Wow! Intelligent questions require intelligent answers. Desperate to know the truth! Not gonna hide it! Let Bible be standard. "Oh God, what do you say concerning water baptism? I have not been baptized in water for some reasons; or I have been baptized still would love to know what would have happened if I had not. What does the scripture has to say?"
Seeking bible truth on water baptism? We once published a post on What the Bible teaches on water baptism. Read it: it's a little in-depth than this. You're blessed!
Jesus is honoured in this place. The reader receives illumination in His name. Amen!
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16:15-16 KJV)
And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with [them], and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (Mark 16:20 KJV)
What happened there? Jesus instructed "go ye… and preach". Any instruction to baptize? NO!"he that believes and is baptised [not by you] shall be saved". Ha!!! Are we seeing a God who will place the completion of the salvation of already-believing men at the mercy of some other "preacher"? A mortal man who might decide not to baptise you if he doesn't like your face; or ask you to bring some money to buy "holy specially packaged" baptismal water, and all of that rubbish? What does God want to accomplish with your H2O, a mere chemical compound, that He will need it to "stamp" your salvation? Water baptism which has become a denominational rite today; such that each denomination is unique in its water baptism style and doctrine?
Beloved reader, do you know the word "baptise" do not only refer to water baptism? Let's see the scriptures.
Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all BAPTIZED unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
(1 Corinthians 10:1-2 KJV)
Here, Paul says ALL the fathers were baptised; but did we see a place where these fathers were actually soaked in water, or in a formal water-baptismal class? But we hear here that they were baptised in the cloud and in the sea because they were always under the cloud and at some times they pass through the sea.Jesus did NOT send His apostles to go about baptizing by themselves even though some ignorantly continued, but trust Paul, knowledgeable in the ways of God. Remember even Fathers Peter and Bishop James acknowledged his depth in the mysteries of God. He has this to say:
Christ DIDN'T SEND ME TO BAPTIZE. Instead, he sent me to spread the Good News. I didn't use intellectual arguments. That would have MADE THE CROSS OF CHRIST LOSE ITS MEANING. (1 Corinthians 1:17 GW)
In fact, he will later have to thank God he was not in the practice of conducting water baptism when certain issues arose in the Corinthian church.
I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; (1 Corinthians 1:14 KJV)
There are also evidence(s) that Peter later got the proper perspective of water baptism. And from his word, I pick up that YOU WILL MAKE HEAVEN if you believe in Jesus, without water baptism! Why? If you believe in Jesus, you are baptised by Jesus in the Holy Ghost, not in water. Peter redefines water baptism when he said:And baptism… not by the removing of outward body filth [bathing], but by [providing you with] the answer of a good and clear conscience (inward cleanness and peace) (1 Peter 3:21 AMP)
Here, he separates the saving baptism from that of mere body washing. He calls body washing "bathing". Now, can bathing contribute or deduct from your salvation?
It is now clear that the baptism that SAVES, ("baptism doth also now save us") is "(not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,)" and such baptism is not by Peter in Cornelius' house or by Ananias for Paul, or by Philip for the Ethiopian eunuch, but "by the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 3:21 KJV)
This is what Paul preaches as he goes about neglecting water baptism for his converts without his conscience hurting him. He says just like Peter:
{ye are…} Buried with him in BAPTISM, wherein also ye are risen with [him] through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. (Colossians 2:12 KJV)
The man who said "Christ sent me not to baptize" says to his converts, "ye are baptized". How? When? "Through the faith of the operation of God (not of the ministry of Pastor John, or Evang. Philip, or Apostle Paul)". Just like Peter, Paul speaks of the resurrection of Christ as that saving baptism. "ye are risen with him" versus "by the resurrection of Jesus Christ".
If you are baptized by Jesus, you are saved. You are baptized by Jesus when you identify with Him. Therefore, if you have done water baptism, know now that you must have had a good "washing of the filth of the flesh (bathing) then". Well, I also baptize myself every day under my showers and God's heavenly shower. I am under the cloud, I have been around the sea before too, and so I can claim as Paul, I have been baptized under the cloud and in the sea. Real! If you ignore water baptism, let not your conscience prick you, but if it does, go for one. And again, must my water baptism be by a clergy? It must be by anyone who preached the gospel, right?
Hmm! The question: "Will I make heaven without water baptism?"
Answer: Yes, if and only if you believe in Jesus. "For by one Spirit are WE ALL BAPTIZED into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and have been ALL made to drink into one Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:13 KJV)
Come on Christian! Step out of of works! Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (Galatians 5:1 KJV)
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace [be] on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. (Galatians 6:15-16 KJV)
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