I'm not trying to beat a dead horse here--I just can't remember the name of the thread or who I was discussing it with. I was reminded of this verse today, and hope it will clarify that baptism is not a work, according to the Bible.
I Peter 3:21 "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:"
The previous verse is talking about Noah and his family being saved from the flood. The point being that the arc is not what saved them, and God did not need Noah to build a boat to save himself, his family, or the animals--what saved them was obedience.Peter said in a similar way obeying the command to be baptized--not getting wet or literally washed--is what saves us. I'm not saying that someone can just get dunked and be assured of a one-way ticket to heaven, but it is a requirement, a test of obedience,and it is not a work of the flesh.
Chad
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"We can have no '50-50' allegiance in this country. Either a man is an American and nothing else, or he is not an American at all."-- Theodore Roosevelt
A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. Ecclesiasties 10:2
The last four letters in American..........I Can
The last four letters in Republican........I Can
The last four letters in Democrats.........Rats
[4] Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
[5] Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
[6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
[7] Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
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Jesus said, "he who stands firm to the end will be saved" Mark 13:13.
Live Life in such a way that those who do not know Christ will come to know Him because they know you
Speaking of Noah, wouldn't the symbolism of the requirements that God is asking is baptism? I mean the whole earth was baptised to be cleansed from sin. When Christ comes again, it will be cleansed a second time---with fire. Yes, the whole earth. It really seems symbolic to me that the Lord is giving a mesaage that to be completely cleansed from sin, one must be washed in water (an outward ordinance) by proper authority and then the inner vessel must be cleansed by fire. (I.e. baptism of the Holy Ghost and inward ordinance).
The "ark" was a symbol of the covenant similar to the Ark of the Covenant carried by the children of Israel. When we are baptised, we carry the covenant and obedience to the law with us. Obedience to outward and inward ordinances helps us honor the covenants.
Just my .02.
Porter.
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"The Lord commands us to be peacemakers. This is more than peace keeping. Peacemaking is an active thing that requires much greater effort at making peace happen rather than just keeping ones peace."
Baptism--Quick Note
