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Due to the fact that water baptism has been discussed, and over discussed, whether in a thread that directly deals with the topic, or in one that ends up being carried in such a direction, I have decided for the month of February to abstain from any discussions of water baptism, on this, or any other message board, and instead, focus on the Lord Jesus Himself, and discussions directly, or indirectly related to Him. This does not mean that I will not tell penitent believers to be baptized, in water, in the name of the Lord Jesus during the month of February. It only means that I will not discuss or debate this subject on any message board, whether here, or elsewhere. I have closed up some loose end discussions, regarding this subject, freeing me to undertake such a fast. All of that said, is anyone else willing to fast with me? (By the way, I do not intend for this thread to degenerate into a debate / discussion of water baptism.)

I believe mine has already begun, though I thought of it more as self-preservation than a fast.

I believe so.  Maybe we should talk about God's Grace.  This is Grace Centered.  Not blank Centered.

Quote from: Nevertheless on Fri Feb 02, 2007 - 00:02:42
I believe mine has already begun, though I thought of it more as self-preservation than a fast.

Yup, what she said...

I'll fast privately.

After just making a post about baptism, I too will join you in this fast brother.

 

Soooo..... It's four hours in.  How are we doing?  Any "hunger pangs" yet?  :-D

Quote from: spurly on Fri Feb 02, 2007 - 07:55:11
After just making a post about baptism, I too will join you in this fast brother.

ME TOO!

for men and women, for Christ. He sends them, I catch them, He cleans them, it doesn't get better than that.

Quote from: kalen on Fri Feb 02, 2007 - 11:58:58
Soooo..... It's four hours in.  How are we doing?  Any "hunger pangs" yet?  :-D

LOL

Quote from: kalen on Fri Feb 02, 2007 - 11:58:58
Soooo..... It's four hours in.  How are we doing?  Any "hunger pangs" yet?  :-D

Now it is even been longer, I looked but I didn't touch. I didn't inhale.      Still fish'n

FTL

Just made my last post....I'm in.

Don

So tomorrow will there be a fast from repentance? And then Sunday a fast from confession? And then Monday a fast from singing hymns? And then Tuesday a fast from hearing the gospel? And then Wednesday a fast from prayer? And what then?

Why would you "fast" from an oracle of God?

Quote from: admin on Fri Feb 02, 2007 - 19:53:26
So tomorrow will there be a fast from repentance? And then Sunday a fast from confession? And then Monday a fast from singing hymns? And then Tuesday a fast from hearing the gospel? And then Wednesday a fast from prayer? And what then?

Why would you "fast" from an oracle of God?

Because the "discussion" of baptism as of late has been fruitless.  The fast is about debating water baptism.

The fast is not literally from an oracle of God, but from further besmirching an oracle of God.

To attempt to stop turning God's Word into a foolish controversy is good in my opinion.

Lee, the fast is not from b__________.  The fast is from beating the same old horse over and over again while people on all sides of the b_________ debate dig themselves in and completely refuse to listen to the others.

If someone comes to me this month and wants to be b________, don't worry - it'll be done in a timely manner and for the glory of God.

I'm pretty sure that Lee knows all of that, Gary and Kevin... At least, if he actually read my initial post, he would know it.

Quote from: admin on Fri Feb 02, 2007 - 19:53:26
So tomorrow will there be a fast from repentance? And then Sunday a fast from confession? And then Monday a fast from singing hymns? And then Tuesday a fast from hearing the gospel? And then Wednesday a fast from prayer? And what then?

Why would you "fast" from an oracle of God?

I think this quote can be summed up as "priceless." Kudo's to you admin.

Quote from: admin on Fri Feb 02, 2007 - 19:53:26
So tomorrow will there be a fast from repentance? And then Sunday a fast from confession? And then Monday a fast from singing hymns? And then Tuesday a fast from hearing the gospel? And then Wednesday a fast from prayer? And what then?

Why would you "fast" from an oracle of God?

Amen, Lee.  I would never commit to be silent about any important Biblical topic.  I will speak about anything whenever prompted by the Spirit. 

It seems to me that some of you have made a foolish commitment.

United with Him in the likeness of His death,

Bob
 

Quote from: mdd344 on Sat Feb 03, 2007 - 12:34:05

Quote from: admin on Fri Feb 02, 2007 - 19:53:26
So tomorrow will there be a fast from repentance? And then Sunday a fast from confession? And then Monday a fast from singing hymns? And then Tuesday a fast from hearing the gospel? And then Wednesday a fast from prayer? And what then?

Why would you "fast" from an oracle of God?

I think this quote can be summed up as "priceless." Kudo's to you admin.

Reserve your "kudos" and read the initial post to this thread. After doing so, you will see that such "kudos" are not in order.

By the way, your opinions are your opinions, and you are free to express them. In saying that much, some, whether knowingly or unknowingly, make a continual fast from talking about our Lord Himself, only to discuss the subject in question, and a handful of other subjects that invariably lead back to that aforementioned subject. That, unfortunately, is what is truly foolish. I would also submit that this fast is bothersome to some, not because of the subject itself, but because of their over-emphasis on said subject, and their desire to debate that subject, ad infinitum, ad nauseum. With less debaters, the debate isn't as worthwhile.

