Waster baptism is merely the picture. Spirit baptism is the reality.
Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament. See Romans 6:3-5
Romans 6 - Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament - Bible Commentaries - StudyLight.org
Descriptive of those who dwelleth in Him. They "keep" (Greek word "tereo" - guard, observe, watch over) His commandments.
Water baptism is merely the picture of this washing with water by the word. (John 15:3; Ephesians 5:26)
By grace through faith, not works. (Ephesians 2:8,9) Not faith and water baptism. We are justified by faith. (Romans 5:1) Not faith and water baptism. We have access by faith into grace. (Romans 5:2) Not faith and water baptism.
The washing of regeneration is not accomplished by water baptism. The word "washing" in the Strong's Greek Concordance with Vine's Number 3067 - (Loutron) "a bath, a laver" is used
*metaphorically of the Word of God, as the instrument of spiritual cleansing,* (Ephesians 5:26; and Titus 3:5), of the "washing of regeneration." Washing refers to spiritual washing or purification of the soul, accomplished by the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation. Once again, water baptism is merely the picture of the reality.
Hi mailmandan,
In Ephesians 5:26, the word "word" of God according to Strong's G4487,
Strong's g4487
- Lexical: ῥῆμα
- Transliteration: rhéma
- Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
- Phonetic Spelling: hray'-mah
- Definition: a thing spoken, (a) a word or saying of any kind, as command, report, promise, (b) a thing, matter, business.
- Origin: From rheo; an utterance (individually, collectively or specially); by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negative naught whatever.
- Usage: + evil, + nothing, saying, word.
- Translated as (count): words (28), word (25), saying (5), matters (2), a message (1), by word (1), declaration (1), matter (1), of words (1), sayings (1), the word (1), thing (1), things (1).
Ephesians 5:26 - He did this to make the church holy by cleansing it, washing it using water, with the "............" 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.
Anyone of the above words could have been used in Ephesians 5:26 for the word "word" like, saying, message, or declaration.
Here is a question for you: There are nine conversion stories in the book of Acts. In every story, they were always baptized the same day they believed. Why? Just maybe as one studies all of the verses on baptism there is a good reason for so doing.
God bless you, mailmandan!
Wayne
I have three different translations that translate this verse using: word, saying, and declaration and it is used in other places in the New Testament with these words and others, too.
Also, it is not "logos"
Young's Living Translation: "that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it with the bathing of the water in the "
saying"
God's Word: