Does the Bible say Baptism is Necessary for Salvation?
by Cooper Abrams
[ul]Many churches teach that baptism is necessary for salvation. This position is commonly called "baptismal regeneration, " because it holds that one is "regenerated" or saved only when a person is baptized. A person who is not baptized, according to this teaching, is not saved and will not go to heaven even if he has believed and professed Jesus Christ as his Savior.
There are several passages baptismal regenerationists use in to attempt to support this position. They use Acts 2:38, as a proof text for their view. In the passage Peter says to the Jews at Pentecost, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins. . . ." Another supposed "proof text" they use is John 3:5 where Jesus said, "no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit" and they conclude the water refers to baptism. In Acts 22:16, Ananias told Saul, after his conversion, to "get up, be baptized and wash your sins away. . . ." Many interpret Peter's statement in 1 Peter 3:20-21, that the manner in which Noah's ark saved his family "through water" is a symbol of the "baptism that now saves you." They state that Paul teaches baptism is necessary for salvation when he states in Romans, "all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death..." (Rom. 6:3-4; Gal 3:27; Titus 3:5). Groups that teach this include the Catholics, Seventh Day Adventists, many Pentecostal groups including the United Pentecostal Church, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christ of Christ (Russelites).
Baptism clearly is commanded by God for those who have believed and been saved.(1) Overwhelmingly the Bible stresses that a person is saved by grace through faith and that salvation is a gift of God, freely given, when one believes in Jesus Christ for their salvation. (Eph. 2:8-9) There is no question that baptism is an important first act of obedience of the one who has believed in Jesus Christ and received forgiveness of sin and eternal life. However, baptism as presented in the New Testament always follows belief and never is the basis for receiving salvation. Baptism in the Scriptures is part of one's outward public profession of belief in Jesus Christ as one's Savior and it initiated one into the local body of believers. It follows salvation and though important it is not necessary for salvation.
[align=center]What is the Biblical Evidence?[/align]The clear teaching of the New Testament is that it is faith and faith alone that saves. At least sixty times the New Testament states that salvation is received by faith with no mention of baptism. In Colossians 2:11-12, Paul parallels baptism with circumcision and in Romans 4:9-12, denies the grace pus works for salvation heresy by stating that Abraham was justified by God before he was circumcised. Circumcision was a practice commanded by the Lord to Israel and in believing God and outwardly acknowledging Him as a Jew by this sign showed that he believed and identified himself with Jehovah God and as an Israelite. Circumcision never made anyone a Jew and likewise baptism does not make one a child of God. Like baptism, circumcision was an act of identification.
[align=center]Applying Luke 23:42-43[/align]One passage the baptismal regeneration people have never really correctly understood is Luke 23:42-43 and the fact the thief on the cross was saved as Jesus declared and was never baptized. They try to skirt the matter by saying this was before the Church Age when baptism was initiated, therefore the thief could not have been saved. They state that Romans 10:9-10 require that to be saved a person must believe that Jesus was raised from the dead. The thief could not have believed that because Christ was not arisen. Problem with that is how were people in the Old Testament saved? They were saved by faith, through the grace of God. It was Abraham's faith and belief in God that saved him at numerous passages plainly state. But note what the word of God says:
"What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." (Romans 4:1-5)
The Bible teaches that no one, Old or New Testament, who was saved merited or earned it in any way. The thief died in the Old Testament dispensation during the time the Mosiac Law was enforce. He expressed saving faith while hanging on a cross and had no time to keep any law therefore keeping of any part of the law was certainly not a part of his salvation. Jesus declared that the thief would be with Him that day in heaven because the thief believed in Jesus Christ and nothing more. Romans 3:20 emphatically states, "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." Galatians 3:11-12 says, "But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them." Galatians 3:21-24 proclaims, "Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith." Clearly, works, typified by the Old Testament law did not save anyone. The only part the law had in salvation was point out the Jew's sin which would bring conviction. The law taught the Old Testament people that they were sinners who needed a Savior, the Messiah. If they believed and put their faith in the coming Messiah they were saved, not by their keeping the Law, but by their faith.
Other passages state the same truth that Abraham received salvation by believing in the promises of God, and not by his works. (See Gal. 3:6, 9; Heb. 11:8, 17; James 2:23) God did not change the requirement for salvation after the cross. It was by faith before and after the cross.
