[Brother Tim]

In one of the recent threads elsewhere in the forum, the issue of water baptism was brought up. I am not a dispensationalist myself, so my interpretation is different from the start, but I would like to find out how widespread is this doctrine that water baptism is not for today's believers.

[Brother Tim]

I'll start out the discussion by saying that I fully believe in the ordinance of water baptism for believers today. If I am wrong, then I am in biiiig TROUBLE, 'cause I've lost count of the number that I have baptized.

[BornAgainBibleBeliever514]

Before I can vote on this, I need to know if you mean that water baptism is part of salvation, or if it done as a publick proclamation of what has already taken place for the believer?

I got baptized after I got saved, but not TO be saved.

And in no way can anyone scripturally support the lunacy of infant baptism, although they sprinkled me when I was a baby, accomplishing nothing.

[Brother Tim]

The intent was baptism AFTER salvation, not as a part. That's why I used "for believers" in the question. There is not much room for the question so I took the best shot I could. I would HOPE that no regular posters here believe in baptism as a requirement for salvation, but there may be someone lurking here that does.

Please, anyone, comment along with your vote.

[Rolando]

Yes, I believe that water baptism (by immersion) is Biblically correct today. However, I got baptized after I got saved, not before. Salvation is to put your trust on the Lord Jesus Christ and only Him to save you (John 14:6). I understand that baptism is nothing more than a public confession of faith for the born again believer, and NOT a requirement for salvation. Sure, I got sprinkled as a baby, but that's not worth anything in the LORD's eyes.

"For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect." (1st Corinthians 1:17)

[Fredoheaven]

Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Believers baptism is for today and until Christ returns...

[PB1789]

Originally Posted by Brother Tim

Please, anyone, comment along with your vote.

Yes.

Because the Bible tells me so. Matthew 28:19 and Acts 8:35-39.

{ IIRC, the Quakers (Society of Friends) and maybe (?) The Salvation Army are/were the folks that don't hold to water baptism anymore...
odd, because there is not one verse in the New Testament that says to stop baptizing believers.}

[tonybones2112]

Originally Posted by PB1789

Yes.

Because the Bible tells me so. Matthew 28:19 and Acts 8:35-39.

{ IIRC, the Quakers (Society of Friends) and maybe (?) The Salvation Army are/were the folks that don't hold to water baptism anymore...
odd, because there is not one verse in the New Testament that says to stop baptizing believers.}

PB, each Christian under God and in the Spirit has the right, protected also by the Constitution, to believe whatsoever he or she wishes regarding doctrine.

I do not accept Matthew 28 as anything more than similitudes nor do I accept it as Church Age doctrine. The reason being that one of the prime missions of the Great Commisson was teaching the Law: (verse 16 cross-references with brother Chette's reference to Matthew 10:7)

Matthew 28:16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Matthew 19:16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

Jesus said to the young man when he asked about salvation, believe on me and my resurrection, the gospel I have not yet given Peter and Paul, and you will go to heaven?

Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision to confirm the promises made unto the fathers (Romans 15:8) One of those promises was in Exodus 19 and Isaiah 61. Jesus taught not to follow the corrupt Talmud, the Writings of The "Rabbis" in Babylon,

Mt 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Mr 7:7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

...but to teach the pure word of God in The Law Of Moses, as He showed and instructed:

Mt 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

I have not been given a commission to go into all the world and preach the Law, your and my commission is:

2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

Brother, I have promised to be direct without sarcasm. I am sincere in saying that I am trained in guerrilla war-counter insurgency/sniper/recon, escape and evasion and tracking. I have a law enforcement background in intelligence gathering and covert operations. Anyone who wishes to go with me in parachuting into North Korea, Cuba, or Iran; find the money, the Bibles in the given languages, and the night vision equipment, I'll be the first out the door of the transport. Because we have not nor ever did carry out the Great Commission to go into all the world and preach the Law Of Moses to all the world for the restoration of Israel in the Millenium.

The 144,000 of the book of Revelation will.

Grace and peace to you my friend, I don;t believe we have ever met or spoken.

Tony

Of course Bro. Tim! Believer's Baptism is Biblical and yes---we understand it is NOT required as part of salvation---but definitely water baptism is most certainly for believers today. And let me be clear when we say BAPTISM we are not talking about a Catholic sprinkle---only immersion (burial) symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord. Christian baptism is important because it is a step of obedience – publicly declaring our faith in Christ. And I say that as an Independent, Fundamental Baptist.

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Roman 6:4

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. Col 2:12

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. Acts 16:31-33

[Brother Tim]

Well said, Brother Parrish.