Comments
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@Slayers Den1, Baptism doesn't mean anything. You can still be saved and not be baptized. Baptism is just a sign of the new covenant between God and us. It is a good thing to be baptized, though. All I'm saying is that if someone gets saved in the hospital and literally cannot be submerged in water then I think God's gonna be chill with them just saying that they believe and that they'll dedicate their lives to Him. Pretty sure He's chill with that.
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@1zaya Orihara, That's a nice thought...however they had they're entire life before that to get baptized. The Bible tells us it is necessary. It may be hard to accept, but that's how it is. All of my love ones that have passed were never baptized, so I understand it's not the funnest thing to think about.
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@Asriel, To add to the conversation, Good Friday is the day that Jesus was crucified and took the sin of the entire world on Himself so that we could have good, close relationships with God without sin getting in the way of it. And it's not exactly like we're exempt, either. Yes, we all sin and fall short of the glory of God, but it's the fact that we repent and try our best to exemplify God that matters. When we sin, we ask God for forgiveness and then try our best to not make that mistake again.
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@Slayers Den1, In the Bible it also says that whosoever believes in God shall not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) Jesus was baptized, yes, and it is great to be baptized, but again, if someone gets saved in the hospital and they can't be baptized and then they die, I'm sure God won't hold that against them.
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@1zaya Orihara, How else can you receive the Holy Spirit then? But he would, because they had infinite opportunities before that to do so. God has struck men down for making strange fire which wasn't exactly how they were instructed to make it. I know that's an old testament example but there are also New Testament examples of the same.
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@Slayers Den1, I've heard the story, yes. But hear me out, okay? I'm not trying to start an argument. I'm just putting my point out. You receive the Holy Spirit by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Once you let Jesus into your heart, the old you is dead. Baptism is a public demonstration of your faith; a way to let everyone know that the old you is gone for good, that you've been born anew. When Jesus died for our sins, He tore the veil in the Temple, making it possible for us to boldly come to Him. It's really not complicated to be saved and be a Christian. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For Jesus did not come into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." As long as you believe in Jesus and trust in God, you have the Holy Spirit and you have God in your life.
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@Slayers Den1, I was baptized when I was seven and I might be getting baptized again to rededicate my life to Jesus. Being baptized is a huge step in your walk with Christ, but it's not necessary. Now, my point in the fact that someone being in the hospital or whatever was a little off, since pouring a cup of water over their heads is the same thing as being baptized, as long as they know what it means and they're sincere about it.
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@1zaya Orihara, I'm happy that you want to rededicate your life to the Lord! That's great. Baptism is not sprinkling of water, however. The Greek word 'baptizó' is the word used in the Bible for baptism. The word in Greek meant to 'submerge'. Not to merely sprinkle or pour some water. In order to be Baptized, or 'Baptizó', the person would have to be submerged in water.
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@Slayers Den1, Yeah, and that's what my church does, and we strongly believe in that. But my pastor did say that if someone was physically unable to be submerged in water and we just poured a cup of water over their heads he didn't think the Lord would fault them for that. God is a merciful God, and he's not all fire and brimstone, you know.
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@1zaya Orihara, Of course, in listening. I don't want an argument either, I hope I'm not coming off that way. However, you do not receive the Holy Spirit by accepting Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. Acts 2:38 tells us ""Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit".
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@1zaya Orihara, Of course. God IS love. He is extremely patient with us. Don't take this the wrong way,but just because he 'feels' that way, does not make it true. The only truth is in the word of God, not the word of man. It's a nice thought to have. But Gods directions are clear. Although he is forgiving, he expects his rules to be followed.
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@Slayers Den1, I think you may be missing the point a little. Of course I know that God expects his rules to be followed, but he's also a merciful and loving father who wants nothing more than to see his children grow and prosper in love and compassion. Heck, I'm still living in sin, and I do things every day that I probably shouldn't do. Doesn't every child? But no matter what, the father always loves his child and will forgive them if they seek it. Anybody can have a close relationship with God without having to be baptized. What about children who have died before being baptized? Do they go to hell?
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@1zaya Orihara, Of course, all parents love unconditionally. But with that love, comes punishment as well. My mom literally would go without food to make sure I would eat at times, but if I misbehaved or did something she forbade, I'd be punished. Not everyone has a relationship with God, but they CAN. Let me explain. In John 9:31 it says "We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will." Obviously we all sin, but that does not make us a 'sinner'. When it is referring to sinners, it means a person who is unbaptized or not following the Lord. Not someone who sins. Although we sin, we are not sinners, but instead we are the church, the body of Christ. To answer your question about the children, no, they do not. This is because they are pure and innocent. They cannot think as we do, or make decisions as we do. They are pure and innocent. This is why Jesus says in Matthew 18:31 "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little child
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@1zaya Orihara, It would depend on the child's age, mental state, understanding, and etc in my thoughts. However, I have not come across anything in the Bible that discusses this. This of course would be up to the Lord. I cannot speak for him. But I can use logic based upon the Gods Word to form an educated thought.
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@Slayers Den1, See, that's the thing. "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." We cannot go by our own logic and thought. We have to walk by faith and not by sight. In the Bible it says that if we have faith the size of a mustard seed then we can move mountains. It's all about faith and trusting in God.
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@1zaya Orihara, I never go based off of my own thoughts when it comes to a Biblical issue. I use the Bible. However as I said, there is no example of a child dying with that scenario in the Bible. Going back to what we discussed earlier. The only way to receive the Holy Spirit, is through Baptism, the Bible specifically says so.
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@Slayers Den1, I've been looking through the Bible, and it seems that you're right, though there is a verse that, to me, somewhat proves against it. Matthew 21:31&32: "'Which of the two did what his father wanted?' 'The first,' they answered. Jesus said to them, 'I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering heaven ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him." I understand this talks about John the Baptist, but it also says that anyone, if they believe, can enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Also, in Matthew 21:21: "Jesus replied, 'I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.'"
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@Slayers Den1, the wonderful thing about Gods mercy on us is if we make bad choices in life, He will always forgive us. Not being baptized could be considered a bad choice, but if we are left to make our own choices without Gods help, we would always go the wrong way. He directs us. He shows mercy on us
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Of course, I'm listening. I don't want an argument either, I hope I'm not coming off that way. However, you do not receive the Holy Spirit by accepting Christ as your personal Savior. Acts 2:38 tell us ""Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Don't they call it good Friday because that's the day people were exempted from all sin?