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RLM Fellowship holds this view.
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This view suggests that water baptism signifies
the person’s
faith in Jesus. This is also known as the Reformed view.
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Romans 6:4… We were therefore
buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as
Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father,
we too may live a new life.
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1 Peter 3:21… and
this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not
the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good
conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of
Jesus Christ.
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Christian Baptism - the immersion in water
of a believer… into
the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit is to show
our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour. With
its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life.
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Acts
10:44-48… While Peter was still
speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard
the message. 45The circumcised believers who had come with
Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit
had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46For they heard
them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said,
47"Can anyone keep these
people from being baptized with water? They have received the
Holy Spirit just as we have." 48So he ordered that
they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they
asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
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1
Corinthians 1:14-17… I am
thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus
and Gaius, 15so no one can say that you were baptized
into my name. 16(Yes, I also baptized the household
of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized
anyone else.) 17For Christ did not send me to baptize,
but to preach the gospel—not
with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ
be emptied of its power.
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The act of baptism doesn’t save. The apostle Paul makes
it clear that baptism must be understood in light of the gospel of
grace – in the New Covenant. Baptism in and of itself does
not bring salvation, and someone may be a Christian thus have Salvation
- and not undergo baptism because he or she misunderstands what Christ
requires. In any case, believer’s baptism is important
because it relates to our understanding of the nature of the
church.
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If someone understands that God commands
baptism and then refuses to do it, one has to wonder if such
a person is saved. Water baptism is important because it is
associated in the NT with the saving events of Christ’s death and resurrection. It is “the” initiation
rite into the Christian church, and hence it is not “optional” or “insignificant.”
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Romans 8:16… The Spirit himself
testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.
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When a person receives the Spirit of Christ
and becomes a Christian an invisible and internal spiritual
reality takes place. No one can see or observe the Spirit of
Christ dwelling in the spirit of an individual. The new Christian
knows what has happened because "the
Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children
of God", and there is an inner assurance of that new identity.
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Those hearing the testimony of the Christian may perceive to be
a mere subjective emotional experience. Water baptism serves as an
objective external act of public proclamation to declare the reality
of one's spiritual union with Christ.
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This is why some have suggested that the
act of water baptism should be conducted in public places as
a public declaration of identification with Jesus Christ. It
is an announcement that proclaims, "Hey
world, I want you to know that I am in Christ!"
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Judaism, Islam and Hinduism will often overlook one of their own
who claims that a spiritual reality has taken place within them by
their faith in Jesus. They know that internal experiences can be
interpreted in so many ways, but when that person submits to the
public act of water baptism in order to declare identification with
Jesus Christ, then that person is often disowned, excommunicated
and declared dead as a member of their family.
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The purpose of water baptism as an objective, public proclamation
of identification with Jesus Christ is readily understood by these
religions.
