Kevin wrote: > ONLY Believers are to be baptized Amen.
Kevin wrote: > Baptism is only an outward confession Take out the word "only" and we would agree. Baptism has several functions and outward confession is one. Another one is being a vehicle whereby faith is expressed and whereby one calls upon the Lord and washes away their sins. Kevin wrote: > The thief on the cross was he baptized? I believe so, but the historical records do not really tell us. Kevin wrote: > Baptism is also a PICTURE of the death of our > FLESH and the BIRTH of our spirit We are BAPTIZED > into Christ, a person does not ENTER IN TO BAPTISM > by Faith; He enters in to Christ by Faith! Good point! Kevin wrote: > We are to identify ourselves with Christ through > the outward sign, PICTURE-LIKENESS-FIGURE of Baptism Yes, but a new convert with faith in Christ can do more than simply identify with Christ through an outward sign. Kevin wrote: > And a note of personal testimony: I was saved > on December 12 1972 Something powerful happened > to me the MOMENT I Believed, not the moment I > got baptized. I knew I was a sinner, no question > there. But I also knew that I knew, something happened > inside of me, I felt the burden of my sins lifted away, > the MOMENT I believed! I felt as clean as a new born > baby. By faith in what Christ had already DONE for me. > A few weeks later I was baptized. my SOUL WAS SIGNED > SEALED & DELIVERED Dec 12 1972 I was baptized because > I was a Christian. It sounds like your experience was much like the Cornelius household. You were saved first, then later baptized. That was my experience also because I was young at the time in 1965 when I believed upon Christ and my parents did not believe that I was old enough to be baptized. I asked for it but was forbidden from doing it until more than 3 years later. Praise God I was saved despite the misunderstanding of men. Kevin wrote: > I behave like one because it is now my nature, I am one! > I have NO PROBLEM with Expressing my faith through baptism, > but that is exactly what it is an EXPRESSION of the FAITH > I already have! When I believed I EXERCISED FAITH towards > God. When I was Baptised I SHOWED my Faith before men. Yes, I accept your statements and understanding of your personal testimony. Nevertheless, baptism is meant to be more than showing faith before men for the new convert. It is a vehicle whereby faith is applied to Christ directly. In other words, there is not just an external show before men, but an internal work, the answer of a good conscience toward God. Kevin wrote: > Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall > be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. > We have 2 groups here SAVED versus LOST > Question: According to this verse, who shall be damned? Those who do not believe will be damned. To be saved, the instruction is, believe and be baptized. Faith must be there. Enter the waters of baptism applying faith in Jesus Christ. Amen. Peace be with you. David Miller, Beverly Hills, Florida. ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
