It seems the argument against the necessity of water baptism must come from elsewhere to make it true.
Divided (see below)...
It’s always best to read above and below a verse to understand the context.
#3 of BSR, as well as not violating any of the other Rules, eh? ] of the chapter,
book, and The Whole Bible - ie:
1) Yesterday's dispensation of covenants and law, according to prophecy?
or:
2) Today's Dispensation Of Grace, According To The Revelation Of The Mystery?
ie:
Three baptisms, Rightly Divided, Within God's Contexts:
(1) Prophecy / Covenants / Law for Israel:
water baptism was man's operation, Commanded by God
to John the baptizer, and then by Christ to:
►►► The Twelve apostles who Were Sent to {water} baptize! ◄◄◄
The two Main (of 12) baptisms =
A) water, For remission of sins/induction into Israeli "priesthood!":
(Matthew_3:5-6; Mark_1:4; Luke_3:3; John_1:31; Luke 7:29-30; Acts_10:37)
(Matthew_28:19; Mark_16:16; Acts_2:38, 22:16; Ezekiel_36:25 AV)
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This Is The Baptism That "Christ Performed" after ascending Into Heaven:
B) Baptism With The Holy Spirit, Poured Out By Christ, for
power, signs And wonders!
(Isaiah_44:3; Matthew_3:11; Mark_1:8, 16:17-18;
Luke_24:49; Acts_2:17-18, 38, 8:15-17, 11:16 AV)
Thus, the lost sheep of the house of Israel were saved by "remission of sins"
( by water ), and then were "Baptized By Christ, With" The Holy Spirit.
God's 'Larger' Bible Context Of: Prophecy / Covenants / Law
Q: Are these two "still Required" By God, for us, Today, Under Grace?
Bible Answer:
Rightly Divided (2 Timothy 2:15 AV) From “Things That Differ!” {online}:
(2) God's Other 'Larger' Context Of: Mystery / Grace! =
our "One apostle to the Gentiles" for The Body Of Christ:
q: If Paul was not sent to water baptize, and we are instructed
to "follow him, as he followed Christ, thus following God"
(1 Corinthians 4:16 11:1; Ephesians 5:1; Philippians 3:17 AV),
then why would anyone, under Grace, "follow the twelve, Under The Law,"
who "were sent to water baptize"?
►►► Paul Was Not Sent (1Co 1:17 AV) to {water} baptize! Why Not?: ◄◄◄
Today, God Only Has": One Baptism =
"By" The One Spirit = God's Operation, Spiritually
Identifying members In ( The One Body Of ) Christ!!
(Ephesians_4:5; Colossians_2:12; Galatians_3:27;
Romans_6:3-4; ►►► 1 Corinthians 12:13 AV ◄◄◄)
Conclusion:
1a) Today, UNbelievers who repent and have faith are Baptized "By"
The One Holy Spirit, with One Baptism Into The One Body Of Christ,
Seated In The Heavenlies. This would be 'Dispensational' for us to
teach for building up The Body, today, under Grace.
1b) Thus, for today, Under Grace, the two baptisms of water and with
The Spirit would be Scriptural but, would be 'UNdispensational' for
us, to teach for practice, thus Confusing new babes in Christ!
2) This viable alternate Biblical Option has Certainly Vanquished
Satan's [ 14-part denominational/traditional views of 'water' baptisms ]
Confusion Into Oblivion! - For me, anyway! Precious friends, how about you?
3) Full study is here: One Baptism!
Amen.
ps. Also helpful are:
UnScriptural or UNdispensational?
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One [ Unifying ] Baptism