The Necessity of Baptism

[broski234]

Born Again in Water Baptism…

John 1:32 - when Jesus was baptized, He was baptized in the water and the Spirit, which descended upon Him in the form of a dove. The Holy Spirit and water are required for baptism. Also, Jesus’ baptism was not the Christian baptism He later instituted. Jesus’ baptism was instead a royal anointing of the Son of David (Jesus) conferred by a Levite (John the Baptist) to reveal Christ to Israel, as it was foreshadowed in 1 Kings 1:39 when the Son of David (Solomon) was anointed by the Levitical priest Zadok. See John 1:31; cf. Matt. 3:16; Mark 1:9; Luke 3:21.

John 3:3,5 - Jesus says, “Truly, truly, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” When Jesus said “water and the Spirit,” He was referring to baptism (which requires the use of water, and the work of the Spirit).

John 3:22 - after teaching on baptism, John says Jesus and the disciples did what? They went into Judea where the disciples baptized. Jesus’ teaching about being reborn by water and the Spirit is in the context of baptism.

John 4:1 - here is another reference to baptism which naturally flows from Jesus’ baptismal teaching in John 3:3-5.

Acts 8:36 – the eunuch recognizes the necessity of water for his baptism. Water and baptism are never separated in the Scriptures.

Acts 10:47 - Peter says “can anyone forbid water for baptizing these people…?” The Bible always links water and baptism.

Acts 22:16 – Ananias tells Saul, “arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins.” The “washing away” refers to water baptism.

Titus 3:5-6 – Paul writes about the “washing of regeneration,” which is “poured out on us” in reference to water baptism. “Washing” (loutron) generally refers to a ritual washing with water.

Heb. 10:22 – the author is also writing about water baptism in this verse. “Having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” Our bodies are washed with pure water in water baptism.

2 Kings 5:14 - Naaman dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, and his flesh was restored like that of a child. This foreshadows the regenerative function of baptism, by water and the Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 44:3 - the Lord pours out His water and His Spirit. Water and the Spirit are linked to baptism. The Bible never separates them.

Ezek. 36:25-27 - the Lord promises He will sprinkle us with water to cleanse us from sin and give us a new heart and spirit. Paul refers to this verse in Heb. 10:22. The teaching of Ezekiel foreshadows the salvific nature of Christian baptism instituted by Jesus and taught in John 3:5, Titus 3:5, 1 Peter 3:21 and Acts 22:16.

 

[Seeking12]

You still aren’t getting it! One more time…This was before the new covenant was in effect. This passage is not saying that water is of no importance. It’s saying both are of importance. Now they will be getting baptized by the water and the spirit. John was prophesying about the new covenant baptism. This is in perfect accordance with scripture my friend. You tend to build straw man arguments that really are irrelevant. The both\and position I am talking about is the Catholic position which is in perfect concordance with the bible. Continued…

I still come back to does God change how people are saved; you say yes and I say no; God will judge which is correct.

 

[Seeking12]

Water Baptism is necessary for our Salvation. It ALONE does not bring us to salvation and keep us there. Don’t forget. One can lose their Salvation, and be cut off from the vine and thrown into the fire.
If Salvation one a one-time event, then that would be so. But its a process.

Evidently you don’t know what they say, for they say Repent and be baptized and you will receive the Holy Spirit. The reception of the Holy Spirit is conditional upon the repentance and the Baptism.

hmmm, then why did you come here. To learn? Evidently not.
**Why were there seven covenants? Why is the Mosaic Covenant no longer binding on you and I?

BTW, the quote function is a wonderful device.
**

Does the covenant save? I got to get out of this thread before I sin.

