The best human trait

[Jazzy]

What do you believe is the best human trait?

 

[Stravinsk]

Penis size...it's what all those spam emails are telling me I need with their special enlarger devices...


lol....I think the best human trait is forgiveness. The people that can forgive horrendous injustice/sin and pray for their enemies have God's Spirit within them, because this is so hard, especially in light of grave sins.

 

[1689Dave]

What do you believe is the best human trait?

There are none. Humans can only do good for the wrong reason. Our best works are filthy rags. Only the born-again can do good works if purified by faith.

 

[donadams]

Humility!
Matthew 11:29
Take my yoke upon you, and learn ofme; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Not do for those who are baptized into Christ, united tonHim by grace,
Our faith and deeds are meritorious and redemptive
Effects of faith & baptism!

Ez 36:25-27 washed in baptism, with a new heart and the Spirit
Jn 3:5 born again in baptism
Mk 16:16 faith & baptist
Acts 2:38 repentance & baptism
Acts 8:36-38 faith & baptism
Acts 22:16 baptism washes away sin
Rom 6:3 died with Christ
Col 2:12 risen with Christ
1 cor 12:13 baptized into the church
Gal 3:27 by baptism put on Christ
2 Tim 1:10 eph 2:1 and 5 brought to life
2 cor 5:17 new creation
Eph 1:13 sealed by the Holy Spirit
Eph 4:5 one faith, one baptism
Eph 5:26 faith and baptism
Titus 3:5 baptismal regeneration
1 pet 1:2 washed in Christ’s blood
1 pet 2:9 the kingdom of light
1 pet 3:20-21 baptism saves us!

“Faith alone” accomplishes nothing!
1 cor 13:2 even all faith (alone) without charity avails NOTHING!!!

Faith and baptism!

Scripture says none of the things about “Faith alone”!

 

[1689Dave]

Humility!
Matthew 11:29
Take my yoke upon you, and learn ofme; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Not do for those who are baptized into Christ, united tonHim by grace,
Our faith and deeds are meritorious and redemptive
Effects of faith & baptism!

Ez 36:25-27 washed in baptism, with a new heart and the Spirit
Jn 3:5 born again in baptism
Mk 16:16 faith & baptist
Acts 2:38 repentance & baptism
Acts 8:36-38 faith & baptism
Acts 22:16 baptism washes away sin
Rom 6:3 died with Christ
Col 2:12 risen with Christ
1 cor 12:13 baptized into the church
Gal 3:27 by baptism put on Christ
2 Tim 1:10 eph 2:1 and 5 brought to life
2 cor 5:17 new creation
Eph 1:13 sealed by the Holy Spirit
Eph 4:5 one faith, one baptism
Eph 5:26 faith and baptism
Titus 3:5 baptismal regeneration
1 pet 1:2 washed in Christ’s blood
1 pet 2:9 the kingdom of light
1 pet 3:20-21 baptism saves us!

“Faith alone” accomplishes nothing!
1 cor 13:2 even all faith (alone) without charity avails NOTHING!!!

Faith and baptism!

Scripture says none of the things about “Faith alone”!

Baptism was in the name of Jesus Christ. The only mention and illustration of baptism in the Bible. It was by immersion of believers in water. The mention of infant baptism never comes up.

 

[Albion]

Scripture says none of the things about “Faith alone”!

"The Just shall live by Faith." (Hebrews 10:38)

Pretty clear, isn't it?

The Just--that what it's all about, being justified, right?

...and it's by Faith that they shall live eternally, not anything else. Nothing else is included in that verse from Scripture. It's Faith.

 

[1689Dave]

"The Just shall live by Faith."

Pretty clear, isn't it?

The Just--that what it's all about, being justified, right?

...and it's by Faith that they shall live eternally, not anything else. Nothing else is included in that verse from Scripture. It's Faith.

Faith without works is dead...zilch!

 

[Albion]

Baptism was in the name of Jesus Christ. The only mention and illustration of baptism in the Bible.

False. The (other) wording that Jesus himself gave to all of his Apostles is also in the Bible. And in that case, he told them that this was how it should be done. That isn't the case with the wording you prefer.

And your theory suggests that the church should disregard the words and instructions of Our Lord. That is something I couldn't do in good conscience, nor do the Christian denominations, whether Catholic or Protestant, with very few exceptions.

It was by immersion of believers in water. The mention of infant baptism never comes up.

Neither does a mention of immersion!

 

[Albion]

There are none. Humans can only do good for the wrong reason. Our best works are filthy rags. Only the born-again can do good works if purified by faith.

Interesting. Until now, you've described faith as merely a by-product or incidental characteristic of the process by which a person is chosen to be one of the Elect. But now it's supposed instead to have the power to "purify" the recipient, whatever that might mean, and to enable the person to begin performing good works.

