20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

Hebrews 13:12 (NASB)
12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate.

1 John 1:7 (NASB)
7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

The ritual of water-baptism signifies the cleansing that has already been accomplished for the born-again believer through the blood of Jesus Christ. In light of these verses, one simply cannot hold that Ananias meant to say that water-baptism has the supernatural cleansing effect of the shed blood of Jesus. He meant only that water-baptism is symbolic of that cleansing.

Each time you throw out a proof-text, you reveal just how little you understand God's word. It will never be understood by taking portions of it in isolation and contradiction to other parts.

Then baptism is meaningless

 

[donadams]

Luke 8:11-15 (NASB)
11 "Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God.
12 "Those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved.
13 "Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away.
14 "The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.
15 "But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.

Only the last ground for the seed, the "good soil" that produced a great crop, represents the truly saved person. But this is understood by the effect of their genuine salvation, by the big "crop" that their salvation produced. The "big crop" wasn't the means of their salvation, however, any more than an apple tree is made an apple tree by the apples it produces. It is only because the apple tree is an apple tree that it is able to produce apples. So, too, the "good soil" person whose life produces a good "crop." That crop is the result of their salvation, not the cause of their salvation.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NASB)
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Titus 3:5 (NASB)
5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

The grace we only receive in baptism

AUGUSTINE​

“There are three ways in which sins are forgiven: in baptism, in prayer, and in the greater humility of penance; yet God does not forgive sins except to the baptized” (Sermons to Catechumens on the Creed 7:15 [A.D. 395]).

 

[donadams]

I believe Augustine was a heretic.
The above citing says one thing, and then immediately refutes it.

How?
Baptism washes away all past sins, then if we sin again we have the sacrament of penance or confession, also prayer and charity

 

[Tenchi]

Then baptism is meaningless

This is a glaring non sequitur. Is the symbol on a bottle of arsenic that warns of poison meaningless because it cannot do anything but act as a symbol? Take the warning label off and find out!

 

[Tenchi]

The grace we only receive in baptism

AUGUSTINE​

“There are three ways in which sins are forgiven: in baptism, in prayer, and in the greater humility of penance; yet God does not forgive sins except to the baptized” (Sermons to Catechumens on the Creed 7:15 [A.D. 395]).

Augustine is a man just as you and I are (you are a man, right?). He was not an apostle inspired by God, as Paul or John were, imbued with special divine authority and power in the Church. He was just a man. In fact, in his youth, Augustine was a very profligate man, particularly sexually. I am not in disagreement with everything Augustine wrote but I don't agree with it all, either. In the matter of water-baptism, particularly, I think Augustine got it wrong. Like all of us, he was not beyond making mistakes and this is, I think, one of them. See my earlier posts.

 

[Robert Pate]

How?
Baptism washes away all past sins, then if we sin again we have the sacrament of penance or confession, also prayer and charity

The only thing that baptism does is it gets you wet.

 

[donadams]

This is a glaring non sequitur. Is the symbol on a bottle of arsenic that warns of poison meaningless because it cannot do anything but act as a symbol? Take the warning label off and find out!

If I’m saved then why should I
care about anything else!

Matt 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Why I’m saved!

Matthew 16:25
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Really?

Answer please

“Faith alone” Questions

where does scripture says we have died with Christ by “faith alone”?

Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

where does scripture say we are members of Christ and his church by “faith alone”?

1 Corinthians 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.

where does scripture says we put on Christ by “faith alone”?

Galatians 3:27
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Where does scripture say our sins are washed away by “faith alone”?

Acts 22:16
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

where does scripture say we are saved or justified by “faith alone”?

1 pet 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us!

The only reference in scripture to “faith alone” is James 2:24 NOT BY “FAITH ALONE”?

2 pet 1: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

How can you enter by your own if it must be ministered to you? Baptism is done unto you, “not do it yourself by faith alone”

Jn 3:5 born again by faith alone?

Where is “Accept Christ as your personal lord & savior” is found in scripture?

They did not go preaching this line but went immediately to the river and baptized Jn 3:22

Acts 22:16
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 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.