 

[Seeking12]

Born Again in Water Baptism…

John 1:32 - when Jesus was baptized, He was baptized in the water and the Spirit, which descended upon Him in the form of a dove. The Holy Spirit and water are required for baptism. Also, Jesus’ baptism was not the Christian baptism He later instituted. Jesus’ baptism was instead a royal anointing of the Son of David (Jesus) conferred by a Levite (John the Baptist) to reveal Christ to Israel, as it was foreshadowed in 1 Kings 1:39 when the Son of David (Solomon) was anointed by the Levitical priest Zadok. See John 1:31; cf. Matt. 3:16; Mark 1:9; Luke 3:21.

John 3:3,5 - Jesus says, “Truly, truly, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” When Jesus said “water and the Spirit,” He was referring to baptism (which requires the use of water, and the work of the Spirit).

John 3:22 - after teaching on baptism, John says Jesus and the disciples did what? They went into Judea where the disciples baptized. Jesus’ teaching about being reborn by water and the Spirit is in the context of baptism.

John 4:1 - here is another reference to baptism which naturally flows from Jesus’ baptismal teaching in John 3:3-5.

Acts 8:36 – the eunuch recognizes the necessity of water for his baptism. Water and baptism are never separated in the Scriptures.

Acts 10:47 - Peter says “can anyone forbid water for baptizing these people…?” The Bible always links water and baptism.

Acts 22:16 – Ananias tells Saul, “arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins.” The “washing away” refers to water baptism.

Titus 3:5-6 – Paul writes about the “washing of regeneration,” which is “poured out on us” in reference to water baptism. “Washing” (loutron) generally refers to a ritual washing with water.

Heb. 10:22 – the author is also writing about water baptism in this verse. “Having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” Our bodies are washed with pure water in water baptism.

2 Kings 5:14 - Naaman dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, and his flesh was restored like that of a child. This foreshadows the regenerative function of baptism, by water and the Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 44:3 - the Lord pours out His water and His Spirit. Water and the Spirit are linked to baptism. The Bible never separates them.

Ezek. 36:25-27 - the Lord promises He will sprinkle us with water to cleanse us from sin and give us a new heart and spirit. Paul refers to this verse in Heb. 10:22. The teaching of Ezekiel foreshadows the salvific nature of Christian baptism instituted by Jesus and taught in John 3:5, Titus 3:5, 1 Peter 3:21 and Acts 22:16.

You have learned another gospel; I’m out of this thread because I cannot sit and listen any longer without being offensive to you and I do not want to offend; so I am just going to leave it between you and God. My prayer for you is that God will choose to reveal His truth to you; I hope to see you in the heaven.

 

[NotWorthy]

Does the covenant save? I got to get out of this thread before I sin.

No, but if you recall, we were talking about:
a) you saying God doesn’t change.
b) me saying that God teaches us on different levels as we mature (as a race).

The 7 covenants is a simple illustration of my point.

 

[NotWorthy]

You have learned another gospel; I’m out of this thread because I cannot sit and listen any longer without being offensive to you and I do not want to offend; so I am just going to leave it between you and God. My prayer for you is that God will choose to reveal His truth to you; I hope to see you in the heaven.

If you wish to move ahead in our discussion, start one on the permanence of being “saved”.

I think that’s where you’ll find the whole basis behind your problem with the teaching of Baptism in Catholicism.

 

[broski234]

You have learned another gospel; I’m out of this thread because I cannot sit and listen any longer without being offensive to you and I do not want to offend; so I am just going to leave it between you and God. My prayer for you is that God will choose to reveal His truth to you; I hope to see you in the heaven.

Well Seeking, I think it is you who have learned and accepted another gospel. I know this because I follow the teachings of the Church founded by Christ. A Church founded in 33AD which has had a line receiving the Most Holy Eucharist everyday for 2000 years. A Church who has an unbroken line of succession to the chair of St. Peter. You could not offend me brother, for you have no power over me. However, if you wish to leave the thread, fine. Based on your negligence of answering my questions, I will chalk that up to the fact that you can not answer them. Everyone here has provided enough information for you to see the Catholics beliefs, but you refuse to accept our responses. I will continue to pray for you and I hope the scales will be removed from your eyes. May God bless you and keep you.