I don't think it is ignoring God to discuss and try to seek understanding on a subject from His very Word. Especially when Jesus, right before He left the disciples--His last words to human beings in fact--included baptism.

Usually our last words are those that are most important. When we know we're leaving we say, "I love  you." If we knew that we were seeing someone for the last time until we saw them in Heaven, we would choose very timely, important and focused words. We wouldn't worry about small talk or unimportant topics. Therefore, it is colossally interesting to me that Jesus chose to speak about baptism with His last Words. "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved...." (Mark 16:16). Yet in many churches today, words on being buried with Him in baptism are truly the last words we would speak of--not because we are about to leave and are trying to express the important things, but because we are taking importance away from this subject that was on the mind of Jesus when His moments on earth were fleeting.

His LAST Words to His disciples and to the world were on the subject of baptism. I hope that some of you will look beyond the philosophies that call baptism an attempt at earning Heaven--as though being dunked in water deserves even fruit cake. But instead, look at the emphasis that Jesus placed on it in mentioning it when He had only moments to focus on what was important.

It is "all about Jesus." Make no mistake about that. And because it is all about Jesus, we should place importance on the things that were important to Him and what He considered to be a "salvation issue." Jesus said, "He that believes AND is baptized will be saved." Would you tell someone those very words who has not been baptized? Or would you tell them to ignore those who quote Jesus on that topic because it's all about Jesus. I'm not following that "logic" at all.

Do we place our hands on sick people and do they get well?  Because those are the last words given in Mark before Jesus ascended?

Quote from: admin on Sat Feb 03, 2007 - 14:00:51
I don't think it is ignoring God to discuss and try to seek understanding on a subject from His very Word. Especially when Jesus, right before He left the disciples--His last words to human beings in fact--included baptism.

Usually our last words are those that are most important. When we know we're leaving we say, "I love  you." If we knew that we were seeing someone for the last time until we saw them in Heaven, we would choose very timely, important and focused words. We wouldn't worry about small talk or unimportant topics. Therefore, it is colossally interesting to me that Jesus chose to speak about baptism with His last Words. "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved...." (Mark 16:16). Yet in many churches today, words on being buried with Him in baptism are truly the last words we would speak of--not because we are about to leave and are trying to express the important things, but because we are taking importance away from this subject that was on the mind of Jesus when His moments on earth were fleeting.

His LAST Words to His disciples and to the world were on the subject of baptism. I hope that some of you will look beyond the philosophies that call baptism an attempt at earning Heaven--as though being dunked in water deserves even fruit cake. But instead, look at the emphasis that Jesus placed on it in mentioning it when He had only moments to focus on what was important.

It is "all about Jesus." Make no mistake about that. And because it is all about Jesus, we should place importance on the things that were important to Him and what He considered to be a "salvation issue." Jesus said, "He that believes AND is baptized will be saved." Would you tell someone those very words who has not been baptized? Or would you tell them to ignore those who quote Jesus on that topic because it's all about Jesus. I'm not following that "logic" at all.

As a result of the overemphasis that this board his put upon this subject, especially over the past few months, I and others have decided not to discuss or debate this subject on this message board. If you would like to discuss or debate it, feel free. Start yet another thread on said subject. But please, respect my wishes, and do not turn this thread into such a discussion or debate.

Quote from: Gary on Sat Feb 03, 2007 - 14:04:50
Do we place our hands on sick people and do they get well?  Because those are the last words given in Mark before Jesus ascended?

Am I to gather from your question that you believe nothing applied to us in Jesus Christ's last Words?

Quote from: admin on Sat Feb 03, 2007 - 14:07:15

Quote from: Gary on Sat Feb 03, 2007 - 14:04:50
Do we place our hands on sick people and do they get well?  Because those are the last words given in Mark before Jesus ascended?

Am I to gather from your question that you believe nothing applied to us in Jesus Christ's last Words?

No.

1Co 3:2  I gave you milk to drink. I didn't give you solid food because you weren't ready for it. Even now you aren't ready for it
1Co 3:3  because you're still influenced by your corrupt nature. When you are jealous and quarrel among yourselves, aren't you influenced by your corrupt nature and living by human standards?

Jud 1:19  These are the people who cause divisions. They are concerned about physical things, not spiritual things.

Don't you think taking time to step back and reflect on the subject, and the merits of the discussions, could be a good thing.

FTL

Quote from: spurly on Fri Feb 02, 2007 - 20:06:41
Lee, the fast is not from b__________.  The fast is from beating the same old horse over and over again while people on all sides of the b_________ debate dig themselves in and completely refuse to listen to the others.

If someone comes to me this month and wants to be b________, don't worry - it'll be done in a timely manner and for the glory of God.

Ha!  This reminds me of reading a Jewish forum thread where mentioning the name of G-d is forbidden out of respect.

Oh, oh.....it might become known here as the "b" word!

Don