Galatians 3:27
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Eph 4:5 one baptism

Why don’t it say one teeny tiny little act of “faith alone”???

When we first believed we are saved?

Romans 13:11
And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

How can salvation be nearer than when we first believed if you’re saved by believing?

1 pet 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

Matt 24:13 endures to the end Shall be saved.

How can salvation happen when we first believed if it’s the end?

If salvation is by “faith alone” then faith would be the greatest!
1 cor 13:13 charity is the greatest!

Even all faith much less “faith alone” without charity avails nothing!
1 cor 13:2

“Faith alone” unbiblical!

 

[donadams]

Augustine is a man just as you and I are (you are a man, right?). He was not an apostle inspired by God, as Paul or John were, imbued with special divine authority and power in the Church. He was just a man. In fact, in his youth, Augustine was a very profligate man, particularly sexually. I am not in disagreement with everything Augustine wrote but I don't agree with it all, either. In the matter of water-baptism, particularly, I think Augustine got it wrong. Like all of us, he was not beyond making mistakes and this is, I think, one of them. See my earlier posts.

The bishops are the successors of the apostles the witnesses of Christ! Acts 1;8

And saints and doctors of the church

Acts 8:31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

Acts 18:25
This man was instructed in the way of the Lord;

We must be taught or instructed:
Lk 1:4
Matt 28:19
Jn 20:21
Colossians 2:7
Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught…

No Christian has the authority to read scripture for yourself and decide your own doctrines or beliefs! Eph 4:5 Jude 1:3

Christ to his apostles our spiritual fathers who care for our souls

Lk 10:16
He who hears you hears me...

John 13:20
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

What authority does Christ have?
What power does Christ have?
What mission / ministry does Christ have?

Peter, the apostles and their successors have the same authority, power, and mission as Christ! Jn 20:21 as my father sent me, even so send I you!

Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Jn 21:17 feed my sheep:

Heb 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

Heb 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they care for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

1 Tim 1:2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

Gal 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you

1 John 2
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not.

That makes Paul and John spiritual fathers, pastors of our souls!

 

[donadams]

The only thing that baptism does is it gets you wet.

Thanks
Scripture says our sins are washed away? Acts 22:16
And it is a sacrament or sacred oath acts 2:38-39 referring to ez 36:25-27
The life promised by God

 

[donadams]

The only thing that baptism does is it gets you wet.

You don’t believe the Bible?

 

[Tenchi]

If I’m saved then why should I
care about anything else!

You've completely ignored my point.

Answer please

“Faith alone” Questions

where does scripture says we have died with Christ by “faith alone”?

Why should I? You consistently ignore nearly everything I write, refusing to engage with it directly and carefully. Instead, you just post whatever suits you, demanding that I account to you for things I never wrote. Well, you first. Answer properly my points thus far in this thread and I'll consider returning the favor.

The bishops are the successors of the apostles the witnesses of Christ! Acts 1;8

Well, you see, I'm not a Roman Catholic, so I don't subscribe to this false dogma. And your merely asserting this doesn't at all persuade me to change my view.

No Christian has the authority to read scripture for yourself and decide your own doctrines or beliefs! Eph 4:5 Jude 1:3

I'm guessing you don't see the enormous irony (and confusion) in your remark here...

Peter, the apostles and their successors have the same authority, power, and mission as Christ!

The apostles to the Early Church have no "successors."

 

[jaybo]

Lk 8:5-8 all had faith are they all saved?

a) This is a parable meant to illustrate a principle, as are all parables.
b) Where does it say that they all had faith?
c) It is important to cite Bible passages in context. Here is that context...

"When a large crowd was gathering, as people were coming to him from town after town, he said in a parable: “A sower went out to sow his seed, and as he sowed some fell on a path and was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on rock, and as it grew up it withered for lack of moisture. Some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. 8 Some fell into good soil, and when it grew it produced a hundredfold.” As he said this, he called out, “If you have ears to hear, then hear!”

Then his disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but to others I speak in parables, so that

‘looking they may not perceive
and hearing they may not understand.’

​

“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones on the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. The ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe only for a while and in a time of testing fall away. As for what fell among the thorns, these are the ones who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. But as for that in the good soil, these are the ones who, when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart and bear fruit with endurance."

a) Jesus explains the parable quite clearly.
b) I believe the Lord, not your interpretation.

 

[donadams]

You've completely ignored my point.



Why should I? You consistently ignore nearly everything I write, refusing to engage with it directly and carefully. Instead, you just post whatever suits you, demanding that I account to you for things I never wrote. Well, you first. Answer properly my points thus far in this thread and I'll consider returning the favor.



Well, you see, I'm not a Roman Catholic, so I don't subscribe to this false dogma. And your merely asserting this doesn't at all persuade me to change my view.



I'm guessing you don't see the enormous irony (and confusion) in your remark here...



The apostles to the Early Church have no "successors."

Sorry no offense intented
Was Judas an apostle? Did he have a successor?

 

[donadams]

You've completely ignored my point.



Why should I? You consistently ignore nearly everything I write, refusing to engage with it directly and carefully. Instead, you just post whatever suits you, demanding that I account to you for things I never wrote. Well, you first. Answer properly my points thus far in this thread and I'll consider returning the favor.



Well, you see, I'm not a Roman Catholic, so I don't subscribe to this false dogma. And your merely asserting this doesn't at all persuade me to change my view.



I'm guessing you don't see the enormous irony (and confusion) in your remark here...



The apostles to the Early Church have no "successors."

How can you hear Christ apart from his apostles lk 10:16 or his church Matt 18:17

 

[Robert Pate]

You don’t believe the Bible?

Water baptism is a public profession of ones faith in Christ.

It is also symbolic of the death and the resurrection of Christ.

Going down in the water is symbolic of Christ's death.

Coming up out of the water is symbolic of his resurrection.

We identify with the death and the resurrection of Christ in water baptism. But it does not save. We are saved by the doing and the dying of Jesus.

 

[donadams]

Water baptism is a public profession of ones faith in Christ.

It is also symbolic of the death and the resurrection of Christ.

Going down in the water is symbolic of Christ's death.

Coming up out of the water is symbolic of his resurrection.

We identify with the death and the resurrection of Christ in water baptism. But it does not save. We are saved by the doing and the dying of Jesus.

1 pet 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us!

Faith & Baptism is the initiation of the new and eternal covenant!

You cannot enter on you’re own or by “faith alone”!

You cannot receive Christ or grace by “faith alone”!

“Accept Christ as you’re personal lord and savior” is fundamentalist tradition not found scripture!

Jn 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

2 pet 1: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Baptismal regeneration a new creation in Christ! 2 Cor 5:17

A sacrament is an oath! A sacred promise from God! Ez 36:25-27
Acts 2:38-39 (this promise)

No baptism no grace!

A sacrament is an outward sign for all men including infants And a gift from God to help us see what he does inwardly and invisibly by his grace!

As grace Washes our souls in the merits of Jesus blood from original and personal sin, so the outward action of washing is visible!

without the outward action the inward action cannot take place!

Jn 3:5 Titus 3:5 water and washing
acts 22:16 wash away your sin!

Jn 3:5 Born again BY water and the spirit! Not by “faith alone”!

They did not go to Jerusalem and preach “accept Christ as you’re personal Lord and savior “

They went to the river (water) and they baptized! Jn 3:22

A covenant requires an outward sign of the inward action of grace!

Ez 36:25 I will sprinkle you with clean water and you shall be made white as snow.

Acts 22:16 washing away your sins.

Eph 4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism.

1 pet 3:21 baptism saves you.

You cannot enter on you’re own or by faith alone!

2 pet 1: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Heb 2:11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,


Baptism!

God breathed life into Adam, gen 2:7 and we received this life from our fathers!

Christ breathed on the apostles our spiritual fathers, we receive the new covenant life of God’s grace from them thru faith & baptism! Jn 20:21-23 Mk 16:16 acts 8:36-38 eph 2

Born again! Born from above!