 

[guanophore]

Then how did the good thief get into heaven without baptism?

God is not bound by the sacraments. He can save whoever He wants, however He wants. He commanded those who believe to be baptized, washing away sins, and receive the Holy Spirit.

 

[guanophore]

**

There are three verbs here “Go”, “make” and “baptizing”; this passage does not infer being baptized is a being or not being a disciple.".**

It does not separate them. They go together.

How does anyone become a disciple; saved or unsaved?

Do you think that there are unsaved disciples?

 By the hearing of the word and responding to some degree.    The Word will fall upon at least four types of soils or hearts; only the good soil will produce the good fruit of righteousness and these are the "true disciples.

I agree!

Why would such a disciple separate what Jesus joined together?

 

[jlhargus]

**Pauls theolgy on baptism of water. 1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void. **
Does God save people differently in the OT as He does in the NT; in other words does God change? Water baptism has never saved anyone and never will because this is not how God saves.

JL: How do you say God saved in the OT? Did they go to heaven when they died? Please give a scripture that shows baptism as a symbol or declaration of faith in Christ only. Peter tells us baptism now saves. 1 PET 3:20 Which sometime were disobedient when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah while the ark was a preparing wherein few that is eight souls were** saved by water 21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us not the putting away of the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience toward God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ Baptism transforms us from natural state to supernatural state, by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit , from natural man to spiritual man, from old Adam into new Adam. Noah’s ark is a type of the Church and the water is a type of water baptism which now saves by raising up the people of God out of a sinful world. Baptism washes away sin.] Ananias said to Paul, ACTS 22:15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard 16 And now why tarriest thou? arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins calling on the name of the Lord [A symbolic act cannot wash away sin, otherwise the OT sacrifices would have washed away OT sins, [Hb10:1 The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. …2…3… 4 because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.] No one went to heaven before the resurrection and ascension of our Lord. Only being washed in the blood of Christ when we are united with Christ on the cross in Christian water baptism can sin be washed away, Rv 1:5 …Jesus Christ …first born of the dead…loved us washed us from our sins in his own blood TITUS 3:5 … by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit 6 which he poured out on us 1Cor 12:13 …by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body …

How do we die with Christ? How are we crucified with Christ? How are we united to Christ? How are we washed from sin? How do we become a new creation by regeneration? How are we circumcised of the Heart? BAPTISM. Rms 6:3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were** BAPTIZED INTO HIS DEATH**? 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. 5 If we have been **UNITED WITH HIM **like this in his death, we will certainly also be **UNITED WITH HIM **in his resurrection. 6 For we know that **OUR OLD SELF WAS CRUCIFIED **with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin Col2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11 **In whom **also **ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in **putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST 12 BURIED WITH HIM IN BAPTISM, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

ACTS 19:1 And it came to pass that, while Apollos was at Corinth Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus and** finding certain disciples **2 **He said **unto them Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And **they said **unto him We have not so much as heard whether **there be any Holy Ghost **3 And he said unto them Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said Unto John’s baptism 4 Then said Paul, **John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance saying **unto the people that **they should believe on him which should come after him that is on Christ Jesus **5 When they heard this they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them the Holy Ghost came on them and they spake with tongues and prophesied More is needed than belief and faith to be born again, because John’s baptism was of repentance and believing or having faith in the one to come Christ. They needed the sacrament of Christian water baptism because the Holy Spirit and baptism go hand and hand else why would Paul ask about baptism when he found they had not heard of the Holy Spirit? We receive the Holy Spirit in the sacrament of Christ’s baptism and a strengthening in the sacrament of confirmation, by laying on of hands, confirmation is Petecoast for the baptized. As far as Paul saying he did not come to baptize, Paul was a traveling evangelical apostle others did the baptizing of those he preached to. Have you ever seen Billy Graham or any evangelist baptize? No they leave that to others.]

