Is baptism needed for salvation?

Participant

Quote (Tonycb @ May 10 2008,12:11)

Baptism in Jesus' Name

The usual Trinitarian formula used for baptism is found in Matthew 28:19. The setting is the Great Commission. These are some of the last words that Jesus told His disciples before He ascended. It reads:
Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
The first thing I would like to point out here is that name is singular. This is significant. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit all have one name. Now I do not intend to try and explain this passage away. These are the words of Jesus. But we must ask ourselves, what does this mean? We must not take this one passage in isolation and ignore everything else that the Bible has to say about baptism. We must let scripture interpret scripture and look at all that the Bible says on any given subject.
Next I would like to point out now that this is not the only account of the Great Commission. There is a reason why we have four gospels. God inspired each writer to write the same truth from different points of view. John did not record the Great Commission, but we will look at what the others said. When we look at Mark’s account we read:
Mark 16:15 Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues
So we see that Mark records the command to go and baptize, but does not speak of a name in connection with baptism. However, we do see a mention of Jesus’ name in the very next verse. More importantly we need to look at how the apostles obeyed these commands which we will see in the book of Acts. But now lets look at Luke’s account:
Luke 24:47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.
So here we read a command to preach repentance and remission of sins, in His name (which is fulfilled in Acts 2). If we look at the preceding verse we see that the pronoun His refers to Christ. So repentance and remission of sins are to be preached in Jesus’ name! Where do we receive the remission of sins? Well, let’s look at what Jesus’ disciples did with this command:
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, 'Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'
So we have three different accounts of what Jesus’ commanded His apostles at the Great Commission. Now we look at how they obeyed Jesus’ words. We should take note that Jesus died after the Passover, was buried for 3 days and was then on the earth for 40 days after the resurrection (Acts 1:3). From the Passover until Pentecost is 50 days (Pente- means 50). So only about a week transpired between Jesus commission and Peter’s sermon on Pentecost. Surely they didn’t forget His command that fast. It is also interesting that Matthew, who later wrote Matt. 28:19 was present as well (Acts 1:13). We would expect him to stand up and stop Peter if he was preaching the wrong thing! (“Hey Pete, don’t you know that Jesus said . . . “) But we don’t see that. So we need to reconcile these two facts:

Jesus said this:
They did this:
Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy SpiritActs 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized, everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ . . .

Now who would be in the best position to understand the meaning of Jesus’ words? Us, almost 2,000 years later, or His own disciples who He spoke them to. Throughout the book of Acts as we will see they routinely baptized people in Jesus’ name. And when we read the Epistles to the churches, we will find out that they too were baptized in Jesus’ name. So it is obvious that Jesus’ disciples understood the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost to be Jesus! NOWHERE in scripture do we find anyone being baptized using these words, only in Jesus’ name.
Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. (Jesus – vs. 10)
Although this verse may not be talking exclusively about baptism, we see that Jesus is the name by which we are saved, and that there is no other!
Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.
Acts 8:16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.
Acts 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 22:16 'And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.'
So Peter, John and the rest of the disciples baptized in the Jesus’ name throughout Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria. And Paul re-baptized the believers in Ephesus in Jesus' name (19:1-5). Now let’s look at some of the other churches:
Romans 6:3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
Romans 6:4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
The reason that we are baptized in Jesus’ name is that we are being baptized into Jesus. We are taking on his name, similar to the way a woman takes on her husband's name. We are saying that we belong to Jesus and we are identifying with Him in His death and burial. Even if God were a trinity, Jesus is the one who died for us and He is the one who the Christians at Rome were buried with.
1 Corinthians 1:13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
If we follow Paul’s train of thought, his obvious implication is “No, Christ was the one crucified for you and so you were baptized in the name of Christ” So the believers at Corinth as well as those in Rome were baptized in Jesus’ name.
Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Colossians 2:11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
In addition to those in Rome, Corinth and Ephesus (as well as Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria), we see that the Christians in Colosse and those in the region of Galatia were all baptized in Jesus’ name. They would not have connected baptism so exclusively with Christ had they routinely baptized using the words “Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” As I said before, the only way that we see anyone being baptized is in Jesus' name. When Jesus’ was on this earth, He baptized His disciples (John 4:1,2) and then commissioned them to go and baptize others in His name, or in His place. When Jesus baptized someone, He didn’t have to say “in Jesus name.” He was Jesus. But when we stand in his stead, we do it in his name. Scripture tells us that whatever we do in word or deed should be done in Jesus’ name (Col. 3:17). Baptism is an act of both word and deed.
Finally, I wo
uld like to demonstrate where history shows us that the Catholic Church changed the way that people were baptized. From there on people continued to follow this tradition, probably because it fit so well with their Trinitarian doctrine:
BRITANICA ENCYCLOPEDIA
The baptismal formula was changed from the name of Jesus Christ to the words Father, Son & Holy Ghost by the Catholic Church in the Second Century. – 11th Edit., Vol. 3, ppg. 365-366.
CANNEY ENCYCLOPEDIA OF RELIGION
The early church always baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus until development of the Trinity Doctrine in the Second Century.
CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA
Here the Catholics acknowledged that baptism was changed by the Catholic Church. – Vol. 2, pg. 263.
HASTINGS ENCYCLOPEDIA OF RELIGION
Christian baptism was administered using the words, “in the name of Jesus.” – Vol. 2, pg. 377. Baptism was always in the name of Lord Jesus until time of Justin Martyr when Triune formula used. – Vol. 2, pg. 389. NAME was an ancient synonym for “person.” Payment was always made in the name of some person referring to ownership. Therefore one being baptized in Jesus’ name became His personal property. “Ye are Christ’s.” – Vol. 2, pg. 377 on Acts 2:38.

