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Originally Posted by tsila1777
It is the Blood of Jesus, that washes away our sin; not water.
Correct. Water is the sign of what is happening in our soul.
694 Water. The symbolism of water signifies the Holy Spirit's action in Baptism, since after the invocation of the Holy Spirit it becomes the efficacious sacramental sign of new birth: just as the gestation of our first birth took place in water, so the water of Baptism truly signifies that our birth into the divine life is given to us in the Holy Spirit. As "by one Spirit we were all baptized," so we are also "made to drink of one Spirit." Thus the Spirit is also personally the living water welling up from Christ crucified as its source and welling up in us to eternal life.
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Water has been here since the world began, if water was all that was needed why did Jesus have to die on the Cross for the sins of the whole world. If water was all that was needed everyone would be saved, for at one time or another we have all been in water.
Who said that "water was all that was needed"? First, Jesus sanctified the water by permitting Himself to be baptized:
Matt 3 14 But John stayed him, saying: I ought to be baptized by thee, and comest thou to me? 15 And Jesus answering, said to him: Suffer it to be so now. For so it becometh us to fulfill all justice. Then he suffered him.
16 And Jesus being baptized, forthwith came out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened to him: and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him. 17 And behold a voice from heaven, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Then Jesus explained that without being born again of water and spirit, one could not enter the Kingdom of Heaven:
John 3 5 Jesus answered: Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
And then Jesus was Crucified for our sins and from His side poured out the water and blood which would wash us of our sins:
John 19 34 But one of the soldiers with a spear opened his side, and immediately there came out blood and water.
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Baptism is a 'symbol' of His death and resurrection, a public display that one has accepted the work of the cross, the sacrifice of the Lamb and has made Jesus the Lord of their lives.
True. But it is an effective symbol which accomplishes what it symbolizes. First, we are born again into the family of God. In other words, we become brothers in Christ. Sons of the Father:
Hebrews 12 8 But if you be without chastisement, whereof all are made partakers, then are you bastards, and not sons.
In addition, the water symbolizes the washing of the dirt from our skin as the Holy Spirit is washing the sin from our souls:
Acts Of Apostles 22 16 And now why tarriest thou? Rise up, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, invoking his name.
So, the water symbolizes for our eyes, the Spiritual truths with which we are blessed in our souls.
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Jesus was indeed tempted, and we can resist sin the way He did.
He said ‘take no thought saying…’ sin first comes as a thought; we can cancel that thought with the word of God. You cannot think one thing while saying another. Try it. You cannot do it. I do not know if the devil spoke to Jesus in an audible voice or not, but the way the devil speaks to us is in our thought life.
Actually, you can. I've done it before. Its called a Freudian slip. When out of your mouth comes what you really believe rather than what you intend to say.
But I think the point you are trying to make is that if you keep your mind on God you will not as easily be tempted. That is true. But we don't have to remember Scripture for that result. We pray. The Rosary is an excellent meditation on the life of Christ which keeps one anchored to God.
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God can also speak to us in our thought life, also in an audible voice or though his word or other people. God does know our thoughts and sometimes thoughts can be prayers.
Excellent! I said that above. And you've confirmed it.
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Fundamentalists (those who take the Bible literally) would point out that born again would mean being born of the spirit. (John 3:5)
How else is one to take the Word of God? It is our spirit that is born again; the old man passes away…behold all things become new again.
Correct. We certainly don't go back in our mom's womb and come back out physically.
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Church traditions: the traditions of man make the Word of God of no effect. Sorry I do not remember the chapter and verse now…perhaps someone could provide.
No need. That is true. But Scripture also says:
2 Thessalonians 2 14 Therefore, brethren, stand fast; and hold the traditions which you have learned, whether by word, or by our epistle.
Obviously then, some Traditions are of God and do not make the Word of God of no effect. In fact, these Traditions, since they are of God, are actually the Word of God.
1 Thessalonians 2 13 Therefore, we also give thanks to God without ceasing: because, that when you had received of us the word of the hearing of God, you received it not as the word of men, but (as it is indeed) the word of God, who worketh in you that have believed.
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Originally Posted by De Maria
So, although Satan tempted Jesus, Jesus wasn't tempted.
How can you tempt someone and they not be tempted? That is what it means to tempt someone. Jesus came in the flesh; he was a man. He was the Word made flesh. God sent His Word and healed them.
As I said before. I don't like cantaloupe. So, if you tempt me with cantaloupe, I won't be very tempted.
On the other hand, I love chocolate. But I'm borderline diabetic. So I have to watch my sweets. However, if you tempt me with chocolate, it is very likely I will be overcome by temptation.
Now, Jesus is God and perfect man. So when Satan tempted Him to commit sin, it was as though someone were tempting me with cantaloupe.
Sincerely,
De Maria