 

[SHW]

Then how did the good thief get into heaven without baptism?

Jesus commanded for people to be baptized in order to become His disciples after His resurrection; not before. Matthew 28:19 Baptism washes away Original sin and personal sins on the soul. This could not happen until Jesus died on the cross because His death is what made it possible for us to be reconciled to God.

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”

What about persons who died before Jesus arrived in history?

Acts 10:35 “But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.”

1 Peter 1:17 “And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear”

God judged them by their works. People’s consciences told them the difference between right and wrong. Romans 2:14-16

No one could enter heaven until Jesus ascended into heaven after His resurrection. They had to wait in Abraham’s bosom (limbo) Luke 16:22-23 or else they were still in prison (purgatory). 1 Peter 3:18-20

SHW

 

[SHW]

Since the Bible (Acts 19:1) refers to some unbaptized people as “disciples,” there is no reason why we should not also do so. They may not be fully instructed in and initiated into the Christian faith but they are still His disciples, trying to do His will as they understand it. Invincible ignorance is a valid excuse; see Luke 12:47-48. Once they were instructed more accurately in the Christian faith, they were baptized.

You are correct. I made a generalization. Baptism is the most common (general) way to become a disciple. In my original post, I excluded Baptism of Desire and Baptism of Blood for this discussion but thank you for your insightful post.

You are speaking of Baptism of Desire and it saves. Non-Catholics “trying to do His will as they understand it” are in this category. Catechumens and others who die by martyrdom receive Baptism by Blood and it saves.

SHW

 

[SHW]

**Pauls theolgy on baptism of water. 1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void. **

---

Paul is simply stating that his ministry is to preach. Baptizing of disciples is done by His staff such as priests and deacons. Paul does not have time to do everything so he delegates. His mission from God is to be accomplished by his preaching.

SHW

 

[NotWorthy]

Paul is simply stating that his ministry is to preach. Baptizing of disciples is done by His staff such as priests and deacons. Paul does not have time to do everything so he delegates. His mission from God is to be accomplished by his preaching.

SHW

Paul was glad that he didn’t baptize in Corinth, in the hopes that people wouldn’t start the “Church of Paul”. This verse deals with the factionalism that was occurring in Corinth. If Paul had baptized people, then they would have mistakenly been drawn to him rather than the One that he was trying to lead them to.

 

[SHW]

Paul was glad that he didn’t baptize in Corinth, in the hopes that people wouldn’t start the “Church of Paul”. This verse deals with the factionalism that was occurring in Corinth. If Paul had baptized people, then they would have mistakenly been drawn to him rather than the One that he was trying to lead them to.

I agree with you.

Early Christian leaders had the same problems we have today; there were just fewer people on earth causing these problems!

Titus 3:9 “But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.”

Galatians 5:19-21 “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

SHW

 

[guanophore]

Let's say you are correct and circumcision in the OT is similar in effect as water baptism is to the NT, which it may well be.

Indeed, and so it is!

Col 2:11-15
11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of flesh in the circumcision of Christ; 12 and you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 having canceled the bond which stood against us with its legal demands; this he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the principalities and powers and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in him.

This “circumcision made without hands” is the work of the HS in the soul of the person being baptized. God marks the soul with an indelible seal. It is in baptism that we are buried with Christ, and made partakers of his death and resurection. it is this burial under the water, dying to the “old man” that allows the bond to be cancelled against us. We join with Christ in His death, and partake of His resurrection.

Galatians 5:6 "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love."

(This is the same message; God does not change how He saves.)
Galatians 6:15 “For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.”

Indeed! In baptism we are “born from above by water and Spirit”. The old has passed away, and the new has come. We are being made anew in His image daily.

Romans 2:29 "But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and **circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit**, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God."

What I think equates to this for the Christian is that the baptized are to bear fruit (do works) that befit repentance.

