Are we to be washed in the word (new testament) since Jesus died for our sins and we are saved by our faith and Gods' works, not by the works of water baptism? I have been told we no longer need to be water baptized, only faith and doing ministry.
Ephesians 5:25-27, "as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."
What the Apostle Paul was speaking of in this passage has a dual application. He speaks about Jesus loving His Bride (the Church) by giving Himself for her. So we have not only had our hearts cleansed by His death & being forgiven by the Father, but He has sanctified us (i.e. set us apart as a Holy people) & cleansed us by washing us by the Word. Just as water baptism (a once only act) gives the believer a visible, practical testimony to himself & others of God's Work in Him, so to, the washing by the Word of God continues to be applied to that new regenerated heart, continually washing away the dross from one's life (the doubts, fears, sins, lies from the Devil, etc.). For those who seldom attend to God's Word, are usually those who seldom find full victory over these things in their lives. All this did Christ do for us & continues to do so by His Spirit, to the end that He might present us to the Father, a holy, glorious Church.
I know of this teaching: that water baptism is no longer valid. It is an old teaching that assumes that both water baptism & the Lord's Supper were instituted for the sake of & the establishing of the Church (& if taken further, that all spiritual gifts have also ceased). Once the Church formed, established & strengthened by the apostles, the 2nd Century Church onwards, then moved forward in faith alone, attending only to the study of the Word, prayer, fellowship, & sharing the Gospel. I can understand that point of view, but don't find any authority from the Bible to do so, as both water baptism & breaking of bread are very special events in the life of a believer, if observed properly & done sincerely.
What the Apostle Paul was speaking of in this passage has a dual application. He speaks about Jesus loving His Bride (the Church) by giving Himself for her. So we have not only had our hearts cleansed by His death & being forgiven by the Father, but He has sanctified us (i.e. set us apart as a Holy people) & cleansed us by washing us by the Word. Just as water baptism (a once only act) gives the believer a visible, practical testimony to himself & others of God's Work in Him, so to, the washing by the Word of God continues to be applied to that new regenerated heart, continually washing away the dross from one's life (the doubts, fears, sins, lies from the Devil, etc.). For those who seldom attend to God's Word, are usually those who seldom find full victory over these things in their lives. All this did Christ do for us & continues to do so by His Spirit, to the end that He might present us to the Father, a holy, glorious Church.
I know of this teaching: that water baptism is no longer valid. It is an old teaching that assumes that both water baptism & the Lord's Supper were instituted for the sake of & the establishing of the Church (& if taken further, that all spiritual gifts have also ceased). Once the Church formed, established & strengthened by the apostles, the 2nd Century Church onwards, then moved forward in faith alone, attending only to the study of the Word, prayer, fellowship, & sharing the Gospel. I can understand that point of view, but don't find any authority from the Bible to do so, as both water baptism & breaking of bread are very special events in the life of a believer, if observed properly & done sincerely.
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