Applying Ephesians 2:8-9
[ul]"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Eph. 2:8-9)
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Those that teach baptism is necessary for salvation ignore the clear and emphatic statement of Ephesians 2:8-9. Clearly, the verse unquestionably refutes any notion of receiving God's grace based on any work of man. It states, salvation is the gift of God, "NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast." One of the most simple and foundational rules of interpretation of the Bible is one must interpret in the analogy of the faith. In simple terms that means, that any correct interpretation of the Bible will not contradict another teaching of the Scriptures. This passages says that salvation is the free gift of God and not of works and it is a flagrant error to then interpret verses such as Acts 2:38 as teaching otherwise. Both interpretations cannot be true because, if they were, God would have made an error in telling us one thing in one passage and something totally contradictory in another. However, the problem is not in the wording of the New Testament or in what God says......it is found in man's bent to confuse and misinterpret what God has said because of his willing ignorance of the basics of the Word of God. Yes, man willing is ignorant because he could study and learn, but instead remains blind to simplest truth. For example look again at the issue here. Sixty passages, including the classic passage of Ephesians 2:8-9, say that salvation is received by faith and faith alone. Paul refutes the grace plus works error in almost every book he writes, yet the Baptismal Regeneration crowd hang on to this false doctrine and ignore the contradiction their belief with other statements of God. They seem blind to the fact that their teaching makes God guilty being confusing and contradicting Himself.
[align=center]The Correct Interpretation of Acts 2:38[/align]
[ul]"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38).[/ul]
The true interpretation of Acts 2:38 is not clouded in a great mystery that cannot be understood. Anyone with the most basic skills in Bible study can research and find the correct meaning of the verse. Acts 2:38 says, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." The preposition "for" is the Greek work "eis" and simply means "with a view towards," "in connection with," "because of," or "in light of." In other words, Peter said that because they had believed and repented these people should now be baptized.
In English the phrase "for the forgiveness of your sins" may be connected to either "repent," "be baptized," or both. The best textual evidence supports the presence of umwn (of your)as a modifier of "sins" in Acts 2:38. New Testament syntax supports this position as well. Concerning the antecedent of umwn, there is no evidence to support the contention that "forgiveness of sins" modifies the command to be baptized. In other New Testament passages on forgiveness, repentance, and water baptism, it is difficult to find support for the doctrine of baptismal regeneration. The significance of Christian water baptism, is seen in that all who believed were baptized. There is no example of an unbaptized Christian in the New Testament." Today, as then, baptism remains a unique testimony of the life-transforming change brought about by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit in the believer. In water baptism a believer identifies with Jesus Christ in an action that symbolizes the shared experience of death and resurrection with and in Him.(2) If Peter in Acts 2:38 was saying one has to be baptized in order to be saved he would have violated the clear teaching of Ephesians 2:8-9 and the preaching of Jesus Christ. Jesus said in John 3:16 that "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Jesus was explaining to Nicodemus how to be "born again" and enter the Kingdom of Heaven. If baptism is necessary for salvation, then why did he not tell this Pharisee to go and be baptized by John the Baptist? Jesus in John 3:36 sums up how to receive salvation when He said, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." (John 3:36) Jesus did not mention baptism because baptism is not necessary for salvation.
This does not minimize the need for a person who believes and by faith is saved to be baptized. It is important for new believers to be baptized and identify themselves publicly with Jesus Christ and other believers in the local church (Matt. 28:19-20), because God has instructed us to do so. But baptism does not save us. Their belief plus submitting to baptism did not merit them salvation. Peter who preached the message in which Acts 2:38 is found, later in Acts 3:17-26 and 4:8-12 preaching salvation, but never mentions baptism. Why could he make such an error or overlook telling the people of the vital and necessary act of baptism IF it was essential for salvation. He did not mention it because it was not essential for salvation, although an importance first act of a believer in identifying with Jesus Christ and the local church.
[align=center]This misuse of Acts 16:31[/align]Paul in Acts 16:31, said to the Philippian jailer "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." In verse 33, the New Testaments says he was baptized. The example is consistent throughout the Scriptures. Those that believed in Jesus Christ for their salvation, as the first act and test of obedience, submitted to baptism. It was a public outward declaration of their inward saving faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior. They were saying to the world. . . "I am now a believer and disciple of Jesus Christ and by this outward act which pictures the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and their commitment to Him publicly to the world, (See Rom. 6:3-4). Paul and Silas in answering the jailers question as to how to be saved plainly stated that one must "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ." They then told him God words of who Jesus was and of His sacrifice for our sins. It is obvious the man believed and because of his belief then was baptized. Further those in his house also heard the Gospel and they too believed and their belief was followed by baptism. Never does the New Testament present baptism before salvation and certainly not here.
