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| Q: | 1) On a question on Baptism you argued that 1.Pet. 3,21 would sufficiently prove that Joh. 3,5 would work rebirth. But how this can apply if Baptism is according to 1.Pet. 3,21 a pledge (of human) towards God? Can a baby make a pledge??? 2) In John 3,5 there rebirth of water and the spirit is an ABSOLUTE requirement for salvation. If this would refer to water baptism how can the thief on the cross be saved without baptism (been reborn of the Word would be not of WATER (literally) and the spirit)? If water would be understood symbolically for the operation of the spirit like in many other places (John 7,38) this problem with this absolute requirement would be removed. 3) On another question someone asked about the spirit would be forced to work automatically faith (even though you grant that this faith may be lost later) in a baby by the parent's decision to let the baby be baptized. This is totally different to the Word which not even for a moment creates faith in ALL people. The Holy Spirit wouldn't be free then. | ||||||
| A: | 1) The pledge has to be God's pledge to give us a good conscience (a conscience that is not grieved by the guilt of sin) because the meaning has to correspond to the previous words "baptism saves you - not the removal of dirt from the body but . . ." Baptism is not a sacred act washing dirt from the body but God's pledge that our conscience is relieved of any punishment coming from God on us for our sin. The thought could also be paraphrased: Baptism does not save us by washing away dirt from our body but the assurance or guarantee of a clean conscience in regard to God. Instead of pledge, some commentaries on this verse suggest the translation "official confirmation" or "seal" of a good conscience. 2) Jesus says that a person must be born again in order to enter God's kingdom. By "born again" Jesus clearly means to come to faith (compare verses 3 and 6-8). Being a believer is the absolute requirement of entering God's kingdom. Baptism is not an absolute requirement as Mark 16:16 indicates. Jesus does not say that if a person is not baptized he will be condemned. He says only that the person who does not believe will be condemned. If a person knows God's command that he be baptized and refuses to be baptized, that is unbelief because it is refusing to obey a command of God. On the other hand if a person believes but does not have a chance to obey God's command to be baptized, such as the thief of the cross, he will be saved by faith in Jesus. He is still a believer because he did not refuse to obey Jesus command to be baptized. 3) Jesus says that little infants believe in him (Mt 18:6, Mk 9:42) and are members of God's kingdom (Luke 18:15-17). When parents bring their children to baptism, it is not their decision that works faith in their children, but God's promise to save their children by this sacred act instituted by Christ (Acts 2:38-39). Faith is a miracle worked by the Holy Spirit through the Word (1 Pe 1:23). Jesus commands that the Word be used with the water in baptizing (Mt 28:19, Eph 5:26)). The simple application of water is not what works faith. Water is the outward element Jesus attached to baptism to picture what is being done by the Spirit through the Word inwardly in the conscience just as water does outwardly when we use it daily to wash away the dirt of the body (1 Pe 3:21). Scripture says God saves us by the work of the Holy Spirit in this sacred washing (Titus 3:5). Scripture also says that the promise connected with Baptism (that our sins are forgiven by this sacred washing) is a promise God makes to us and to our children (Acts 2:38-39). In view of these facts (and no command of God that only adults be baptized), it would be wrong for me to deny this sacred washing to my children. Who am I to doubt God's promise of what he will do in this sacred act? Who am I to decide that only adults are to be baptized? I do know God's command to baptize everyone, and I do know what God promises to do in Baptism. I only obey his command and believe his promise. | ||||||
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