G
guanophore
Guest
We understand that part the same. But, since the Apostles taught that it is through baptism that we are brought into HIm, we do not see the two separated. BAptism makes us members of Him, and of one another. Those who are not baptized have not yet been buried with Him in His death, nor raised with Him in His resurrection, so they are “left out”. As He taught “they are condemned already”. We are born into this world under the death sentence from original sin.Code:Jesus DIDN'T command their baptism. He commanded they not be left out, (understanding mine from what Jesus said).
Indeed we entrust all the unbaptized to His mercy. However, since He has provided the free gift by which sins may be washed away, we do not forbid this to those who are unable to ask for it.Code:I understand original sin. It seems you don't understand how far reaching the mercy and grace of God is... it reaches to infants.
And they taught that this substitute is applied to the individual through baptism. In the waters of regeneration, as they called them, we are born again from above by water and Spirit. The Spirit, acting through the water, circumcises the heart of the baptized. We are buried with Him in death, and raised with Him in life.The first apostles, writers of the NT, taught they were different. Circumcision of the heart happens through trust in Christ’s substitute, the Gospel.
This is how the Reformers framed the doctrinal innovations, so that they could justify their departure from the Catholic Church. They had to believe what they were doing was right.You mean the understanding was lost for hundreds of years until a couple of hundred yrs ago.![]()