To throw a few more spanners in the work... smile

1) Why did Christ Himself never baptise (Jn 4:2)?
2) Why, in the context of the "great commission," did Paul say He was not sent to baptise, but to preach the gospel (1 Cor 1:17)?
4) Why does John the Baptist contrast his water baptism with Christ's spiritual baptism?
5) Why, if there is only ONE baptism (Eph 4), do nearly all denominations hold both spiritual and water baptism? Either it is spiritual, or physical, but surely not both. Why do we gladly recite the creed: "I acknowledge ONE Baptism for the REMISSION OF SINS," and yet have two? Yet spiritual baptism does remit sins; "...it is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing..."
6) Where in the NT is baptism ever a symbol or sign?

This issue has divided not only Protestants and Catholics, but also nearly all Protestant denominations today. Yet, if all held that there was but ONE baptism, "into Christ" (Gal 3:27), "by the Spirit" (1 Cor 12:13) and "fire" (Mat 3:11), that "saves" (1 Pet 3:21), and brings us into "one body" (1 Cor 12:13), there would be PROBLEM! I believe this is why Paul felt so strongly about the subject.

Last edited by Peytonator; Tue Apr 19, 2011 6:08 AM.