Our Baptism Mode!!

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I have no idea what you are saying - half the time.

LOL....reminds me of someone else.

[SDG]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Repentance? True Repentance? I believe the regenerational work of the Holy Ghost begins after you have truly repented.

And I don't believe you have to do that at an altar, for the record.

Then you believe our New Birth, or regeneration, happens at repentance??? Because some have to go through the arduous birth process ... to see the light of day????

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Repentance? True Repentance? I believe the regenerational work of the Holy Ghost begins after you have truly repented.

And I don't believe you have to do that at an altar, for the record.

It's interesting. A few people that we've worked with through the years have testified that it was when they were baptized that they felt truly born again.

I think that regeneration takes place when and where our faith reaches out and takes hold of what Jesus Christ provided us in regard to salvation .... when they make Him Lord of their life. At that point they are transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. They become new creatures. Old things pass away - all things become new. In other words, they've been born again, regenerated by the Spirit and power of God. So this can happen anywhere - even a baptismal tank.

Baptism goes along with repentance like hand and glove. I see no way the two should be separated. They weren't in NT scripture. When unbelievers became believers they were immediately baptized.

The command was issued by Jesus Christ Himself. And by the Apostles. The command was exampled by Jesus Himself and by the Apostles. Nowhere do we read where a new believer wasn't baptized.

It is absolutely essential. I can't see where a person would have a leg to stand on in judgment if they were asked why they hadn't been baptized. It's a very DIRECT command of Scripture. There is no excuse for not being baptized.

Baptism is an essential part of most Christian and even some non-Christian groups.

Simple as that.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

The you believe our New Birth, regeneration happens at repentance??? Because some have to go through the arduous birth process ... to see the light of day????

I believe it begins there - repentance. I repented and was baptized on the same day. I didn't receive the HG until three months after I was baptized. I totally changed - alcohol, etc. - the moment I stepped out of that water.

Some receive the Holy Ghost first and may have a different story of the work of regeneration.

But, in all, it has to begin at repentance, because if you aren't sorry - how can you turn around?

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Felicity

It's interesting. A few people that we've worked with through the years have testified that it was when they were baptized that they felt truly born again.

I think that regeneration takes place when and where our faith reaches out and takes hold of what Jesus Christ provided us in regard to salvation. When they make Him Lord of their life. At that point they are transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. They become new creatures. Old things pass away - all things become new. In other words, they've been born again, regenerated by the Spirit and power of God. So this can happen anywhere - even a baptismal tank.

Baptism goes along with repentance like hand and glove. I see no way the two should be separated. They weren't in NT scripture. When unbelievers became believers they were immediately baptized.

The command was issued by Jesus Christ Himself. And by the Apostles. The command was exampled by Jesus Himself and by the Apostles. Nowhere do we read where a new believer wasn't baptized.

It is absolutely essential. I can't see where a person would have a leg to stand on in judgement if they were asked why they hadn't been baptized. There is no excuse for not being baptized.

Baptism is an essential part of most Christian and even some non-Christian groups.

Simple as that.

I agree - repentance and Baptism go hand in hand. It absolutely must start with repentance or rather when the Lord begins to draw you heart. We don't realize that until He has captured us - hook, line and sinker.

[SDG]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I believe it begins there - repentance. I repented and was baptized on the same day. I didn't receive the HG until three months after I was baptized. I totally changed - alcohol, etc. - the moment I stepped out of that water.

Some receive the Holy Ghost first and may have a different story of the work of regeneration.

But, in all, it has to begin at repentance, because if you aren't sorry - how can you turn around?

We agree for the most part ... it is the turning around ... that allows God's free gift of salvation to work in us ... but once again ... some would like to make the New Birth hoops we must jump through .... to be justified before God.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

LOL....reminds me of someone else.

[Sarah]

Originally Posted by Felicity

Point here.........

Baptism is essential but essential for what? I believe that baptism is salvational. I believe it's a must but I don't believe it brings about regeneration. You can go down in the water a wet sinner and come up a wet sinner if there hasn't been a regenerational work of the Holy Ghost that's already taken place in a person's life.

Felicity, I don't believe we're regenerated until we've obeyed the gospel.....which is the death, (repentance), baptism, (burial) and ressurection of Jesus Christ (receiving the Holy ghost). We can believe, and even feel the presence of God, until the cows come home. But until we've acted...as in the book of Acts.....we're not saved.

God did his part on the cross. Why do some of us balk and want to stay at the 'cross'?

That was NEVER God's plan........

[Sherri]

I will say this once and then I'm done with this discussion...........we tell everyone who comes to the Lord that they need to be baptized. We always baptize them in Jesus' name and we always will. I don't think it saves them, but they do it in obedience because they are saved.

All others who are baptized in the titles, but they know that they did it out of a relationship with Jesus Christ and turning their lives over to Him.....I sure would not ever say they are lost.

Many of you will be very surprised to see who is in heaven spending an eternity with Jesus!!

[SDG]

Pressing On do you believe your sins are forgiven at repentance but not really washed away until you are baptized????