If baptism is an outward sign of an inward commitment, honestly, what's the point? Christians publicly profess their faith anyway, why is the extra "show" necessary ? I know Jesus commanded it, but it sounds like a rather frivolous thing to tell us to do, especially when the thief on the cross didn't have to get baptized. Maybe the Great Commission should have been the Great Suggestion.
2007-12-28 05:10:30 · 11 answers · asked by ccrider 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Baptism is not an "outward sign of an inward change" otherwise it would be pointless. Baptism is entrance into the Body of Christ, i.e., His Church. It forgives original sin and is absolutely necessary for salvation. It's foreshadowed in the Old Testament Scriptures everywhere and holds deep significance. Otherwise Christ, His Apostles and the early church would not have stressed it as much.
2007-12-28 05:21:09 · answer #1 · answered by stpolycarp77 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ok, then don't do it. By the way if you know you have to work to get paid, and you don't do it, don't show up for a check. If it is written you must be born again to enter the kingdom, which I believe is baptism, which is symbolic but an active participation. So take your chances. I don't care if you believe in gravity or not. If you jump off the cliff you will fall. So live your intrepretation and accept the result.
2007-12-28 13:16:39 · answer #2 · answered by a2z_alterego 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Baptism is a sacrament, that imparts real graces. In terms of someone such as the Good Thief, one could make the case that his bases are covered by "baptism by intent"; that is to say, if he'd had the time and opportunity, he would be baptized.
So in that sense, baptism is not a technicality, a thing that can be safely avoided by the lazy - to deliberately avoid baptism is to put one's own soul in serious and mortal jeopardy. It is a real and life-changing sacrament, with real power invested in it by Christ himself (who set the example by undergoing it.) But it is not a grace withheld from those unable to live to see it, as is the case of the Good Thief.
"Jesus answered, 'Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.'" (John 3:5)
2007-12-28 13:16:24 · answer #3 · answered by evolver 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jesus Himself felt the need for the baptism and although an outward show of an inword need it is a requirement (sacrament) that we must carry out to fulfill the will of God that should be enough for anyone.
2007-12-28 13:15:47 · answer #4 · answered by s. grant 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Or maybe everybody ought to be hung up on a cross in order to be saved.
Get real.
Baptism is necessary for salvation.
2007-12-28 13:40:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is going on tour necessary for a band?, are skinny jeans necessary for an emo?, are tattoos necessary for a biker? is cussing necessary? is alcohol necessary? is baseball necessary?
2007-12-28 13:49:58 · answer #6 · answered by john y 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Read the Bible it is not about people confess, John1 :13 and also Jesus was our example , He was and is perfect and we shall do all things to his image Paul said, " Be imitators of Christ" Just for the sake of Christ people do it Be Blessed
2007-12-28 13:15:46 · answer #7 · answered by Praiser in the storm 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it is written in the bible as a necessity in order to be saved. If God said it, it will be done. He does so much for us to be complaining about what he wants us to do. He is with us through our darkest times
2007-12-28 13:16:13 · answer #8 · answered by Michael C 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its a way to get wet and thats pretty much it. It's another claim of man.
2007-12-28 13:16:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is not just a symbol. It is a requirement.
2007-12-28 13:20:17 · answer #10 · answered by SpiritRoaming 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