Summary based heavily from “Norm’s Notes” +some other sources [This is not an endorsement of his entire site or article, though his article “Born Of Water And The Spirit” I found very good]
Water baptism – ie. full immersion is a requirement for entering the Kingdom of Heaven.
Evidence provided:
- Jesus says in John 3:3 “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” [Side note: being “born again” is different to being “water baptised” … however please read on to 2]
- Jesus says in John 3:5 “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” [Note: VERILY, VERILY!!!]
- Jesus actions in Matthew 3:13-16 “Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptised of him. But John forbade him, saying “I have need to be baptised of thee, and comest thou to me?” And Jesus answering said unto him “Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.” Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptised, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him…” [Note: If Jesus and John needed to be baptised in water, how much more so do we?]
- Saul’s (Paul’s) events in Acts 9:18 “And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptised.” [Note: Saul/Paul wrote most of the New Testament. If he needed water baptism, how much more so do we?]
- The new believers in Corinth in Acts 18:8 “many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.” [Note: The early church promoted water baptism]
- After Philip preached unto the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:38 “…and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptised him.”
- Every act of conversion in the book of Acts was followed with water baptism “Acts 2:38-41; 8:12, 13, 38; 9:18; 10:48; 16:15, 33; 18:8”
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