Satan's as well as the Campbellite "Church of Christ's" favorite Bible verse is Acts 2:38. "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). The previous verse of scripture is a favorite among many religious groups. The problem is that Acts 2:38 isn't the only verse in the Bible which deals with salvation. While many claim to "speak where the scriptures speak and remain silent where the scriptures are silent," they practically ignore most of the New Testament teaching on salvation. The only verses that such false teachers quote and reference are the ones they feel they can use to promote their "water gospel." The fact is that most of what the New Testament says about salvation doesn't include baptism at all! (John 5:24, John 11:25-26, John 14:6, Romans 4:5, Romans 10:9-13, Eph. 2:8-9, etc.), and the few places that do mention water baptism do not include it as part of one's salvation. Water baptism follows salvation as one of the first steps of obedience for the new believer. In spite of this obvious truth, the cultists remain steadfast in their heresy, insisting that Acts 2:38 sets forth water baptism as a requirement for salvation. Thus, this verse of scripture has become Satan's favorite Bible verse. In fact, many are trusting water baptism alone for the salvation of their souls! Indeed, Satan has deceived multitudes by his perversion of Acts 2:38. Rather than ignore Acts 2:38 by quoting "our favorite verses" instead, it is more appropriate to face this popular verse of scripture and see if the cultists are right in what they claim it teaches. The Truth about Acts 2:38 First, please notice that verse 38 isn't the only verse in Acts 2. In Peter's message, a great deal was said before verse 38 came out of his mouth. In fact, he even told his listeners how to be saved before verse 38! In Acts 2:21, Peter quotes from Joel 2 and says, "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." His words preceding verse 38 were so convicting that his listeners were "pricked in their heart" in verse 37. So, to use verse 38 out of its context causes a misrepresentation of God's word. The verse does not stand alone, and, in fact, a totally different meaning is conveyed when one makes it stand alone. Another error that many make with Acts 2:38 is the error of assumption. It is assumed that the word "for" must mean "in order to get." That is, being baptized "for" the remission of sins supposedly means to be baptized "in order to get" remission of sins. However, a closer look at the scriptures will reveal that this isn't the case at all. Notice Luke 5:12-14: "And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him. And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them." Jesus made this man clean in verse 13, yet in the next verse, verse 14, Jesus tells him to go offer a sacrifice "for thy cleansing" as a "testimony." Here the word "for" cannot mean "in order to get" because he had already gotten his cleansing in verse 13! It obviously meant "because of" his cleansing. If a man goes to jail "for stealing," then he goes there "because of" the stealing that he's already done, not "in order to get" a chance to steal again. Some like to argue that the Greek word "eis" means "in order to," but this isn't always the case. Jesus said in Matthew 12:41, "The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at (eis) the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here." The Greek word for "at" is "eis." Does this mean that the men of Nineveh repented "in order to get" the preaching of Jonah? No, they repented "because of" the preaching of Jonah. So, even "the Greek" doesn't demand the popular interpretation of Acts 2:38. The word "for" can be used different ways, not just one, so it is wrong to assume that it must mean "in order to get" in Acts 2:38. Another factor which is commonly ignored is the JEWISH factor. Every person in Acts 2 is a Mosaic law observing Old Testament Jew. In fact, they are all gathered together to observe a JEWISH FEAST called Pentecost (verse 1). A fair reading of the whole chapter (especially verses 4, 14, and 36) will clearly reveal that no Gentiles (non Jews) are present. Since this involves Jews, it involves a NATION (verse 36!!), not individuals. No one asked, "What must I do to be saved?" The question asked concerned the NATION of Israel: "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" (verse 37) Not, "What shall I do," but rather, "What shall WE do?" Acts 2 presents a NATION of people who come to realize that they have murdered their blessed Messiah and they're asking what THEY must do. It's a question concerning NATIONAL salvation. Isaiah 66:8 says, ". . . shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children." The "nation" is Israel! Romans 11:26 says, "And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob." Acts 2:38 is dealing with NATIONAL salvation. The Messianic Kingdom is still available to the Jews (until Acts 7:60 when they kill Stephen), so national salvation remains an issue until then. This is clear from what follows Acts 7. In Acts 8, an individual from Africa is saved (before baptism). In Acts 9, an individual from Asia is saved (before baptism). In Acts 10, an individual from Europe is saved (before baptism). Why didn't these individual conversions occur before Acts 7? Because the first seven chapter of Acts deal with Israel (1:6-8; 2:36; 3:12; 4:8-10; 5:31; 6:7-14; 7:1-60). The question of INDIVIDUAL salvation is asked and answered in Acts 16:30-31: ". . . Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Those who fail to make this distinction are guilty of violating II Timothy 2:15 where we are told to RIGHTLY DIVIDE the word of truth. The Bible says the gospel is to go to the Jew FIRST (Rom. 1:16), so they are the FIRST to receive the gospel in the book of Acts (chapter 2), but they are not the last to receive it. Acts doesn't end with chapter 2, so we should be cautious of anyone who develops their doctrine in Acts 2 while practically ignoring the next 26 chapters! If God didn't stop in Acts 2, then why does anyone else? Could it be that the later chapters in Acts contain information which the cultists want hidden from us? Could it be that there are other scriptures in Acts which do not agree with the wording of Acts 2:38? Could it be that Peter himself, the one preaching in Acts 2:38, says something different when speaking to individual Gentiles like you and me? One only has to read Acts chapter 10 to get the answer. Peter is preaching again in Acts 10, except only to individual Gentiles, and something very interesting occurs. In Acts 2:38, the Holy Ghost was promised to be given to the converts AFTER they were baptized, yet in Acts 10:44 the Holy Ghost falls upon the Gentiles BEFORE they are baptized! Now, Paul tells us in Romans 8:9, " . . .if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." Having God's Spirit is synonymous with belonging to God or being saved (John 3:6-8), so the Gentiles in Acts 10 were saved BEFORE they were baptized in water. Why don't the Acts 2:38 cultists ever point this out? Answer: It destroys their perverted doctrine that water baptism is essential for salvation. The fact is that Acts 2:38 is NOT the "model" plan of salvation, nor are any of the other "water verses" which the cultists use. Only by taking such verses out of their context can one teach such heresy. All of the Bible is true, not just the favorite "proof texts" of the cults. Baptism saves no one. It only serves as a testimonial picture of the death, the burial, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ AFTER one has believed on Christ (Acts 8:36-38). Paul said in I Corinthians 1:17 that ". . . Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect." This "gospel" is defined by Paul in I Corinthians 15:1-4, and it does NOT include water baptism. The dying thief was not baptized, yet Jesus saved him (Luke 23:42-43), and John wrote that we are washed in the BLOOD of Christ (Rev. 1:5), not in the water. In fact, the saints in Heaven claim to have gotten there by the blood of Jesus (Rev. 5:9), not by water. By faith in the blood of Jesus Christ one is saved (Rom. 3:25). Water baptism only follows this faith as an outward step of obedience. Friend, if you have fallen for the water gospel, why not repent of your sin and trust Jesus Christ alone? Acts 10:43 says, "To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." Why not believe on Christ 100% right now and quit trusting something you DO for salvation? "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Rom. 5:1) Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "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 more see our playlist "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ"" with 76 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html. Titus 1:9-16
CAnswersTV Please tell me. What is the one church and one faith? I have been an atheist turned Jehovah witness. Then after leaving the watchtower I had began studying at The Church of Christ and I thought I really found the truth. where do I go to worship? where do I go to find the study the truth?
Sorry for the delay I didn't see your comment until now. When I became a true "born again" Christian by a sovereign act of God back on May 16, 1981 (you can see my personal testimony of how I became a Christian on two different videos: "D & D Dungeon Master Testimony: Dungeons & Dragons, Wargaming, Violent Video Games & Wasting Time" at ua-cam.com/video/V41a_5INzVY/v-deo.html & " EVANGELISM & APOLOGETICS (PART 1): ORIGINS OF CHRISTIAN ANSWERS - JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY OF SALVATION" at ua-cam.com/video/D57zK7aDFu8/v-deo.html) I spent the rest of the year trying to find a good Bible believing church. I finally found one at the end of 1981 after visiting many different churches. I've been at Dayspring Fellowship of Austin, Texas (www.DSF.org) since then. You are welcome to see our live streaming church service on Sunday mornings online via our website until you can find a church home in the location where you are. Be very careful in discerning what you are getting from church to church as you visit to find a Christian home. Dr. James White gave a sermon on what a Biblical church is on our video "James White: Acts 20:17-32, A Biblical Church, Preach Whole Counsel of God & Beware Savage Wolves" at ua-cam.com/video/sGDoxDEDNBo/v-deo.html. Here is a sample of a typical sermon by Dayspring Fellowship's Pastor Greg Van Court on our video "Strive To Enter - But Many Will Not Be Able To - Greg Van Court - Dayspring Fellowship, Austin, TX" at ua-cam.com/video/qr2Rn-7o4RA/v-deo.html. You can hear more of his sermons at www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=Greg_Van_Court. I like a church that teaches the deep things of God from the scriptures & not shallow psychological pep talks (2 Timothy 2:15). May the Lord bless you in finding a faithful Bible fellowship with sound Biblical teaching. Hebrews 10:25" It is really true that there are not that many real Christians out there but there are plenty of fake Christians as well as many fake "Christian" churches as you have already discovered. I have been asked by numerous born again Christians like yourself over the years from all over America & in foreign countries who have had the same problem you are experiencing in finding a good Bible believing church with real Christians who actually love the true & living Biblical God. Many complain that they just can't find a decent church. Here's what I usually tell them to do: 1. Try doing an internet search for Reformed Baptist churches in your area & see what comes up & go visit (there's not that many of them out there but I believe Reformed Baptists are the closest to what the Bible actually teaches doctrinally). 2. If that doesn't work try a Bible believing Baptist church but they can easily be filled with all the problems you have already been experiencing so you must be discerning in what each Baptist church you come across is doing (there can be the good, the bad & the ugly so be careful). 3. If that doesn't work try a "Bible Church" but you'll have to investigate what their doctrinal statement is in each case. 4. If that doesn't work you could try an orthodox Presbyterian Church but I really don't like their stand on infant baptism & their form of covenant theology (for more on this see our video "The Faulty Presuppositions of Dispensationalism & Covenant Theology (Including Infant Baptism)" at ua-cam.com/video/bkUzH914IzM/v-deo.html). 5. Anything beyond these options & you're getting into real danger of doctrinal error with the likes of Charismatic & Pentecostal churches (see our video series beginning with "Blasphemous Charismatic & Pentecostal Mayhem #1: Mad Delusional Experiences Replace Scripture Alone" at ua-cam.com/video/Kbv7YsyMf0I/v-deo.html) & the liberalism of many of the mainline denominations such as the Methodists, United Methodists, & many others (see our videos: "WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING - LIBERAL CHRISTIANITY #1: DENOMINATIONAL FALSE PROPHETS - ACTS 20:28-31" at ua-cam.com/video/iNSCQF65aeA/v-deo.html, "WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING - LIBERAL CHRISTIANITY #2: NEO-ORTHODOXY - GOSPEL REDEFINITION" at ua-cam.com/video/qdg8EJrqUuc/v-deo.html & "JOHN WESLEY, FOUNDER OF METHODISM & AN ARMINIAN, SAID HE DID NOT LOVE GOD & WAS "AN HONEST HEATHEN" at ua-cam.com/video/6Vo3ljr7ccs/v-deo.html). Needless to say, and I think you already know this, forget the Roman Catholic Church (see our playlist "Dealing with Roman Catholicism, Idolatry & the Virgin Mary" with 123 videos & counting at ua-cam.com/play/PLFFA8D69D1B914715.html), the cults (see our video "RISE OF THE CULTS: WHERE DID ALL THESE STRANGE AMERICAN RELIGIOUS SECTS COME FROM?" at ua-cam.com/video/HfVTXbFrvh8/v-deo.html - which includes the "Church of Christ" (see our playlist "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ"" with 72 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html) & world religions (see our playlist "Dealing with Anti Christ Cults, "New Age" & World Religions" with 42 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PL69A3047B3497590A.html). I hope this helps & I will pray for you. May the Lord bless your search for a true Bible believing fellowship of believers, Larry Wessels Director, Christian Answers of Austin, Texas / Christian Debater www.BibleQuery.org www.HistoryCart.com www.MuslimHope.com UA-cam Channel: ua-cam.com/users/CAnswersTV 1 Peter 3:15
There is one mediator between man, and God. Only one mediator, not two. This mediator is not a preacher affiliated with some church organisation who is standing in a baptistry. Jesus Christ is that one and only mediator.
“Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” -Luke 13:23-24 Do you understand the question in the above Scripture? “Lord, are there few that be saved?” Someone came to Jesus and wanted to know if “few” people were saved. It's interesting that the person didn't ask if “many” people were saved. Evidently the person had been listening to Jesus' preaching and became convinced that few people were really saved. When the Bible speaks of being “saved,” it means saved from God's wrath upon Christ-rejecting sinners in Hell (for more on hell see our playlist "Dealing with Hell, Lake of Fire, Unpopular Bible Doctrines" with 30 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PLE04A1D0DFE95B95E.html & "Eternal Punishment, Part 1" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=12607145320 & "Eternal Punishment, Part 2" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=12607143539). Romans 5:9, “Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” All Christ-rejecters go to Hell if they die in their sins. If a person is “saved,” then they are going to Heaven when they die. Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” We are saved from the eternal consequences of sin, which is punishment in hellfire. To be saved is synonymous with being “born again.” When a person becomes a born-again child of God, they are saved eternally. EVERY human being MUST to be saved (i.e., born again) to enter into Heaven. John 3:3, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” If a person dies in their sins without believing on Jesus as the Savior, the Son of God, they will burn in Hell forever (Revelation 20:11-15).Just as the disciple who asked Jesus the question in Luke 13:23, I myself often wonder how few are truly born again believers. I dare say not many. Let's consider the question again...“Lord, are there few that be saved?” There are over one billion Catholics in the world who errantly believe that the Catholic Church is going to save them. Roman Catholics do not trust Jesus Christ alone; but rather, rely upon manmade traditions and self-righteous works to save them. According to the Word of God, genuine Catholics are hellbound in their sins because they are trusting in self-righteousness (Romans 3:20; 10:3-4; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5, see our playlist "Dealing with Roman Catholicism, Idolatry & the Virgin Mary" with 129 videos & counting at ua-cam.com/play/PLFFA8D69D1B914715.html). There are over one billion Islamic Muslims in the world who deny that Jesus Christ ever died upon a cross for our sins (see our playlist "Dealing with Islam, Muslims: Sunni, Shi'ite, Alawites, Sufis" with 67 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PL1C7F68B548009FDD.html). According to the Bible, they are antichrists and liars on their way to Hell (1st John 2:22-23). There are over 183,000 cults in Japan alone that deny Jesus Christ as the only Savior of the world. Other false religions include Scientology, Hinduism, Wicca, Buddhism, Seventh Day Adventism, Zoroastrianism, Greek Orthodox, Judaism, Jehovah Witness, Mormonism, Freemasonry, and many more (see our UA-cam channel CAnswersTV at ua-cam.com/users/CAnswersTV with over 615 videos covering most of these anti Christian religions in detail). Why do I call them “false religions”? It's simply because they all corrupt the Biblical teaching of salvation, i.e., the gospel (see our playlist "Dealing with Anti Trinitarians (UPC) & Early Church History" with 48 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PL9931642C7C8FFEAB.html). Most false religions ADD works to faith. Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses DENY the deity of Jesus Christ (i.e., that He is Almighty God) - see our playlists "Dealing with Mormonism, the Religion of Mitt Romney & Utah" with 20 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PL11CD0EE613306BB5.html & "Dealing with Jehovah's Witnesses, Watchtower Society" with 22 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PLCF0ADB29C0EB8C40.html. Seventh Day Adventists falsely and deceitfully redefine faith to mean works (see our playlist, "Dealing with Seventh-day Adventism & Their "Prophetess" with 23 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PL5316CC6F66F24283.html). There are hundreds of millions of followers of Hinduism who deny Jesus as the Savior, the Son of God (see our playlist "Dealing with Anti Christ Cults, "New Age" & World Religions" with 42 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PL69A3047B3497590A.html). Judaism denies that Jesus is the Messiah. The same Pharisaical Jews who crucified Jesus 2,000 years ago are crucifying Him today. The Campbellite Church of Christ deceitfully speaks of faith in Christ, but also requires water baptism and living the Christian life to be saved. That is works salvation, which is a lie of the Devil (Romans 3:20; Romans 4:5-6, see our playlist "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ" with 72 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html). Every Catholic claims not to worship Mary, but the second commandment (Exodus 20:3-5) forbids even bowing to Mary (which every Catholic does, for more on the Roman Catholic installation of the worship of saints, images, & polytheism in church history hear "Perseverance of the Saints & the Worship of Saints (Historical Theology Vol. 1, #17)" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=14101149112 & "The Worship of Images & Civil Authorities (Historical Theology Vol. 1, #18)" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=15101057200). There are hundreds of millions of so-called Charismatic & Pentecostal "Christians" who trade the Word of God for their own wild emotional experiences & replace the Biblical gospel for a gospel of "heath & wealth" despite 1 Timothy 6:10 saying, "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows" - see our two video series on this: "Blasphemous Charismatic & Pentecostal Mayhem #1: Mad Delusional Experiences Replace Scripture Alone" at ua-cam.com/video/Kbv7YsyMf0I/v-deo.html begins one series while "AGONY OF THE PHONY WORD-FAITH TV PREACHERS #1: MIND SCIENCE ORIGINS OF KENNETH HAGIN & HIS DISCIPLES" at ua-cam.com/video/VwQ5BLrYD_U/v-deo.html begins another series. Even secular humanism, atheism & agnosticism can be considered faith based religions due to the fact that atheists & humanists have a faith that God does not exist while agnostics are willingly ignorant concerning God (see our playlist "Dealing with "God Hating" Atheists, Agnostics, Know-It-Alls" with 20 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PL640E505B96CD6B39.html). Many animistic religions exist throughout the world as well which are described in Romans 1:18-32, see our video "FOREIGN MISSIONS FOR CHRIST: PREACHING TO CANNIBALS, WITCH DOCTORS & TRIBAL NATIVES" at ua-cam.com/video/ACnDLyXa9H0/v-deo.html. All of the religions I have just mentioned account for well over seven eighths of the earth's population or more. Keep in mind, besides all of this, Jesus said, "And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God" (Matthew 19:24). Who are considered "rich people"? It's not just millionaires & world leaders but many lesser wealthy persons who exceed the vast majority of mankind in money & possessions (Luke16:19-31 is a good example of this in the parable of the rich man & Lazarus). See the video "It is Difficult for Americans to Enter Heaven - Tim Conway" at ua-cam.com/video/bDwNGXciNCQ/v-deo.html. Statistics provided in this video show that even the poorest Americans living in the United States have a better net income than most of the world. For instance, according to Forbes magazine, June 1, 2013, the bottom 5% of United States citizens are richer than 68% of people living throughout the rest of the world; U.S. citizens who make $50,000 a year are richer than 99.69% of the people in the rest of the world; U.S. citizens who make $20,000 a year are richer than 96% of the people in the rest of the world, U.S. citizens who make $10,000 a year are richer than 84% of the people in the rest of the world; U.S. citizens who make $100,000 a year are in a category that only 8 out of every 10,000 people achieve in the entire world. Will it be difficult for rich Americans who don't think they're rich to enter into the kingdom of heaven? Jesus already gave the answer. For more on this hear "Those Whom God Hates He Is Often Pleased To Give Plenty Of Earthly Things To, Edwards" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=427121150346 by the well known theologian Jonathan Edwards who also preached the most famous sermon on North American soil called, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=770213541. If you don't like what I am telling you then get mad at God because He wrote the Bible. If you take the Bible at FACE VALUE, you can only interpret it one way. The best way to interpret the Bible is with the Bible. God said what He meant and meant what He said. Let the Bible speak for itself. Jesus answered the question in Luke 13:24 with the following words...