[align=center]The example of Cornelius in Acts 10:44-48[/align] "While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days." (Acts 10:44-48)
In Acts 10:44-48, Cornelius and those present when Peter preached the Gospel to them believed and received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. After they believed they received the Holy Spirit they were baptized. If baptism was necessary for salvation why did the Holy Spirit indwell them as believers BEFORE they were baptized in water? The baptism of the Holy Spirit refers to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life and receiving the new nature from God. Peter asks the question, "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?" (Acts 10:47) Peter is saying that Cornelius was saved and had received the Holy Spirit as Peter and those who believed at Pentecost in Acts 2. Peter state Cornelius was a saved man....but he was had not been baptised. If salvation is received at baptism this passage is saying that the Holy Spirit will indwell the unsaved.
In Luke 3:3 and Mark 1:4, both use the "eis" in regard to John's baptism. John's baptism did not wash away the Jews sins, but to the contrary was a public declaration of their repentance from sins in preparation for the coming of the Messiah. In Acts 19:4-6, some of John's disciples who were clearly saved were baptized? Here again, salvation was not received at baptism, but clearly before their baptism. They were baptized because they had believed and they were already saved men. John's disciples did not know of the coming of Jesus Christ, but were expectantly waiting for His coming. In learning the truth that He had come, they believed and received the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and afterwards they were baptized as a public declaration of their faith and identification with Jesus Christ.
LUKE 3:3 and MARK 1:4
In Luke 3:3 and Mark 1:4, both use the "eis" in regard to John's baptism.(3) However, it is a mistake to conclude that John's baptism washed away the Jews sins. To the contrary it was a public declaration of their repentance from sins in preparation for the coming of the Messiah. In Matthew 3:8-9 when the unsaved Pharisees and scribes came to John to be baptized he refuse them, declaring that they "bring for fruits meet for repentance." Repentance is evidence of recognizing one's self as a sinner and then by faith putting one's trust in Christ. The word means literally to "perceive afterwards, implying 'change', 'to perceive'" (4) It therefore means to perceive that one's former conclusion was wrong and based on this new perception act differently. John saw no sign of repentance in their lives and would not baptize them. Here too salvation is seem occurring before baptism.
ACTS 19:1-6
In Acts 19:4-6, some of John's the Baptist's disciples who have believed John's message and were looking for the Messiah were baptized. Here again, salvation was not received at baptism but clearly before their baptism. John's disciples were saved people who did not know of the coming of Jesus Christ but were expectantly waiting His coming. In learning the truth that He had come, they believed and received the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and afterwards they were baptized as a public declaration of their faith and identification with Jesus Christ. The passage says they were saved, indwelt by the Holy Spirit and then were baptized.
[align=center]The correct reading interpretation of 1 Peter 3:20-22[/align] "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: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him." (1 Peter 3:21-22)
Those that use 1 Peter 3:20-22, totally ignore what the verse is saying. They focus on the first phrase "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us" and ignore the rest of the verse which says " which says "(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 second is a parenthetical statement made immediately to clarify any idea that baptism saves anyone. The statement clearly is speaking of simply washing with water and the act of being immersed in water. It states it is NOT talking about the act of immersion as saving us. It is absolutely dishonest to use this verse in teaching the act of baptism (getting immersed or washed in water) to support baptismal regeneration. Baptism here is shown as an anti-type of Noah being delivered by the water. It was Noah's faith in God that saved him and his family (Hebrews 10:7). Noah was saved out of the water because of his faith which was of his "good conscience."
