@klyph,
klyph;47105 wrote:"Born of water" is a translation often interpreted to mean physical birth. Physical birth, then spiritual birth, then salvation.
Then why doesn't it say that he who is baptized not shall be damned? According to this, all you have to do to is believe to escape damnation. If you read the whole chapter, it is about evangelizing the gospel. Preaching and confessing your faith, which is the sole purpose of baptism. It's easy to pick out a verse and misinterpret it, but if you look at the larger context, it becomes obvious.
Yet another example of an Evangelical application of baptism. It is not for salvation, but for public testimony.
Wow, honestly, I can't follow what you're saying here. Sounds very much like circular reasoning to me. Please elaborate.
The argument is not about what is "required for salvation". Although baptism is a command, it is not a requirement (Much like "thou shalt not steal" but it's not a requirement that you are never to steal in order to get into heaven)
The challenge was to provide scripture that proves definitively that water baptism is the moment at which the Holy Spirit indwells a human soul.
Your points, although interesting, are not how you would say "interpreted" by all as you would "assume". If you want to find out the need for baptism and and what it represents, you should take your position from one who was indeed "inspired" to explain the purpose of baptism. That person who takes the same position as myself by not "interpreting" the word but comprehending the word, would be none other than the Apostle Paul. Before we get into the Apostles' explanation, if the baptism of the Holy Spirit is intended for everyone, what is the "ONE" baptism mentioned by Paul in (Eph. 4:5)?
There is indeed more than "one" baptism mentioned in the New Testament. There is the baptism (immersion) of the Holy Spirit, fire, of suffering, the baptism of John, and water baptism (Acts1:5, Matt.3:11, 20:22, 21:25, Acts 10:47,48). However, by the year AD 62(the year of inscription for the book of Eph.) there was only one baptism (Eph.4:5). Subsequent to Paul's inspired statement regarding "one baptism" the apostle Peter wrote, "And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you...." (1Peter3:21, NASV). The baptism which Peter alludes is clearly water baptism (vs.20).
It is evident from the Great Commission that water baptism was to be an indispensable part of the preaching of the saving gospel (Matt. 28:18,19, Mark 16:15,16). The Book of Acts, the record of the fulfillment of the Great Commission contains the consistent examples of people being baptized in water as part of the coming to God (Acts 2:38,41, 8:12,13, 36-40, 9:18, 16:33, 18:8, etc.). It is also apparent that the baptism of the Great Commission (applicable to all men) was water baptism (Acts 8:38, 10:47). In spite of the simple presentation of water baptism found in the scriptures, there remains much confusion about baptism. The confusion can be removed by approaching baptism from the standpoint of how, who, why, and when should a person be baptized.
THE SCRIPTURES DESCRIBE HOW PEOPLE WERE BAPTIZED IN THE 1ST CENTURY......Anyone with intelligence can conclude that the water baptism of the New Testament was immersion (Acts 8:36-40, John3:23, Matt3:16). Baptism is a burial (Rom.6:4, Col.2:12). Sprinkling and/or pouring do not fulfill the requirements of baptism being a burial. In fact, the common Greek noun (baptisma) transliterated baptism means immersion, "baptism, consisting of the process of immersion, submersion, and emergence..." (W.E. Vine, Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words). The first recorded case of pouring was not until 251AD. The case of 251AD was considered the exception, even by its promoters. It was not until 1311AD that sprinkling and/or pouring were accepted by man (13 centuries too late for apostolie approved.
THE SCRIPTURES TELL WHO IS TO BE BAPTIZED.....The ones that are taught the gospel are the ones to be water baptized (John 6:44,45). Disciples are made by teaching and baptism (Matt.28:19,ASV). Baptism is for those who believe, are penitent, and confess that Jesus is the Son of God (Mark 16:15,16, Acts 2:38, 8:36,37, KJV, Romans 10:9,10). It is of no surprise then to read, "But when they believed Philip preaching...they were baptized, both men and women" (Acts8:12, also see 5:14). The practice of "baptizing" infants came after the writing of the New Testament and is without divine inspiration, authority, or approval of the scriptures (2John chapters 9-11).
THE SCRIPTURES TELL WHY ONE SHOULD BE BAPTIZED......Water baptism has multiple accomplishments. One should be baptized in order to obtain the "REMISSION" of sin (Acts 2:38, 22:16). All spiritual blessings and redemption are in Christ( Eph. 1:3,7). However, baptism is the act that gains entrance into Christ or places one in Jesus(Gal.3:26,27, 1Cor.12:13). And to be born again (John 3:5). Baptism is a command of God and is essential to obedience (Acts 10:47,48, obedience is necessary to being saved, Heb. 5:8,9).
Water baptism stands between the lost and spiritual washing in the blood of Jesus (Acts 22:16, Matt. 26:28, 1Peter 3:21). Furthermore, baptism stands between the sinner and being a new creature (2Cor.5:17, Gal.3:27, Rom.6:5,6), the promise of the Spirit (Acts 2:38, 3:19), and the death of Jesus (Rom.6:3-5). Moreover, one cannot partake of the blessings of the Kingdom of God and exercise a good conscience without water baptism (John 3:3-5, 1Peter 3:21).
THE SCRIPTURES BY EXAMPLE SHOWS WHEN INDEED A BELIEVER NEEDS TO BE BAPTIZED FOR THE REMISSION OF SIN.......Many religions practice periodical baptism (monthly, etc.). This practice reflects the lack of belief of the foregoing teaching of the scriptures. When the people asked what to do in order to be saved and Peter told them (and used the Keys to Kingdom, opening the door to the Kingdom/Church) to repent and be baptized for the remission of sin, we read, "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized...." (Acts 2:37, 38,41). When the man from Ethiopia had Jesus preached to him, his "IMMEDIATE" response was, "see, here is water, what doth hinder me to be baptized?" (Acts 8:36.) The Jailer heard the gospel at a very inopportune time (Acts 16:25). Notwithstanding, we read,".....and was baptized he and all his, STRAIGHTWAY" (Vs.33). It is obvious that the scriptures do not teach "water salvation" or "baptismal regeneration." However, the people were IMMEDIATELY baptized in apostolic times because baptism was a necessary part of preaching and accepting Christ, the people understood the urgent and essential nature of water baptism.
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