 

[donadams]

Baptism was in the name of Jesus Christ. The only mention and illustration of baptism in the Bible. It was by immersion of believers in water. The mention of infant baptism never comes up.

Really?
Immersion is valid form as are the others as long as it’s pure water three times on the forehead with the words of Matt 28:19

acts 2:38 the command to be baptized is given in the name of Jesus the baptism must conform to matt 28:19
Infant Baptism is biblical!

Acts 2:38-39 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Promise is to you’re children! Vs 39

This promise made in ez 36
A promise from God is a sacred oath, and a sacred oath is a sacrament!

Ez 36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

Jn 3:5 born again by water and the spirit.

Acts 16:15 entire household baptized! Does not say adults only or except infants!

Ez 36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness.

(It does not say adults only or except infants!)
(Scripture does not say anywhere “do not baptized infants”)

Baptism is the Christian initiation sacrament of the new covenant for all men. Matt 28:19 Jn 1:29 Jn 3:16

1 Corinthians 12:13
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (It does not say except infants!) (but it does say “all”)!

Lk 1:10-11 all people including infants

Thee faith is required for adult baptism.
Mk 16:16 acts 8:36-38

If it’s not possible (as in the case of infants) it’s not required.

But the promise of the parents to raise and educate the child in the faith is required, then the child is confirmed in thee faith at the age of reason.

Repentance is required for adult baptism. Acts 2:38

If there is no personal sin to repent of (as in the case of infants) then it’s not required.

For two thousand years the church founded by Christ on Peter and the apostles has always baptized infants!

Acts 1:8
Witness of Augustine!

It is this one Spirit who makes it possible for an infant to be regenerated . . . when that INFANT is brought to baptism; and it is through this one Spirit that the infant so presented is reborn. For it is not written, "Unless a man be born again by the will of his parents" or "by the faith of those presenting him or ministering to him," but, "Unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Spirit." The water, therefore, manifesting exteriorly the sacrament of grace, and the Spirit effecting interiorly the benefit of grace, both regenerate in one Christ that man who was generated in Adam (Letters 98:2 [A.D. 408]).

“The sacrament of baptism is most assuredly the sacrament of regeneration” (ibid., 2:27:43).

“Baptism washes away all, absolutely all, our sins, whether of deed, word, or thought, whether sins original or added, whether knowingly or unknowingly contracted” (Against Two Letters of the Pelagians 3:3:5 [A.D. 420]).

“This is the meaning of the great sacrament of baptism, which is celebrated among us: all who attain to this grace die thereby to sin—as he himself [Jesus] is said to have died to sin because he died in the flesh (that is, ‘in the likeness of sin’)—and they are thereby alive by being reborn in the baptismal font, just as he rose again from the sepulcher. This is the case no matter what the age of the body. For whether it be a newborn infant or a decrepit old man—since no one should be barred from baptism—just so, there is no one who does not die to sin in baptism. Infants die to original sin only; adults, to all those sins which they have added, through their evil living, to the burden they brought with them at birth” (Handbook on Faith, Hope, and Love 13[41] [A.D. 421]).

 

[Albion]

Baptism was in the name of Jesus Christ.

Some of them no doubt were, but that doesn't do anything to make this a better or more correct formula than the wording that Jesus Christ himself told the Apostles to use.

The only mention and illustration of baptism in the Bible. It was by immersion of believers in water.

Immersion is never mentioned.

The mention of infant baptism never comes up.

Yes, it does. When entire households were baptized, as the New Testament says happened, then it is as certain that young children were included as is thinking that the leaves will turn color next autumn.

 

[Stravinsk]

There are none. Humans can only do good for the wrong reason. Our best works are filthy rags. Only the born-again can do good works if purified by faith.

Calvinist Santa Puts Everyone On Naughty List

I hereby nominate you for the position.

 

[ValleyGal]

I'm not here to talk about baptism because it's off-topic. I do like @donadams "best human trait" of humility though. Humility is at the heart of biblical principles such as repentance, forgiveness, grace, mercy, compassion, faith, kindness, love, and many others. One of my favorite verses:

"In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!" Phl. 2:5-8

 

[1689Dave]

Some of them no doubt were, but that doesn't do anything to make this a better or more correct formula than the wording that Jesus Christ himself told the Apostles to use.


Immersion is never mentioned.

Yes, it does. When entire households were baptized, as the New Testament says happened, then it is as certain that young children were included as is thinking that the leaves will turn color next autumn.

