no more than the baptismal waters do
Since “water and the word” (Baptism) spiritually regenerated me and made me a new creation in Christ, then I say that the waters of Baptism definitely saved me by the power of God.
Since you either do not know and/or do not understand and/or refuse to acknowledge the fact that Jesus’ gospel was passed down through His Church by both oral traditions and written traditions, I will explain why you have such a hard time understanding this teaching on baptism.
2 Thessalonians 2:15 “Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.” [1 Corinthians 11:2]
Catholics understand about baptism because they were taught the whole truth; both the oral traditions about Baptism and the Scripture verses which support the Church’s teaching and so they understand the whole baptism “picture.” Non-Catholics who attempt to understand Baptism strictly by perusing the Epistles are going to have a difficult time. It is like doing a “connect the dot” picture. The problem is that they are not able to connect all the dots since some necessary dots do not seem to be a necessary part of the overall picture. So, I will try to explain these “dots” more clearly so that an accurate “picture” of baptism is shown.
To become a member of Christ’s Church (in order to become His disciples) we must be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. First, Jesus commands His Apostles and disciples to make people (from all nations) His disciples and then He tells them how to do it! Which is by baptizing them in the name of the Holy Trinity.
Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore and
make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”
Ephesians 5:26 “that He might sanctify and cleanse her with
the washing of water by the word,”
Acts 22:16 “And now why are you waiting? Arise and
be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
The Sacrament of Baptism sanctifies us. It washes away our sins. The Lord is God.
This
“washing of water by the word” is exactly what Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:19!
Titus 3:5 “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy
He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,”
The Holy Spirit is the Sanctifier. Jesus is the Redeemer and God the Father is the Creator.
They all work together to do all things, but They are sometimes distinguished by these characteristics. However, only Jesus as Man died for us since Spirits cannot die.
Galatians 6:15 “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but
a new creation.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore,
if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
Romans 6:3 “Or do you not know that
as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?”
Circumcision was the entrance into the Old Covenant. Baptism is the entrance into the New Covenant. The waters of Baptism spiritually regenerate us and this makes us into new creations and we become members of Christ’s Church. The merits of Jesus’ sacrifice/death are given to us/our souls when we are baptized in the Sacrament of Baptism and this Baptism washes away our sins and saves us. Baptism sanctifies us.
1 Corinthians 6:11 “But
you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”
This verse explains Baptism. We are washed with water, we were sanctified by it, and we are justified
in the name of God/Jesus and we are sanctified/justified/saved
by the Spirit of our God.
It is helpful to connect
all the
dots!
You will get a clearer picture of Baptism!
Baptism saves us by the power of God. He applies the merits of Jesus’ sacrifice to our souls by/through the waters of Baptism.
Truth is truth and it matters not who believes it. Truth is truth even if no one believes it!
