My answer from the scriptures: (This was picked the best answer by the asker, even tho he states he doesn't agree with all of what I showed him.) He said it gave him alot to "contemplate." Hey, all I ask is that people search the scriptures to see if these things be so..God will open their eyes.
Paul didn't disagree with the need for baptism. He simply shows us what the ONE baptism IS in this present dispensation of Grace and it has NOTHING whatsoever to do with water.
Pauls words ARE the words of Christ RISEN to we who are His body. 1 Corinthians 14:37 "If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I (Paul speaking here) write unto you ARE the commandments of the Lord."
Ephesians 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism. The ONE baptism that Paul speaks of is the ONE where the believer is identified with the death, burial and resurrection of Christ and the HOLY SPIRIT places that person INTO the "new creation" which IS the "Body of Christ."
Romans 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized (identified with Him in ) into his death?
1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Jesus in His ministry on the EARTH, gave instructions to the Nation of Israel. Matthew 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.Those are the instructions YOU provided about water and the spirit. Water was REQUIRED for the Nation of Israel as a cleansing ritual for them as a Nation of PRIESTS.
John the Baptist was a minister of the Circumcision, which means to the JEW only.
The term "born again" refers to the NATION Israel as well, as they were Gods FIRSTBORN as a NATION. It has nothing whatsoever to do with we who are believers today.Exodus 4:22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:
Our instructions are that we are to be made part of A NEW CREATION, which IS none other than the church the Body of Christ. Galatians 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
The body of Christ was KEPT SECRET, and HID IN GOD until God revealed it to Paul. Paul has the words of Christ RISEN from the dead for we who are His BODY.
Romans 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was KEPT SECRET since the world began,
Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been HID IN GOD, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
Two different programs, two different apostles, two different destinations, and the same Lord.
Paul, we are told , is OUR apostle.Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, Peter was the apostle to the nation Israel.
Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
1 Corinthians 1:1 Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
2 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:Galatians
1:1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
Galatians 2:8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
Peter/Gospel of the Circumcision
Paul/ Gospel of the UNcircumcision
We become confused and disoriented when we try to mix Judaism with Christianity. They are NOT the same.
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