Philippians 3:2-3 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; for we are the **{true} circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, **

For being in the flesh, it is impossible to please God. But, if we walk by the Spirit, we have fellowship with Him.
Seeking12;4830941:

Colossians 2:11 and in Him you  were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ;

Just as we are baptized with a baptism made without hands, the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

This baptism was never separated from water until the American fundamentalist movement came along in the 1900’s.

Eph 1:13-14
13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation — having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption ofGod’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.

Those who heard the Gospel and believed were baptized, and received this seal - the pledge of inheritance. It is the same work that is used of sealing an important document with hot wax and a signet ring. The impression of the authentic source is embedded.

 

[guanophore]

Thanks for that one; this is the verse I have been seeking. This verse shows that water baptism is not the real baptism that saves.

1 Peter 3:21 “Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you–not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience–through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,”

You lost me there. It seems quite clear that the dunking in the water is not a “bath” to clean the flesh, but to wash the conscience clean.

It is quite plain from the context that Peter is drawing the analogy of being saved through water…

The other problem you will have is explaining why all the disciples of the Apostles also “misunderstood” baptism, as they continued to baptize with water in the name of the father, son, and HS, and taught that this washing with water was regenerative and was not for cleaning the body, but the soul.

 

[guanophore]

I disagree with this interpretation. The point is not that the physical sign is ineffective because it’s a physical sign. Rather, it’s that the sign itself is effective because it’s an appeal to God for a good conscience. We seek Baptism after repentance, and it is salvific precisely because it’s an appeal for a good conscience. (To put that another way: Taking a shower doesn’t save you; Baptism does; the reason is that the latter is a directed appeal for a good conscience, while the former is not.)

In particular, I don’t see how you can reconcile this interpretation – Baptism is a physical sign that doesn’t save in the way faith does – with Paul’s theology of Baptism in Romans 6, in which it is baptism, not faith, that unites us to the death and resurrection of Our Lord.

The two are inseparable (baptism and faith). The Apostles did not baptize without a profession of faith, and it was that profession of faith that was made at the time of baptism.

Acts 22:16
16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’

The ritual of baptism was to use water, the Rite given by Jesus (triune) and “calling upon His name”. All of these elements must be present for a baptism to be valid. So I would say it is our faith IN baptism that unites us - the HS is the one who seals us and joins us to His death. That is why it is called the 'circumcision made without hands".

 

[guanophore]

Pauls theolgy on baptism of water.

No, Seeking. This is not “Paul’s theology on baptism of water”. What you have cited here is Paul, expressing relief that the fact that he baptized people did not contribute to factiousness. They Corinthians rightly understood that baptism made them members. The were just falling into immature attachments about the Apostle to whom they 'belonged". He wanted them to understand that baptism made them member so Christ, and His Body.

1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.

Paul understood that he was sent to evangelize and to teach:

2 Tim 1:10-11
11 For this gospel I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher…

If Paul had taken the time to baptize all the people converted by his ministry, he would never have been able to study and pray! On the contrary, he would retire, and let his assitants spend all night baptizing.

Have you any idea how many hours it must have taken to baptize the 3000 that converted on Pentecost? He is not diminishing the necessity or value of baptism, just stating that it was not what he was called to do. In this case, he was relieved about that, because it gave people less excuse to be factious.

Does God save people differently in the OT as He does in the NT; in other words does God change? Water baptism has never saved anyone and never will because this is not how God saves.

God has always saved people by grace, through faith. Baptism is the means by which the merits of the cross are applied to the individual. Through it, we are buried with Him (as we go under the water) and become united in His death.

The same way as all people has throughout human history by putting my trust in Christ alone by faith.

No, actually, separation of saving faith from baptism is a quite modern invention. It is an innovation of the American Fundamentalist movement. Prior to that time, the Apostolic teaching on baptism was followed since the time of Christ.

Furthermore, Christ is never “alone” just as faith is never “alone”. When we become members of Christ, we are grafted into His Body, the Church.
Seeking12;4831722:

It is a gift from God.

