How can she be baptized in the traditional way? I very much appreciate your comment. Im happy to play a small part in so many lives! I really enjoy being snarky and sarcastic and I always have. For these reasons (and more) I dont use the name Lucifer to refer to the devil. John 1:1 tells us clearly, When the Bible speaks of the dead being asleep, its a figure of speech. He has a mind and emotions and gives us gifts and fellowships with us, for example. The Bible says that God is spirit (John 4:24). Many of my friends believe that when we die our spirit leaves our body and is with Jesus. Id like to think that Justice is based on much more than devotion, but I dont feel I have the right judging others Its not my place. Was that a temporary thing, or a longer-term thing? Thanks for writing! After becoming a Christian, you should be baptizedbut not being baptized does not make you not a Christian. Is it that you dont really know Him ? Those friends who had lots of troubles, who were spiritually immature, found that many or most of their troubles disappeared as they chose to take charge of their walk with Christ. With respect, we should avoid using our feelings as a test for truth. However: if you do fit into that category, I have good news. I said no God is God, Jesus is the son, our savior. You need other Christians. First, Hes a person. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright GodWords 2023 - All Rights Reserved. In the meantime, God wants to give us joy, and peace, and confidence, and courage. We can be pretty awesome, or we can be pretty awfulGod only cares that we come home, so He can lavish us with His love and teach us how to be more like Him. The general presumption among most commentators is that our spirits will be reunited with our bodies. What makes you think theres a right path to anywhere? Who is the Word, Jesus. The only people who need to worry about judgment are those who turn their backs on Him. The traditional reason that Christians havent been cremated is that it would destroy the body, making it impossible for God to put the parts back together for the resurrection. We also have Jesus telling His disciples that He didnt know exactly when He was coming backthat only the Father knew that. The problem is that a lot of people disagree without having done any homework. Im kind of old, and have been around the block a few times. Stupid? Ill try to simplify, if possible. Dont fall for ideas that seem to make sense of the trinity but contradict what we see in Scripture. The point is that the ceremony is done in front of your faith community. Therefore, if youre right, the apostle Paul did the people in Rome a very serious disservice by not actually telling them what they must do to be saved. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. If thats not what you mean, will you explain a bit more? Be skeptical. He came to earth as a human, taught us to love unselfishly, to sacrifice for others, to be honest and fair and humble and kind. You want them to avoid the rich mans fate. Many are baptized multiple times because they arent taught accurately about conversion, at least that is the case for those I have ministered to. But some thinking salvation is enough. I will accept Gods judgement on me. Jesus said, the Way to the Father is through Me. I found it difficult at times to trust God, because I was afraid of my own father. That is, they need to clear their accounts. To be reconciled, each person needs to come to the other and make sure theres nothing keeping them from being together again. To me, that isnt enough evidence to Change what was said in the Old Testament. The verse says what comes out of your mouth defiles you, not what you put in. >> people on here are not wrong they view things different to you. As long as we dont pretend that our wishes are the truth, and tell others that they should believe as we do, I think were safe. >> Can you baptize yourself No, I am not a Messianic Jew but there is a lot of their teachings which is very informative. Its not contextual or conditional, as with not eating pork. He loves you. But things went wrong because Bathsheba conceived (2 Samuel 11:5). This is a totally understandable feeling. Your words tell me that you might consider what you should believe to be a personal decision as well. Heres the video: Daniel Wallace, one of the foremost experts on the Bible, has a full session on the reliability of the Bible. I would probably feel the same. He will be dressed in clothing dipped in blood. Thats backwards! So, when Paul wrote that we are saved by grace through faith, he wasnt talking about some kind of easy-believism. We need to see other people following Jesus well, to see how its done. You can get wet anytime you want, but that wont be baptism. I also understand in my heart that Jesus Christ saved us all, sinners and saints alike. The Father is not the Son, nor the Spiritand the Spirit is not the Son. Hebrews 4:15 says For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. If you want to be part of His Kingdom, you must acknowledge that He is King, and that to be part of His Kingdom you must submit to His authority. The idea is that youre showing them that you believe like they do: that God loves you, and that youve chosen to live the way God wants us to live. 3) Did God want me to find all these Rumors & posts so that I may look up to him again and so I can get intouch with him? Read your Bible. I belong to Him, and THAT is why Im going to Heaven not because I sin less than I used to, or because I was baptized. Acts 13:38-39, Therefore no one will be declared righteous in Gods sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. Tell Him that you want your life to be good, and happy, and meaningful, and useful and then tell Him that you want His help. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit, without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. I prayed for guidance, and heard nothing and things didnt seem to go well. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. Its nice to meet youthanks for sharing your story. Sometimes we see what we want to see, and our feelings will often confirm our hopes. The same notes are used in good music and bad. The rhythm cant be good or bad, either. Youre either running TO God or running FROM Godthe choice is yours. Life with God is good. Holy Spirit baptism is something Jesus does. I appreciate you taking the time to ask. You may have a hard time thinking of God as loving and caring and perfect, but Jesus didnt. I hear you. That appears to say that if you dont believe you are condemned to death or hell. (1 John 1:5-9). And heres the important 3 criteria sent and commanded by Jesus The limbo of the infants is one possible explanation for what happens to unbaptized children when they die. Why accept one thing that Jesus taught and reject another? I honestly cant tell if youre trolling me. A private baptism that is, where one is baptized without the presence of ones faith community doesnt accomplish what baptism is designed to accomplish. Theres no limitation on the number involved, but because its an important step for a believer, we should make an effort to do it well. Jesus eyes are described as looking like a fiery flame. Christianity isnt church membership, or simply avoiding sin, or anything other than trusting God and letting Him make you new. You cant earn that. If youd like, I can show you where to read that theyre incompatible. When someone tells a grieving person Theyre in a better place, theyre trying to comfort that person. than man on the cross was not baptis and he went to heaven. Baptism isnt just a Christian thing. Its also a good way to check out what their congregation does, to see if thats a better fit for you than where youve been. Baptism doesnt wash off your sins. When we die, we will be with God foreverfirst in Heaven, then on a new, recreated earth. In John 3:5 Jesus tells Nicodemus, Except a man be born of the WATER AND OF THE SPIRIT, he CANNOT enter into the kingdom of God. All three were present at Jesus baptism, and Jesus mentioned both the Father and Spirit, separately, at the Last Supper. I salvation defined by one easy action, or is purgatory deniable? I deal all the time with spiritually immature believers, and the one thing they all have in common is that they dont really know what God has already told them. Theres nothing wrong with liking someones music. If you spend time with a community of Christians in your area, be baptized with them. Of course, its pretty dumb. The aborted or unborn child that dies, along with all children that die not reaching the age of accountability, are in heaven. We know this because there has been no judgment! Tell Him that youre sorry for the bad things youve done, and ask Him to wash them away. Have a great day! So, the caring person who wants nothing to do with God gets their wishand the hateful, terrible person who wishes to change and be forgiven and to do things Gods way also gets their wish, and will be in Heaven. 39 For the promise is unto YOU, AND TO YOUR CHILDREN, AND TO ALL THAT ARE AFAR OFF, as MANY as the Lord our God SHALL call. You should believe Him. He knows better than I do. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. Scrutiny Rites. I can tell whether anyone will make it to Heaven not because Im special, but simply because I know what it takes to go to Heaven. If youve been born again like Jesus says in John 3, then you and I are the church. Second, there are unbaptized infants that are saved if they have been baptized by blood/implicit desire. First, they gained a different perspective on their situations. We implore you on Christs behalf: Be reconciled to God. I would definitely sing 19 songs, if thats what it took. Have you trusted God with your life? I appreciate you writing to ask for input. Paul uses this word in several places, but with relationships. Youre rightthe Bible never says that you cant be privately baptized. We have to be persuaded that God exists, and that Hes trustworthy and then we have to commit to trusting Him. Worried Grandma. Then, like magic, you wont be guilty. Our bodies will be transformed at the coming of Jesus. I still have some doubts. It is, however, better than living our own way. My job is to love them, not judge, and leave that up to God. I do, so I would baptize as we see in Matthew 28: in the names of the three persons who are all one God. We sometimes spiritualize things too much. God knows that we cant be all that we should be without His help, so He offers His help. I spend a lot of time explaining why believing in Jesus is a rational, reasonable, and good thing to do. And the Church does not hold that the non-Christian confers the sacrament of matrimony on the Catholic spouse either. I wouldnt expect non-Christians to be obedient to God, nor would I run around telling strangers how to live. How can I truly and get to know GOD genuinely without selfish motives? When we decide to turn our lives over to God and trust Him with the results, we are reconciled. I said is he lying about being a carpenter he said no, but its not his name. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. We all want to be loved, and accepted, and taken care of, and cherished, and valued. All true Christians believe that an unbaptized person who has grown up outside a Christian setting, without faith in Christ, must turn to Jesus in repentance and personal faith before being baptized. Are you as familiar with verse 17 as well? You dont need to be baptized to be saved, but you should be baptized after youre saved. My wife and I took those 4 pages home and looked up every Scripture. Jesus said I and the Father are one. We need friends and family around us. I hope I can be both helpful and encouraging. Any local congregation of people can SAY theyre Christian, but Christians are simply all of the people, throughout history, who have been born again. Absolutely, if theyre born again. #2. We can read about Gods love for us in the three parables in Luke 15 which, not surprisingly, express that we are valuable and cherished by God. Think of it like a chair. Cats have kittens, dogs have puppies, and Gods Son is God. Now what? But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. What have I missed? Chapter and verse. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was WITH God, and the Word WAS God. Christ's Blood Saves Babies. I attended church in my early childhood years. Im very confused. Older people do too, but usually less. This may vary from person to person, but nothing of his that Ive read speaks of the submission inherent in being a disciple of Jesus Christ. In accordance with each Mans individual motivates , centuries ago. Well to get to Heaven, everybody has to do the same thing. The son is of God and The holy ghost was created before all time and all creation. I know none of the stuff is demonic because they (BTS) spreads messages about self-love and self acceptance. Jesus told His disciples you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. When I found one of their songs that sends a message that a Christian shouldnt promote, I would save it to play when Im with them. I dont know them. My goal isnt the behavior modification of the lost, but the spiritual transformation of the lost into the found. Its not a good idea to believe things just because your friends or relatives do. The Bible is abundantly clear that the wicked will be punished. It should be something you decide and not something pressured on you. Do you believe that a non-believer one who has not been born again will hear the gospel, receive it, receive the Holy Spirit, speak in tongues and praise God? Does that make sense?. When youre free to explore and find your own church home, youll be better for it. Im not baptised so I cant be saved! That means that nobody is there now. There it is. They are raised with the idea that being a Plain Christian and just having Jesus in their Heart will get them to Heaven, i say there is so much more to be in Faith with Christ. When two people are estranged, they need to reconcile. 51% good? We shouldnt be directly by our feelings alone, but asking God to help you will pay off. You can read about it in Acts 10. Your sins have already been forgiven. Ill use another passage to illustrate: If you declare with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. With all due respect to Gina, dont listen to her. No, I dont think youd do those things but you seem to have no problem suggesting that youre right simply because youve read the Bible very deeply. Being born again requires that we trust God. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. I personally believe what Jesus said to the thief on the cross. Jesus had disciples, and He taught His disciples to make more disciples. The whole point of baptism is to let the community of faith know that you are joining them. I have believed in Jesus all my life. At times things will be very, very difficult but that doesnt mean it wont also be good at the same time. Im not baptized but I still try to go to church twice a month because their the only days when I have time. What IS wrong is to suggest that theres more than one God, or that the Father and Son and Spirit are the same person. Cornelius and his whole household werent baptized, yet they were saved. Thats intended to be a permanent relationship, and not entered into lightly. Youve mentioned two specific questions: whether we can believe the Bible, and whether its reasonable to believe in miracles. Some are baptized in a river, or a pooleven a kiddie pool will do. When you decide to trust God with your whole life, and when you find those people near you, THEN you should be baptized. Find meaningful work, and you can learn how valuable you are to the people around you. Romans 10:9 says "If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." That doesn't include baptism. Second, following Jesus is not joining a religion. Jesus didnt fear the Father because He KNOWS exactly what the Father is like! Theres a very good reason for that: baptism has nothing to do with going to Heaven. 2 Hell. I dont want you to be confused about this issue, so Ill speak very plainly. Ive been saved since i was 5 and Ive been having a lot of troubles in my live so far and all of these things happening have been taking my mind off of what truly matters. There are groups of people out there who call themselves Christians who insist that believers have to be baptized using very specific words, in a very specific way, or it somehow doesnt count or that its wrong, and that God would be displeased by it. Im confused about what happens when you die. Baptism is just getting wetbut its getting wet in front of people to tell them you want to walk with them in faith. Being baptized only gets you wet. Is it possible for an 18 year old (me) to get baptized without my parents? Im so thankful that I found your article. Third, thank you very much for your criticism. I believe all Christians need to get baptized. I would also seek to honor your grandmother by making sure you know what you believe. Thats the missing piece in our relationships with God. If you have vomiting along with diarrhea, you lose even more fluids and minerals. Its pretty simple. Those who make the case that Christianity is true are Christian apologists. Check Gods Word to make sure that what everyone says including me is true. If you want to be a mature follower of Jesus, you should make sure to take spiritual advice from people who are already mature followers of Jesus. Pray. He was an investigator, specializing in cold cases that nobody else could solve. That kind of belief isnt just agreeing with an idea. In contrast, Islam (Sahih Muslim, Book 033, Number 6426) teaches that all . god sent 2 angels to sodom , so yes god does allow angels in human form. For we are Gods handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. When all is set right, we will know true and complete satisfaction. Many saying only salvation enough for going heaven, not beliving holyspirit to go heaven. Do yourself a favor. When we decide to trust God with our lives, we are born again. Whats the difference between a false teacher and someone who just has contradictory viewpoints of certain issues like homosexuality, transgenderism and etc. The Father sent the Spirit. You had to have a TICKET to get in. First, its nice to meet you! Baptism is what we do AFTER we believe not to have our sins forgiven, but to demonstrate to the community of faith that we have joined them by trusting God. First, its nice to meet you! He loves you, LaAsia. If you cant or if you currently dont have a local community of Jesus-followers that you spend time with then its okay to wait until you CAN be baptized.