The statement ends saying one is saved, . "by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him." (1 Peter 3:22b) It does not say that baptism saves or is necessary for salvation. Salvation is wholly the work of Jesus Christ, God incarnate in man who suffered, died and was resurrect for our salvation. Thus twice in the one sentence Peter refutes the idea that baptism is necessary for salvation. Where in the Bible does God say that man's participation is necessary for salvation? A man is told to believe and accept God's truth and promise. He is to accept Jesus Christ's sacrifice and payment for sin alone. Man is a sinner under the condemnation of sin. The condemned man cannot save himself. If he a man is saved from his criminal act it will be by the act of the sentencing judge who sets aside the penalty. The guilty man cannot do some act and redeem himself. In human law a man may be spared the penalty of his crime, but he is always branded as a sinner. Romans 8:1 declares "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." (Romans 8:1) God proclaims the once sinner, no longer a sinner, but under no stigma or condemnation. He is no longer a sinner, but a regenerated child of God.
[align=center]The Misinterpretation of John 3:5[/align]The baptismal regeneration people grossly misinterpret John 3:5 saying that Jesus here is referring to water baptism when he said one must be "born of water." Jesus is contrasting the two births. One is physical birth in which the infant is born in water and the other the spiritual birth of one who has believed and received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Being "born again" absolutely refers to spiritual new birth and receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Jesus in verse 8, refers to being born in the Spirit being like the blowing of the wind. You cannot associate water baptism being like the blowing of the wind where you see the result but not the force behind it. Water baptism is a public is clearly seen. One of the primary rules of interpreting Scripture is to consider the context, who was addressed and what was the subject of the discourse. Nicodemus was a religious Pharisee and a proud Jew. He like most Jews believed that being born as a Jew entitled him to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Were they not God's chosen people and the apple of God's eye? One must understand that the most Jews were not looking for a spiritual Messiah, but a political savior. Jesus' preaching made it clear that the Messiah's kingdom promised to the Nation of Israel was inherited spiritually. Nicodemus and the religious leaders of his day knew nothing of spiritual rebirth. Yet, those in the Old Testament were renewed spiritually. They were not indwelled as happened after Pentecost and when God instituted the local church, but they who in believed God were spiritual people.
Note the following verses:
[ul]"Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth." (Psalms 31:5) "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." (Psalms 51:10) "Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me." (Psalms 51:11)
However, the Jewish religious leaders had turned God's instructions into a system of works for salvation. This is the same thing the baptism for salvation people have done. To them it was not belief in God's promises that saved them, but their supposedly keeping of the law. If they did all the works they concluded God was pleased and they would enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Yet, John the Baptist and Jesus both preached "Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." (Matt. 3:2, 4:17) Repentance means to have a change of mind and turn from the error of previous thinking. In other words John and Jesus were saying to the Jews turn from your wrong thinking that your birth as a Jew and your religious works can save you and believe in Jesus Christ the Messiah for salvation alone.
Thus, Jesus was saying to Nicodemus, "Yes, you are born a Jew, but that will not save you. You must be spiritually reborn." Nicodemus replied should he have to reenter his mother's womb. Jesus said that unless a man be physically born and then be spiritually born he could not enter the Kingdom of heaven. To make sure there was no misunderstanding Jesus continued and said, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." (John 3:6) Clearly born of the flesh means....physical human birth and spiritual birth is the work of the Holy Spirit.
It is a misrepresentation of this discourse to say Jesus is teaching baptism is necessary for salvation. Nothing He said comes close to saying that. Water baptism is not in view at all in Jesus' statements.
[align=center]The Misuse of Galatians 3:27[/align]
[ul]"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:26-27)[/ul]
Galatians 3:27, is also a suppose "proof" text used by those that teach baptismal regeneration. However, once again the context and even the most simple hermeneutic principles show this verse is not teaching this false doctrine. The context of the passage is teaching salvation by faith and verse 26 says, "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." The next verse, used out of context by the Baptismal Regeneration people says, "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." The baptism here is the baptism of the Holy Spirit that comes when one by faith believes and is saved. This is the baptism of the Holy Spirit in which the believer is indwelled by the Holy Spirit and given the new nature of God. (2 Cor. 5:17) Verse 24, says were are justified by faith. It does not say here or anywhere in the Scriptures that one is justified by faith plus works or baptism. If baptism regenerates and saves why not say so here and in the sixty some passages in the New Testament which address being saved and do not mention baptism?
Please note the following passage:
"But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men" (Titus 3:5-8).