“...for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” Most of the people in this world are going straight to Hell when they die because they have not been born again (hear "Few Saved From A Burning Hell" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=3514145121). Lies and deception are everywhere! Catholics and Jehovah Witnesses claim to be born-again but they are NOT. You can't get born-again by doing good works, confessing your sins to a priest, getting water baptized, joining a church or keeping the Sabbath Day. Salvation is NOT found in any religion; but rather, in a Person-The Lord Jesus Christ! Most people today have churchianity without Christianity, and they are all going to Hell if they don't repent toward God of their unbelief (for more on this see our video "TRUE BELIEVERS & NON BELIEVERS ACCORDING TO THE GOSPEL OF THE REFORMATION: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?" at ua-cam.com/video/3_dN0oC57Rk/v-deo.html). The vast majority of so-called "Evangelical Christians" in the world today do not know what the Biblical gospel is or what "justification by faith alone" is (see our video "SAD STATE OF THE CHURCH: 87% OF EVANGELICAL "CHRISTIANS" DON'T KNOW WHAT GOSPEL JUSTIFICATION IS" at ua-cam.com/video/im4ozy_EiR4/v-deo.html. There are only two types of religions in the world: DO and DONE. Either you believe that you have to DO something to go to Heaven; or else you believe that it is DONE, paid for by Jesus' precious blood. Jesus said in Luke 13:24 that “many” will seek to enter into Heaven but will not be able. That is quite startling. Jesus said the same thing in Matthew 7:21-23 . . . “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” The reason why these religious people were not allowed into Heaven was because they attempted to enter Heaven through their own self-righteousness. In Matthew 5:20 Jesus spake concerning the religious leaders of His time . . . “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Most of the religious churchgoers in the world today are as lost as can be, still hellbound in their wickedness. They have not done the will of God concerning salvation, which is to BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST (John 6:40; Acts 16:30-31). Jesus provides two contrasts in Luke 13:24, the contrast between seeking to enter and striving to enter and the contrast between seeking to enter through the narrow door and seeking to enter by any other means. Let’s now focus on the second contrast. Look at verses 25-27:"Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, 'Lord, open up to us!' then He will answer and say to you, 'I do not know where you are from.' 26 "Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets'; 27 and He will say, 'I tell you, I do not know where you are from; DEPART FROM ME, ALL YOU EVILDOERS.' (Luke 13:25 NAU) Jesus’ statement at the end of 25 and the middle of 27 is translated well in the NIV: “I don't know you or where you come from.” In effect, He is saying, “I don’t know you at all! You may think that you are mine, but I have nothing to do with you - I don’t even know your family, your village” So what does Jesus mean by the narrow door? What is His intended contrast with other methods of entering? Again, let’s begin by considering what the narrow door is not: The narrow door is NOT being in a church, reading the Bible, listening to sermons, looking to others like a Christian. This is clear from verse 26: these evildoers looked just like believers who had been with Jesus. They had listened to His preaching. But He does not know them, and they stand condemned.The narrow door is NOT being prominent in this life. Jesus says in verse 30 that some who are presently first will be last. Prominence now is no guarantee of one’s entering through the narrow door.The narrow door is NOT being a descendant of a great believer. See verse 28. Remember, Jesus is speaking to descendants of Abraham and Jacob. I sometimes like to use the expression, “God has no grandchildren.” Each of us must come to Jesus on our own, not through our parents, our grandparents, or other ancestors. Then what does Jesus mean by the narrow door? Elsewhere, Jesus says He Himself is the door: I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. (John 10:9) In what sense is this door narrow? In two ways. First, the door is narrow in the sense that no one comes to the Father any other way (John 14:6). No religious activities - Christian or non-Christian - bring us into the Kingdom. Sincere beliefs do not bring us in. Good works do not bring us in. Good feelings about our relationship with Christ do not bring us in. Though in our pluralistic society this message is despised, we must preach, teach, and live out this truth: There is only one door, and that narrow door is Jesus. The Lake of Fire is waiting for "many" when they die. Jesus' disciple asked Him if few people are going to Heaven. Jesus replied that many people will attempt, but fail. When the floods came in Noah's day, many people tried to get on the ark, but it was too late once the door was closed. When the bridegroom came in Matthew 25:1-13, the five foolish virgins were left behind because they were gone buying oil at the last moment. Do not likewise make the mistake of delaying salvation, for you will be sorry when it is too late. Few souls are going to Heaven. Jesus said, "Only those who find that strait gate and narrow way that leadeth unto life (Matthew 7:13-15), which is the righteousness of Jesus Christ will make it to heaven. So many churchgoers have religion, but they have never truly been born of the spirit of God, which is the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9, hear "Why Are So Few People Saved?" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=111710103558). Salvation happens when a person acknowledges their guilt of sin unto God in repentance; believing on Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, to be forgiven (this is a supernatural action caused by God in the heart of a repentant sinner in 2 Timothy 2:24-26; see also "SUPERNATURAL BIBLE PROPHECY CONCERNING JESUS THE JEWISH MESSIAH (PART #1)" at ua-cam.com/video/DVByqkjwChs/v-deo.html). We are SINNERS and Jesus is the wonderful SAVIOR! Acts 10:43, “To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.” Salvation is given to those "few" who have been ordained to eternal life by God Himself (Acts 13:48). And who are those "few"? Jesus answers that question in John chapter 6:37,39,44,63 & 65: "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." "And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day." "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day." " It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." "And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father." For more on this see our video "The Sovereignty of God Versus Man-Made Religions, Hollywood Movies & Petty Emotionalism" - ua-cam.com/video/1UQABR_9gGI/v-deo.html. Keep in mind that God works with relatively few numbers throughout world history (remember how Elijah thought he was the last prophet of God left in Israel in 1 Kings 19:13-18 & the Lord had to correct Elijah about the number but still the number God told Elijah was small). The God of the Bible has always had His way of operating His plan in this world & it has always been consistently with small numbers (1 Corinthians 1:26-29, "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence." For an excellent message concerning the small numbers God has historically employed please hear the outstanding theologian Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones in his sermon "Sermon 113 - Three-score and Fifteen Souls" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=99217141430450. We also have a video along these lines called " Biblical Predestination #6: God Only Chooses a FEW for Salvation (Many Called/Few Chosen)" - ua-cam.com/video/veCdGzYsc70/v-deo.html. See also our video "Strive To Enter - But Many Will Not Be Able To - Greg Van Court - Dayspring Fellowship, Austin, TX" at ua-cam.com/video/qr2Rn-7o4RA/v-deo.html. 2 Timothy 2:15, "Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
The modern day "Church of Christ" movement was began back in the early 1800s by Thomas & Alexander Campbell, Barton W. Stone & Walter Scott. See our video at RISE OF THE CULTS: WHERE DID ALL THESE STRANGE AMERICAN RELIGIOUS SECTS COME FROM?. Walter Scott "arranges" the "ancient gospel" & makes "experiments" with it; baptizes William Amend on November 18, 1827 & claims to have "restored the gospel" (see "Life of Elder Walter Scott" by Baxter, Chapter VI; "Memoirs of Alexander Campbell, Vol. 2, pp. 208-220) thus the name "The Restoration Movement." Water baptism becomes the savior & gospel of this group. However, did Christianity really need these four men to "restore the ancient gospel" in 1827? Was there no Christianity before 1827? Is water baptism then essential & necessary in order to be saved from hell & go to heaven instead? Why Water Baptism Is Not Essential to Salvation By Steve Morrison www.BibleQuery.org Points We Should Agree On Salvation was purchased neither by water nor by faith. Our salvation is by grace through the shed blood of Jesus on the cross. The issue is whether we choose to receive that salvation through a) faith (most Bible-believing Christians, including some Church of Christ) b) Faith plus one work: baptism (some Church of Christ) c) Faith plus works in general (Catholic, Orthodox, some Church of Christ) d) Being a nice guy (Jesus’ blood was unnecessary) (many liberal Protestants and Catholics) Why This is Important A person can believe the wrong one of the first two and still be saved. But to me this is still important and unscriptural: 1. Says God sometimes breaks His promise 2. Salvation: God plus our response plus a 3rd party 3. Is there a corner in Hell for some obedient believers? On the other hand, many Church of Christ people say that if a person was martyred for their faith, and even if they were first baptized by immersion, if it was not specifically for remission of sins, there was no point for them to die for their faith, because they are in Hell. What if a Church of Christ person believed, but was killed in a car wreck on the way to being baptized? Thesis Nowhere does the Bible say the words "Cannot be saved without water baptism" Granted that some Bible truths are implied, not directly stated. But allegedly implied truths that contradict Biblically stated truths are untruths. Outline: Five Points Through Faith (Jn 3:16,18,36; Jn 5:24; 6:29,35,40 Rom 10:9-13, 1 Cor 1:14,17a etc.) Response of a Believer (Mk 16:16; Jn 3:3-6; Acts 2:38; 22:16, 1 Pet 3:20-21 etc.) Understanding Salvation (Eph 2:8-10) Thief on the Cross (Luke 23:40-43) Holy Spirit & Cornelius (Acts 10:43-48) Through Faith We Are Saved Some verses teach belief/faith for salvation, no mention of baptism. Others explicitly give the Promise of All who believe / have faith … are saved (John 3:16,18, etc.) We should all believe God’s promises. But what is genuine belief / saving faith? Genuine Belief / Saving Faith Saving Faith is not belief about but believing on Even the devils believe - and shudder (Jms 2:19) "Cheap grace", mere belief about facts, but not leading to a transformed life, is dead (Jms 2:20-24) True belief means trusting our lives to God OT: Ps 4:5; 9:10; 13:5; 20:7; 22:4,9; 25:2; Pr 3:5; Isa 8:17 NT: Rom 4:5; 9:33; 10:11; 1 Pet 2:6 Heb 2:13 (quotes 2 Sam 22:3) Blondin & tightrope over Niagara Falls illustration Old Testament believers, with the knowledge they had, were saved trusting forward to the same Savior we have, while we with the knowledge we have trust backwards at the finished work of Christ. When Blondin was about to walk over Niagara Falls on a tightrope pushing a wheelbarrow, a man told him that he believed that he could do it. Blondin asked if he really believed. When the man said yes, Blondin told him to get in the wheelbarrow. Genuine faith is not standing on the side saying "I believe", but saving faith in Christ is being willing to get in the wheelbarrow. Genuine Belief in Jesus as Lord Genuine belief in Jesus as Lord implies a repentance, calling on God, and commitment to obedience, including I might add, practicing the Lord’s supper and baptism. But let’s say a person was unable to fulfill baptism or another act of obedience, God understands out intentions. Role of Works in Salvation Both Ephesians 2:8-9 and James 2 show that works have an important role in our salvation: they are an output, not an input. Works are like a beating heart. You can make a dead person’s heart beat with electrodes, but that does not mean they are alive. But if you say a person is alive but their heart is not beating, then I have my doubts. Baptism is a work of a saved believer, not a lost person. But if someone says works have a role in us getting saved, then they deny Ephesians 2:8. Twice as many verses emphasize belief without baptism Verses showing water baptism Jn 3:16,18,36 (whosoever) Jn 1:11-12 (received him) Mk 16:16 (believe and is baptized) Jn 5:24 Jn 2:11b, 23b (belief only) Jn 3:4-6 (born of water & spirit) Acts 10:43-48 Jn 6:29,35,40,47 Acts 2:37-38 (for remission of sins) Rom 4:1-6; 5:1 Jn 7:38,39; Acts 22:16 (wash away thy sins) Rom 9:33 (belief only) Jn 8:30-32 Rom 6:3-5 (bapt.…into His death) Rom 10:9-13 Jn 11:25-26 (believes) 1 Cor 6:11 (washed... by the spirit) Joel 2:32a+Acts 2:21+Rom 10:13 Jn 12:46 (believe) Gal 3:26-27 (baptized…clothed) 1 Cor 1:14,17 Jn 16:9 (not believe) Eph 5:26,Tt 3:5 (washing) Eph 2:8-10 Jn 17:20 (believe only) Col 2:11-13; Heb 10:22 Gal 3:22b (belief only) Rom 10:9-10 (if a man…) 1 Pet 3:20b-21 Heb 4:2 (faith only) 1 Jn 5:1,10-13 1 Cor 1:12-13 (Paul and divisions) Other verses mentioning belief but not baptism: Jn 4:39a,41; 9:35; 10:42; 11:25,45,48; 12:11, 31,42,44; 14:1,12; 20:31 Acts 14:23; 20:21; Rom 15:13; Php 1:29; Tt 3:8 Other verses mentioning baptism: Mt 28:19; Acts 1:22; 2:41; 8:13,16, 37-39; 1 Cor 10:2 John 3:16,18 Jn 3:16 "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. (KJV) Note it is not that this verse simply mentions belief without baptism. It says that whosoever believes is saved, without baptism. John 3:18 Jn 3:18 He that believeth in Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (KJV) When you believed in Christ, were you condemned or not condemned at that exact in time? John 3:36 "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." (KJV) John 5:24 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." (KJV) Acts 10:43 (KJV) "To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name, whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins." This was said to Cornelius prior to baptism. Rom 10:9-13 (also Joel 2:32a; Acts 2:21) (KJV) "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (11) For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (12) For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." 1 Cor 1:14; 17a (KJV) 1 Cor 1:14 "I [Paul] thank God that I baptized none of you but Cris’pus and Ga’i-us" 1 Cor 1:17a "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel:" Jn 6:28-29,35,40 (KJV) Jn 6:28-29 "Then said they unto him, What shall we do that we might work the works of God? (29) Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." Jn 6:35 "And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." Jn 6:40 "And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day." Twice as many verses emphasize belief without baptism Verses showing water baptism Jn 3:16,18,36 (whosoever) Jn 1:11-12 (received him) Mk 16:16 (believe and is baptized) Jn 5:24 Jn 2:11b, 23b (belief only) Jn 3:4-6 (born of water & spirit) Acts 10:43-48 Jn 6:29,35,40,47 Acts 2:37-38 (for remission of sins) Rom 4:1-6; 5:1 Jn 7:38,39; Acts 22:16 (wash away thy sins) Rom 9:33 (belief only) Jn 8:30-32 Rom 6:3-5 (bapt.…into His death) Rom 10:9-13 Jn 11:25-26 (believes) 1 Cor 6:11 (washed... by the spirit) Joel 2:32a+Acts 2:21+Rom 10:13 Jn 12:46 (believe) Gal 3:26-27 (baptized…clothed) 1 Cor 1:14,17 Jn 16:9 (not believe) Eph 5:26,Tt 3:5 (washing) Eph 2:8-10 Jn 17:20 (believe only) Col 2:11-13; Heb 10:22 Gal 3:22b (belief only) Rom 10:9-10 (if a man…) 1 Pet 3:20b-21 Heb 4:2 (faith only) 1 Jn 5:1,10-13 1 Cor 1:12-13 (Paul and divisions) Other verses mentioning belief but not baptism: Jn 4:39a,41; 9:35; 10:42; 11:25,45,48; 12:11, 31,42,44; 14:1,12; 20:31 Acts 14:23; 20:21; Rom 15:13; Php 1:29; Tt 3:8 Other verses mentioning baptism: Mt 28:19; Acts 1:22; 2:41; 8:13,16, 37-39; 1 Cor 10:2 Summary of the First Section While some verses simply mention belief without baptism, many other verses say that all who believe, regardless of baptism will be saved. We will call these the "whosoever" verses. Saving faith is a living faith, that is willing to repent, confess God, and obey. Of course getting baptized with water is part of obeying. But if a person dies before they are able to be baptized, God looks at our heart. Response of a Believer Water baptism verses Summary of Response Mk 16:16 yet Jn 3:36 Faith leads to baptism, only unbelief condemned Jn 3:4-6 yet Jn 3:16,18 Spoken to Nicodemus before the resurrection Acts 2:37-38 yet 10:43 Eis can mean result of or in, as in Acts 10:43 Acts 22:16 yet 22:13 Never said "Brother" Saul was not saved first Rom 6:3-5 yet 10:9-11 No mention of the pious unbaptized like the thief 1 Cor 6:11 yet Rom 8:11; Eph 1:13-14a Washed by the Spirit here, not water. If the Spirit is in a NT believer, Spirit’s seal guarantees. Gal 3:26-27 yet 2 Cor 5:4-5 A soldier’s uniform is an emblem of his identity. All with the Spirit guaranteed future clothing. Eph 5:26,Tt 3:5 Baptism of the Holy Spirit as in Acts 1:5 + 2:4 Col 2:11-13 yet Rom 2:29; Acts 15:1-21 Symbol of buried with Christ. Bible never said cannot be saved without water baptism Heb 10:22 yet 1 Pet 3:21 The washed body is a visible emblem, but 1 Pet 3:21a says does not save. 1 Pet 3:20b-21 yet 2:6b Noah and Abraham obedient saints beforehand. 1 Cor 1:12-13 yet 1:14-17 Baptism not vital since Paul NOT sent to baptize. Others: Mt 28:19; Acts 1:22; 2:41; 8:13,16, 37-39 - not say for salvation Response of a Believer Belief in the Lord Jesus implies a pledge of obedience. But this does NOT imply God sends an obedient believer, who in unable to do something, to Hell! While no other way except Christ (Jn 14:6b, Acts 4:12) the Bible never says condemned without baptism. While these show baptism is an important response of believers, no verse reneges on God’s promise to all who believe! Mk 16:16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." Yet John 3:36 "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (NKJV) Mark 16:16 does not specifically say all who believe but are unbaptized go to Hell. It if did, it would contradict John 3:36 and the other whosoever verses. Here is a "Change for a dollar and a water bottle illustration". If my daughter in the kitchen asks me for change for a dollar, and I tell her, give me a dollar and a water bottle and I will give you change. If my daughter gives me both I give her the change. If my daughter does not give me a dollar, then no change. But what if my daughter gives me a dollar but not a water bottle. Then it depends. If she says, I looked but I was unable to find a water bottle, then I will still give her change. But if she says something disrespectful, and refuses to give me a water bottle that she can get, then no change. A Church of Christ counter example was given as: "if you eat and digest your food you will live, if you do not eat, you will die." Digesting your food is implied. However, applying to Mark 16:16 this example of an involuntary bodily action to a command of God we are to voluntarily obey contradicts the Word of God, that promises salvation to all who truly believe in the following places: John 3:16,18,36; John 5:24; 6:47; 11:25-26; Acts 10:43-48; Romans 9:33; Joel 2:32a + Acts 2:21 + Romans 10:9-10; 10:13; 1 John 5:1,10-13 John 3:4-6 "‘Nic-o-de’mus saith unto Him, ‘How can a man be born when is old? Can he enter a 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 the kingdom of God. (6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." (KJV) Jn 3:16 "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." (KJV) Jn 3:18a "He that believeth on him is not condemned" (KJV) One reason John 3:4-6 does not mean all who are not baptized go to Hell is that it would contradict John 3:16; 18a and the other whosoever verses. A second reason is that Jesus said John 3:4-6 before the resurrection. Jn 3:46 said before the resurrection a) If baptism essential before resurrection: Thief on the cross problem in Lk 23:43 b) If baptism not-essential, then since Jesus told Nicodemus prior to His resurrection, John 3:5 cannot teach no unbaptized person can be saved. But if b), note that believers were to be baptized in Jn 4:2 Water baptism: Not practiced in the OT, a command in the New, but never was it simply a suggestion! Acts 2:37-38 yet Acts 10:43 Acts 2:37-38 "When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ (38) Peter replied, ‘[ya’ll] Repent and [he/she] be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for [eis] the forgiveness / remission [aphesin] of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (NIV/NKJV) Yet Acts 10:43 "To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission / forgiveness of sins." (NKJV/NIV) Yet Acts 2:21 (Joel 2:32a; Rom 10:13) "And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved" (NKJV) So right before Acts 2:36, Peter told us the criteria for receiving salvation: Acts 2:21. A second reason Acts 2:37-38 does not teach all who are not baptized go to Hell is that it would contradict the other whosoever verses. Forgiveness/Remission [Aphesin] are the Same word in Greek The word forgiveness/remission is the same Greek: aphesin (Strong’s 859) The same Greek word is used as: Remission (KJV/NKJV) Mt 26:28; Mk 1:4; Lk 1:77; 3:3; 24:47; Heb 9:22; 10:18 Forgiveness (KJV/NKJV), Mk 3:29; Acts 5:31; 13:38; 26:18; Eph 1:7; Col 1:14 NIV has forgiveness/forgiven in all these verses Many Meanings of Eis (Strong’s 1519) Eis mean in order to cause (looking forward) Lk 5:14 Jesus told the cleansed leper to show himself to the priests as Moses commanded eis a testimony to them. Eis means "because of" (looking backward) Mt 3:11 "John baptized eis repentance. If eis could only mean to cause remission of sins in Acts 2:38, then eis would have to baptize to cause repentance in Mt 3:11 Mt 12:41 [Ninevites] "repented eis the preaching of Jonah" Eis means "to" Jn 4:5 "He [Jesus] comes eis a city of Samaria" Jn 11:31 "She goes eis the tomb" Isa 13:14 (Septuagint) "a man shall turn back to his own people" This means "[return] to", but it is looking backward, not forward. They did not just become his people, they were already his people. Eis means "about" or "in reference to" Acts 2:25 David speaks eis him Cause and Effect and Eis If eis could only mean "caused" The Ninevites "caused" the preaching of Jonah? Mt 12:31 Mary goes to "cause" the tomb"? Jn 11:31 Through one man sin "caused" the world"? Rom 5:12) John the Baptist had a baptism for repentance to cause forgiveness of sins too. (Then what about the thief on the cross?) (Lk 3:3) You cannot base a doctrine on a grammatical ambiguity! Looking Backward with eis Church of Christ people claim eis never looks backward. However, besides Mt 3:11 and 12:41; it looks backward (as well as forward) in the Old Testament Septuagint. It looks backward in Mal 2:2 Did not One God (eis) create you? Mal 2:11 [Judah] has gone (eis) after other gods. Acts 22:16 yet Acts 22:13a Acts 22:16 [Ananias told Paul] "And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name." (NIV) Acts 22:13a "He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’…" (NIV) Saul/Paul was already a fellow believer in Acts 22:13. 1) This does not say baptism saved, and 2) if it was the water that washed sins away that would be against 1 Peter 3:21. One reason Acts 22:16 does not refer to unbaptized believers going to Hell is that it would contradict the whosoever verses. More on Brother Now brethren meant fellow Jews in Rom 9:3; Acts 3:17; 13:26; 22:1,2; 23:1,5. However: We have no proof that Ananias was Jewish Ananias and Paul had a bond that was closer than being Jewish: even prior to Paul’s baptism, both were genuine believers. All genuine believers are our brothers. Baptism is only something a brother and sister believer does. The key issue here, is, can a genuine "brother", like the thief on the cross, or Cornelius before he was baptized, be in Hell if He dies before he does the "work" of water baptism? Alexander Campbell Christian Messenger, 1831 p.19,21 "My opinion is that immersion is the only baptism. But shall I therefore make my opinion a term of Christian fellowship? If in this case I thus act, where shall I cease from making my opinions terms of fellowship? I confess I see no end. . . . Let us still acknowledge all to be brethren, who believe in the Lord Jesus, and humbly and honestly obey him, as far as they know his will, and their duty." Rom 6:3-5 yet Rom 10:9-13 Rom 6:3-5 "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? (4) 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. (5) For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:" (KJV) While Rom 6 refers to water baptism, not just Spirit baptism, this never says cannot be saved if not baptized. Rather, it gives the meaning of baptism (our identification with Christ’s death and resurrection. Yet Rom 10:9-13 Rom 10:9-13 "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (10) For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (11) For Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame. (12) For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. (13) For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (NKJV) 1 Cor 6:11 yet Rom 8:11; Eph 1:13-14a 1 Cor 6:11 "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God." (NIV) Washed by the Spirit here, not water. Baptism of the Holy Spirit is in Mt 3:11b; Mk 1:8; Lk 3:16b; Acts 1:5+2:4; 8:16-17; 19:2-7; 1 Cor 12:13 Yet Rom 8:11; Eph 1:13-14a Rom 8:11 "But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." (NKJV) Eph 1:13-14a "In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, (14) who is the guarantee of our inheritance…" (NKJV) Gal 3:26-27 yet 2 Cor 5:4-5 Gal 3:26-27 "For you are all sons of God though faith in Christ Jesus, (27) For all of you who were baptized in Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." (uNASB) The Greek word enduo "clothed/put on" (Strong’s 1746) "in the sense of sinking into a garment); to invest with clothing (lit. or fit.): array, cloths (with), endue, have (put) on." As a soldier has a uniform, being clothed with Christ is an external emblem or an inward change and new identity. Yet 2 Cor 5:4-5 Yet 2 Cor 5:4-5 "For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now He who have prepared for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee." (NKJV) Even we are not fully clothed while in this life, but in the New Testament those who have the Spirit are guaranteed they will be fully clothed. Eph 5:26 & Titus 3:5 yet Acts 1:5+2:4 Eph 5:26 "To make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word," (NIV) Titus 3:5 "he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior" (NIV) This is baptism (washing) of the Holy Spirit, which is mentioned in Acts 1:5 and fulfilled in Acts 2:4 Alexander Campbell Design by Baptism p.262 (1st part) "In this sense we are to understand what is said by Paul, that Christ sanctifieth and cleanseth the church ‘with washing of water by the word.’ Eph 5:26, and in another place, that ‘according to His mercy he saved us, but the washing of regeneration, and of renewing of the Holy Ghost’ Titus 3:5, and by Peter that ‘baptism doeth save us’ 1 Pet. 3:21, For it is not the intention of Paul to signify that our ablution and salvation are completed by water, or that water contains in itself the virtue to purify, regenerate, and renew; nor did Peter mean that it was the cause of salvation, but only the knowledge and assurance of it is received in this sacrament: what is sufficiently evident from the words they have used." Alexander Campbell Design by Baptism p.262 (2nd part) "For Paul connects together the ‘word of life’ and ‘the baptism of water;’ as if he had said, our ablution and sanctification are announced to us by the Gospel, and by baptism this message is confirmed. And Peter after having said the baptism doth save us, immediately adds, that it is ‘not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God’ which proceeds from faith. But on the contrary, baptism promises us no other purification than by the sprinkling of the blood of Christ; which is emblematically represented by water, on account of its resemblance to washing and cleansing." Col 2:11-13 yet Rom 2:29; Acts 15:1-21 Col 2:11-13 "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." (KJV) Yet Rom 2:29 Rom 2:25-28 said that circumcision had value if you obeyed the law, but not for lawbreakers. Even those who kept the law but were uncircumised will be regarded as circumcised. Rom 2:29 "But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God." (KJV) Yet Acts 15:1-12 Some men [falsely] taught that unless you are circumcised you cannot be saved. The apostles COULD have said, "Not circumcision anymore but baptism." But instead Peter said, "No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are." So they told Gentile believers to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, sexual immorality, blood, but "missed their chance" to say that baptism is required. Heb 10:22 yet 1 Pet 3:21 Heb 10:22 "let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." (NIV) Yet 1 Pet 3:21a (NIV) "and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God…" 1 Pet 3:21a (KJV) "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.)" The body washed with pure water is a visible emblem of our changed hearts. 1 Peter 3:21 says that it is not the water that saves us but the pledge of a good conscience towards God. 1 Pet 3:20b-21 yet 1 Pet 2:6b Pet 3:20b-21 "days of Noah, while the ark was preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. (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:" (KJV) Note: KJV’s "by water" is incorrect; the Greek is "through water (di udatos)" per (NKJV, NIV, uNASB, Green’s literal translation, NRSV) Yet 1 Pet 2:6b "he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame." (NKJV) Response to 1 Pet 3:20b-21 Both Noah and Abraham were obedient servants of God prior to the flood and testing with Isaac. 1 Peter 3:21 says it is NOT the water, but the pledge of a good conscience before God. It does not refer to people who made a pledge but were not able to get baptized. The Bible also uses word save in the fourth tense (of working out our salvation. So baptism only saves in the on-going sense that we can turn others from sin (James 5:20) we can save ourselves (Acts 2:40), we can save others (1 Cor 7:16, 9:22; 1 Tim 4:16) Alexander Campbell Millennial Harbinger, 1837 p.411-412 (1st part) "But who is a Christian? I answer, every one that believes in his heart that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, the Son of God; repents of his sins, and obeys him in all things according to his measure of knowledge of his will. . . . I cannot make any one duty the standard of Christian state or character, not even immersion into the name of Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and [cannot] in my heart regard all that have been sprinkled in infancy without their own knowledge and consent, as aliens from Christ and the well-grounded hope of heaven." Alexander Campbell Millennial Harbinger, 1837 p.411-412 (2nd part) "Should I find a Pedobaptist [one baptized as an infant] more intelligent in the Christian Scriptures, more spiritually-minded and more devoted to the Lord than a Baptist, or one immersed on a profession of the ancient faith, I could not hesitate a moment in giving the preference of my heart to him that loveth most. Did I act otherwise, I would be a pure sectarian, a Pharisee among Christians." It if False to Claim Church of Christ Always Taught This This, it is wrong for Church of Christ literature to claim Churches of Christ always believed a person not immersed for sins is going to Hell. One of the founders, Alexander Campbell, said a pedobaptist could be saved Alexander Campbell was never immersed for remission of sins Nobody in the church prior to this time said that belief without baptism would send someone to Hell However, Ambrose, Augustine, and others did teach that baptized babies go to Heaven, and unbaptized babies go to Hell. Understanding Salvation in Eph 2:8-10 Eph 2:8-10 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, (9) not of works, lest anyone should boast. (10) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (NKJV) Counter-argument1: Naaman the Syrian In 2 Ki 5:10-15, Naaman was not cleansed of leprosy until he washed in the Jordan. a) This act of faith was for cleansing from leprosy, not salvation. b) It does not matter what river, or baptism water you use. But here it had to specifically be the Jordan River to make a point to Naaman. c) There was no water baptism in the Old Testament. d) Finally, if someone tried to make it relate to baptism, then Naaman did not know for sure there was only one God except the God of Israel until AFTER he washed in the Jordan in 2 Kings 5:15. Counter-argument 2: Walls of Jericho God by His grace gave Jericho to the Israelites without them working for it (Josh 6:2) But they still had to march around the city for seven days, 13 times, before it fell. Counter-argument 2 Answer Their marching did not cause the walls to fall; God supernaturally did. Obediently doing works DOES give us blessings, but this was not for their salvation, but to their conquering strongholds in their life as believers. It would be a false caricature of our position to say that we are against works, or that works have nothing to do with a saved person’s life. Works are an output of salvation, not an input. Thief on the Cross in Luke 23:40-43 Baptism was a much "for" remission of sins before Jesus’ resurrection as after. (Mk 1:4; Lk 1:77; Lk 3:3b same wording as Acts 2:38) Rejecting John’s baptism was rejecting God’s will for them (Lk 7:30) The disciples baptized too (Jn 3:26; 4:2) Jesus had high regard for at least one near-death conversion! No opportunity for water baptism, but did not reject. One answer: God is understanding Martyrs Potamiaena and the soldier Basilides About 202 A.D., as the Christian lady Potamiaena was being lead to her martyr’s death in the arena, the soldier Basilides kindly kept the rabble from bothering her. She said she would tell God of his kindness, and he would receive a reward. Three days after her death, he had a dream about her. Afterwards, when he was asked to swear something, he said he could not, as he was a Christian. First they thought he was joking, then they put him in prison; he was martyred too. Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History (323-326 A.D.) book 6 ch.5 p.253) So would someone like that go to Hell, who truly trusted in Christ and was martyred for Him? More on Basilides In fairness to the other side, I must mention something else too. Brothers of the church met with Basilides in prison, and after talking with him gave him "the seal of the Lord". It is unclear that this is baptism, but it probably was. However, the pagan jailers would not have let a prisoner leave the prison to get baptized. So how could he get baptized? Early Church: Immersion when Practical Didache (c.125 A.D.) ch.7 p.379 "baptize into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in living water. But if thou have not living water, baptize into other water; and if thou canst not in cold, in warm. But if thou have not either, pour out water thrice upon the head into the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." Early Church Errors But the early church made mistakes too. Around 210 A.D. the early Church got the idea that before baptism you needed to go through a long, two year class for catechumens. What if someone came to Christ and was martyred before completing their lengthy class? So according to this Church of Christ doctrine, all the Christian martyrs, including Basilides, who were killed before getting immersed in water, will be in Hell, I supposed studying Greek forever. Maybe they will have the thief on the cross as their instructor though. Holy Spirit and Cornelius in Acts 10:43-48 They had the Holy Spirit prior to water baptism So do we (John 14:16-17,23) In the New Testament, all who have the Holy Spirit are in Christ. (1 John 4:13; Rom 8:9-11,14,16a) Rom 8:14 "For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." (uNASB) Rom 8:16-17a "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, (17) and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ." (uNASB) Cornelius according to 1 John 4:13 1 Jn 4:13 "By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit." (KJV, NKJV, uNASB) Cornelius According to Rom 8:9-11 Rom 8:9-11 "But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you, Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. (10) And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is life because of righteousness. (11) But if the Spirit of him that raised Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by [through] His Spirit that dwelleth in you." (KJV) (Greek dia is "through" as NKJV, NIV, uNASB, Green’s) Summary Through Faith (Jn 3:16,18,36, Jn 5:24; 6:29,35,40 Rom 10:9-13; 1 Cor 1:14,17a etc.) Response of a Believer (Mk 16:16; Jn 3:3-6; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet 3:20-21 etc.) Understanding Salvation (Eph 2:8-10) Thief on the Cross (Luke 23:40-43) Holy Spirit & Cornelius (Acts 10:43-48) Conclusion Water baptism is what a believer should do. Even all Church of Christ people will agree, but they try to differentiate between a genuine believer and a saved person. Water baptism by immersion is only as essential for salvation as it was for the thief on the cross, Cornelius, Basilides and other early martyrs Quote on Potamiaena and the soldier Basilides Basilides may be counted the seventh of these. He led to martyrdom the celebrate Potamiaena, whose is still famous among the people of the country for the many things which she endured for the preservation of her chastity and virginity. For she was blooming in the perfection of her mind and her physical graces. Having suffered much for the faith of Christ, finally after tortures dreadful and terrible to speak of, she with her mother, Marcella, was put to death by fire. They say that the judge, Aquilla by name, having inflicted severe tortures upon her entire body, at last threatened to hand her over to the gladiators for bodily abuse. After a little consideration, being asked for her decision, she made a reply which was regarded as impious. Thereupon she received sentence immediately, and Basilides, one of the officers of the army, led her to death. But as the people attempted to annoy and insult her with abusive words, he drove back her insulters, showing her much pity and kindness. And perceiving the man’s sympathy for her, she exhorted him to be of good courage, for she would supplicate her Lord for him after her departure, and he would soon receive a reward for the kindness he had shown her. Having said this, she nobly sustained the issue, burning pitch being poured little by little, over various parts of her body, from the sole of her feet to the crown of her head. Such was the conflict endured by this famous maiden. Not long after this Basilides, being asked by his fellow-soldiers to swear for a certain reason, declared that it was not lawful for him to swear at all, for he was a Christian, and he confessed this openly. At first they thought that he was jesting, but when he continued to affirm it, he was led to the judge, and, acknowledging his conviction before him he was imprisoned. But the brethren in God coming to him and inquiring the reason of this sudden and remarkable resolution, he is reported to have said the Potamiaena, for three days after her martyrdom, stood beside him by night and placed a crown on his head, and said that she had besought the Lord for him and had obtained what she asked, and that soon she would take him with her. Thereupon the brethren gave him the seal(4) of the Lord; and on the next day, after giving glorious testimony for the Lord, he was beheaded." Footnote 4 says, "The word aphragis, ‘seal,’ was very commonly used by the Fathers to signify baptism (see Suicer’s Thesaurus)." The Early Church on Cornelius Anonymous Treatise on Re-baptism (254-257 A.D.) ch.5 p.669-670 On speaking of Cornelius said, "And there will be no doubt that men may be baptized with the Holy Ghost without water, - as thou observest that these were baptized before they were baptized with water; that the announcements of both John and of our Lord Himself were satisfied, - forasmuch as they received the grace of the promise both without the imposition of the apostle’s hands and without the [baptismal] laver, which they attained afterwards. And their hearts being purified, God bestowed upon them at the same time, in virtue of their faith, remission of sins; so that the subsequent baptism conferred upon them this benefit alone, that they received also the invocation of the name of Jesus Christ, that nothing might appear to be wanting to the integrity of their service and faith." Cyprian (246-258 A.D.) Letter 71 p.378 strongly emphasized baptism (even of infants), and one can see the doctrine of baptismal regeneration in his writings. Yet in discussing Cornelius he even said, "For we find also, in the Acts of the Apostles, that this is maintained by the apostles, and kept in the truth of the saving faith, so that when, in the house of Cornelius the centurion, the Holy Ghost had descended upon the Gentiles who were there, fervent in the warmth of their faith, and believing in the Lord with the whole heart; and when, filled with the Spirit, they blessed God in divers tongues, still none the less the blessed Apostle Peter, mindful of the divine precept and the Gospel, commanded that those same men should be baptized who had already been filled with the Holy Spirit, that nothing might seem to be neglected to the observance by the apostolic instruction in all things of the law of the divine precept and Gospel." We cannot find a single person in history who held to both believer’s baptism plus all who are lost who are not immersed for remission of sins. In other words, according to the doctrine of many Churches of Christ, outside of the New Testament we cannot find in history a single person who had any possibility of going to heaven, until after the restoration movement started, and even Alexander Campbell was never baptized for remission of sins. Note that Acts 2:38 says "ya’ll (second person plural) repent and each of you (third person singular) be baptized. So forgiveness/remission of sins does not modify repent. Other Notes Two Classes of Verses 1. Mention of belief/faith for salvation, no mention of baptism 2. The Promise of All who believe/ have faith … are saved (John 3:16,18, etc.) Verses Showing Salvation Can Come Before or Without Water Baptism Thief on the cross (Luke 23:40-43). The thief was not permitted to get down, get baptized, and then get back up on the cross again. If God is understanding of the situation of the thief, then that proves water baptism is not essential for salvation. Even though the thief died before Christ’s resurrection, water baptism was still practiced by Jesus and his disciples (Jon 3:26; 4:2), and water baptism was for repentance for remission of sins by John the Baptist (Mk 1:4; Lk 1:77; 3:3b). Jesus was said to have baptized (John 3:26), though actually Jesus had His disciples do the baptizing (John 4:2) In Lk 3:3b John the Baptist was "preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins" (NKJV) and the words for remissions/forgiveness are the same in Acts 2:38 and Lk 3:3 in Greek as they are in English. (See also Mk 1:4; Lk 1:77) Cornelius (Acts 10:43-48) Note that they had the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:45b) prior to water baptism. In New Testament times, Romans 8:9,11,14,16-17 says that those who have the spirit in them, their spirit is alive, are sons of God, (17b) "heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." Jn 3:16,18 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (18) He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he was not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (36) He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (NKJV) Jesus was said to have baptized (John 3:26), though actually Jesus had His disciples do the baptizing (John 4:2) In Lk 3:3b John the Baptist was "preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins" (NKJV) and the words for remissions/forgiveness are the same in Acts 2:38 and Lk 3:3 in Greek as they are in English. (See also Mk 1:4; Lk 1:77) Jn 5:24 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life." (NKJV) Rom 4:1-6 "What than shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he as something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 4) Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, (6) just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:" (NKJV) Acts 10:43 "To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins." (NKJV) Rom 5:1 "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, though whom we also have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (NKJV) Rom 10:9-13 "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (10) For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (11) For Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame. (12) For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. (13) For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (NKJV) Joel 2:32a and Acts 2:21 and Rom 10:13 "And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved" (NKJV) 1 Cor 1:17a "For Christ did not send me [Paul] to baptize, but to preach the gospel," (NKJV) Eph 2:8-10 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (NKJV) 1 Cor 10:2 (indirectly) "all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea." (NKJV) Yet Moses, Joshua, Caleb, and other godly Israelites followed God before the crossed the Red Sea. Gal 3:22b (indirectly) "that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe." (NKJV) Heb 4:2 (indirectly) "For indeed the gospel was reached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it." They had to have faith for it to profit them. It does not say faith and baptism. Jn 1:11-12 (indirectly) "He [Jesus] cam into His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe His name;" Says have to believe to become children of God; does not specify whether other steps or not. Jn 2:11b, 23b (belief only) ""…and His disciples believed in Him. (23b) many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did." Jn 6:29,35,40 "Jesus answered and said to them [the crowds], ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent." (35) And Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." (40) "And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day." (NKJV) Jn 7:38,39 "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. (39) But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified." (NKJV) Jn 8:30-32 "As He spoke these words, many believed in Him. Then Jesus aid to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed, And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’" (NKJV) Jn 11:25-26 ""Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me; though he may die, shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (NKJV) Jn 12:46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness." (NKJV) Jn 16:9 [The Holy Spirit will convict the world] "of sin, because they do not believe in Me;" No mention of conviction for not being baptized. Jn 17:20 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one,…" Php 1:29 "For it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake" (not mention of baptism) 1 Jn 5:1 "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him." (NKJV) 1 Jn 5:10-13 "He who believes in the Son of God has the witness of himself; and he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son." (11) And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life; and this life is in His Son. (12) He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. (13) These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God." (NKJV) Other verses mentioning belief but not baptism: Jn 4:39a; 4:41; 9:35; 10:42; 11:45,48; 12:11,42,44; 14:1,12 Mark 16:16 "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." (NIV) Yet: John 3:36 "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (NKJV) Q: Does Mark 16:16 prove that a person must be baptized in order to be saved? A: No, it does not specify. It says that a person who believes and is baptized will be saved, and a person who does not believe is condemned. It is silent about people who believe but are not baptized. Let me give you a simple illustration. If my daughter’s in the kitchen and she asks me for four quarters for a dollar, I could tell her to bring me a dollar, and also a water bottle. Now if she brings me a dollar and a water bottle I will give her change. If she does not bring me the dollar I do not give her change. But if she brings the dollar but no water bottle, I did not specify what I would do. If she refuses, perhaps making a disrespectful remark, I would not make change for her. On the other hand, if she tries to bring me a water bottle but cannot find one, should I still refuse her? - of course not. Matthew 7:7-8 says that "everyone who asks receives" Likewise Mark 16:16 does not specify about those who believe and are not baptized, and probably for similar reason. Is it because a person was not able to be baptized, or a person rejected obeying God. Scripture that says salvation comes at the point of faith in Jesus include Acts 16:31; Jn 1:12; 3:14-18; 3:36; 6:47; 30:31. Proverbs 30:6 and 1 Corinthians 4:6 are strict warnings not to add to God’s word. If you say that Mark 16:16 states what happens to those who believe and are not baptized, when that verse is silent on that, you are adding to God’s word. While some people, called ultra-dispensationalists, say we are not to be baptized today, that is wrong. Baptism, along with other works, are in fact involved in salvation; they are an output, not an input. Baptism and other works are the obedient response of a saved person, not the work of a lost person. John 3:4-6 "’How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit." (NIV) Q: Does John 3:5 imply a person must be baptized in water to be saved? A: No, Jesus blood saves. Water would not save Nicodemus any more than it would save the thief on the cross. First five reasons why did does not teach that, and then what it does teach. Why it does not teach that: On the surface, this might sound like one of the strongest verses supporting that you must be baptized to be saved. However, four points completely eliminate that teaching from this verse. 