Seeing that early church fathers quoted Matthew 28:19 without the trin formula in it, we must conclude that they used manuscripts that did not contain the trin formula.

Those manuscripts must have predated the ones we have now.

Thus with the scriptural evidence and the historical evidence, the logical conclusion is that Mt 28:19 contains a forgery

January 18, 2014 at 3:37 am#367606

Participant

sonof god

Quote

Thus with the scriptural evidence and the historical evidence, the logical conclusion is that Mt 28:19 contains a forgery

agreed ,even if we remove that verse it will in no way alter any of the scriptures

January 18, 2014 at 7:26 am#367613

Participant

Quote (terraricca @ Jan. 18 2014,07:43)

SO THE WATER BAPTISM WAS FIRST WITH JOHN THE BAPTIST “FOR REPENTANCE OF THE JEWS “

THE SECOND BAPTISM WATER THAT IS ; IS IN THE NAME OF CHRIST JESUS :”FOR ACCESSING A CLEAR CONSCIENCE ” HOW IS THAT COME ABOUT IS IT NOT THE RENEWAL OF THE SOUL AND SPIRIT AND MIND THAT WILL BRING THE NEW CLEAR CONSCIENCE

KNOWING THAT WHAT THE PERSON DOES AND THINK IS GOOD IN THE EYES OF GOD

WHY WAS THE CIRCUMCISION NOT CONTINUED BECAUSE IT WAS A RITUAL SET FOR THING TO COME LATER ;THE CIRCUMCISION OF THE HEART , JOHN THE BAPTIST WAS THE LAST PROPHET SO HIS BAPTISM WAS ALSO PART OF THE THINGS OF OLD AFTER CHRIST DEAD THE OLD WAS DONE

JOHN THE BAPTIST SAID THE ONE THAT COMES AFTER ME “WILL BAPTIZE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

Jn 1:33 I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’

NOW IS THE HOLY SPIRIT ALSO “WATER”

Paul admitted he immersed some into the church. Do you believe Paul acted sinful in doing so? Do you believe he added to the gospel?

January 18, 2014 at 8:13 am#367628

Participant

Quote (kerwin @ Jan. 18 2014,12:26)

Quote (terraricca @ Jan. 18 2014,07:43)

SO THE WATER BAPTISM WAS FIRST WITH JOHN THE BAPTIST “FOR REPENTANCE OF THE JEWS “

KNOWING THAT WHAT THE PERSON DOES AND THINK IS GOOD IN THE EYES OF GOD

JOHN THE BAPTIST SAID THE ONE THAT COMES AFTER ME “WILL BAPTIZE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

NOW IS THE HOLY SPIRIT ALSO “WATER”

Paul admitted he immersed some into the church. Do you believe Paul acted sinful in doing so? Do you believe he added to the gospel?