This passage and many others show the important truth that after a person is saved by his believing in Jesus Christ as his Savior, baptism and an obedient life are important in showing the evidence of true conversion. The most powerful refutation of the false teaching of baptismal regeneration is that the Bible says Jesus Christ was the propitiation for our sins which means full payment( 1 John 2:2). It is a form of blasphemy to, in the face of this clear truth, to conclude that man can in any degree can merit his salvation by performing the ritual of baptism or any other act. Baptism is an act, a ritual and thus unmistakenly a work and God's Word says that works cannot save. Salvation come solely to those who by faith believe and receive Jesus Christ as their Savior. It was Jesus' work that saved when He our righteous and loving God suffered and died alone for our sins. It is a distortion of this truth that would conclude that man must himself perform some act in order to affect his salvation. Salvation is not partially received by faith and then made effective by the act of being immersed in water. This does not minimize that believers are to submit obediently to baptism as a important part of their public identification with Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and with the local assembly of believers be become a part of.
CAN ONE BE SAVED AND BELIEVE IN GRACE PLUS BAPTISM?
Those that are trusting in their baptism or any other act to saved them have sadly been deceived by false teachers. A person is saved solely on the shed blood of Jesus Christ with atones for sin. This is the one "work" that saves and was the sole work of our Lord and God, the Jesus Christ, God come in the flesh (John 1:1). Some will argue that even if one believes in faith plus baptism they still have believed and are saved. Yet, the fallacy of this thinking can be seen in the teaching that without the act of baptism added to belief there is no salvation. Let me say that again....the baptismal regenerationist believes that if he is not baptized he cannot be saved. Clearly, their belief is that baptism is as important as faith according to this teaching because if they are not baptized they are not saved. This teaching degrades faith whereas the Scriptures speak overwhelming of the necessity of faith and as stated earlier sixty times mentions faith for salvation without a hint of reference to baptism. Surely, all this evidence should alert those seeking God's truth that it is faith that saves....not the work of baptism.
Paul plainly and emphatically proclaimed that any Gospel other than what he taught which God had given him by revelation was a false gospel and those that preached a false gospel should be "accursed." God sayd, "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ." Paul states what was the Gospel he preached in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4,10-11 "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:. . . But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed."
Note that it says they believed in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and they were saved. He did not mention baptism, church membership, or any other work of man as being a part of salvation because is the FREE GIFT of God given to those who by faith believe. No true minister of Christ will preach a false gospel that tell people they must be baptized to be saved.
[ul]"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" ( Eph. 2:8-10)[/ul][/ul][/ul]
__________________
wayne
"There's room at the cross for you."
This has all been covered several times already, but just in case anyone is interested in obeying God's word rather than following the false doctrine of man, we'll do it again.
I'll start out the attempted slur made by "Church of Christ (Russelites)". The author of this fallacy is already showing where his/her heart is. I'd been attending church services for over 20 years (several different ones) before I ever heard the term "Russelite" or "Campbellite". When I heard it, I had no idea what it meant--it was used by a fellow that I was having a discussion with concerning baptism, and was used as a slur by him also, because he couldn't defend his position using scriptures either. The Church of Christ does NOT follow Russell, or any other mortal; nor does the Church identify itself through any mortal.It's just a desparateattempt at slander by those whowould try to defame the Church, in an attempt to make themselves look better.
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Baptism clearly is commanded by God for those who have believed and been saved.
This is a completely and totally false statement. You cannot show where the Bible says this even ONCE. On the other hand, there are numerous accounts of the Bible stating that salvation comes AFTER baptism, that baptism is FOR the remission of sins, that our sins are washed away with baptism, that we get into Christ through baptism, that we are buried with Christ in baptism, etc. etc. etc. I do not understand why so many will pervert the Gospel by adding their own doctrines, while blatently ignoring what the Bible has to say on the subject.
There are so many false satements in this copy-and-paste that I won't bother highlighting all of them--it would take up too much space, and folks have a tendency to ignore the longer posts. I will point out some of the more ridiculous ones.
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Baptism in the Scriptures is part of one's outward public profession of belief in Jesus Christ as one's Savior and it initiated one into the local body of believers. It follows salvation and though important it is not necessary for salvation.
Notice how freely statements like this are made, but no scripture can be given to confirm them? That is because there is no scripture to confirm them.
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At least sixty times the New Testament states that salvation is received by faith with no mention of baptism.
Strangely, the author does not list anywhere near 60 scriptures. Even if there were one million, that does not make the scriptures concerning baptism false. There are also scriptures that mention hearing alone, repenting alone, and confessing alone, but who will argue that these are the only requirements?