1. Thief on the cross: If John 3:5 taught that no unbaptized person can be saved, then the thief on the cross could not be saved, contradicting Luke 23:43. 2. Said before the resurrection too: If someone notices that the thief on the cross was before the resurrection, this command was before the resurrection too. 3. Jesus’ disciples baptized before the crucifixion: Do not forget that believers WERE to be baptized before the resurrection; otherwise why were Jesus’ disciples baptizing in John 4:2? 4. Contradicts believe only passages: Saying water baptism were essential for salvation, whether before or after the resurrection, John 3:16 "whoever believes in him", Romans 10:9-10, and other verses that say our point of contact with salvation is our belief or faith. There is no work, of any category, involved, as Ephesians 2:8-10 teaches. 5. God is understanding: Even one Church of Christ pastor told me that God is understanding of believers who are not baptized but did not reject water baptism. He and I agree on this. But if God can be "understanding" then getting baptized is still an important command to be followed, but no longer "ties the hands of God Almighty" if a person dies before being baptized. In contrast to this, I heard of a Church of Christ boy who was killed in a car accident on his way to being baptized. Would you teach that he is in Hell now, despite his intent? What it does teach: Christians see at least two truths Jesus is teaching here. 1. Do-over: We were born as sinners, with a sinful nature and we need to be born again. "…born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit". A lost person reforming themselves into salvation does not work; we must be born again, and have the Holy Spirit living inside of us (Romans 8:10,11,15). 2. Baptism visibly joins us to the kingdom of God now: Genuine believers will go to heaven eventually, but we are a part of the kingdom of God now. Believing intellectual facts is not enough (James 2:19), saving faith includes trusting Jesus as our Lord. We pledge our life to God, our Master, and one of the acts of an obedient believer is to be baptized. Baptism is not just a bath, but an outward sign of an inward pledge. Acts 2:37-38 "When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ Peter replied, ‘[ya’ll] Repent and [he/she] be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ eis the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (NIV) [remission of sins in the NKJV, aphesin (Strong’s 859, from 863] Yet Acts 10:43: "To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission/forgiveness of sins." (NKJV) (forgiveness in NIV) Q: Does Acts 2:37-38 prove a person must be baptized in water to be saved? A: No, you cannot base a major doctrine solely on 1. Contradicts Acts 10:43 2. A grammatical error: Repent is second person plural [ya’ll] and baptized is third person singular, so the forgiveness of sins here only modifies the second part: baptized, not the forgiveness of sins too. 3. An ambiguous use of a single word. The Greek word here, eis (Strong’s 1519), like the English word "for" can mean many things, and it can mean "because of [the past]" as well as "to cause [the future]" 4. Choosing the ambiguous use that contradicts scriptural meaning. In Mk 1:4; Lk 1:77; 3:3b John the Baptist was "preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins" (NKJV) and the words for remission / forgiveness are the same in Acts 2:38 and Lk 3:3 in Greek, as they are in English. Do you believe that baptism was essential for salvation prior to Jesus; ministry with John the Baptist? (Most Christians would say no.) Of course the thief on the cross was not allowed to get down and get baptized before Jesus said he would be with Him in paradise. As for details, here are some examples of different meanings of eis. Eis mean in order to cause Lk 5:14 Jesus told the cleansed leper to show himself to the priests as Moses commanded eis a testimony to them. Eis means "in [the]" Mt 10:41 "receives a prophet eis name of the prophet" … "receives a just one eis name of the just one" Eis means "because of" Mt 3:11 "John baptized eis repentance. If eis could only mean "to cause" in Acts 2:38, then eis would have to baptize to cause repentance in Mt 3:11 Mt 12:41 [Ninevites] "repented eis the preaching of Jonah" Eis means "into" Rom 5:12 "sin eis the world entered" Rom 6:3 "all who were baptized into Christ Jesus, eis the death of Him were baptized." Lk 14:23 "Go eis the ways and hedges" Acts 22:10 "Bring [Paul] eis the fortress Eis means "in" Acts 10:43 "through the name of Him [Jesus everyone believing eis Him. Mk 1:9 Jesus was baptized of John eis Jordan. Acts 19:3 Ephesians baptized eis John’s baptism Eis means "about" or "in reference to" Acts 2:25 David speaks eis him Eis means "towards" Rom 5:8 "of Himself love eis us God," Eis means "to" Jn 4:5 "He [Jesus] comes eis a city of Samaria" Jn 11:31 "She goes eis the tomb" Green’s literal translation says, "…baptized each of you on the name of Jesus Christ to forgiveness of sins." Wuest’s Expanded Translation says "and let each one of you be baptized upon the ground of your confession of belief in the sum total of all that Jesus Christ is in His glorious Person, this baptismal testimony being in relation to the fact that your sins have been put away," The Greek word eis, is a less precise word that English. Thayer’s A Greek English Lexicon of the New Testament 20th printing 1979 (Zondervan) spends almost six pages discussing the Greek word eis. On p.183 he writes, "[Preposition] governing the Accusative, and denoting entrance into, or direction and limit: into, to, towards, for, among" It has a variety of uses, but Thayer classifies Rom 5:12 as Properly of Place. He says, "4. of the limit to which ; with acc. of place, as far as, even to : ... Lk 14:23 ; with [accusative plural] or pers. to, unto; Acts 23:15 ... Ro. v.12; xvi.10; 2 Co ix. 5 ... x.14." Just prior to this he writes "3. of motion (not into a place itself, but) in a vicinity of a place; where it may be rendered to, near, towards..." Examples include Mk 3:7, Jn 4:5;11:31,38;20:1,3. In Rom 5:8 (eis) means unto, towards or one [Thayer p.184]. In Rom 5:12 and 15 (eis) is equivalent to the Latin in and ad [Thayer p.186]. In conclusion, for verses 16 and 18, one can see why most major English translations (NKJV, NASB, NIV, and Wuest) render this as "resulting" or "bringing". This more precisely conveys the meaning than simply translating "to" as the KJV does. Acts 22:16 [Ananias told Paul] "And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name." (NIV) Yet Acts 22:13a "He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive our sight!’…" (NIV) Q: Does Acts 22:16 prove a person must be baptized in water to be saved? A: No. Saul/Paul was already saved by then, for Ananias called him "brother Saul" in Acts 22:13. Baptism is an emblem of washing our sins away. But even if someone that this was literally washing their sins away, they would probably still agree with three things. 1) If it was the liquid water that literally took away the sins, then future sins would not be taken way unless a person was baptized again and again. 2) It is not the water that is special, but rather the water is an identification with the blood of Christ. 3) It does not say people can have sins washed away without baptism. God is not incapable of taking ways the sins of the thief on the cross, and early Christians who were martyred before they had the opportunity to be baptized. So it is not the drops of water that take away anything. Rather it is the pledge of a good conscience before God that connects us with Christ’s blood, and baptism is an acknowledgement, and emblem, of that. Rom 6:3-4 "Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized in to Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just a Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." (NIV) Q: Does Rom 6:3-4, prove a person must be baptized in water to be saved? A: No this verse uses a spiritual illustration from the normal experience of baptism that Christians normally have, but it does not mention the people who were not baptized or any power in the water. Rather it shows that our baptism visibly signified our decision to identify with Christ’s death, and likewise with His resurrection. Paul’s teaching here has similarities to Colossians 2:11-14. We have been "circumcised", not in the Old Testament way, but in the New Testament way. Colossians 2:12 says, "having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead." 1 Cor 6:11 "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God." (NIV) Q: Does 1 Cor 6:11 show that believers must be immersed to be baptized? A: We are cleansed or washed in Christ. But the Greek word here, apeloussathe, (Strong’s 628) is not related to baptism. I do not know that Church of Christ people do not try to appeal to this verse very often, but occasionally they might grasp at it. Gal 3:26-27 "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, (27) for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." (NIV) Q: Does Gal 3:26-27 prove a person must be baptized in water to be saved? A: No, this verse does not mention salvation, but it shows some of the importance of baptism after salvation. Baptism is an outward, external sign; we agree that the water is not magic; its soaking into our skin does not do anything. Nevertheless baptism is an external clothing with Christ symbolic of both an external and internal change. External: We need to be externally clothed with Christ as a sign to the world and a visible sign of our joining God’s kingdom and a pledge of ourselves toward God. As a soldier puts on a uniform we put on baptism. The uniform does not make a soldier; it is what a soldier is commanded to put on. Water does not make a Christian, baptism is what a Christian is commanded to do. Symbol of internal change: Baptism is an outward symbol of an inward change: believers are baptized with the Holy Spirit; who now lives in us. (1 John 4:13; Rom 8:9-11) Eph 5:26 "To make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word," (NIV) Titus 3:5 "he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior" (NIV) Q: Do Eph 5:26 and Tt 3:5 prove that a person must be baptized in water to be saved? A: No, Titus 3:5 refers to the baptism of the Holy Spirit, On Ephesians 5:25, rather than answer myself, I will let Alexander Campbell, one of the founders of the Restoration Movement speak. He taught various things at various time, but here is what he wrote in Design by Baptism by Alexander Campbell p.262. "In this sense we are to understand what is said by Paul, that Christ sanctifieth and cleanseth the church ‘with washing of water by the word.’ Eph 5:26, and in another place, that ‘according to His mercy he saved us, but he washing of regeneration, and of renewing of the Holy Ghost’ Titus 3:5, and by Peter that ‘baptism doeth save us’ 1 Pet. 3:21, For it is not the intention of Paul to signify that our ablution and salvation are completed by water, or that water contains in itself the virtue to purify, regenerate, and renew; nor did Peter mean that it was the cause of salvation, but only the knowledge and assurance of it is received in this sacrament: what is sufficiently evident from the words they have used. For Paul connects together the ‘word of life’ and ‘the baptism of water;’ as if he had said, our ablution and sanctification are announced to us by the Gospel, and by baptism this message is confirmed. And Peter after having said the baptism doth save us, immediately adds, that it is ‘not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God’ which proceeds from faith. But on the contrary, baptism promises us no other purification than by the sprinkling of the blood of Christ; which is emblematically represented by water, on account of its resemblance to washing and cleansing." Col 2:11-12 "In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, (12) having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through you faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead." (NIV) Q: Does Col 2:11-12 show that believers must be immersed to be baptized? A: This only says that we are buried with Christ in baptism. Colossians 2:11-12 discusses circumcision in the Old Testament and baptism in the New Testament. No one in the Old Testament was declared righteous by circumcision, especially since only half of infants were circumcised. Heb 10:22 "let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." (NIV) Q: Does Heb 10:22 show that believers must be immersed to be baptized? A: In Hebrews 10:22 "having been washed with water" does nothing to save us. In fact, the washing itself does NOT save us according to 1 Peter 3:21. Rather believers’ bodies are washed with water in baptism as an emblem of their pledge of accepting Christ as their Lord and Savior. As a side note, the Greek words here are having been sprinkled (errantismenoi, Strong’s 4472), having been washed is leloumemoi Strong’s 3068), neither of which, of course is baptism. 1 Pet 3:20b-21 "days of Noah wile the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body but he pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ," (NIV) Q: Does 1 Pet 3:20b-21 prove a person must be baptized in water to be saved? A: No. Baptism is the normal response of a follower of Christ, but it is neither essential to salvation nor prior to salvation for five reasons. 1. Both Noah and Abraham were obedient servants of God prior to the flood and testing with Isaac 2. 1 Peter 3:21 says it is NOT the water, but the pledge of a good conscience before God. 3. It does not refer to people who made a pledge but were not able to get baptized. 4. The water does not take the place of the cross. 5. Neither water nor faith are a way to heaven. There is no other way to Heaven except through Christ (Acts 4:12; John 14:6), 5. The Bible also uses word save in the fourth tense (of working out our salvation. So baptism only saves in the on-going sense that we can turn others from sin (James 5:20) we can save ourselves (Acts 2:40), we can save others (1 Cor 7:16, 9:22; 1 Tim 4:16) However, as 1 Peter 3:20b-21 shows, baptism is the normal way we show our acceptance and faith in what Christ did for us. A person is to show their pledge of a good conscience towards God by water baptism, but if they cannot, this verse does not say there is no other way to show acceptance. Around 202 A.D. the martyrs Potoiaemina and the soldier Basilides. Other Christian martyrs, and the 2-year catechetical school. Patrick’s baptismal candidates Q: In Mt 4:17; 10:17; Mk 1:15; Lk 8:10; Jn 3:5 are the kingdom of God and Kingdom of heaven identical, or is there a slight difference between the two? A: Many have seen them as identical; you will not be a part of one if you are not a part of the other. Matthew uses both terms, and Mark, Luke, and John use only the kingdom of God. Jesus uses both terms in adjacent verses in Matthew 19:23-24. Others see a slight difference; the kingdom of heaven is where all believers go when we die, and the kingdom of God is what we belong to now when we are saved. Regardless of the individual words, we can all agree that our salvation has both a "now" aspect on earth and a future aspect in heaven (1 Cor 13:12; Php 1:21-24) that will not be realized until we reach heaven. In John 3:5 some think water refers to amniotic fluid when a baby is born, but others think it refers to baptism. It cannot mean Jesus told Nicodemus that a person cannot be saved unless they are baptized, unless the thief on the cross was not saved! But it can mean that a person is not a visible part of God’s kingdom on earth until they are baptized. Similar to this, many churches do not want someone to take the Lord’s Supper until they are baptized. See the Wycliffe Bible Dictionary p.991 for more info. Nevertheless, as Jesus spoke foreshadowing his death and communion in John 6:51-56, Jesus spoke not only foreshadowing Christian baptism, but they were already very familiar with baptism for repentance, thanks to John. This view is advocated by: John Chrysostom (392-407 A.D.) Homilies of St. John Homily 25 Gregory Nanzianzus (330-391 A.D.) Oration on Holy Baptism ch.8 F.F. Bruce in Hard Sayings of the Bible p.495-496 Jamieson, Fausset, Brown Harper’s Bible Commentary. 3a. The water stands for baptismal regeneration. The early church fathers held this view. However, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : New Testament p.281 mentions that this interpretation contradicts being saved by faith alone, as Ephesians 2:8-9 and John 3:16 show. This view is advocated by Justin Martyr (wrote about 138-165 A.D.) First Apology chapter 61 Irenaeus (182-188 A.D.) in fragment 34 Tertullian (200-220 A.D.) in On Baptism ch. 12 Cyprian (wrote 248-258 A.D.) in Epistle 71. Gregory Nanzianzus (330-391 A.D.) Oration on Holy Baptism chapter 8. Basil of Cappadocia (357-379 A.D.) On the Spirit 15:35 John of Damascus Exposition of the Orthodox Faith chapter 9 Ambrose of Milan (340-397 A.D.) Of the Holy Spirit 3.10.63-64 Constitutions of the Holy Apostles (c.80-190 A.D.) 6.3.15 (This was a spurious work, which had an early date. Among other things, it also supports infant Baptism.) However, interpreting John 3:5 this way sounds close to making baptism (whether John’s baptism or Christian baptism) a requirement for salvation. Nevertheless, John’s baptism was looking for salvation, not something that brought salvation. In Acts 2:38, Peter said the people had to repent and baptized and they would receive the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 4:2 said some were not saved because they did not share the faith (or combine it with faith.) Things such as repentance, faith, and obedience, including obedience in water baptism are evidence of us receiving salvation, not that which saves us. This view is advocated by: The Applied New Testament Commentary p.368 Matthew Henry’s Commentary says that "it is probably that Christ had an eye to the ordinance of baptism." 4. Water stands for conversion. Converts to Judaism went through a baptism ceremony. Jesus was implying that one had to convert to experience the new birth. Thus Jesus was saying "by conversion and by the spirit". This view does not preclude believing other views, too. However, while Jewish converts were washed, a more common scene was Jews washing for ritual purification. This viewpoint is perhaps not so much false, as too narrow a view of 3. This view is advocated by: The IVP Bible Commentary : New Testament (1993) p.270. 5. Water stands for the baptizing ministry of John the Baptist, and the Spirit for Jesus’ ministry. No one at that time could think of "baptism" and "new things" in the same sentence without thinking of John the Baptist’s ministry. This view is advocated by F.B. Meyer in The Gospel of John p.64. The Bible Knowledge Commentary : New Testament p.281 gives five views, but commends only this view as having "the merit of historical propriety as well as theological acceptability." The Life Application Bible gives various views, one of which is the repentance that John the Baptist’s ministry signified. 6. Water is an image for the pouring out of the Spirit in Old Testament times. Jesus said in John 7:38, "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified." (NKJV). The New Geneva Study Bible p.1676 says that while this is not an exact quote of any Old Testament Scripture, it can be a general reference to both Isaiah 44:3 and Ezekiel 36:25-27. Titus 3:5 has very similar phrasing to John 3:5, saying "washing of rebirth and renewal of/by the Holy Spirit" While Acts showed some special cases, the norm was for Christians to be baptized with literal water and the Holy Spirit. However, water is used for ritual washings, not the pouring of the Spirit in the Torah. Also, the Believer’s Bible Commentary p.1478 points out that if the water represented nothing more than the ministry of the Spirit, then the verse would seem to say "unless one is born of the Spirit and the Spirit", which would be redundant. 1 John 5:8 speaks of the water, spirit, and blood. Since the spirit and blood are different, the water is different, too. This view is advocated by the New Geneva Study Bible p.1665. The Companion Bible says it is "spiritual water" as opposed to literal water. The IVP Bible Commentary : New Testament says that the Greek can either be translated "water and the spirit, or water, that is, the spirit." MY CONCLUSION: 1. is not particularly compelling. It only makes sense if you downplay the precision of the Greek, and think Jesus was telling Nicodemus one had to be physically born. 2. relies on Jesus chiding Nicodemus for understanding scripture that was not written yet. For some, this view is necessitated by the opinion that if "baptism" has to mean the error of baptismal regeneration, it cannot be baptism. 3a. is unbiblical, as Acts 10 shows that people could be saved and receive the Holy Spirit prior to water baptism. 3b, 4, and 5. can all be tied together. This view has the merit of the plain meaning, as well as the universal understanding of the Greek-speaking early church. 6. has no merit, except as a secondary implication of 3b, 4, and 5. Perhaps we should focus less on "what this would mean to me" and observe "what this would mean to Nicodemus and early Christians". The most likely answer is a combination of 3b, 4, and 5. While views 2 and 6 are implied symbolism, they would not be recognized by Nicodemus as its main meaning, and were not recognized by any known Greek-speaking Christians. When Critics Ask p.406 also discusses some of the views, without committing to a particular one. Q: In Jn 3:5, is "baptismal regeneration" true, the belief that water baptism is necessary for salvation? A: No. The Gentiles who were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues in Acts 10:44-48, prior to being baptized with water, probably did not think so. Jesus apparently did not think so either when He spoke to the thief on his right. One could try to argue that the thief on the cross was prior to Jesus’ resurrection, but then Jesus’ words to Nicodemus were spoken, and were true, prior to Jesus’ resurrection, too. Of course all of this was prior to the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and there being Christian baptism; John’s baptism and Old Testament washings were all they knew. However, if an interpretation of a verse makes part of the verse without any meaning whatsoever, then that interpretation undoubtedly is incorrect. So what is the meaning of Jesus’ words here? The answer is implied in Luke 7:29-30, where it was said the Pharisees and experts in the Law had rejected God’s purpose for themselves. The reason given is that they had not been baptized by John. Water baptism is neither a meaningless ritual nor merely an optional thing, like choir practice, to show special love to God. If a person with full knowledge rejects water baptism, and the truth it represents, they have rejected God. Unless they turn around, they are not going to Heaven. See also 1001 Bible Questions Answered p.118-119, When Critics Ask p.406, When Cultists Ask p.165-166, and the Complete Book of Bible Answers p.210-211 for more info. For more see our playlist, "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ"" with 71 videos & 63 hours of teaching material at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html. See also IS WATER BAPTISM NECESSARY TO ESCAPE HELL & BE SAVED & ARE YOU "BORN AGAIN" (JOHN 3:3-8) BY IT?; THE EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN ROMANCE WITH APOSTATE ROMAN CATHOLICISM (PART 1): WATER BAPTISM SALVATION?; & Uncomfortable Questions for Catholics #2: Is Water Baptism Essential & Does Mass Bread Become God?. Also see our newsletter on the "Church of Christ" on our website www.BibleQuery.org (once on our homepage click on the "Experience" box to the left & scroll down to the newsletter section & click on "Church of Christ" & particularly notice the article, "Questions to Consider Concerning Baptism." 1 Corinthians 1:14-17, "14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect."
