Was Paul supposed to look for God’s presence in water baptism
Or was the writer saying go now cleanse yourself doing the work of the Lord?
It looks like from this passage Paul was Water baptized:
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11 sites**
Yes, according to the New Testament, Paul was baptized in water
. Following his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, he went to a man named Ananias, who prayed for him to regain his sight, after which he immediately got up and was baptized (Acts 9:18).
Dallas Willard’s perspective on baptism offers context:
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Background: Dallas Willard was part of the Quaker (Friends) tradition. Historically, the Friends Church does not practice or believe in water baptism, viewing it as a physical ritual that is superseded by the inward spiritual reality of being baptized in the Holy Spirit.
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The “Reality” of Baptism: Willard taught that the true essence of baptism—the Great Commission in Matthew 28—was not simply the physical act of getting wet, but rather actively “immersing” a person into the living reality of the Trinity. In his view, Christian initiation is ultimately about restructuring your life to exist fully within the present availability of the Kingdom of God.
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Paul’s Commission: Willard’s teachings also emphasized that the apostle Paul’s primary apostolic commission from Christ was centered entirely on preaching the gospel of grace and making disciples, rather than physically baptizing people in water. This aligns with Paul’s own words in
Corinthians 1:17, where he states, “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel”.
The conversion of Paul is recorded in Acts 9 of the King James Version (KJV). Here is the text of his encounter, blindness, and subsequent water baptism from Acts 9:1–19:
Acts 9:1–19 (KJV)
1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake
17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
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I am assuming water baptism