Yes. Baptism, like all the sacraments, are gifts from God.

There is a lot more than just saying you believe; there is repentence and obedience; accepting the savior and treating Him as king with a servants heart.

It is very Catholic of you to say this!

Colossians 2:12
“You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.”

Is this water baptism? Does it say that?

Yes and yes.

No, this is the baptism of the Holy Spirit, not the same.

It is Seeking. The Apostles never separated the action of the HS from the water. Jesus joined the HS to the water when He enterd the water for His baptism. Since that time, the HS has been present with the water baptism.

Just like circumcision of the heart was the real circumcision the physical was a symbol of the real; an outward expression. To say God saves by water baptism is to say God changes, which would be a grave error.

There is no change, Seeking. THe discrepancy is that you were taught something that the Apostles did not believe or teach. Have you ever considered the evidence in the Didache?

 

[guanophore]

You may be correct on that; the water baptism is certainly different than receiving the Holy Spirit

On what grounds to you make such a statement?

If they are different, then why would Peter state that, to be saved, they need to be baptized, and receive the Spirit? It is clear that he never separated spirit and water in baptism.

Acts 2:37-39

37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

This is the rite of baptism from that day until this! One repents of sins, receives baptism “calling upon His name”, receives the forgiveness of sins, and the Gift of the HS.

and we know from practical experience that a majority of people that were/are water baptized have not received the Holy Spirit. Why is that?

I do not know what this means. How can you make such a statement? Who are you to look into the soul, and determine which ones have been marked by God?

Water baptism is not the cause of “justification”.

No, certainly not! Jesus shed blood on the cross is the only means by which we may be saved. Water baptism is how we become buried with Him .

NT water baptism is portrayed as a physical symbol of our death and resurrection with Jesus Christ. As we go down into the water we are symbolizing our death with Christ and coming out we are symbolizing our resurrection and new life with Christ. Just as circumcision was a physical symbol for the Jews, but the real circumcision is that of the heart, the spiritual.

Ok, good. I am glad we are in agreement on this much, at least.

Likewise the receiving of the Holy Spirit is our spiritual baptism.

Yes. The Apostles and their successors have never separated the reception of the HS from the water. That is why scripture says there is only ONE BAPTISM.

From a biblical perspective, baptism follows salvation by faith. (see Acts 2:41; 8:13 & 18:8 - there are more)

Certainly it is not separated from it.

Did God bother to mention 7 sacraments in His word?

Yes!

But let’s try to focus on the baptism, shall we?

How do you explain away Pauls statement in 1 Corinthians 1:17?“For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.”

There is no need to “explain away” anything. I addressed this in my post above. One need look only at the context of the statement.

1 Cor 1:10-17
11 For it has been reported to me by Chlo’e’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brethren. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apol’los,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I am thankful that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Ga’ius; 15 lest any one should say that you were baptized in my name. 16(I did baptize also the household of Steph’anas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any one else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

He is saying that he is glad he did not personally administer the sacrament, lest it be wrongfully used as a grounds for quarrels and factiousness. They rightly understood that baptism was the initiation rite into Christ, and gave them ‘belonging’. However, they were bickering and bragging about who baptized them. He is relieved that he did not do more baptisms "lest any one should say you were baptized in my name. All were baptized into Christ.

How can you explain away infant baptism?

Why would anyone wish to do so?

What happens to an infant that was not baptized and dead? Limbo???

Limbo is a theological speculation. No, we entrust their souls to a faithful creator.

Why are people sent to hell and how could that answer apply to an infant?

All are hellbound by default. It is the consequence of original sin.

If God does not change the way He saves men and no one was saved via water baptism; how to you reconcile that?

God has always saved people by grace, through faith. He has ordained that we should be joined to the death of His son through baptism.

You are correct about one thing; there is not much room for discussion if you teach and practice that which is contrary to Scripture.

If that were true, your post count would not be so high.