Kevin wrote: > I would like to add to what Terry said here. > 1Pe 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism > doth also now save us (not the putting away of the > filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience > toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: > > This verse says Baptism is a "FIGURE" a representation > (it is FIGURATIVE!) of the Gospel which is Jesus dying > for our sins, the Death, Burial & Resurection. This is > one reason why baptists practice immersion, to better > show the picture of the death, burial & resurection in > the act.
I don't have a problem with you speaking about ways in which the physical aspects of water baptism is figurative of the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord. HOWEVER, this is NOT what the text in Peter is talking about. The Greek word used here is "antitupon" which is like saying, "anti-figure" or "opposite figure." He is speaking about the opposite side of a mold or press, such as when a ring is impressed into wax, you have the figure and the anti-figure, the imprint and the mold. Water baptism is a copy if you will of Noah's salvation by water. Of course, he is not trying to make baptism out to be like some magical ritual that has power in itself, but rather is showing how that something powerful happens inside a person when that person enters into baptism by faith. Kevin wrote: > "not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but > the answer of a good conscience toward God" Not your > flesh, Jesus took care of your Filthy flesh, you just > need to answer or respond to what He has already done. > Once you partake acording to Colossians you are complete > in Him. Yes, and we partake of him through water baptism. Our initial expression of faith, according to Scripture, ought to be through water baptism. Many today do not first enter into Christ this way, but this is the Biblical way to do it. Kevin wrote: > We are not saved by baptism, But by the sacrifice > & resurection of Jesus The sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus saves us, but we do not experience this salvation until we apply faith in Jesus Christ. When we express faith in Christ through water baptism, we experience this grace in reality. This is why the Bible teaches that baptism saves us. To say, "we are not saved by baptism" is to deny the very direct and clear language of Peter in 1 Peter 3:21, "... baptism doth also now save us." Now we certainly should make it clear that the physical aspects of water baptism does not save us. The water itself does not save us by washing away dirt off of our bodies. Rather, it is what happens inside us when we believe in Jesus Christ and call upon Him, washing away our sins in the waters of baptism. Peace be with you. David Miller, Beverly Hills, Florida. ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