This is in response to a person named "Bees Stings" who attemped to use a lot of faulty misrepresentation concerning the cultic group which calls itself the "church of Christ." Besides our playlist "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ" with 71 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html which was ignored by this person, a simple history lesson concerning the so-called "church of Christ" easily proves the point that it is a modern cultic movement & not a restoration of the original early Christian church. In the same way you can destroy the credibility of, let's say for example, the Roman Catholic Church (see our video at EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH HISTORY PROVES ROMAN CATHOLICISM FALSE) you can destroy the credibility of all the so-called "churches of Christ." Characteristics of a cult: 1. Leaders appear as “Angels of light” (2 Cor. 11:14), meaning messengers of truth and wisdom. 2. A cult teaches “another doctrine” about Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Gospel (2 Cor. 11:14; Gal. 1:6-9). 3. Cults invariably teach forms of salvation by works, yet claim to be teaching God’s grace, in fact, they are denying God’s grace (Titus 1:16; Jude 4). 4. Cults quote the Bible as an authority, but “wrest” it, misinterpret it, add to it, and take from it (Mark 7:7-9; Col. 2:30-22; Jer. 23:36; 2 Peter 3:16). 5. Cults thrive on proselytism and glory in those they proselyte (Matt. 23:15; Gal. 6:13; 2 Peter 2:3). 6. Cults discredit the truth, the gospel, the church, and everyone but themselves. “No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you” (Job 12:2; Matt. 23:1-33; 2 Peter 2:2). 7. Cult leaders are usually strongly dominant over their followers, yet the followers are blind to their own bondage - “blind leaders of the blind” (Matt. 15:14; 2 Cor. 4:3, 4). Sometimes a Christian gets side-tracked into a cult; if such is the case with any who reads these lines, may God give you the grace to see through the false doctrine of Restorationism and be delivered (Acts 20:29, 30). What is the “Restoration Movement”? Lynn Anderson, minister, Highland Church of Christ, Abilene, Texas: “The Church of Christ is a big, sick, denomination.” (Memphis Meeting, Vol. 1 p. 37). Alan Highers, deacon, Getwell Church of Christ, Memphis, Tenn. (formerly minister of the church): “You (referring to Mr. Anderson) are talking about The Church as a whole, the Restoration Movement.” (Memphis Meeting, Garland Elkins and Thomas Warren, editors of the Spiritual Sword magazine published by the Getwell church’s elders, “The Church is the Restoration Movement.” Who Were the Leaders of the “Restoration Movement”? 1. Thomas Campbell: “Thomas Campbell’s famous Declaration and Address stated in no uncertain terms the principles upon which such restoration should rest.” The Spiritual Sword, July, ‘73, p. 15. 2. Alexander Campbell: “Alexander Campbell, son of Thomas, became even more prolific in speaking of ‘the laws of the kingdom,’ as seen in Christianity Restored and the Millennial Harbinger.” The Spiritual Sword, July, ‘73, p. 15. 3. Barton W. Stone: “The men making the plea - among them ...Barton W. Stone, a Presbyterian.” The Spiritual Sword, July, ‘70, p. 42 4. Walter Scott: “Pioneer preachers as ...Walter Scott.” The Spiritual Sword, July, ‘73, p. 6 These are the four primary “founding fathers” of the Restoration movement, none of whom ever obeyed the “ancient gospel” which was supposedly restored on November 18, 1827 when Walter Scott baptized William Amend (see Life of Elder Walter Scott by William Baxter, p. 108). Significant Dates and Events in the “Restoration Movement” as Revealed In Restoration Writings: We refer to nothing here but what can be found in the writings of the Restorationists who claim to “speak where the Bible speaks,” etc. 1807 - Thomas Campbell comes to America and is assigned by the Presbyterian Church Synod to minister in western Pennsylvania. (Memoirs of Alexander Campbell, Vol. 1, pp. 85, 88). 1809 - Thomas Campbell is censured by the Presbyterian Synod. (Ibid., Vol. 1 p. 225). 1809 - Thomas Campbell forms the “Christian Association of Washington” (Pa.) in promoting Christian union.” (Ibid. Vol. 1, p. 241). 1809 - Thomas Campbell writes Declaration and Address as “Constitution” of his new Association, and it became an embryonic creed of the “Restoration Movement.” (Ibid., Vol. 1, pp. 241, 242). 1810 - Thomas Campbell requests Presbyterian Synod to receive the “Christian Association” into “Christian and ministerial communion,” but is refused. (Ibid., Vol. 1, pp. 330, 331). 1811 - Thomas Campbell decides that the independent church ... he finally concluded to take this step ...he felt it to be his duty to organize an independent community.” Thus, on May 4, 1811, Campbell assembled his followers “for the purpose of organization.” (Ibid. Vol. 1, pp. 365, 366). 1811 - Organizational meeting held at Brush Run. Thomas Campbell was appointed as Elder; Alexander was licensed to preach; four deacons selected; had communion service; Alexander preached; Thomas preached. “Thus there was formally established a distinct religious community”. (Ibid., Vol. 1, pp. 367-369). 1811 - July 4th, Thomas Campbell “stood on a root” in Buffalo Creek and immersed a few followers and thus became “the first to introduce immersion” in the movement (then called the “reformatory movement”). (Ibid., Vol. 1, pp. 372, 373). 1812 - June 12: The Campbells and the Hanens (seven persons in all) are immersed by Matthias Luce, a Baptist preacher, in Buffalo Creek. This was nearly 15 years before the practice of “baptism in order to obtain the remission of sins” was supposedly “restored” by Walter Scott, Nov. 18, 1827. (Ibid., Vol. 1, pp. 396-398; Vol. 2, p. 212). 1813 - The “First Church of the Christian Association” applies to the Redstone Baptist Association for “union” and after “much debate” the “union was formed”. (Ibid., Vol. 1 pp. 391, 438-441). 1816 - A. Campbell preaches heresies on the Law at Redstone Association. (Ibid., Vol. 1, p. 471). 1820 - Alexander Campbell debates with John Walker, Presbyterian, and defends Baptist name, doctrine and history. (see Campbell-Walker Debate). 1823 - August: A. Campbell learns that the Baptists are on the verge of expelling him from the Redstone Association; Brush Run church dismisses several members with Alexander in order to form new church at Wellsburg to escape expulsion by Redstone Association. (Ibid., Vol. 2, pp. 69, 70). 1823 - October: Alexander Campbell debates with W. L. McCalla and for the first time introduces the theory of “baptism in order to the remission of sins”, but is still identifying himself with the Baptists (see Campbell-McCalla Debate, pp. 124, 338, 339, 345; Campbell-Rice Debate, p. 473). 1827 - Walter Scott “arranges” the “ancient gospel” and makes “experiments” with it; baptizes William Amend on November 18, 1827 and claims to have restored the gospel. (see Life of Elder Walter Scott by Baxter, Chapter VI; Memoirs of Alexander Campbell, Vol. 2, pp. 208-220). 1832 - Union of Campbell’s “Disciples” with Barton Stone’s “Christians”. (Memoirs of Alexander Campbell, Vol. 2, Chapter XI). 1849 - The Missionary Society “digression” with Alexander Campbell as President (History of the Church by Brumback, p. 376). 1860 - Instrumental music “digression” at Midway, Kentucky (“The Spiritual Sword,” Oct. ‘78, p. 20). 1906 - “Churches of Christ” listed separately from “Christian Church” in United States Census (The Disciples of Christ by Garrison and Degroot, p. 404). Twentieth Century - There have been continuing controversies in the “Restoration Move-ment” over institutionalism, schools, sponsoring arrangements, orphan homes, benevolent work, classes, cups, hats and nearly a hundred “issues” especially the issue of divorce and remarriage. (“Gospel Guardian,” May 2, ‘74 Alexander Campbell: Head of the “Church of Christ” When Alexander Campbell went overseas in 1847, Henry Clay of Kentucky, who had moderated the Campbell-Rice Debate in 1843, wrote a letter of recommendation for Campbell to use for “introduction” in foreign lands. In the letter Mr. Clay referred to Campbell as - “The head and founder of one of the most important and respectable religious communities in the United States.” (Memoirs of A.C.., Vol., 2. p. 548). Mr. Campbell accepted this letter and used it to the enjoyment of “unusual facilities” on his trip. If Clay did not tell the truth, then Campbell deliberately used the letter knowing it was not the truth. But Clay is not alone in his opinion of Campbell according to John T. Lewis: Campbell was “the head of the reformation.” (Voice of the Pioneers, published by the Gospel Advocate, p. 47). Woods called Lewis an “authority” (Woods -Cogdill, p. 227). The “Reformation” is another term for the “Restoration Movement and according to Alan Highers the “Restoration Movement” is the same as the Church as a whole” (Memphis Meeting, Vol. 1, p. 37). Hence, Alexander Campbell was the head of the church. It’s true, the Restorationists do not like to admit this fact, but sometimes they slip up and the truth breaks through. Here is what others say about Campbell: One of our “founding fathers” - Garrison & Degroot (History, p. 180) “Master Spirit” - Robert Richardson (Memoirs of A.C.., Vol. 1, p. 402). “Regulated the entire movement” - Richardson (op. cit., Vol. 2, p. 669). “Prophet and Leader” - Restoration Reprint Library catalog, 1968. “Restored Church” - Paul McClung (“Restoring the New Testament Church,” p. 7). 6 “Leader of the Movement” - Campbell, an article in “The Spiritual Sword” of October, 1976 refers to Campbell at least 100 times. This same magazine calls Campbell a “restoration giant” (SS/April, 1973, p. 33). Is it any wonder Restorationists are commonly called “Campbellites”? Where would their church be if it had not been for Campbell? If he indeed restored the church, and if salvation is in the church, they owe their salvation to him. “Men now living are in the debt of Alexander Campbell for having written and preached so faithfully these marvelous truths” (SS/Oct., ‘76, p. 29). Restorationism and Campbellism are one and the same. Why? Restoration doctrine originates from Campbell. The Baptismal Theory Taught by the Restoration Movement: “The Scriptures teach that water baptism is for (in order to obtain) the remission of past sins.” Acts 2:38 reads as follows: “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.” (King James Version). The Campbellites, following the interpretation of their “master-spirit,” contend that the word “for” here means “in order to,” or “in order to obtain.” The whole watery Campbellite house is built upon this interpretation. They teach that baptism is for (in order to obtain) the literal remission of sins. Campbellite Interpretation Refuted It is not difficult for a born-again believer to understand that baptism has nothing to do with the saving of the soul. The saved person knows Christ as his Saviour and the scores of verses that tell of salvation by grace through faith are just too much for the child of God to overlook. Faith in Christ is trust in Christ, and trust is an experience of the heart; it is not dead or inoperative. If a man sees, he knows he sees; if a man feels, he knows he feels; if a man hears, he knows he hears; and if a man believes, he knows he believes. This is not “dead faith.” Faith is born of God, therefore is alive. 1 John 5:4. Faith is born of the Spirit, through the Word of God, John 6:63; 1 Thess. 1:5; Eph. 1:19,20. Faith is the work of God, John 6:29. Faith is an act of obedience, 1 John 3:23. Faith is an act of trust, Eph. 1:13. Faith is an act of righteousness, Romans 4:5. Faith works by love, love is of the Spirit, Gal. 5:6 Faith is God’s gift, Rom. 12:3; Eph. 2:9, 1:17, 2 Cor. 4:6; 1 Cor. 4:7 Phil. 1:29. Faith receives Christ, John 1:12; Col. 2:6. Through faith, one passes from death to life. Jn. 5:24. Before one is baptized in obedience to Christ, he is a child of God by obedient faith in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26. Conclusions: Although God’s Law requires perfect obedience, Restorationists teach that men may be saved by less than what is required. (Matt. 5:20; James 2:10; Rom. 10:3, 4; 11:6; Titus 3:5; 2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 3:9). Imperfect law-keeping is no law-keeping. Restorationists have an unholy mix of Law and Grace, but in reality have neither Law nor Grace. (Rom. 11:6). Restorationists frustrate the grace of God (Gal. 2:17-21) and abuse the righteousness required by law (Rom. 2:23). God’s law to man’s level, rejects the perfect righteousness of Christ provided by grace (Rom. 3:24-26; 10:3, 4), and seeks to establish its own righteousness by corrupt works (Tit. 1:16). “Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to every one that believeth” - Romans 10:14 The Restorationists “Plan of Salvation” Which if you will “Obey” You will be Saved in Heaven After this Life is: Hear + Belief + Repentance + Confession + Baptism + Local Congregation + Lord’s Supper on First Day + Giving on First Day + Singing (non-instrumental) + Prayer + Benevolence + Bible Study + No Creed + Bible Name + Second Law of Pardon + Obedience to Elders + Good Morals + No Christians in other Denominations + Scriptural Marriage (if married) + Whatever the Evangelists Preach as the Word of God. Keep the LAWS to the “Best of Your Ability;” you do not have to be perfect; be sure all your sins are confessed before death; and if your life “favorably corresponds to the truth,” God will save you after death. This is neither Law nor Grace, but the Restorationists distortion of both. It does not meet the requirements of the Law and it does not receive the free gift of God’s grace. It is no better than the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, and except your righteousness exceeds it, you will in no wise enter the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt. 5:20). What Man’s Works Can and Cannot Do Works Cannot: Save - Eph. 2:8-10; Titus 3:5. Judicially justify - Rom. 3:27-31; 4:2. Forgive sin - Rom. 4:6-8. Receive the Spirit - Gal. 3:2. Elect - Rom. 9:6; 11:5, 6. Fulfill Law - Rom. 8:3; James 2:10. Call - 2 Tim. 1:9. Regeneration - John 6:63; Titus 3:5. Obtain Faith - Rom. 9:32 Keep one Saved - 1 Cor. 3:15 Works Can: Manifest Salvation - Mt. 7:20; 12:35. Demonstratively justify - James. 2:18. Renounce sin - Mt. 5:16. Walk in the Spirit - Gal. 5:16. Assure of Election - 1 Th. 1:4-10. Reveal delight in the Law - Rom. 7:22. Respond to Calling - 2 Th. 2:14, 15. Express new life - 2 Cor. 5:17. Profess Faith - James 2:18. Keep One’s Reward - 1 Cor. 3:14. Everything has its proper God-ordained purpose, and good works have their “necessary uses” (Titus 3:14). They demonstrate inner love in an outward form (Gal. 5:6). They are an example for others (1 Tim. 2:10). They bring a “good report” (1 Tim. 5:10). They bring glory to God (Mt. 5:16; 1 Peter 2:12). To make “saviours” of good works is to pervert them and rob the glory due to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Important Point: None of the four (T. Campbell, A. Campbell, Stone, Scott) was ever baptized AFTER Scott’s “restoration.” They had all claimed to be saved before their immersions. Hence all the “restorers” were lost men, according to present-day Restoration Movement teaching about water baptism. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER CONCERNING BAPTISM Q: In Lk. 23:40-43, what does the thief on the cross teach us about water baptism? A: There are two points to consider. 1. A person in the "Church of Christ" told me that since they teach one must be baptized with water to be saved, the account of the thief of the cross being with Jesus in paradise bothered him for a long time. But then he concluded, that since the thief would have no opportunity to be baptized, God is certainly understanding of people’s situations. His conclusion is absolutely correct. God is not restricted from saving one who is not baptized with water. While water baptism is something every obedient Christian does if and when they are able, God is not constrained by our circumstances. If salvation was really dependent upon water baptism by immersion, would that mean that an astronaut in space who suddenly came to Christ could not be saved until he got back to earth? What about a lone Eskimo in the frozen north? What about a traveler lost in the Sahara desert who was dying of thirst? Fortunately, Scripture does not call for a baptizing pool as a requirement for salvation but we are saved through faith … it is not by works” (Eph. 2:8-9). 2. A second Church of Christ view is that the thief on the cross died prior to Christ’s resurrection, and baptism is essential only after the resurrection. The Apostle Paul teaches in Romans 3:28-30 that there is only one God and therefore only one way of salvation meaning salvation today must correspond to salvation throughout all time (both Old and New Testament). Faith and repentance is found in the Old Testament but certainly water baptism is nowhere to be found. Gal. 2:16 states “… a man is not justified contrast to Abraham (Old Testament) who was saved through faith before the Law or works such as circumcision (Rom. 4:1-5, 9-11, 16, 23, 5:2) or David (Old Testament) who was justified by faith after the Law (Rom. 4:6-8). Similarly, men are saved by faith and repentance after Christ’s resurrection in the New Testament as well (Acts 20:21). The Campbellite interpretation of justification by baptism is simply unscriptural and false. Furthermore, around 400 A.D., during the time of Ambrose, Augustine, and Prosper of Auguitain, the opinion became common that baptized babies who die go to heaven, and unbaptized babies who die go to hell. “Coincidentally” infant baptism became very popular. Throughout most of history, until the time of the Anabaptists during the Reformation, Christians almost universally practiced infant baptism. Is every single Christian from 400 A.D. to about 1514 A.D. going to hell because of God’s inability or unwillingness to save them? Q: In Acts 2:38, does this mean water baptism is necessary for salvation? A: No, Jesus is necessary for salvation. Neither repentance nor water baptism merits our salvation. Those are our responding to Jesus’ work. Baptism is to be an outward sign of our prior inward faith and repentance. Note that Acts 2:38 was a command not a formula. Some might erroneously conclude that loving God, faith, believing, and trusting God are unnecessary, as they are not mentioned here. All who come to Christ should be baptized, and that is as true today as it was then. However, It is Jesus’ blood, not our baptism that saves us. Q: In Acts 10:45-48, is water baptism essential to be saved? A: Four points to consider. 1. They spoke in tongues prior to being baptized with water. 2. Speaking in tongues is a sign (but not the only sign, 1 Cor. 12:1-13) of being filled with the Holy Spirit. 3. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is only for those who are born again. 4. Those who are born again are saved. So, they were born again prior to being baptized with water. See the discussion on Acts 22:16 for a second example of being saved prior to water baptism. See also the next question. Q: In Acts 10:45-48, since this passage was a very special occurrence, does this negate using this passage to show water baptism is not essential for salvation? A: No. This passage does describe an important transition for the church, but that does not disqualify us from understanding all of its teaching. Three points to consider. 1. Gentiles could be filled with the Holy Spirit, and thus be saved, prior to baptism at this time. This was not impossible for God to do and still be true to His Word. 2. Thus, it is possible for people to be saved , prior to baptism at other times, without God breaking His Word. 3. If your interpretation of the Bible requires that God cannot be true to His Word if anyone after Christ is saved prior to being baptized, perhaps it would be your interpretation, and not God’s Word, that is wrong. Q: In Acts 22:16, how do people get baptized and wash away their sins? A: Is it OK to say that people wash away their sins here as long as you remember four points. 1. The power to wash away is with God, not magic in the water. 2. God is not restricted to being “unable” to save people who are not baptized, because the thief on the cross was with Jesus in Paradise. 3. For our part, the pledge of a sincere conscience before God is more important than the water, as in 1 Peter 3:21. However, being baptized with water is a command for every single Christian. 4. The Jews were familiar with ceremonial washings in the Old Testament Law. Thus, Paul’s audience understood what he meant and did not mix it up with the errors of “magic water” or “a restricted God”. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament p. 418 sheds some helpful light on the Greek here. The phrase “calling on His name” is a Greek aorist participle, which “refers either to action which is simultaneous with or before that of the main verb. Here Paul’s calling on Christ’s name (for salvation) preceded his water baptism. The participle may be translated, “having called on His name.” Q: In 1 Peter 3:21, in what sense does water baptism save us? A: It is obvious that Peter was not using the second half of 1 Peter 3:21 to contradict the first half of 1 Peter 3:21. It is Jesus who saves us, not the water. Since water cannot take the place of Jesus rising for us, what did Peter mean? 1 Peter 3:21 itself gives us our answer in two parts: A: From our prospective, water baptism has no value as a ceremonial washing. Rather, water baptism is of great value as “the pledge of a good conscience towards God.” B. From God’s prospective, water baptism has no saving value. Rather water baptism is of great value as your identification that “saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (See also Colossians 3:12, Romans 6:3-5). In addition, here are four other key doctrines about water baptism. 1. All believers, without exception, are commanded to be baptized. (Acts 2:38). 2. The command to be baptized was never taken away. (See Matthew 28:19-20). 3. If a true believer dies before being baptized, God can still send him to be with Jesus. After all, all who have the Holy Spirit are sons of God (Romans 8:10-11). 4.God can save people & give them the Holy Spirit prior to them being baptized (Acts 10:44-48). In summary, baptism is not the cause of a new life in Christ. It is a believer's pledge to God of a new life in Christ. Preach the Gospel not Baptism (1 Corinthians 1:14-17). The cultic "church of Christ" movement is much like Roman Catholicism in many ways particularly in the belief that water baptism is a savior that makes you born again so you can be saved but then to keep salvation you have to do many works otherwise you still might not make it to heaven (see our playlist " Dealing with Roman Catholicism, Idolatry & the Virgin Mary" at ua-cam.com/play/PLFFA8D69D1B914715.html with 103 videos). Finally, the so-called "church of Christ" movement is a mother of cults; see our video at RISE OF THE CULTS: WHERE DID ALL THESE STRANGE AMERICAN RELIGIOUS SECTS COME FROM?. Acts 16:30-31