Not at all ,it is not sinfull to baptize upon request ,after being informed ,but many were Jews ,the baptism is not for the one that baptize but for the one that get baptized .

No he did not add to the gospel he made it more complete ,

January 18, 2014 at 8:34 am#367629

Participant

Jesus was baptised in Water.
All the apostles were baptised in water.
But the thief on the cross was not.
And yet Jesus said to him.
Today you will be *with me* in paradise.

It is not forbidden to baptise in water.
Many false preachers are baptised in water,but not in the Holy Spirit. Not many will be; or are baptised with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Sppirit will be given to them that truly seek.

The fruits thereof is knowing the truth.
And the truth will set you free from all the lies preached.
Satan's apostles can not take the truth from them.
Therfore are they their greatest enemy.
Watch therefore for they will put you into camps or kill you.
Or starve you unto death.

wakeup.

January 18, 2014 at 3:38 pm#367643

Participant

Quote (terraricca @ Jan. 18 2014,13:37)

sonof god

Quote

Thus with the scriptural evidence and the historical evidence, the logical conclusion is that Mt 28:19 contains a forgery

agreed ,even if we remove that verse it will in no way alter any of the scriptures

We therefore are to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, not water.

January 18, 2014 at 3:39 pm#367644

Participant

Quote (Wakeup @ Jan. 18 2014,18:34)

Jesus was baptised in Water.
All the apostles were baptised in water.
But the thief on the cross was not.
And yet Jesus said to him.
Today you will be *with me* in paradise.

wakeup.

God knows how to protect his children

January 19, 2014 at 12:06 am#367695

Participant

Quote (Wakeup @ Jan. 18 2014,13:34)

Jesus was baptised in Water.
All the apostles were baptised in water.
But the thief on the cross was not.
And yet Jesus said to him.
Today you will be *with me* in paradise.

wakeup.

Wakeup,

Did the thief on the cross die during the time the covenant of Mt. Sinai or during the time of the covenant of Jesus Christ?

January 19, 2014 at 12:08 am#367696

Participant

Quote (sonofGod @ Jan. 18 2014,20:38)

Quote (terraricca @ Jan. 18 2014,13:37)

sonof god

Quote

Thus with the scriptural evidence and the historical evidence, the logical conclusion is that Mt 28:19 contains a forgery

agreed ,even if we remove that verse it will in no way alter any of the scriptures

We therefore are to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, not water.

sog

would this mean BAPTIZED IN WATER IN THE NAME OF CHRIST

WE KNOW THAT JOHN BAPTIZED THE BAPTISM OF REPENTANCE IN WATER ,

BAPTISM ALSO SO SUBMERGED ;IN CHRIST OR WATER

IF IN CHRIST IT MEAN INTO HIS KNOWLEDGE /TRANSFORMATION ,IF IT MEANS WATER THEN IT IS A RITUAL RIGHT

January 19, 2014 at 12:12 am#367697

Participant

Quote (terraricca @ Jan. 18 2014,13:13)

Quote (kerwin @ Jan. 18 2014,12:26)

Quote (terraricca @ Jan. 18 2014,07:43)

SO THE WATER BAPTISM WAS FIRST WITH JOHN THE BAPTIST “FOR REPENTANCE OF THE JEWS “

KNOWING THAT WHAT THE PERSON DOES AND THINK IS GOOD IN THE EYES OF GOD

JOHN THE BAPTIST SAID THE ONE THAT COMES AFTER ME “WILL BAPTIZE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

NOW IS THE HOLY SPIRIT ALSO “WATER”

Paul admitted he immersed some into the church. Do you believe Paul acted sinful in doing so? Do you believe he added to the gospel?

Not at all ,it is not sinfull to baptize upon request ,after being informed ,but many were Jews ,the baptism is not for the one that baptize but for the one that get baptized .

No he did not add to the gospel he made it more complete ,

You say that Paul did not add to the gospel and yet he made it clear being immersed in water was necessary to receive the holy spirit. He also made it clear the immersion he did is superior to the immersion that John the Baptist did.

Acts 19:1-7
Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

19 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 he said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. 7 And all the men were about twelve.

January 19, 2014 at 12:26 am#367699

Participant

Quote (kerwin @ Jan. 19 2014,05:12)

Quote (terraricca @ Jan. 18 2014,13:13)

Quote (kerwin @ Jan. 18 2014,12:26)

Quote (terraricca @ Jan. 18 2014,07:43)

SO THE WATER BAPTISM WAS FIRST WITH JOHN THE BAPTIST “FOR REPENTANCE OF THE JEWS “

KNOWING THAT WHAT THE PERSON DOES AND THINK IS GOOD IN THE EYES OF GOD

JOHN THE BAPTIST SAID THE ONE THAT COMES AFTER ME “WILL BAPTIZE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

NOW IS THE HOLY SPIRIT ALSO “WATER”

Paul admitted he immersed some into the church. Do you believe Paul acted sinful in doing so? Do you believe he added to the gospel?

Not at all ,it is not sinfull to baptize upon request ,after being informed ,but many were Jews ,the baptism is not for the one that baptize but for the one that get baptized .

No he did not add to the gospel he made it more complete ,

Acts 19:1-7
Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

I see where you are coming from,and those scriptures are right ;but do you understand them right

tell ;what is it that the water baptism of John give to those that where baptized by him or his followers they were Jews right ,he was send to them they already know their God ,SO IT WAS ONLY TO SHOW A ACT OF REPENTANCE .AND BRING THEM TO BELIEVE IN CHRIST ;THAT'S ALL ,

PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT PAUL IS SAYING ;
Acts 19:4-7
Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)
that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. 7 And all the men were about twelve.

UNDERSTAND THAT THOSE MEN SEEMS TO BE ALL JEWS ,AND PAUL BAPTIZED THEM “BY IMPOSING HIS HANDS ON THEM ” BUT IT SEEMS HE ALSO FILLED THEM IN ON WHO HIS THE CHRIST THAT CAME AND THAT GOD AS SEND ,AND WHY, AND ,AND, ,,,,,,,,,,

HOLY GHOST = THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH

January 19, 2014 at 12:52 am#367702

Participant

Quote (kerwin @ Jan. 19 2014,10:06)

Quote (Wakeup @ Jan. 18 2014,13:34)

Jesus was baptised in Water.
All the apostles were baptised in water.
But the thief on the cross was not.
And yet Jesus said to him.
Today you will be *with me* in paradise.

wakeup.

Wakeup,

Did the thief on the cross die during the time the covenant of Mt. Sinai or during the time of the covenant of Jesus Christ?

Kerwin

The new covenant started after Jesus was babtised.
When Jesus started preaching.

wakeup.

January 19, 2014 at 3:02 am#367714

Participant

Hmmm,I was under the impression it was at the last super 3.5 years later ,but I could mistaken

January 19, 2014 at 4:16 am#367719

Participant

Quote (terraricca @ Jan. 19 2014,10:08)

Quote (sonofGod @ Jan. 18 2014,20:38)

Quote (terraricca @ Jan. 18 2014,13:37)

sonof god

Quote

Thus with the scriptural evidence and the historical evidence, the logical conclusion is that Mt 28:19 contains a forgery

agreed ,even if we remove that verse it will in no way alter any of the scriptures

We therefore are to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, not water.

sog

would this mean BAPTIZED IN WATER IN THE NAME OF CHRIST

WE KNOW THAT JOHN BAPTIZED THE BAPTISM OF REPENTANCE IN WATER ,

BAPTISM ALSO SO SUBMERGED ;IN CHRIST OR WATER

IF IN CHRIST IT MEAN INTO HIS KNOWLEDGE /TRANSFORMATION ,IF IT MEANS WATER THEN IT IS A RITUAL RIGHT

Let's get our answer from scriptures and scriptures alone:

Matthew 3:11

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Mark 1:7-8

And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.

8 I indeed have baptized you with water: BUT he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

Luke 3:16

John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

John 1:33

And I knew him not:but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

Acts 1:4-5,8

And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

5 For John truly baptized with water; BUT ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Five different places, God tells us that water was John's baptism, BUT that the greater one Jesus Christ would not baptize with water but with holy spirit.

