Q: when Jesus died he said it is finished. Baptism is an outward sign to the world that you are following Jesus not a prerequisite or Jesus would not have said it is finished.
A: What exactly did he mean when he said “IT” is finished? He meant the Law. He completed the work of sacrifice for sins eternally. You are conflating two distinct topics. The Bible does not say that baptism is an outward sign to the world…etc. That is a teaching found in modern evangelical church culture. Read EVERY scripture on water baptism to discover what the true purpose is of baptism - that of entering into a covenant with Christ and receiving remission of sins (Acts 2:37-39). The same Jesus who said it is finished also said “he that believes and is baptised shall be saved”. One cannot selectively apply scripture to fit one’s doctrinal bias. Sola Scriptura!
Colossians 2 lays it out very well:
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Read this again:
“…in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead”.
The covenant with Christ is entered into through water baptism, through faith in the resurrection - our sins are remitted. That means this is where God makes the transaction with the believer and the faith covenant is made.
Does this contradict popular church teaching and culture? Yes. Yet, it is what our Bible teaches us in plain sight if we only take time to study it.
Q: I was baptized at 3 weeks old (former catholic) holy Communion, confession etc. I hold the church in my heart. HE knows. Didn’t realize the church was within til 50 but it’s all clear now.
A. with respect to your tradition, there is actually no bible precedent for infant baptism. all examples we have show the candidate exercising belief in Jesus Christ, repentance from sin, and then being baptised (literally fully immersed in water or dunked, not sprinkled upon or anointed) in water to symbolize our voluntary indentification with Jesus’ death burial and resurrection which the bible calls “the circumcision of the heart”. It is where we make a conscious covenant with God as we seek the remission of our sins. (Acts 2:37-39). To do this effectively, one must be aware and capable of making this commitment at the time of baptism. Not confessing at that time to retroactively effectualize a baptism or dedication that did not come from the candidate but their proxies. In fact proxy baptism was corrected by Paul as incorrect. Since you believe in Jesus, I would encourage you that HE, and HIS spirit be inside you - not a church tradition. I would encourage you to find a pastor who will baptise you by immersion in Jesus name and therefore align yourself directly with the teaching of Jesus and his Apostles vs the traditions of men whom the bible says “make the power of God of none effect.”
Q. I always think about the thief on the cross…all he said was, “truly you are the Son of God”…and Jesus said, “today you will be with me in paradise”….no repentance, no baptism, I just BELIEVED! Thankful for God’s Grace!!!
A: this was under the law as Jesus had not yet died or arisen. Acts 2:37 begins our prescription for obedience to the gospel as taught by Jesus and his disciples. The thief died under the law prior to the atonement. And Jesus, being God incarnate, was the author of the law. The thief on the cross is a unique case, not prescriptive for conversion as a post-resurrection saint. We are commanded to repent and be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. Sins were not yet remitted by Jesus when the thief died. That’s why the verses prior to John 3:16 contain a predicate condition to Grace - that the Son of Man must first ascend. At the crucifixion, Jesus had not yet ascended. If you want to find folks in the NT to align to, follow the conversion examples found in the book of Acts ch 2, 8, 10, 19 where the apostles are found putting into action everything they were taught by Jesus. You will see water, spirit, repentance, and His Name (Jesus) as the common thread. This should unlock your understanding of John 3:3-6 regarding born again of water and of spirit. notice with each major conversion there is the element of water and spirit baptisms. explore this.