“And John also was baptizing in Ænon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.” John 3:23 (KJV 1900)

“It is therefore indeed correct to say that baptism is a washing away of sins, but the expression is too mild and weak to bring out the full significance of baptism, which is rather a symbol of death and resurrection. For this reason, I would have those who are to be baptized completely immersed in the water, as the word says and as the mystery indicates. Not because I deem this necessary, but because it would be well to give to a thing so perfect and complete a sign that is also complete and perfect. And this is doubtless the way in which it was instituted by Christ. The sinner does not so much need to be washed as he needs to die, in order to be wholly renewed and made another creature, and to be conformed to the death and resurrection of Christ, with whom he dies and rises again through baptism.”

—Martin Luther, The Babylonian Captivity of the Church

 

[1689Dave]

Really?
Immersion is valid form as are the others as long as it’s pure water three times on the forehead with the words of Matt 28:19

acts 2:38 the command to be baptized is given in the name of Jesus the baptism must conform to matt 28:19
Infant Baptism is biblical!

Acts 2:38-39 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Promise is to you’re children! Vs 39

This promise made in ez 36
A promise from God is a sacred oath, and a sacred oath is a sacrament!

Ez 36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

Jn 3:5 born again by water and the spirit.

Acts 16:15 entire household baptized! Does not say adults only or except infants!

Ez 36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness.

(It does not say adults only or except infants!)
(Scripture does not say anywhere “do not baptized infants”)

Baptism is the Christian initiation sacrament of the new covenant for all men. Matt 28:19 Jn 1:29 Jn 3:16

1 Corinthians 12:13
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (It does not say except infants!) (but it does say “all”)!

Lk 1:10-11 all people including infants

Thee faith is required for adult baptism.
Mk 16:16 acts 8:36-38

If it’s not possible (as in the case of infants) it’s not required.

But the promise of the parents to raise and educate the child in the faith is required, then the child is confirmed in thee faith at the age of reason.

Repentance is required for adult baptism. Acts 2:38

If there is no personal sin to repent of (as in the case of infants) then it’s not required.

For two thousand years the church founded by Christ on Peter and the apostles has always baptized infants!

Acts 1:8
Witness of Augustine!

It is this one Spirit who makes it possible for an infant to be regenerated . . . when that INFANT is brought to baptism; and it is through this one Spirit that the infant so presented is reborn. For it is not written, "Unless a man be born again by the will of his parents" or "by the faith of those presenting him or ministering to him," but, "Unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Spirit." The water, therefore, manifesting exteriorly the sacrament of grace, and the Spirit effecting interiorly the benefit of grace, both regenerate in one Christ that man who was generated in Adam (Letters 98:2 [A.D. 408]).

“The sacrament of baptism is most assuredly the sacrament of regeneration” (ibid., 2:27:43).

“Baptism washes away all, absolutely all, our sins, whether of deed, word, or thought, whether sins original or added, whether knowingly or unknowingly contracted” (Against Two Letters of the Pelagians 3:3:5 [A.D. 420]).

“This is the meaning of the great sacrament of baptism, which is celebrated among us: all who attain to this grace die thereby to sin—as he himself [Jesus] is said to have died to sin because he died in the flesh (that is, ‘in the likeness of sin’)—and they are thereby alive by being reborn in the baptismal font, just as he rose again from the sepulcher. This is the case no matter what the age of the body. For whether it be a newborn infant or a decrepit old man—since no one should be barred from baptism—just so, there is no one who does not die to sin in baptism. Infants die to original sin only; adults, to all those sins which they have added, through their evil living, to the burden they brought with them at birth” (Handbook on Faith, Hope, and Love 13[41] [A.D. 421]).

No examples of your method of "Baptism". Not one.

 

[1689Dave]

Interesting. Until now, you've described faith as merely a by-product or incidental characteristic of the process by which a person is chosen to be one of the Elect. But now it's supposed instead to have the power to "purify" the recipient, whatever that might mean, and to enable the person to begin performing good works.

“And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.” Acts 15:9 (KJV 1900)

 

[1689Dave]

False. The (other) wording that Jesus himself gave to all of his Apostles is also in the Bible. And in that case, he told them that this was how it should be done. That isn't the case with the wording you prefer.

And your theory suggests that the church should disregard the words and instructions of Our Lord. That is something I couldn't do in good conscience, nor do the Christian denominations, whether Catholic or Protestant, with very few exceptions.


Neither does a mention of immersion!

Only one detailed mention of Baptism in scripture. It is in the name of Jesus Christ.

 

[Lucian Hodoboc]

There are none. Humans can only do good for the wrong reason. Our best works are filthy rags. Only the born-again can do good works if purified by faith.

Your profile says you're married. Does your wife hold the same beliefs as you?

 

[1689Dave]

Your profile says you're married. Does your wife hold the same beliefs as you?

Up to a point.

 

[YESLORDIWILL]

.