Was reading a blog that was on baptism. Good ideas in there. Thought out stuff. There were also comments. Also some good ideas in there.
This is my comment on the blog. But feel free to read the original.
Baptism is a symbol. It is also used symbolically. It is also commanded that we do it. “Repent and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” Acts 2:38.
I do not think it is the point of salvation. I think God is certainly able to save us without it.
However, it is commanded. Just as it is commanded that we love God and our neighbors and not lie, cheat, etc.
The baptism of John, the baptism of repentance, was prior to the baptism that Peter calls for. It is clear that Peter says this baptism is for forgiveness of sins. A specific way of noticing the difference is Peter specifies that those who are baptized will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Those who were baptized before this were baptized for repentance, not for forgiveness nor for the Holy Spirit.
I Peter 3:21 says that “this water symbolizes baptism that now also saves you-not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ…”
Romans 6:3 “Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”
Colossians 2:12 “having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.”
Acts. 22:16 Paul was told by Ananias, a devout man who was sent to him by God, “Now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.”
Acts 16:15 Lydia and her household are baptized.
Acts 16:33 The Phillipian jailer and his family were baptized.
There are others.
So, baptism doesn't save you, Jesus saves you, but it is required/commanded. It is water baptism. But it is also a symbol.
I agre. Just like we are commanded to carry out the Great Commision, we are commanded to be baptized.
Kathyn
I think that it takes a great person to homeschool their kids, althouh some problems is that the kids dont get to socilize the way most kids do and i think that that is a very important thing but most homeschooled kids are very talented and smart. Overall I think that the decision should me made by the child that you are going to homeschool, because it would be very hard for a child to miss important events in their life as a child by being homeschooled and i think that that choice should be made by the child itself.
cant decide [beingpulledbothways@hmmm.com]