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See our video "The Counterfeit Water Gospel Church ("Church of Christ") that Alexander Campbell Built" at ua-cam.com/video/2m6BvMS5Z7g/v-deo.html. Question: "Does Acts 2:38 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?" Answer: Acts 2:38, “And Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” As with any single verse or passage, we discern what it teaches by first filtering it through what we know the Bible teaches on the subject at hand. In the case of baptism and salvation, the Bible is clear that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works of any kind, including baptism (Ephesians 2:8-9). So, any interpretation which comes to the conclusion that baptism, or any other act, is necessary for salvation, is a faulty interpretation. For more information, please visit our webpage on "Is salvation by faith alone, or by faith plus works?" Why, then, do some come to the conclusion that we must be baptized in order to be saved? Often, the discussion of whether or not this passage teaches baptism is required for salvation centers around the Greek word eis that is translated “for” in this passage. Those who hold to the belief that baptism is required for salvation are quick to point to this verse and the fact that it says “be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins,” assuming that the word translated “for” in this verse means “in order to get.” However, in both Greek and English, there are many possible usages of the word “for.” As an example, when one says “Take two aspirin for your headache,” it is obvious to everybody that it does not mean “take two aspirin in order to get your headache,” but instead to “take two aspirin because you already have a headache.” There are three possible meanings of the word “for” that might fit the context of Acts 2:38: 1--“in order to be, become, get, have, keep, etc.,” 2-“because of, as the result of,” or 3-“with regard to.” Since any one of the three meanings could fit the context of this passage, additional study is required in order to determine which one is correct. We need to start by looking back to the original language and the meaning of the Greek word eis. This is a common Greek word (it is used 1774 times in the New Testament) that is translated many different ways. Like the English word “for” it can have several different meanings. So, again, we see at least two or three possible meanings of the passage, one that would seem to support that baptism is required for salvation and others that would not. While both the meanings of the Greek word eis are seen in different passages of Scripture, such noted Greek scholars as A.T. Robertson and J.R. Mantey have maintained that the Greek preposition eis in Acts 2:38 should be translated “because of” or “in view of,” and not “in order to,” or “for the purpose of.” One example of how this preposition is used in other Scriptures is seen in Matthew 12:41 where the word eis communicates the “result” of an action. In this case it is said that the people of Nineveh “repented at the preaching of Jonah” (the word translated “at” is the same Greek word eis). Clearly, the meaning of this passage is that they repented “because of’” or “as the result of” Jonah’s preaching. In the same way, it would be possible that Acts 2:38 is indeed communicating the fact that they were to be baptized “as the result of” or “because” they already had believed and in doing so had already received forgiveness of their sins (John 1:12; John 3:14-18; John 5:24; John 11:25-26; Acts 10:43; Acts 13:39; Acts 16:31; Acts 26:18; Romans 10:9; Ephesians 1:12-14). This interpretation of the passage is also consistent with the message recorded in Peter’s next two sermons to unbelievers where he associates the forgiveness of sins with the act of repentance and faith in Christ without even mentioning baptism (Acts 3:17-26; Acts 4:8-12). In addition to Acts 2:38, there are three other verses where the Greek word eis is used in conjunction with the word “baptize” or “baptism.” The first of these is Matthew 3:11, “baptize you with water for repentance.” Clearly the Greek word eis cannot mean “in order to get” in this passage. They were not baptized “in order to get repentance,” but were “baptized because they had repented.” The second passage is Romans 6:3 where we have the phrase “baptized into (eis) His death.” This again fits with the meaning “because of” or in "regard to." The third and final passage is 1 Corinthians 10:2 and the phrase “baptized into (eis) Moses in the cloud and in the sea.” Again, eis cannot mean “in order to get” in this passage because the Israelites were not baptized in order to get Moses to be their leader, but because he was their leader and had led them out of Egypt. If one is consistent with the way the preposition eis is used in conjunction with baptism, we must conclude that Acts 2:38 is indeed referring to their being baptized “because” they had received forgiveness of their sins. Some other verses where the Greek preposition eis does not mean “in order to obtain” are Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 3:21; Acts 19:3; 1 Corinthians 1:15; and 12:13. The grammatical evidence surrounding this verse and the preposition eis are clear that while both views on this verse are well within the context and the range of possible meanings of the passage, the majority of the evidence is in favor that the best possible definition of the word “for” in this context is either “because of” or “in regard to” and not “in order to get.” Therefore, Acts 2:38, when interpreted correctly, does not teach that baptism is required for salvation. Besides the precise meaning of the preposition translated “for” in this passage, there is another grammatical aspect of this verse to carefully consider-the change between the second person and third person between the verbs and pronouns in the passage. For example, in Peter’s commands to repent and be baptized the Greek verb translated “repent” is in the second person plural while the verb “be baptized,” is in the third person singular. When we couple this with the fact that the pronoun “your” in the phrase “forgiveness of your sins” is also second person plural, we see an important distinction being made that helps us understand this passage. The result of this change from second person plural to third person singular and back would seem to connect the phrase “forgiveness of your sins” directly with the command to “repent.” Therefore, when you take into account the change in person and plurality, essentially what you have is “You (plural) repent for the forgiveness of your (plural) sins, and let each one (singular) of you be baptized (singular).” Or, to put it in a more distinct way: “You all repent for the forgiveness of all of your sins, and let each one of you be baptized.” Another error that is made by those who believe Acts 2:38 teaches baptism is required for salvation is what is sometimes called the Negative Inference Fallacy. Simply put, this is the idea that just because a statement is true, we cannot assume all negations (or opposites) of that statement are true. In other words, just because Acts 2:38 says “repent and be baptized….for the forgiveness of sins…and the gift of the Holy Spirit,” it does not mean that if one repents and is not baptized, he will not receive forgiveness of sins or the gift of the Holy Spirit. There is an important difference between a condition of salvation and a requirement for salvation. The Bible is clear that belief is both a condition and a requirement, but the same cannot be said for baptism. The Bible does not say that if a man is not baptized then he will not be saved. One can add any number of conditions to faith (which is required for salvation), and the person can still be saved. For example if a person believes, is baptized, goes to church, and gives to the poor he will be saved. Where the error in thinking occurs is if one assumes all these other conditions, “baptism, going to church, giving to the poor,” are required for one to be saved. While they might be the evidence of salvation, they are not a requirement for salvation. (For a more thorough explanation of this logical fallacy, please see the Question: Does Mark 16:16 teach that baptism is required for salvation?). The fact that baptism is not required to receive forgiveness and the gift of the Holy Spirit should also be evident by simply reading a little farther in the book of Acts. In Acts 10:43, Peter tells Cornelius that “through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins” (please note that nothing at this point has been mentioned about being baptized, yet Peter connects believing in Christ with the act of receiving forgiveness for sins). The next thing that happens is, having believed Peter’s message about Christ, the “Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message” (Acts 10:44). It is only after they had believed, and therefore received forgiveness of their sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit, that Cornelius and his household were baptized (Acts 10:47-48). The context and the passage are very clear; Cornelius and his household received both forgiveness of sins and the Holy Spirit before they were ever baptized. In fact, the reason Peter allowed them to be baptized was that they showed evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit “just as Peter and the Jewish believers” had. In conclusion, Acts 2:38 does not teach that baptism is required for salvation. While baptism is important as the sign that one has been justified by faith and as the public declaration of one’s faith in Christ and membership in a local body of believers, it is not the means of remission or forgiveness of sins. The Bible is very clear that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone (John 1:12; John 3:16; Acts 16:31; Romans 3:21-30; Romans 4:5; Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 3:9; Galatians 2:16). Recommended Resources: Believer's Baptism: Sign of the New Covenant in Christ by Schriener and Wright and Logos Bible Software. See also: Does Galatians 3:27 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation? at www.gotquestions.org/baptism-Galatians-3-27.html Does Mark 16:16 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation? at www.gotquestions.org/baptism-Mark-16-16.html Does 1 Peter 3:21 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation? at www.gotquestions.org/baptism-1Peter-3-21.html Does John 3:5 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation? at www.gotquestions.org/baptism-John-3-5.html Does Acts 22:16 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation? at www.gotquestions.org/baptism-Acts-22-16.html See our playlist "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ"" with 72 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html. Titus 1:9-16
We have an entire playlist devoted to exposing the Campbellite version of their so-called "Church of Christ." Please see our playlist entitled, "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ" with 71 videos & 63 hours of teaching material at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html. You can also access our newsletter on the "Church of Christ" on our website www.BibleQuery.org; once on the homepage click on the "experience" box to the left & then scroll down to the newsletter section & click on the newsletter called "Church of Christ." See also our article "Why Water Baptism Is Not Essential to Salvation" located right above our newsletter section on our website. To order books on the "Church of Christ" please contact www.PilgrimPublications.com or go to our website www.BibleQuery.org & click on the "Book Resource List (doc) By Chapter" (it takes a while to download) located near the top left of our website. Matthew 7:15
This is in response to your comments on our video. I looked at your UA-cam channel & there doesn't seem to be anything "Christian" about you so why are you talking about "Christian" things. Stick to your music videos. The modern day "Church of Christ" movement was began back in the early 1800s by Thomas & Alexander Campbell, Barton W. Stone & Walter Scott. See our video at RISE OF THE CULTS: WHERE DID ALL THESE STRANGE AMERICAN RELIGIOUS SECTS COME FROM?. Walter Scott "arranges" the "ancient gospel" & makes "experiments" with it; baptizes William Amend on November 18, 1827 & claims to have "restored the gospel" (see "Life of Elder Walter Scott" by Baxter, Chapter VI; "Memoirs of Alexander Campbell, Vol. 2, pp. 208-220) thus the name "The Restoration Movement." Water baptism becomes the savior & gospel of this group. However, did Christianity really need these four men to "restore the ancient gospel" in 1827? Was there no Christianity before 1827? Is water baptism then essential & necessary in order to be saved from hell & go to heaven instead? Why Water Baptism Is Not Essential to Salvation By Steve Morrison www.BibleQuery.org Points We Should Agree On Salvation was purchased neither by water nor by faith. Our salvation is by grace through the shed blood of Jesus on the cross. The issue is whether we choose to receive that salvation through a) faith (most Bible-believing Christians, including some Church of Christ) b) Faith plus one work: baptism (some Church of Christ) c) Faith plus works in general (Catholic, Orthodox, some Church of Christ) d) Being a nice guy (Jesus’ blood was unnecessary) (many liberal Protestants and Catholics) Why This is Important A person can believe the wrong one of the first two and still be saved. But to me this is still important and unscriptural: 1. Says God sometimes breaks His promise 2. Salvation: God plus our response plus a 3rd party 3. Is there a corner in Hell for some obedient believers? On the other hand, many Church of Christ people say that if a person was martyred for their faith, and even if they were first baptized by immersion, if it was not specifically for remission of sins, there was no point for them to die for their faith, because they are in Hell. What if a Church of Christ person believed, but was killed in a car wreck on the way to being baptized? Thesis Nowhere does the Bible say the words "Cannot be saved without water baptism" Granted that some Bible truths are implied, not directly stated. But allegedly implied truths that contradict Biblically stated truths are untruths. Outline: Five Points Through Faith (Jn 3:16,18,36; Jn 5:24; 6:29,35,40 Rom 10:9-13, 1 Cor 1:14,17a etc.) Response of a Believer (Mk 16:16; Jn 3:3-6; Acts 2:38; 22:16, 1 Pet 3:20-21 etc.) Understanding Salvation (Eph 2:8-10) Thief on the Cross (Luke 23:40-43) Holy Spirit & Cornelius (Acts 10:43-48) Through Faith We Are Saved Some verses teach belief/faith for salvation, no mention of baptism. Others explicitly give the Promise of All who believe / have faith … are saved (John 3:16,18, etc.) We should all believe God’s promises. But what is genuine belief / saving faith? Genuine Belief / Saving Faith Saving Faith is not belief about but believing on Even the devils believe - and shudder (Jms 2:19) "Cheap grace", mere belief about facts, but not leading to a transformed life, is dead (Jms 2:20-24) True belief means trusting our lives to God OT: Ps 4:5; 9:10; 13:5; 20:7; 22:4,9; 25:2; Pr 3:5; Isa 8:17 NT: Rom 4:5; 9:33; 10:11; 1 Pet 2:6 Heb 2:13 (quotes 2 Sam 22:3) Blondin & tightrope over Niagara Falls illustration Old Testament believers, with the knowledge they had, were saved trusting forward to the same Savior we have, while we with the knowledge we have trust backwards at the finished work of Christ. When Blondin was about to walk over Niagara Falls on a tightrope pushing a wheelbarrow, a man told him that he believed that he could do it. Blondin asked if he really believed. When the man said yes, Blondin told him to get in the wheelbarrow. Genuine faith is not standing on the side saying "I believe", but saving faith in Christ is being willing to get in the wheelbarrow. Genuine Belief in Jesus as Lord Genuine belief in Jesus as Lord implies a repentance, calling on God, and commitment to obedience, including I might add, practicing the Lord’s supper and baptism. But let’s say a person was unable to fulfill baptism or another act of obedience, God understands out intentions. Role of Works in Salvation Both Ephesians 2:8-9 and James 2 show that works have an important role in our salvation: they are an output, not an input. Works are like a beating heart. You can make a dead person’s heart beat with electrodes, but that does not mean they are alive. But if you say a person is alive but their heart is not beating, then I have my doubts. Baptism is a work of a saved believer, not a lost person. But if someone says works have a role in us getting saved, then they deny Ephesians 2:8. Twice as many verses emphasize belief without baptism Verses showing water baptism Jn 3:16,18,36 (whosoever) Jn 1:11-12 (received him) Mk 16:16 (believe and is baptized) Jn 5:24 Jn 2:11b, 23b (belief only) Jn 3:4-6 (born of water & spirit) Acts 10:43-48 Jn 6:29,35,40,47 Acts 2:37-38 (for remission of sins) Rom 4:1-6; 5:1 Jn 7:38,39; Acts 22:16 (wash away thy sins) Rom 9:33 (belief only) Jn 8:30-32 Rom 6:3-5 (bapt.…into His death) Rom 10:9-13 Jn 11:25-26 (believes) 1 Cor 6:11 (washed... by the spirit) Joel 2:32a+Acts 2:21+Rom 10:13 Jn 12:46 (believe) Gal 3:26-27 (baptized…clothed) 1 Cor 1:14,17 Jn 16:9 (not believe) Eph 5:26,Tt 3:5 (washing) Eph 2:8-10 Jn 17:20 (believe only) Col 2:11-13; Heb 10:22 Gal 3:22b (belief only) Rom 10:9-10 (if a man…) 1 Pet 3:20b-21 Heb 4:2 (faith only) 1 Jn 5:1,10-13 1 Cor 1:12-13 (Paul and divisions) Other verses mentioning belief but not baptism: Jn 4:39a,41; 9:35; 10:42; 11:25,45,48; 12:11, 31,42,44; 14:1,12; 20:31 Acts 14:23; 20:21; Rom 15:13; Php 1:29; Tt 3:8 Other verses mentioning baptism: Mt 28:19; Acts 1:22; 2:41; 8:13,16, 37-39; 1 Cor 10:2 John 3:16,18 Jn 3:16 "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. (KJV) Note it is not that this verse simply mentions belief without baptism. It says that whosoever believes is saved, without baptism. John 3:18 Jn 3:18 He that believeth in Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (KJV) When you believed in Christ, were you condemned or not condemned at that exact in time? John 3:36 "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." (KJV) John 5:24 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." (KJV) Acts 10:43 (KJV) "To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name, whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins." This was said to Cornelius prior to baptism. Rom 10:9-13 (also Joel 2:32a; Acts 2:21) (KJV) "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (11) For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (12) For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." 1 Cor 1:14; 17a (KJV) 1 Cor 1:14 "I [Paul] thank God that I baptized none of you but Cris’pus and Ga’i-us" 1 Cor 1:17a "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel:" Jn 6:28-29,35,40 (KJV) Jn 6:28-29 "Then said they unto him, What shall we do that we might work the works of God? (29) Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." Jn 6:35 "And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." Jn 6:40 "And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day." Twice as many verses emphasize belief without baptism Verses showing water baptism Jn 3:16,18,36 (whosoever) Jn 1:11-12 (received him) Mk 16:16 (believe and is baptized) Jn 5:24 Jn 2:11b, 23b (belief only) Jn 3:4-6 (born of water & spirit) Acts 10:43-48 Jn 6:29,35,40,47 Acts 2:37-38 (for remission of sins) Rom 4:1-6; 5:1 Jn 7:38,39; Acts 22:16 (wash away thy sins) Rom 9:33 (belief only) Jn 8:30-32 Rom 6:3-5 (bapt.…into His death) Rom 10:9-13 Jn 11:25-26 (believes) 1 Cor 6:11 (washed... by the spirit) Joel 2:32a+Acts 2:21+Rom 10:13 Jn 12:46 (believe) Gal 3:26-27 (baptized…clothed) 1 Cor 1:14,17 Jn 16:9 (not believe) Eph 5:26,Tt 3:5 (washing) Eph 2:8-10 Jn 17:20 (believe only) Col 2:11-13; Heb 10:22 Gal 3:22b (belief only) Rom 10:9-10 (if a man…) 1 Pet 3:20b-21 Heb 4:2 (faith only) 1 Jn 5:1,10-13 1 Cor 1:12-13 (Paul and divisions) Other verses mentioning belief but not baptism: Jn 4:39a,41; 9:35; 10:42; 11:25,45,48; 12:11, 31,42,44; 14:1,12; 20:31 Acts 14:23; 20:21; Rom 15:13; Php 1:29; Tt 3:8 Other verses mentioning baptism: Mt 28:19; Acts 1:22; 2:41; 8:13,16, 37-39; 1 Cor 10:2 Summary of the First Section While some verses simply mention belief without baptism, many other verses say that all who believe, regardless of baptism will be saved. We will call these the "whosoever" verses. Saving faith is a living faith, that is willing to repent, confess God, and obey. Of course getting baptized with water is part of obeying. But if a person dies before they are able to be baptized, God looks at our heart. Response of a Believer Water baptism verses Summary of Response Mk 16:16 yet Jn 3:36 Faith leads to baptism, only unbelief condemned Jn 3:4-6 yet Jn 3:16,18 Spoken to Nicodemus before the resurrection Acts 2:37-38 yet 10:43 Eis can mean result of or in, as in Acts 10:43 Acts 22:16 yet 22:13 Never said "Brother" Saul was not saved first Rom 6:3-5 yet 10:9-11 No mention of the pious unbaptized like the thief 1 Cor 6:11 yet Rom 8:11; Eph 1:13-14a Washed by the Spirit here, not water. If the Spirit is in a NT believer, Spirit’s seal guarantees. Gal 3:26-27 yet 2 Cor 5:4-5 A soldier’s uniform is an emblem of his identity. All with the Spirit guaranteed future clothing. Eph 5:26,Tt 3:5 Baptism of the Holy Spirit as in Acts 1:5 + 2:4 Col 2:11-13 yet Rom 2:29; Acts 15:1-21 Symbol of buried with Christ. Bible never said cannot be saved without water baptism Heb 10:22 yet 1 Pet 3:21 The washed body is a visible emblem, but 1 Pet 3:21a says does not save. 1 Pet 3:20b-21 yet 2:6b Noah and Abraham obedient saints beforehand. 