Baptism:

Oct. 2003 what are the references in the old testiment referring of baptism John; There are no passages (that I'm aware of) in the Old Testament that use the word "baptism." There are however, many verses in the Old Testament that talk about ceremonial washings, that symbolize the removal of sins. Have a look at the What Does the Bible Say About ...Baptism page if you would like to see some of the verses.

Baptism:

Oct. 2003 My friend and I have been on the topic of salvation through baptism for a while now. I was wondering what versus you could give if any that would make the distinction of whether or not it is necessary for salvation. I am also looking for versus that deal with sex before marriage, specifically with forgiveness of it. Jeremy; I do not believe that the Bible teaches that baptism brings salvation. If that were the case, then why would Jesus need to die on the cross? If baptism can save you, then all God would have had to have done, was tell everyone to be baptized, and that would have been all that was necessary. But rather, what brings salvation is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, the Son of God. Baptism is a symbol of the salvation that Jesus brought to us. It is an outward, physical demonstration of a very real spiritual change in our life once we accept salvation. It symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Rom 6:3-4 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. When we accept salvation through Jesus, the first act of obedience should be baptism. When we are emmersed down into the water, it is a picture of the death and burial of our old life and when we come back up it is a picture of our new life, or resurrection. Col 2:12 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. The controversy over whether it is necessary for salvation comes from a couple of verses. I'll list them for you: Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 1 Pet 3:21 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: Now, because of these verses, there are many denominations that believe baptism is essential for salvation, or that the act itself actually saves you. But if you look closely at these verses, they aren't really saying that at all. In Act 2:38 it says to be baptized in the name of Jesus. If you are doing something "in the name" of someone, you are doing it based on their authority. Salvation "in the name" of Jesus, or baptism "in the name" of Jesus, is under the authority of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus was the final seal of authority that proved that Jesus was who he claimed to be, and that he did in fact have the authority to grant remission of sins. That is also the message in the next verse, 1 Pet 3:21. Here Peter says "even baptism doth also now save us" but he explains in the parenthesis that it's not the physical act of washing with the water, but it's our heart condition (the answer of a good conscience toward God). If you remove the parenthesis section of the sentence and read it without the aside, here is what you have: The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Baptism is a figure or a symbol, but it's the resurrection that saves us. Mark 16:16 is another verse that is often used to try to prove baptism brings salvation. Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. I find it very telling that the verse does NOT say 'he that is baptized not shall be damned.' Are we supposed to get baptized? ABSOLUTELY! It is very important. Does baptism actually save you? ABSOLUTELY NOT! There is nothing we can do ourselves, no act or good work, that can save us, it's only through the work of Jesus that we can be saved. Titus 3:5-6 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; For a complete listing of verses dealing with sex before marriage, look at the page What Does the Bible Say About ...Sex. In the Bible, the word "fornication" is used to describe sex outside the bonds of marriage. The Bible is clear that fornication is a sin: Eph 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; However, as with all sin, God has offered us forgiveness. Paul in his letter to the Corinthians wrote this: 1 Cor 6:9-11 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. There is forgiveness for fornication, it's there for the asking.

Meekness:

Oct. 2003 What does the Bible say about meekness (scripture)? Here are all the verses I could find about meekness. Hope this helps.   (Num 12:3 KJV) (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.) (Psa 22:26 KJV) The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever. (Psa 25:9 KJV) The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. (Psa 37:11 KJV) But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. (Psa 76:9 KJV) When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah. (Psa 147:6 KJV) The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground. (Psa 149:4 KJV) For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. (Isa 11:4 KJV) But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. (Isa 29:19 KJV) The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. (Isa 61:1 KJV) The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; (Amos 2:7 KJV) That pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and turn aside the way of the meek: and a man and his father will go in unto the same maid, to profane my holy name: (Zep 2:3 KJV) Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger. (Mat 5:5 KJV) Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. (Mat 11:29 KJV) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (Mat 21:5 KJV) Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. (1 Pet 3:4 KJV) But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. (Psa 45:4 KJV) And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. (Zep 2:3 KJV) Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger. (1 Cor 4:21 KJV) What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness? (2 Cor 10:1 KJV) Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: (Gal 5:23 KJV) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Gal 6:1 KJV) Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (Eph 4:2 KJV) With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; (Col 3:12 KJV) Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; (1 Tim 6:11 KJV) But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. (2 Tim 2:25 KJV) In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; (Titus 3:2 KJV) To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men. (James 1:21 KJV) Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. (James 3:13 KJV) Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. (1 Pet 3:15 KJV) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: