Another poorly-thought out question, where the answers don't make sense. Why do all the answers have 'this/that', when the 'this' and the 'that' don't logically go together?
It sounds like the King of Babylon is intended. If you don't mind a bit of reading, sort the comments 'by oldest first'. I posted a quote right at the beginning by John Gill which you might find of interest.
The prevalence of 'Luciferians' is not proof that Lucifer is Satan. These people are simply making the same mistake as their Christian enemies in making an assumption.
The idea that Lucifer is Satan is one of those ideas that everyone knows but no-one ever bothers to find out evidence for. It reminds me of the lion-lying-down-with-the-lamb phrase which is repeated among Christians, but which is not in the Bible.
Let's not get sidetracked by my light-hearted sarcasm. (Though, if it was good enough for Elijah, it's good enough for me. )
Baptism is a ritual which represents the inward work of God the Holy Spirit in converting a soul. It is just a co-incidence that the sight of someone being immersed is visually similar to death (in a horizontal position) and resurrection (being vertical again).
What I mean by 're-enactment' is a reconstruction, a play, a skit--whatever you want to call it. We can see that's not the purpose of baptism because there is no corresponding ritual which looks like we're getting crucified.
I was immersed, and my local church baptises in this way. But I think having water poured or sprinkled onto the head better represents the Holy Spirit's work.
Christians who insist on immersion often use Romans 6 to demand that the act of baptism should be some kind of re-enactment of Christ's burial and resurrection.
Can I encourage you to read a bit further on in the chapter. It also says we are 'planted together' and even 'crucified with him'. Now, if you want to make the ritual of baptism a re-enactment of all these too, please invite me along--I should love to watch!
5/26/07 6:46 AM
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