1 Cor 1:12-13 yet 1:14-17 Baptism not vital since Paul NOT sent to baptize. Others: Mt 28:19; Acts 1:22; 2:41; 8:13,16, 37-39 - not say for salvation Response of a Believer Belief in the Lord Jesus implies a pledge of obedience. But this does NOT imply God sends an obedient believer, who in unable to do something, to Hell! While no other way except Christ (Jn 14:6b, Acts 4:12) the Bible never says condemned without baptism. While these show baptism is an important response of believers, no verse reneges on God’s promise to all who believe! Mk 16:16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." Yet John 3:36 "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (NKJV) Mark 16:16 does not specifically say all who believe but are unbaptized go to Hell. It if did, it would contradict John 3:36 and the other whosoever verses. Here is a "Change for a dollar and a water bottle illustration". If my daughter in the kitchen asks me for change for a dollar, and I tell her, give me a dollar and a water bottle and I will give you change. If my daughter gives me both I give her the change. If my daughter does not give me a dollar, then no change. But what if my daughter gives me a dollar but not a water bottle. Then it depends. If she says, I looked but I was unable to find a water bottle, then I will still give her change. But if she says something disrespectful, and refuses to give me a water bottle that she can get, then no change. A Church of Christ counter example was given as: "if you eat and digest your food you will live, if you do not eat, you will die." Digesting your food is implied. However, applying to Mark 16:16 this example of an involuntary bodily action to a command of God we are to voluntarily obey contradicts the Word of God, that promises salvation to all who truly believe in the following places: John 3:16,18,36; John 5:24; 6:47; 11:25-26; Acts 10:43-48; Romans 9:33; Joel 2:32a + Acts 2:21 + Romans 10:9-10; 10:13; 1 John 5:1,10-13 John 3:4-6 "‘Nic-o-de’mus saith unto Him, ‘How can a man be born when is old? Can he enter a 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 the kingdom of God. (6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." (KJV) Jn 3:16 "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." (KJV) Jn 3:18a "He that believeth on him is not condemned" (KJV) One reason John 3:4-6 does not mean all who are not baptized go to Hell is that it would contradict John 3:16; 18a and the other whosoever verses. A second reason is that Jesus said John 3:4-6 before the resurrection. Jn 3:46 said before the resurrection a) If baptism essential before resurrection: Thief on the cross problem in Lk 23:43 b) If baptism not-essential, then since Jesus told Nicodemus prior to His resurrection, John 3:5 cannot teach no unbaptized person can be saved. But if b), note that believers were to be baptized in Jn 4:2 Water baptism: Not practiced in the OT, a command in the New, but never was it simply a suggestion! Acts 2:37-38 yet Acts 10:43 Acts 2:37-38 "When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ (38) Peter replied, ‘[ya’ll] Repent and [he/she] be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for [eis] the forgiveness / remission [aphesin] of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (NIV/NKJV) Yet Acts 10:43 "To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission / forgiveness of sins." (NKJV/NIV) Yet Acts 2:21 (Joel 2:32a; Rom 10:13) "And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved" (NKJV) So right before Acts 2:36, Peter told us the criteria for receiving salvation: Acts 2:21. A second reason Acts 2:37-38 does not teach all who are not baptized go to Hell is that it would contradict the other whosoever verses. Forgiveness/Remission [Aphesin] are the Same word in Greek The word forgiveness/remission is the same Greek: aphesin (Strong’s 859) The same Greek word is used as: Remission (KJV/NKJV) Mt 26:28; Mk 1:4; Lk 1:77; 3:3; 24:47; Heb 9:22; 10:18 Forgiveness (KJV/NKJV), Mk 3:29; Acts 5:31; 13:38; 26:18; Eph 1:7; Col 1:14 NIV has forgiveness/forgiven in all these verses Many Meanings of Eis (Strong’s 1519) Eis mean in order to cause (looking forward) Lk 5:14 Jesus told the cleansed leper to show himself to the priests as Moses commanded eis a testimony to them. Eis means "because of" (looking backward) Mt 3:11 "John baptized eis repentance. If eis could only mean to cause remission of sins in Acts 2:38, then eis would have to baptize to cause repentance in Mt 3:11 Mt 12:41 [Ninevites] "repented eis the preaching of Jonah" Eis means "to" Jn 4:5 "He [Jesus] comes eis a city of Samaria" Jn 11:31 "She goes eis the tomb" Isa 13:14 (Septuagint) "a man shall turn back to his own people" This means "[return] to", but it is looking backward, not forward. They did not just become his people, they were already his people. Eis means "about" or "in reference to" Acts 2:25 David speaks eis him Cause and Effect and Eis If eis could only mean "caused" The Ninevites "caused" the preaching of Jonah? Mt 12:31 Mary goes to "cause" the tomb"? Jn 11:31 Through one man sin "caused" the world"? Rom 5:12) John the Baptist had a baptism for repentance to cause forgiveness of sins too. (Then what about the thief on the cross?) (Lk 3:3) You cannot base a doctrine on a grammatical ambiguity! Looking Backward with eis Church of Christ people claim eis never looks backward. However, besides Mt 3:11 and 12:41; it looks backward (as well as forward) in the Old Testament Septuagint. It looks backward in Mal 2:2 Did not One God (eis) create you? Mal 2:11 [Judah] has gone (eis) after other gods. Acts 22:16 yet Acts 22:13a Acts 22:16 [Ananias told Paul] "And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name." (NIV) Acts 22:13a "He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’…" (NIV) Saul/Paul was already a fellow believer in Acts 22:13. 1) This does not say baptism saved, and 2) if it was the water that washed sins away that would be against 1 Peter 3:21. One reason Acts 22:16 does not refer to unbaptized believers going to Hell is that it would contradict the whosoever verses. More on Brother Now brethren meant fellow Jews in Rom 9:3; Acts 3:17; 13:26; 22:1,2; 23:1,5. However: We have no proof that Ananias was Jewish Ananias and Paul had a bond that was closer than being Jewish: even prior to Paul’s baptism, both were genuine believers. All genuine believers are our brothers. Baptism is only something a brother and sister believer does. The key issue here, is, can a genuine "brother", like the thief on the cross, or Cornelius before he was baptized, be in Hell if He dies before he does the "work" of water baptism? Alexander Campbell Christian Messenger, 1831 p.19,21 "My opinion is that immersion is the only baptism. But shall I therefore make my opinion a term of Christian fellowship? If in this case I thus act, where shall I cease from making my opinions terms of fellowship? I confess I see no end. . . . Let us still acknowledge all to be brethren, who believe in the Lord Jesus, and humbly and honestly obey him, as far as they know his will, and their duty." Rom 6:3-5 yet Rom 10:9-13 Rom 6:3-5 "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? (4) 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. (5) For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:" (KJV) While Rom 6 refers to water baptism, not just Spirit baptism, this never says cannot be saved if not baptized. Rather, it gives the meaning of baptism (our identification with Christ’s death and resurrection. Yet Rom 10:9-13 Rom 10:9-13 "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (10) For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (11) For Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame. (12) For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. (13) For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (NKJV) 1 Cor 6:11 yet Rom 8:11; Eph 1:13-14a 1 Cor 6:11 "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God." (NIV) Washed by the Spirit here, not water. Baptism of the Holy Spirit is in Mt 3:11b; Mk 1:8; Lk 3:16b; Acts 1:5+2:4; 8:16-17; 19:2-7; 1 Cor 12:13 Yet Rom 8:11; Eph 1:13-14a Rom 8:11 "But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." (NKJV) Eph 1:13-14a "In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, (14) who is the guarantee of our inheritance…" (NKJV) Gal 3:26-27 yet 2 Cor 5:4-5 Gal 3:26-27 "For you are all sons of God though faith in Christ Jesus, (27) For all of you who were baptized in Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." (uNASB) The Greek word enduo "clothed/put on" (Strong’s 1746) "in the sense of sinking into a garment); to invest with clothing (lit. or fit.): array, cloths (with), endue, have (put) on." As a soldier has a uniform, being clothed with Christ is an external emblem or an inward change and new identity. Yet 2 Cor 5:4-5 Yet 2 Cor 5:4-5 "For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now He who have prepared for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee." (NKJV) Even we are not fully clothed while in this life, but in the New Testament those who have the Spirit are guaranteed they will be fully clothed. Eph 5:26 & Titus 3:5 yet Acts 1:5+2:4 Eph 5:26 "To make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word," (NIV) Titus 3:5 "he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior" (NIV) This is baptism (washing) of the Holy Spirit, which is mentioned in Acts 1:5 and fulfilled in Acts 2:4 Alexander Campbell Design by Baptism p.262 (1st part) "In this sense we are to understand what is said by Paul, that Christ sanctifieth and cleanseth the church ‘with washing of water by the word.’ Eph 5:26, and in another place, that ‘according to His mercy he saved us, but the washing of regeneration, and of renewing of the Holy Ghost’ Titus 3:5, and by Peter that ‘baptism doeth save us’ 1 Pet. 3:21, For it is not the intention of Paul to signify that our ablution and salvation are completed by water, or that water contains in itself the virtue to purify, regenerate, and renew; nor did Peter mean that it was the cause of salvation, but only the knowledge and assurance of it is received in this sacrament: what is sufficiently evident from the words they have used." Alexander Campbell Design by Baptism p.262 (2nd part) "For Paul connects together the ‘word of life’ and ‘the baptism of water;’ as if he had said, our ablution and sanctification are announced to us by the Gospel, and by baptism this message is confirmed. And Peter after having said the baptism doth save us, immediately adds, that it is ‘not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God’ which proceeds from faith. But on the contrary, baptism promises us no other purification than by the sprinkling of the blood of Christ; which is emblematically represented by water, on account of its resemblance to washing and cleansing." Col 2:11-13 yet Rom 2:29; Acts 15:1-21 Col 2:11-13 "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." (KJV) Yet Rom 2:29 Rom 2:25-28 said that circumcision had value if you obeyed the law, but not for lawbreakers. Even those who kept the law but were uncircumised will be regarded as circumcised. Rom 2:29 "But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God." (KJV) Yet Acts 15:1-12 Some men [falsely] taught that unless you are circumcised you cannot be saved. The apostles COULD have said, "Not circumcision anymore but baptism." But instead Peter said, "No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are." So they told Gentile believers to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, sexual immorality, blood, but "missed their chance" to say that baptism is required. Heb 10:22 yet 1 Pet 3:21 Heb 10:22 "let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." (NIV) Yet 1 Pet 3:21a (NIV) "and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God…" 1 Pet 3:21a (KJV) "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.)" The body washed with pure water is a visible emblem of our changed hearts. 1 Peter 3:21 says that it is not the water that saves us but the pledge of a good conscience towards God. 1 Pet 3:20b-21 yet 1 Pet 2:6b Pet 3:20b-21 "days of Noah, while the ark was preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. (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:" (KJV) Note: KJV’s "by water" is incorrect; the Greek is "through water (di udatos)" per (NKJV, NIV, uNASB, Green’s literal translation, NRSV) Yet 1 Pet 2:6b "he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame." (NKJV) Response to 1 Pet 3:20b-21 Both Noah and Abraham were obedient servants of God prior to the flood and testing with Isaac. 1 Peter 3:21 says it is NOT the water, but the pledge of a good conscience before God. It does not refer to people who made a pledge but were not able to get baptized. The Bible also uses word save in the fourth tense (of working out our salvation. So baptism only saves in the on-going sense that we can turn others from sin (James 5:20) we can save ourselves (Acts 2:40), we can save others (1 Cor 7:16, 9:22; 1 Tim 4:16) Alexander Campbell Millennial Harbinger, 1837 p.411-412 (1st part) "But who is a Christian? I answer, every one that believes in his heart that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, the Son of God; repents of his sins, and obeys him in all things according to his measure of knowledge of his will. . . . I cannot make any one duty the standard of Christian state or character, not even immersion into the name of Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and [cannot] in my heart regard all that have been sprinkled in infancy without their own knowledge and consent, as aliens from Christ and the well-grounded hope of heaven." Alexander Campbell Millennial Harbinger, 1837 p.411-412 (2nd part) "Should I find a Pedobaptist [one baptized as an infant] more intelligent in the Christian Scriptures, more spiritually-minded and more devoted to the Lord than a Baptist, or one immersed on a profession of the ancient faith, I could not hesitate a moment in giving the preference of my heart to him that loveth most. Did I act otherwise, I would be a pure sectarian, a Pharisee among Christians." It if False to Claim Church of Christ Always Taught This This, it is wrong for Church of Christ literature to claim Churches of Christ always believed a person not immersed for sins is going to Hell. One of the founders, Alexander Campbell, said a pedobaptist could be saved Alexander Campbell was never immersed for remission of sins Nobody in the church prior to this time said that belief without baptism would send someone to Hell However, Ambrose, Augustine, and others did teach that baptized babies go to Heaven, and unbaptized babies go to Hell. Understanding Salvation in Eph 2:8-10 Eph 2:8-10 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, (9) not of works, lest anyone should boast. (10) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (NKJV) Counter-argument1: Naaman the Syrian In 2 Ki 5:10-15, Naaman was not cleansed of leprosy until he washed in the Jordan. a) This act of faith was for cleansing from leprosy, not salvation. b) It does not matter what river, or baptism water you use. But here it had to specifically be the Jordan River to make a point to Naaman. c) There was no water baptism in the Old Testament. d) Finally, if someone tried to make it relate to baptism, then Naaman did not know for sure there was only one God except the God of Israel until AFTER he washed in the Jordan in 2 Kings 5:15. Counter-argument 2: Walls of Jericho God by His grace gave Jericho to the Israelites without them working for it (Josh 6:2) But they still had to march around the city for seven days, 13 times, before it fell. Counter-argument 2 Answer Their marching did not cause the walls to fall; God supernaturally did. Obediently doing works DOES give us blessings, but this was not for their salvation, but to their conquering strongholds in their life as believers. It would be a false caricature of our position to say that we are against works, or that works have nothing to do with a saved person’s life. Works are an output of salvation, not an input. Thief on the Cross in Luke 23:40-43 Baptism was a much "for" remission of sins before Jesus’ resurrection as after. (Mk 1:4; Lk 1:77; Lk 3:3b same wording as Acts 2:38) Rejecting John’s baptism was rejecting God’s will for them (Lk 7:30) The disciples baptized too (Jn 3:26; 4:2) Jesus had high regard for at least one near-death conversion! No opportunity for water baptism, but did not reject. One answer: God is understanding Martyrs Potamiaena and the soldier Basilides About 202 A.D., as the Christian lady Potamiaena was being lead to her martyr’s death in the arena, the soldier Basilides kindly kept the rabble from bothering her. She said she would tell God of his kindness, and he would receive a reward. Three days after her death, he had a dream about her. Afterwards, when he was asked to swear something, he said he could not, as he was a Christian. First they thought he was joking, then they put him in prison; he was martyred too. Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History (323-326 A.D.) book 6 ch.5 p.253) So would someone like that go to Hell, who truly trusted in Christ and was martyred for Him? More on Basilides In fairness to the other side, I must mention something else too. Brothers of the church met with Basilides in prison, and after talking with him gave him "the seal of the Lord". It is unclear that this is baptism, but it probably was. However, the pagan jailers would not have let a prisoner leave the prison to get baptized. So how could he get baptized? Early Church: Immersion when Practical Didache (c.125 A.D.) ch.7 p.379 "baptize into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in living water. But if thou have not living water, baptize into other water; and if thou canst not in cold, in warm. But if thou have not either, pour out water thrice upon the head into the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." Early Church Errors But the early church made mistakes too. Around 210 A.D. the early Church got the idea that before baptism you needed to go through a long, two year class for catechumens. What if someone came to Christ and was martyred before completing their lengthy class? So according to this Church of Christ doctrine, all the Christian martyrs, including Basilides, who were killed before getting immersed in water, will be in Hell, I supposed studying Greek forever. Maybe they will have the thief on the cross as their instructor though. Holy Spirit and Cornelius in Acts 10:43-48 They had the Holy Spirit prior to water baptism So do we (John 14:16-17,23) In the New Testament, all who have the Holy Spirit are in Christ. (1 John 4:13; Rom 8:9-11,14,16a) Rom 8:14 "For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." (uNASB) Rom 8:16-17a "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, (17) and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ." (uNASB) Cornelius according to 1 John 4:13 1 Jn 4:13 "By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit." (KJV, NKJV, uNASB) Cornelius According to Rom 8:9-11 Rom 8:9-11 "But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you, Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. (10) And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is life because of righteousness. (11) But if the Spirit of him that raised Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by [through] His Spirit that dwelleth in you." (KJV) (Greek dia is "through" as NKJV, NIV, uNASB, Green’s) Summary Through Faith (Jn 3:16,18,36, Jn 5:24; 6:29,35,40 Rom 10:9-13; 1 Cor 1:14,17a etc.) Response of a Believer (Mk 16:16; Jn 3:3-6; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet 3:20-21 etc.) Understanding Salvation (Eph 2:8-10) Thief on the Cross (Luke 23:40-43) Holy Spirit & Cornelius (Acts 10:43-48) Conclusion Water baptism is what a believer should do. Even all Church of Christ people will agree, but they try to differentiate between a genuine believer and a saved person. Water baptism by immersion is only as essential for salvation as it was for the thief on the cross, Cornelius, Basilides and other early martyrs Quote on Potamiaena and the soldier Basilides Basilides may be counted the seventh of these. He led to martyrdom the celebrate Potamiaena, whose is still famous among the people of the country for the many things which she endured for the preservation of her chastity and virginity. For she was blooming in the perfection of her mind and her physical graces. Having suffered much for the faith of Christ, finally after tortures dreadful and terrible to speak of, she with her mother, Marcella, was put to death by fire. They say that the judge, Aquilla by name, having inflicted severe tortures upon her entire body, at last threatened to hand her over to the gladiators for bodily abuse. After a little consideration, being asked for her decision, she made a reply which was regarded as impious. Thereupon she received sentence immediately, and Basilides, one of the officers of the army, led her to death. But as the people attempted to annoy and insult her with abusive words, he drove back her insulters, showing her much pity and kindness. And perceiving the man’s sympathy for her, she exhorted him to be of good courage, for she would supplicate her Lord for him after her departure, and he would soon receive a reward for the kindness he had shown her. Having said this, she nobly sustained the issue, burning pitch being poured little by little, over various parts of her body, from the sole of her feet to the crown of her head. Such was the conflict endured by this famous maiden. Not long after this Basilides, being asked by his fellow-soldiers to swear for a certain reason, declared that it was not lawful for him to swear