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In Colossians 2:11-12, Paul parallels baptism with circumcision
Here is what Colossians 2:11,12 actually says. "In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumsicsion made without hands, 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."
How is baptism paralelled with circumcision here? That is another false statement, a desparate attempt to "proove" a false doctrine.
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They try to skirt the matter by saying this was before the Church Age when baptism was initiated, therefore the thief could not have been saved.
False. Christ told the theif he would that day be with Him in paradise. Christ had the power to forgive sins when He was on earth. Another attempt at slander, making false statements in order to try and defame somone in order to make their argument look better.
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Problem with that is how were people in the Old Testament saved?
Very simply by doing what God told them to do. That entire argument is based on a false statement from the very beginning.
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The Bible teaches that no one, Old or New Testament, who was saved merited or earned it in any way.
At least the author did manage to put some truth into that article; unfortunately it was yet again to slander those who beleive the Bible over their words, implying that those who believe what God said about baptism teach that we somehow earn salvation.
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Those that teach baptism is necessary for salvation ignore the clear and emphatic statement of Ephesians 2:8-9.
Another blatent lie, hinging on what they must use to define "works". Will this person deny that we must hear, beleive, repent, and confess? By any logical definition, if baptism is a "work", these are also. I know that my salvation is not based upon my works, but rather my obedience to God's commands. Baptism is no more and no less a command than believing.
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Acts 2:38 says, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." The preposition "for" is the Greek work "eis" and simply means "with a view towards," "in connection with," "because of," or "in light of." In other words, Peter said that because they had believed and repented these people should now be baptized.
If this person's personal definition of Acts 2:38 is true (and it is not), then salvation also comes before repentance. "...Repent AND be baptized FOR the remission of sins....." The two cannot be separated, no matter how eloquently the lie is stated.
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It is important for new believers to be baptized and identify themselves publicly with Jesus Christ and other believers in the local church
Then what is confession for? Where does the Bible state even ONCE that baptism is for the purposes the author mentioned?
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But baptism does not save us.
A blatent contradiction to what the Bible says in I Peter 3:21
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It was a public outward declaration of their inward saving faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior. They were saying to the world. . . "I am now a believer and disciple of Jesus Christ and by this outward act which pictures the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and their commitment to Him publicly to the world, (See Rom. 6:3-4).
Once again, the author gives his/her own words as if it were scripture, when there is absolutely no scriptural referance to what they say. Romans 6:3,4 says "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." Verse 5 (conveniently left out)continues with "For if we have been planted together in the likenss of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:"
Now how does this indicate in any way, shape, form, or fashion that baptism is an outward act showing commitment????? We are buried with Christ in baptism! If we have been buried with him in the likeness of his death, then we shall also be in the likeness of His ressurection!
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Never does the New Testament present baptism before salvation and certainly not here.
This is so utterly false and flat out stupid I am just stunned that anyone could possibly give this author any kind of credit whatsoever.
Acts 2:38--repent AND be baptized FOR the remission of sins
Mark 16:16--he that believes AND is baptized shall be saved
I Peter 3:21--the like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us
I Corinthians 12:13--by one spirit we are all baptized into one body
Acts 22:16--arise, and be baptised, and wash away thy sins
Galatians 3:27--For as many of you have been baptized into Christhave putonChrist
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In Acts 10:44-48, Cornelius and those present when Peter preached the Gospel to them believed and received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. After they believed they received the Holy Spirit they were baptized. If baptism was necessary for salvation why did the Holy Spirit indwell them as believers BEFORE they were baptized in water?
Already covered in detail in a different post.
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Peter is saying that Cornelius was saved and had received the Holy Spirit as Peter and those who believed at Pentecost in Acts 2. Peter state Cornelius was a saved man....but he was had not been baptised.
No, the author of this article is saying that. Peter said what he meant.
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Those that use 1 Peter 3:20-22, totally ignore what the verse is saying. They focus on the first phrase "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us" and ignore the rest of the verse which says " which says "(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 second is a parenthetical statement made immediately to clarify any idea that baptism saves anyone. The statement clearly is speaking of simply washing with water and the act of being immersed in water. It states it is NOT talking about the act of immersion as saving us.