Whose baptism do you think is preferred?

a. John's baptism with water unto repentance

b. Jesus' baptism with holy spirit unto eternal life

“b” is the correct answer.

Yet, there is one more step. The apostles were baptized in holy spirit on the day of Pentecost, yet Peter in Acts 2:38 calls it baptism in the name of Jesus Christ

Baptism in the name of Jesus Christ is the all encompassing term that includes all the Jesus Christ accomplished for us, not just giving us the gift of holy spirit

January 19, 2014 at 5:41 am#367721

2besee

Participant

Quote (sonofGod @ Jan. 19 2014,16:16)

The apostles were baptized in holy spirit on the day of Pentecost, yet Peter in Acts 2:38 calls it baptism in the name of Jesus Christ

'While Peter was still saying this, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.
And the believers from among the circumcised who came with Peter were amazed,
because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.
For they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God.
Then Peter declared, “Can any one forbid water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.'
(Acts 10:44-48)

January 19, 2014 at 7:17 am#367725

Participant

2Besee.

Many christians are baptised with water,
but a few are baptised with the Holy spirit.
A few have been given knowldge.
False teachers are baptised with water.
God's baptism is the most important.
Water baptism is no guarantee to be truly in Christ.
Water cleansed the skin.
Spirit baptism cleansed the spirit.

wakeup.

January 19, 2014 at 7:35 am#367730

Participant

Quote (terraricca @ Jan. 19 2014,05:26)

Quote (kerwin @ Jan. 19 2014,05:12)

Quote (terraricca @ Jan. 18 2014,13:13)

Quote (kerwin @ Jan. 18 2014,12:26)

Quote (terraricca @ Jan. 18 2014,07:43)

SO THE WATER BAPTISM WAS FIRST WITH JOHN THE BAPTIST “FOR REPENTANCE OF THE JEWS “

KNOWING THAT WHAT THE PERSON DOES AND THINK IS GOOD IN THE EYES OF GOD

JOHN THE BAPTIST SAID THE ONE THAT COMES AFTER ME “WILL BAPTIZE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

NOW IS THE HOLY SPIRIT ALSO “WATER”

Paul admitted he immersed some into the church. Do you believe Paul acted sinful in doing so? Do you believe he added to the gospel?

Not at all ,it is not sinfull to baptize upon request ,after being informed ,but many were Jews ,the baptism is not for the one that baptize but for the one that get baptized .

No he did not add to the gospel he made it more complete ,

Acts 19:1-7
Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

I see where you are coming from,and those scriptures are right ;but do you understand them right

HOLY GHOST = THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH

It states “they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus”

It also states ” And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them”.

The last statement seems clearly to say the Holy Ghost came with the laying on of hand but I do not see where you get the idea the laying on of hands was the immersion.

The order makes me believe that these men were first immersed in the name of the Lord Jesus and then Paul laid his hands on them by the authority of Christ and then the Holy Ghost came on them.

January 19, 2014 at 8:31 am#367749

Participant

Look at the word “When” in verse 6 ,read it slowly

January 19, 2014 at 9:55 am#367765

2besee

Participant

Quote (Wakeup @ Jan. 19 2014,19:17)

Many christians are baptised with water,
but a few are baptised with the Holy spirit.
A few have been given knowldge.

According to you..
A few are baptised with the Holy Spirit.
and a few have been given knowledge.

Who might those few be?

Quote

False teachers are baptised with water.

False teachers can be baptised with water.
There are also many false teachers who have NOT been baptised with water.

Quote

God's baptism is the most important.

God's baptism is baptism in water, and baptism in the Holy Ghost.

Quote

Water cleansed the skin.

“For Christ also died for sins once for all,
the righteous for the unrighteous,
that he might bring us to God,
being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit;
in which he went and preached to the spirits in prison,
who formerly did not obey,
when God's patience waited in the days of Noah,
during the building of the ark,
in which a few, that is, eight persons,
were saved through water.
Baptism, which corresponds to this,
now saves you,
not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience,
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God,
with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.” (1Peter 18-22)

January 19, 2014 at 10:04 am#367767