Re: Baptism from God's Perspective
 

The shed blood forgives and remits sins through faith I appropriate the blood through obeying the gospel. Part of that gospel is immersion in Jesus Name FOR the remission of sins and all who have not been immersed in Jesus Name do NOT have their sins remitted.

Re: Baptism from God's Perspective
 

So everytime you sin Steve you go get rebaptised?

Re: Baptism from God's Perspective
 

God's opinion on baptism is written in the word of God. Does God have die hard opinions on baptism? Does the word say he does or does not?

Re: Baptism from God's Perspective
 

No baptism remits past sins it is the birth of water of Jn. 3:5 we are only born once. Repentance takes care of the sins of saints they have already been born again.

Re: Baptism from God's Perspective
 

I thought repentance removed past sins.....If you repent,be baptised in jesus name the next day go sin then when you repent you are remiting the past sin you just commited plus when you repent the first time god remits those past sins...Your way you have to get baptised in water everytime you sin to get sins remitted..

Re: Baptism from God's Perspective
 

You comment is interesting although as I believe totally in error. Although I think the most interesting thing about it is the power of personal theology.

Now, I know you fully believe what you have said and I respect that, but it is so contrary to what God has done.

I think that Man of the Word's comments would more be more accurate in a pure oneness theology, but even his comments are extremely interesting because his approach is that he is totally correct and is trying to fit God into His belief system.

Could it possibly be that God knows more than us and those who say "God's opinion is clearly written in His Word" are really saying that in terms of "how they interpret His Word."

It is very evident that there are many trinitarians who live cleaner more holy lives than oneness (and vice versa), there are many trinitarians who pray in the Spirit more than oneness (and vice versa), there are many mighty works done through trinitarians (and vice versa), so it may just be that God's standard is different than man's standard

Re: Baptism from God's Perspective
 

It is my opinion that one has to be water baptized to be saved. Any acceptations due to disability make the rule and leave us with the ability without excuse).

As to “wording” when being water baptized. I sometimes fear that we use the name of Jesus like it’s some kind of magic incantation spoken by a minister that washes away sin. Biblically speaking, it is the one being baptized that is commanded to call on the name of the Lord, not the baptizer. Look at what Paul was told,

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

It was Paul’s responsibility to call upon the name of the Lord at his baptism and have his sins washed away.

I believe whole heartedly that the original Apostolic method of water baptism involves calling on, or invoking, the name of the Lord Jesus at the moment of baptism. However, I don’t think these “formulas” are the point. The point is … is the one being water baptized calling on the power of the name of Jesus to wash away their sins? Many powerful men of God down through history were baptized under the traditional Trinitarian formula. However, a number of them were being obedient to Scripture by seeking water baptism… and were indeed calling upon the name of the Lord at the moment they were water baptized. While I will agree that these men underwent a baptism using a traditional “formula”, I firmly believe that if they, themselves, were calling on the name of the Lord in a humble and repentant heart, God accepted their act of faith-filled obedience and remitted their sin. In Heaven, they will give glory to Jesus, remembering having called upon his name… not the words muttered by some religious official. Same with Oneness Apostolic folk; if the individual being water baptized is relying on the verbiage of some Apostolic preacher… he’s not relying on Jesus. He’s relying on a man, and the baptism is ineffectual, they only get wet. However, if that person is praying and calling on the name of Jesus, the man of God of course freely praying and calling on the name with them, God hears him regardless of what the preacher says.

As for Holy Ghost infilling - men like Tyndale, Luther, Wesley, etc. had very powerful spiritual experiences while in prayer with weeping, groaning, and unintelligible sobbing that they didn’t label or fully understand. I believe that this was the baptism of the Holy Ghost. While yes, they were still entrenched in much “tradition” they were being used of God to bring the church back to Apostolic purity like the prophets of old… one generation at a time. And I do expect to see them in Heaven. I wouldn’t be reading a Bible today if not for Tyndale. He will not loose his reward. If these men were alive today, I believe they’d be at the cutting edge of what God is doing. Sadly, our Apostolic denominations are growing cold and traditional in their own ways. Keep an eye open… the weather’s right for another move of God… another reformation.

Most might shudder at the idea of another Reformation and our beloved organizations becoming old wineskins. But think about it… there’s still much “tradition” in us; for example, the Lord’s Supper. Biblically speaking, the Lord’s Supper isn’t adequately observed with a wafer and thimble of juice. It’s a full meal, remembering the broken body and shed blood at Calvary and looking forward to Christ’s coming and the day when we will sit and feast with him at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Our pot-luck dinners have more in common with the Lord’s Supper than our Catholic Communion services. This is a Catholic Tradition we embrace and practice often. It needs to go and we need to return to the fullness of the Lord’s Supper.

I’ll stop there. You get my point.

For me the issue isn’t so much who muttered what over one being baptized… it’s whose name was the one being baptized calling upon at the moment of water baptism. That is where baptism has its true power.

I digress.

Re: Baptism from God's Perspective
 

Aquila, maybe I didn't have enough coffee this morning, but could you rephrase the above as I don't get what you are saying

Re: Baptism from God's Perspective
 

Aquila per your statement
show me where in scripture someone with a disability gets a free ride...

Re: Baptism from God's Perspective
 

Aquila,

I have to honestly say that there is very little that I agree with you on. But the above was worded excellently and I totally agree with it! :thumbsup

I'll leave the rest of what you said alone. I don't want to ruin a good moment