Dunamis Word Assembly

‎CATHOLIC MISINFORMATION ON BAPTISM
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‎I made a post yesterday about being born again, and many Catholics commented on it. Their responses surprised me, as it became clear that many of them believe water baptism itself is what makes a person born again.
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‎In Scripture, baptism is never presented as a replacement for faith in Christ, but as an outward response to genuine belief in Him. The consistent pattern in the teachings of Jesus and the practice of the apostles shows that belief in the gospel comes first, and baptism follows as an act of obedience and identification with Christ.
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‎Jesus Himself stated the order clearly:
‎“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16 NKJV).
‎Notice that condemnation is tied to unbelief, not the absence of baptism, showing that faith is foundational.
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‎The apostles followed this same pattern. On the day of Pentecost, Peter called the people to repentance and baptism, beginning with their response to the message of Christ:
‎“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38).
‎Repentance and receiving the word came first; baptism followed as the response.
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‎This order is also seen in individual conversions. The Ethiopian eu**ch first believed the gospel preached by Philip before being baptized. When he asked to be baptized, Philip replied:
‎“If you believe with all your heart, you may” (Acts 8:37).
‎Only after confessing faith did he go down into the water.
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‎In the house of Cornelius, the Holy Spirit came upon those who were hearing and believing the word before water baptism took place (Acts 10:44–48). This shows that God responds to faith before the act of baptism.
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‎Scripture also makes it clear that salvation is by grace through faith, not by ritual:
‎“For by grace you have been saved through faith… not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9).
‎Baptism is important as an act of obedience and public identification with Christ (Romans 6:3–4), but it is not a substitute for faith.
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‎Baptism without being born again will take you to heaven no more than swimming in rainwater can.
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‎Jesus said:
‎“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).
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‎This verse is often misunderstood. Being “born of water” does not mean being regenerated by water baptism. Rather, baptism represents the outward expression of being buried with Christ and raised with Him (Romans 6:4). The true transformation is being born of the Spirit, which occurs when a person genuinely believes in Christ.
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‎John the Baptist said:
‎“I indeed baptized you with water, but He (Jesus) will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” (Mark 1:8).
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‎Paul also clarified the nature of John’s baptism:
‎“John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus” (Acts 19:4).
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‎John’s baptism pointed people to Christ because it does not replace belief. One is born again through belief.
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‎Jesus’ baptism with the Holy Spirit began after His ascension. The first outpouring occurred in the upper room when the Holy Spirit came upon the believers. This is the experience that empowers the believer:
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‎“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me…” (Acts 1:8).
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‎This experience still occurs today. However, it begins with receiving Christ—not with pouring of water on the head.
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‎Without accepting Christ as Savior, no amount of water poured on the head can save anyone.
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‎Meanwhile, water baptism in Scripture is consistently portrayed as immersion—being buried and raised with Christ (Romans 6:4). This is the pattern seen throughout in the New Testament. Not pouring water on the head.
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— Jude C. Okoro
Dunamis Word Assembly

The Holy Spirit has no time for argument

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