It's amazing to me that Peter, an apostle, was not capable of saying what he meant, at least according to the author here. The author of the article blatently lies again. Those that beleive what the Bible actually says ignore no part of this verse, and the author plainly and blatently "explains" this verse by stating that it means just the opposite of what it says? And there are people that cling to this false doctrine? Incredible. Peter said that baptism saves us, and explains that it's not through a washing of the flesh, but through obedience to God's command.
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The baptismal regeneration people grossly misinterpret John 3:5 saying that Jesus here is referring to water baptism when he said one must be "born of water." Jesus is contrasting the two births.
So, according to the author of this article, what Christ really meant to say was "I say unto you, first a man must be born of a woman, then he must be born of the spirit" Funny how even Christ wasn't able to say what He really meant, at least according to the author of the article. That statement is so ridiculous that it would be funny if it weren't so sad.The authoris saying that Nicodemus, a "ruler of the Jews", was so stupid that he had to have Christ tell him that first a person had to be literally, physically born before they can be saved. I guess the Jews weren't too picky about how smart their rulers had to be.
Those are just some of the high points of the idiocy of this article. I can point out much more simply using the Bible, but if anyone will cling to this person's false doctrine after all of this, I cannot see how they have the least bit of interest in the Bible and the truth contained therein.
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
Boy Chad, you sure get riled up when somebody goes against your opinion of what the Word of God says..calling people liars and idiots, what kind of a Christian attitude is that?
you know just because you say it's so don't make it so and in my personal opinion you have proven nothing..
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wayne
"There's room at the cross for you."
Wayne, I get riled up when people pollute and disgrace and defilethe Word of God with their own opinions and doctrines. I get VERY riled.
I didn't call the author an idiot, but many of the opinions given are, in my opinion, idiotic. The apostle Peter and Christ Himself weren't able to say what they meant, and required this person's "interpretation" to get to the truth. That, to me, is idiotic.
The author takes I Peter 3:21, quotes it, then goes on to say that it really means just the opposite of what it says. If that's not a lie, then there is no such thing. The author's interpretation of Acts 2:38 says that repentance comes AFTER salvation. Can you tell me that is not a lie?
Where did I say anything was so based on my opinions? I gave the scriptures that you have to ignore in order to beleive this person's false doctrine. Will you call me a follower of Russell or Campbell as this person did? Will you say I have to believe this or that they way the author did?
Show me, using scriptures--not interpretations, not opinions, not doctrines, not traditions--where I am wrong. Prove it to me using the Bible Wayne. I mean that--if I am in error, please show me with God's Word.
I'll tell you up front that you will show me nothing by making false statements, saying that certain scriptures mean just the opposite of what they say, telling me what I do or do not beleive, etc. like the author of that article did.
I'm thirsty for the Truth Wayne--fill my cup. I'm asking for the pure water of the Word, not the vinegar of man.
Chad
__________________
"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
No true minister of Christ will preach a false gospel that tell people they must be baptized to be saved.
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you sure get riled up when somebody goes against your opinion of what the Word of God says..calling people liars and idiots, what kind of a Christian attitude is that?
Wow, Motor, I think you are the onewho should take your own advice. Why do you continue to add to the Word of God just to make your already streched point? I also would challenge you to post pure scripture to prove your doctrine. What scriptures would you post that you would not also have to insert your interpretation to teach your doctrine? We'll wait to see the scriptures you choose.
BTW, We don't have to be ugly to eachother, just read the Word of God without all the extra teachings and ideas of men.
Goose, would you mind copying and pasting the facts behind the account given in Acts chapter 10, when the Holy Spirit fell upon those who had just begun to hear the Gospel being preached to them? You did the research and brought it up, so I felt it was only fitting that you put it here. Verse 28 further clarifies the reason behind this miracle.
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
Trae and Chad I am sure glad you are around to explain it to us I guess we are just to dumb to read what the bible said without you telling us what you think it means ( God has truly enlighten the both of you ) I guess those that beleave different than you are on the way to hell there well be a lot of us then. peace and love
My apologies folks--I could have very well jumped the gun here. I don't know who wrote that article,and it was not my place to determine what their state of mind is anyway. It's very possible that they have been mislead and were simply parroting what they have heard over and over, rather than actually reading and studying for themselves.
The article conflicts with the Bible at every turn, but the person that wrote it could have very well been sincere. I hope and pray that if they are sincere, they will see the light and devote that sincerety to God rather than the doctrines of man.
Chad
__________________
"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
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