There is neither precept or precedent in the New Testament for such a practice. What could be more normal than for them to take this mode over into Christianity? And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having BELIEVED in God with his whole household. First Corinthians 7:14 surely does not teach it either. By still others it is regarded as the entrance into church membership. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection. It is often argued that one would not be baptized if he had not believed so the Lord considers only the first condition believe in his condemnation clause. The transliteration baptize avoided this contradiction. He is also so identified with the Body of Christ, His Church, that he becomes a member of His Church, a part of His body (1 Cor. Who would disagree with F. B. Meyer who once said that the Word of God is not given to be admired for its beauty or studied for its detail; it is given to be obeyed? To His small band of faithful followers the resurrected Christ, just prior to His ascension, said: All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Could a subterranean river or aquifer generate enough continuous momentum to power a waterwheel for the purpose of producing electricity? But we must not forget that while circumcision was the sign of the Abrahamic Covenant, the cup of the Lords Supper (not baptism) is the sign of the New Covenant. Do Baptists consider immersion baptisms of adults performed to be valid if performed by other denominations? This seemed to be the common practice of the early church. Whatever else the water here may suggest, it does not and cannot speak of Christian baptism. This is the nature of the identification he is confessing publicly when the believer is baptized in Christian baptism. Some will object to baptism by immersion. Old things are passed away. The identification continues to His burial and resurrection. 12:13 ). For those who don't believe baptism is required for salvation, when, scripturally, does someone die with Christ? Do good. But is Peter saying baptism is a prerequisite? This time he is speaking to Cornelius about Jesus Christ and says: Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him has received forgiveness of sins. It is clear from Peters statement in Acts 10:43 and the subsequent experience of those Gentiles that believing is the condition for salvation. This indeed is the experience of those who, as true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, intelligently obey His command to be baptized. One of the most decisive texts on this question comes from the pen of Paul who said. What (the results)? Is there any sense in being baptized as an adult after being baptized as an infant? Those who advocate pouring as the mode, suggest that baptism illustrates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the individual. Matthew 21:25, Mark 1:4, Mark 11:30, Luke 7:29, Luke 20:4, Acts 1:22, Acts 13:24, Acts 18:25, Acts 19:4. The defection of Israel has brought certain further changes. He says only that the person who doesnt believe is condemned. Identification is the basic truth expounded in Romans 6. In relation to baptism it has three important implications. Still searching, he turned homeward. If so, He is simply telling Nicodemus that the new birth, the spiritual birth into the kingdom of God, is the work of God the Holy Spirit in those who repent. I have some friends that are believers and love the Lord, but they just don't see baptism as an urgent thing--more of cultural thing, like baby dedications or whatnot. @bruisedreed, I see no reason to be sarcastic; we can disagree and still be courteous and cordial especially when we bear "the only name given among men by which we must be saved" Acts 4:12.