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YES!
This is the key that the majority seem to be missing!
Wrong.
Baptism is an outward, external symbol, pointing to something more significant.
Baptism in itself is not mental and spiritual well-being.
Jesus taught that the kingdom of God is within (not external) Luke 17:21.
Jesus taught that rituals (like baptism &) like Sabbath observances are made for the benefit of man, not man made for them. Mark 2:27
Scriptures are writings of imperfect human beings like you or I.
Do you take everything anyone on this forum writes as scripture?
I don't.
Why do we take other writings of fellow human beings to be words of God?
Especially when they've been through devilish hands who have killed others for trying to translate it for the common people, and some (like Constatine, Councils and King James) who have twisted wording to support those in power & put down those not in power.
There are beautiful messages in scriptures - but they need to be held up to the light of reason and spirit, for interpretation.
wrong. it either is or it isn't essential. the layout of the question denies a third option. One says it is, another says it is not.
Two possible motives come to mind.
1- You want to save my soul
2- You want affirmation that your belief is correct.
I am sure there are more possiblitites, but these are the first two that come to my mind.
PS I have probably started about 3 threads in Christianity over the past few months.
1- i have never, nor will i ever save someone's soul. Jesus saves. I know what you were getting at, and i understand. but i never want there to be any indication that i am more than I am.
2- I validate my belief with the scriptures.
a third option is: I love you. I love you because God loves me and as a disciple of Christ, i must endeavor to be like him. Denominationalism would have us believe that division is okay. we can believe differently as long as we believe in the same God. but How can we be like Christ if we accept division? If we live with it. If we accept it as just "the way it is"? I realize my words here might never have an impact on anyone. but I cannot accept it.
wrong. it either is or it isn't essential. the layout of the question denies a third option. One says it is, another says it is not.
it can't kinda be essential.
You miss my point. One of them is wrong.
Atomtkirk,
Life and interpretations of it (esp. religious rituals) are not black or white... Thinking that it is this extreme or that extreme is a psychological cognitive disorder based on "bi-polar" thinking. Also, this type of insistance that it must be interpreted this way or that is the basis of religious persecutions (aka "Mythical consciousness").
Let's get clear on what we're referring to when we talk about essential.
You are referring to what is most important for salvation, right?
"Salvation: Deliverance from sin and its consequences."
What is sin? I mean at the core root - what is it?
Thoughts precede feelings and actions, therefore sin is incorrect/harmful thoughts.
How can ANYONE save you from your thinking, except YOU?
No, it's not "wrong" and I didn't say it was. I just find it amusing that someone who spends time discussing 'sneaking candy into cinemas' should lose interest in inane debates.
I think for some it helps justify what they believe. Perhaps they tend to have doubts themselves., so they feel a need to convert/push others into believing as they do.
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