'The Father has set his seal' on Christ (John 6:27) and also seals us in him (cf. 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:23, 4:30). Because this seal indicates the indelible effect of the anointing with the Holy Spirit in the sacrament of Baptism,

Baptism indeed is the seal of eternal life." 87 The faithful Christian who I has "kept the seal" until the end, remaining faithful to the demands of his Baptism, will be able to depart this life "marked with the sign of faith," 88 with his baptismal faith, in expectation of the blessed vision of God - the consummation of faith - and in the hope of resurrection.

St. Paul tells the faithful at Ephesus that they have been “sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.” This is in terms of an indelible character imprinted on the soul in the sacraments of baptism and confirmation. It is not as if this invisible mark is simply decorative. Rather, through it, we are enabled to participate in Christ’s mission and in his offices of priest, prophet, and king. Eph 1:13

Sealed by God eph 1:13 sealed by God (ez 36:25-27) in the ark of salvation by baptism just as Noah was sealed by God in the ark of the flood gen 7:16

1 Pet 3:20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us!
(Ark of Noah a type of the church, member of Christ and his church and salvation by baptism!)
(Outside the ark of Noah none were saved, outside the church (the ark of salvation) none are saved!)

Sealed in the ark, sealed in the church the ark of salvation by God thru baptism!



Christ instituted the holy church for the salvation of all men, (repent and believe the gospel, with the institution of the sacraments to convey grace to sanctify souls!


Effects of faith & baptism!

Ez 36:25-27 washed in baptism, with a new heart and the Spirit
Jn 3:5 born again in baptism
Mk 16:16 faith & baptist
Acts 2:38 repentance & baptism
Acts 8:36-38 faith & baptism
Acts 22:16 baptism washes away sin
Rom 6:3 died with Christ
Col 2:12 risen with Christ
1 cor 12:13 baptized into the church
Gal 3:27 by baptism put on Christ
2 Tim 1:10 eph 2:1 and 5 brought to life
2 cor 5:17 new creation
Eph 1:13 sealed by the Holy Spirit
Eph 4:5 one faith, one baptism
Eph 5:26 faith and baptism
Titus 3:5 baptismal regeneration
1 pet 1:2 washed in Christ’s blood
1 pet 2:9 the kingdom of light
1 pet 3:20-21 baptism saves us!

“Faith alone” accomplishes nothing!
1 cor 13:2 even all faith (alone) without charity avails NOTHING!!!

Faith and baptism!

Scripture says none of the things about “Faith alone”!

2 Peter 1:11
For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

The Christian sacrament of baptism is the Initiation into the new covenant and must be ministered to you by the apostles!




“Faith alone” Questions

where does scripture says we have died with Christ by “faith alone”?

Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

where does scripture say we are members of Christ and his church by “faith alone”?

1 Corinthians 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.

where does scripture says we put on Christ by “faith alone”?

Galatians 3:27
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Where does scripture say our sins are washed away by “faith alone”?

Acts 22:16
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

where does scripture say we are saved or justified by “faith alone”?

1 pet 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us!

The only reference in scripture to “faith alone” is James 2:24 NOT BY “FAITH ALONE”?

2 pet 1: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

How can you enter by your own if it must be ministered to you? Baptism is done unto you, “not do it yourself by faith alone”

Jn 3:5 born again by faith alone?

Where is “Accept Christ as your personal lord & savior” is found in scripture?

They did not go preaching this line but went immediately to the river and baptized Jn 3:22

Acts 22:16
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 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.

Galatians 3:27
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Eph 4:5 one baptism

Why don’t it say one teeny tiny little act of “faith alone”???

When we first believed we are saved?

Romans 13:11
And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

How can salvation be nearer than when we first believed if you’re saved by believing?

1 pet 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

Matt 24:13 endures to the end Shall be saved.

How can salvation happen when we first believed if it’s the end?

If salvation is by “faith alone” then faith would be the greatest!
1 cor 13:13 charity is the greatest!

Even all faith much less “faith alone” without charity avails nothing!
1 cor 13:2

“Faith alone” unbiblical!