Baptism (8:0)

Basis for Christian belief: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" Mark Chapter 16 verse 16. (8:1)

The complete verse states: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that Believeth not shall be damned" (mrk 16:16) (8:2) see

-also- "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved" (acts 16:31) (8:3) see

-also- Jesus promised the criminal on the cross "today thou shalt be with me in paradise (i. e. no baptism) (luk 23:43) (8:4) see

1."John answered.. I indeed baptize you with water, but one mightier than I cometh;.. He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire" (luk 3:16) [baptized with fire - clearly not a literal meaning] (8:5) see

2."Peter and John.. prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for it had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized" (act 8:14-16) [baptism does not bestow the Holy Spirit, it is a physical gesture or symbol (js)] (8:6) see

3."Then Peter declared, "Can any one forbid water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit.. ?" (act 10:47) [receiving the Holy Spirit occurs without water baptism (js)] (8:7) see

4."John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit." (act 11:15-16) [not water (js)] (8:8) see

5."what point is there in people being baptized for those who are gone?" [baptizing for the dead clearly shows the symbolic nature of baptism]Mark Chapter 16 verse 16. (8:9)

6."For by one Spirit we were baptized into one body" (1co 12:13) [the "Spirit" does the baptizing (js)] (8:10) see

7."Today thou shalt be with me in paradise." (luk 23:43) [criminal on cross with Jesus went to heaven without physical baptism (js)] (8:11) see

8."Man cannot free himself from the rage of the carnal passions except by the help of the Holy Spirit. That is why He says baptism with the spirit, with water and with fire is necessary, and that is essential - that is to say, the spirit of divine bounty, the water of knowledge and life, and the fire of the love of God. Man must be baptized with this spirit, this water, and this fire so as to become filled with the eternal bounty. Otherwise, what is the use of baptizing with material water? No, this baptism with water was a symbol of repentance, and of seeking forgiveness of sins. But in the cycle of Bahá'u'lláh there is no longer need of this symbol; for its reality, which is to be baptized with the spirit and love of God, is understood and established." (saq 92) (8:12) see

End of Quote

Mixed Sources