I have heard many people call baptism an outward sign of an inward grace. Romans 6:3-13 gives a very detailed picture of how baptism unites is in Jesus' death. That doesn't sound very external does it?
2007-12-07 07:45:00 · 5 answers · asked by mlcros 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The act of being baptized is outward/external, what it means to a person is internal...
2007-12-07 07:48:02 · answer #1 · answered by JD 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Paul's description of Baptism indicates that he was a Gnostic follower of John the Baptist, an Essene.
Its very interesting that Gnostic beliefs seemed to permeate early Christianity, then disappeared after canonization.
Why were the Romans intent on a literal Jesus rather than a spiritual metaphor?
2007-12-07 15:49:50 · answer #2 · answered by ɹɐǝɟsuɐs Blessed Cheese Maker 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The saving death of Jesus is applied to the soul-internal.
The water and the words are external.
2007-12-07 15:51:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's just a meaningless religious ritual. It is exactly equivalent to a jungle dweller smearing the blood of a chicken on his skin and dancing in the light of a full moon.
2007-12-07 15:49:04 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's an outward sign, meaning you do it publicly, for all to see.
2007-12-07 15:48:54 · answer #5 · answered by Halfadan 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