Hoss vs COC baptismal regeneration heresy

I recently sent out my baptismal regeneration refute to several COC preachers....they did not like that very much!

One reply......

"Wow...

So all this time I thought you were interested in truth. And yet instead you've just been trying to come up with arguments (which don't even follow sound logic much less the Bible) in order to prove some presupposition?

Hoss, you have misused, ignored, and avoided clear connections between water as a physical representation of Christ's blood in baptism.

Your summation of Jesus and Nicodemus is not logical and certainly not Biblical. And Acts 8:36-38 is a great example (one you missed) of water baptism.

Just about the only thing I agree with is that it's the blood of Christ is what saves us. But what you have to understand is that the blood MUST be applied, if not literally, figuratively. And since literal application is not possible, figurative (water baptism) is the ONLY way in which we come into contact with that blood." --Church of Christ preacher

My answer to the COC.....

"Mr. Bartley, thank you for the reply. I am sorry that you did not agree with the scriptures that were plainly presented in my PDF.

Your reaction did not surprise me, I have not yet found a baptismal regeneration proponent that will answer (with scripture) the refute I gave.

I would like to help you out, please consider this:

"Just about the only thing I agree with is that it's the blood of Christ is what saves us. But what you have to understand is that the blood MUST be applied, if not literally, figuratively. And since literal application is not possible, figurative (water baptism) is the ONLY way in which we come into contact with that blood."

"the blood MUST be applied, if not literally, figuratively"....Ah, but a FIGURE is not REAL salvation. The "figure" does not put away the filth of the flesh according to Peter's own words, I think you know the verse: 1 Pet. 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

The blood of Christ puts away the filth of the flesh....Ephesians 2:3 and 13 "Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh....But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ." Peter said that water baptism does not do that--therefore water baptism has no power outside of a symbol (figure).

The blood of Christ was shed 2,000 years ago....the payment is there and it is complete. All we have to do is receive Christ, which is not done by water baptism.

John 1:

[12] But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
[13] Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Colossians 2:

[5] For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.
[6] As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

The Holy Spirit is the One who baptizes us, washes, and regenerates us (1 Cor. 6:11, 12:13, Col. 2:10-12, Titus 3:5).

Also, if we must be water baptized to be saved, then that means that we have to have ANOTHER MEDIATOR between God and man. If we have to have someone water baptize us in order for us to be saved, than that means "one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Tim. 2:5 ) is not a true statement.

1 Corinthians 1:17a, 21b

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel.....it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

Have a good day, stay dry. --Eli "Hoss" Caldwell  "