at all, for he was a Christian, and he confessed this openly. At first they thought that he was jesting, but when he continued to affirm it, he was led to the judge, and, acknowledging his conviction before him he was imprisoned. But the brethren in God coming to him and inquiring the reason of this sudden and remarkable resolution, he is reported to have said the Potamiaena, for three days after her martyrdom, stood beside him by night and placed a crown on his head, and said that she had besought the Lord for him and had obtained what she asked, and that soon she would take him with her. Thereupon the brethren gave him the seal(4) of the Lord; and on the next day, after giving glorious testimony for the Lord, he was beheaded." Footnote 4 says, "The word aphragis, ‘seal,’ was very commonly used by the Fathers to signify baptism (see Suicer’s Thesaurus)." The Early Church on Cornelius Anonymous Treatise on Re-baptism (254-257 A.D.) ch.5 p.669-670 On speaking of Cornelius said, "And there will be no doubt that men may be baptized with the Holy Ghost without water, - as thou observest that these were baptized before they were baptized with water; that the announcements of both John and of our Lord Himself were satisfied, - forasmuch as they received the grace of the promise both without the imposition of the apostle’s hands and without the [baptismal] laver, which they attained afterwards. And their hearts being purified, God bestowed upon them at the same time, in virtue of their faith, remission of sins; so that the subsequent baptism conferred upon them this benefit alone, that they received also the invocation of the name of Jesus Christ, that nothing might appear to be wanting to the integrity of their service and faith." Cyprian (246-258 A.D.) Letter 71 p.378 strongly emphasized baptism (even of infants), and one can see the doctrine of baptismal regeneration in his writings. Yet in discussing Cornelius he even said, "For we find also, in the Acts of the Apostles, that this is maintained by the apostles, and kept in the truth of the saving faith, so that when, in the house of Cornelius the centurion, the Holy Ghost had descended upon the Gentiles who were there, fervent in the warmth of their faith, and believing in the Lord with the whole heart; and when, filled with the Spirit, they blessed God in divers tongues, still none the less the blessed Apostle Peter, mindful of the divine precept and the Gospel, commanded that those same men should be baptized who had already been filled with the Holy Spirit, that nothing might seem to be neglected to the observance by the apostolic instruction in all things of the law of the divine precept and Gospel." We cannot find a single person in history who held to both believer’s baptism plus all who are lost who are not immersed for remission of sins. In other words, according to the doctrine of many Churches of Christ, outside of the New Testament we cannot find in history a single person who had any possibility of going to heaven, until after the restoration movement started, and even Alexander Campbell was never baptized for remission of sins. Note that Acts 2:38 says "ya’ll (second person plural) repent and each of you (third person singular) be baptized. So forgiveness/remission of sins does not modify repent. Other Notes Two Classes of Verses 1. Mention of belief/faith for salvation, no mention of baptism 2. The Promise of All who believe/ have faith … are saved (John 3:16,18, etc.) Verses Showing Salvation Can Come Before or Without Water Baptism Thief on the cross (Luke 23:40-43). The thief was not permitted to get down, get baptized, and then get back up on the cross again. If God is understanding of the situation of the thief, then that proves water baptism is not essential for salvation. Even though the thief died before Christ’s resurrection, water baptism was still practiced by Jesus and his disciples (Jon 3:26; 4:2), and water baptism was for repentance for remission of sins by John the Baptist (Mk 1:4; Lk 1:77; 3:3b). Jesus was said to have baptized (John 3:26), though actually Jesus had His disciples do the baptizing (John 4:2) In Lk 3:3b John the Baptist was "preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins" (NKJV) and the words for remissions/forgiveness are the same in Acts 2:38 and Lk 3:3 in Greek as they are in English. (See also Mk 1:4; Lk 1:77) Cornelius (Acts 10:43-48) Note that they had the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:45b) prior to water baptism. In New Testament times, Romans 8:9,11,14,16-17 says that those who have the spirit in them, their spirit is alive, are sons of God, (17b) "heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." Jn 3:16,18 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (18) He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he was not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (36) He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (NKJV) Jesus was said to have baptized (John 3:26), though actually Jesus had His disciples do the baptizing (John 4:2) In Lk 3:3b John the Baptist was "preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins" (NKJV) and the words for remissions/forgiveness are the same in Acts 2:38 and Lk 3:3 in Greek as they are in English. (See also Mk 1:4; Lk 1:77) Jn 5:24 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life." (NKJV) Rom 4:1-6 "What than shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he as something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 4) Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, (6) just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:" (NKJV) Acts 10:43 "To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins." (NKJV) Rom 5:1 "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, though whom we also have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (NKJV) Rom 10:9-13 "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (10) For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (11) For Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame. (12) For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. (13) For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (NKJV) Joel 2:32a and Acts 2:21 and Rom 10:13 "And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved" (NKJV) 1 Cor 1:17a "For Christ did not send me [Paul] to baptize, but to preach the gospel," (NKJV) Eph 2:8-10 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (NKJV) 1 Cor 10:2 (indirectly) "all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea." (NKJV) Yet Moses, Joshua, Caleb, and other godly Israelites followed God before the crossed the Red Sea. Gal 3:22b (indirectly) "that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe." (NKJV) Heb 4:2 (indirectly) "For indeed the gospel was reached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it." They had to have faith for it to profit them. It does not say faith and baptism. Jn 1:11-12 (indirectly) "He [Jesus] cam into His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe His name;" Says have to believe to become children of God; does not specify whether other steps or not. Jn 2:11b, 23b (belief only) ""…and His disciples believed in Him. (23b) many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did." Jn 6:29,35,40 "Jesus answered and said to them [the crowds], ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent." (35) And Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." (40) "And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day." (NKJV) Jn 7:38,39 "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. (39) But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified." (NKJV) Jn 8:30-32 "As He spoke these words, many believed in Him. Then Jesus aid to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed, And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’" (NKJV) Jn 11:25-26 ""Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me; though he may die, shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (NKJV) Jn 12:46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness." (NKJV) Jn 16:9 [The Holy Spirit will convict the world] "of sin, because they do not believe in Me;" No mention of conviction for not being baptized. Jn 17:20 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one,…" Php 1:29 "For it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake" (not mention of baptism) 1 Jn 5:1 "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him." (NKJV) 1 Jn 5:10-13 "He who believes in the Son of God has the witness of himself; and he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son." (11) And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life; and this life is in His Son. (12) He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. (13) These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God." (NKJV) Other verses mentioning belief but not baptism: Jn 4:39a; 4:41; 9:35; 10:42; 11:45,48; 12:11,42,44; 14:1,12 Mark 16:16 "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." (NIV) Yet: John 3:36 "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (NKJV) Q: Does Mark 16:16 prove that a person must be baptized in order to be saved? A: No, it does not specify. It says that a person who believes and is baptized will be saved, and a person who does not believe is condemned. It is silent about people who believe but are not baptized. Let me give you a simple illustration. If my daughter’s in the kitchen and she asks me for four quarters for a dollar, I could tell her to bring me a dollar, and also a water bottle. Now if she brings me a dollar and a water bottle I will give her change. If she does not bring me the dollar I do not give her change. But if she brings the dollar but no water bottle, I did not specify what I would do. If she refuses, perhaps making a disrespectful remark, I would not make change for her. On the other hand, if she tries to bring me a water bottle but cannot find one, should I still refuse her? - of course not. Matthew 7:7-8 says that "everyone who asks receives" Likewise Mark 16:16 does not specify about those who believe and are not baptized, and probably for similar reason. Is it because a person was not able to be baptized, or a person rejected obeying God. Scripture that says salvation comes at the point of faith in Jesus include Acts 16:31; Jn 1:12; 3:14-18; 3:36; 6:47; 30:31. Proverbs 30:6 and 1 Corinthians 4:6 are strict warnings not to add to God’s word. If you say that Mark 16:16 states what happens to those who believe and are not baptized, when that verse is silent on that, you are adding to God’s word. While some people, called ultra-dispensationalists, say we are not to be baptized today, that is wrong. Baptism, along with other works, are in fact involved in salvation; they are an output, not an input. Baptism and other works are the obedient response of a saved person, not the work of a lost person. John 3:4-6 "’How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit." (NIV) Q: Does John 3:5 imply a person must be baptized in water to be saved? A: No, Jesus blood saves. Water would not save Nicodemus any more than it would save the thief on the cross. First five reasons why did does not teach that, and then what it does teach. Why it does not teach that: On the surface, this might sound like one of the strongest verses supporting that you must be baptized to be saved. However, four points completely eliminate that teaching from this verse. 1. Thief on the cross: If John 3:5 taught that no unbaptized person can be saved, then the thief on the cross could not be saved, contradicting Luke 23:43. 2. Said before the resurrection too: If someone notices that the thief on the cross was before the resurrection, this command was before the resurrection too. 3. Jesus’ disciples baptized before the crucifixion: Do not forget that believers WERE to be baptized before the resurrection; otherwise why were Jesus’ disciples baptizing in John 4:2? 4. Contradicts believe only passages: Saying water baptism were essential for salvation, whether before or after the resurrection, John 3:16 "whoever believes in him", Romans 10:9-10, and other verses that say our point of contact with salvation is our belief or faith. There is no work, of any category, involved, as Ephesians 2:8-10 teaches. 5. God is understanding: Even one Church of Christ pastor told me that God is understanding of believers who are not baptized but did not reject water baptism. He and I agree on this. But if God can be "understanding" then getting baptized is still an important command to be followed, but no longer "ties the hands of God Almighty" if a person dies before being baptized. In contrast to this, I heard of a Church of Christ boy who was killed in a car accident on his way to being baptized. Would you teach that he is in Hell now, despite his intent? What it does teach: Christians see at least two truths Jesus is teaching here. 1. Do-over: We were born as sinners, with a sinful nature and we need to be born again. "…born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit". A lost person reforming themselves into salvation does not work; we must be born again, and have the Holy Spirit living inside of us (Romans 8:10,11,15). 2. Baptism visibly joins us to the kingdom of God now: Genuine believers will go to heaven eventually, but we are a part of the kingdom of God now. Believing intellectual facts is not enough (James 2:19), saving faith includes trusting Jesus as our Lord. We pledge our life to God, our Master, and one of the acts of an obedient believer is to be baptized. Baptism is not just a bath, but an outward sign of an inward pledge. Acts 2:37-38 "When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ Peter replied, ‘[ya’ll] Repent and [he/she] be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ eis the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (NIV) [remission of sins in the NKJV, aphesin (Strong’s 859, from 863] Yet Acts 10:43: "To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission/forgiveness of sins." (NKJV) (forgiveness in NIV) Q: Does Acts 2:37-38 prove a person must be baptized in water to be saved? A: No, you cannot base a major doctrine solely on 1. Contradicts Acts 10:43 2. A grammatical error: Repent is second person plural [ya’ll] and baptized is third person singular, so the forgiveness of sins here only modifies the second part: baptized, not the forgiveness of sins too. 3. An ambiguous use of a single word. The Greek word here, eis (Strong’s 1519), like the English word "for" can mean many things, and it can mean "because of [the past]" as well as "to cause [the future]" 4. Choosing the ambiguous use that contradicts scriptural meaning. In Mk 1:4; Lk 1:77; 3:3b John the Baptist was "preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins" (NKJV) and the words for remission / forgiveness are the same in Acts 2:38 and Lk 3:3 in Greek, as they are in English. Do you believe that baptism was essential for salvation prior to Jesus; ministry with John the Baptist? (Most Christians would say no.) Of course the thief on the cross was not allowed to get down and get baptized before Jesus said he would be with Him in paradise. As for details, here are some examples of different meanings of eis. Eis mean in order to cause Lk 5:14 Jesus told the cleansed leper to show himself to the priests as Moses commanded eis a testimony to them. Eis means "in [the]" Mt 10:41 "receives a prophet eis name of the prophet" … "receives a just one eis name of the just one" Eis means "because of" Mt 3:11 "John baptized eis repentance. If eis could only mean "to cause" in Acts 2:38, then eis would have to baptize to cause repentance in Mt 3:11 Mt 12:41 [Ninevites] "repented eis the preaching of Jonah" Eis means "into" Rom 5:12 "sin eis the world entered" Rom 6:3 "all who were baptized into Christ Jesus, eis the death of Him were baptized." Lk 14:23 "Go eis the ways and hedges" Acts 22:10 "Bring [Paul] eis the fortress Eis means "in" Acts 10:43 "through the name of Him [Jesus everyone believing eis Him. Mk 1:9 Jesus was baptized of John eis Jordan. Acts 19:3 Ephesians baptized eis John’s baptism Eis means "about" or "in reference to" Acts 2:25 David speaks eis him Eis means "towards" Rom 5:8 "of Himself love eis us God," Eis means "to" Jn 4:5 "He [Jesus] comes eis a city of Samaria" Jn 11:31 "She goes eis the tomb" Green’s literal translation says, "…baptized each of you on the name of Jesus Christ to forgiveness of sins." Wuest’s Expanded Translation says "and let each one of you be baptized upon the ground of your confession of belief in the sum total of all that Jesus Christ is in His glorious Person, this baptismal testimony being in relation to the fact that your sins have been put away," The Greek word eis, is a less precise word that English. Thayer’s A Greek English Lexicon of the New Testament 20th printing 1979 (Zondervan) spends almost six pages discussing the Greek word eis. On p.183 he writes, "[Preposition] governing the Accusative, and denoting entrance into, or direction and limit: into, to, towards, for, among" It has a variety of uses, but Thayer classifies Rom 5:12 as Properly of Place. He says, "4. of the limit to which ; with acc. of place, as far as, even to : ... Lk 14:23 ; with [accusative plural] or pers. to, unto; Acts 23:15 ... Ro. v.12; xvi.10; 2 Co ix. 5 ... x.14." Just prior to this he writes "3. of motion (not into a place itself, but) in a vicinity of a place; where it may be rendered to, near, towards..." Examples include Mk 3:7, Jn 4:5;11:31,38;20:1,3. In Rom 5:8 (eis) means unto, towards or one [Thayer p.184]. In Rom 5:12 and 15 (eis) is equivalent to the Latin in and ad [Thayer p.186]. In conclusion, for verses 16 and 18, one can see why most major English translations (NKJV, NASB, NIV, and Wuest) render this as "resulting" or "bringing". This more precisely conveys the meaning than simply translating "to" as the KJV does. Acts 22:16 [Ananias told Paul] "And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name." (NIV) Yet Acts 22:13a "He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive our sight!’…" (NIV) Q: Does Acts 22:16 prove a person must be baptized in water to be saved? A: No. Saul/Paul was already saved by then, for Ananias called him "brother Saul" in Acts 22:13. Baptism is an emblem of washing our sins away. But even if someone that this was literally washing their sins away, they would probably still agree with three things. 1) If it was the liquid water that literally took away the sins, then future sins would not be taken way unless a person was baptized again and again. 2) It is not the water that is special, but rather the water is an identification with the blood of Christ. 3) It does not say people can have sins washed away without baptism. God is not incapable of taking ways the sins of the thief on the cross, and early Christians who were martyred before they had the opportunity to be baptized. So it is not the drops of water that take away anything. Rather it is the pledge of a good conscience before God that connects us with Christ’s blood, and baptism is an acknowledgement, and emblem, of that. Rom 6:3-4 "Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized in to Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just a Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." (NIV) Q: Does Rom 6:3-4, prove a person must be baptized in water to be saved? A: No this verse uses a spiritual illustration from the normal experience of baptism that Christians normally have, but it does not mention the people who were not baptized or any power in the water. Rather it shows that our baptism visibly signified our decision to identify with Christ’s death, and likewise with His resurrection. Paul’s teaching here has similarities to Colossians 2:11-14. We have been "circumcised", not in the Old Testament way, but in the New Testament way. Colossians 2:12 says, "having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead." 1 Cor 6:11 "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God." (NIV) Q: Does 1 Cor 6:11 show that believers must be immersed to be baptized? A: We are cleansed or washed in Christ. But the Greek word here, apeloussathe, (Strong’s 628) is not related to baptism. I do not know that Church of Christ people do not try to appeal to this verse very often, but occasionally they might grasp at it. Gal 3:26-27 "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, (27) for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." (NIV) Q: Does Gal 3:26-27 prove a person must be baptized in water to be saved? A: No, this verse does not mention salvation, but it shows some of the importance of baptism after salvation. Baptism is an outward, external sign; we agree that the water is not magic; its soaking into our skin does not do anything. Nevertheless baptism is an external clothing with Christ symbolic of both an external and internal change. External: We need to be externally clothed with Christ as a sign to the world and a visible sign of our joining God’s kingdom and a pledge of ourselves toward God. As a soldier puts on a uniform we put on baptism. The uniform does not make a soldier; it is what a soldier is commanded to put on. Water does not make a Christian, baptism is what a Christian is commanded to do. Symbol of internal change: Baptism is an outward symbol of an inward change: believers are baptized with the Holy Spirit; who now lives in us. (1 John 4:13; Rom 8:9-11) Eph 5:26 "To make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word," (NIV) Titus 3:5 "he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior" (NIV) Q: Do Eph 5:26 and Tt 3:5 prove that a person must be baptized in water to be saved? A: No, Titus 3:5 refers to the baptism of the Holy Spirit, On Ephesians 5:25, rather than answer myself, I will let Alexander Campbell, one of the founders of the Restoration Movement speak. He taught various things at various time, but here is what he wrote in Design by Baptism by Alexander Campbell p.262. "In this sense we are to understand what is said by Paul, that Christ sanctifieth and cleanseth the church ‘with washing of water by the word.’ Eph 5:26, and in another place, that ‘according to His mercy he saved us, but he washing of regeneration, and of renewing of the Holy Ghost’ Titus 3:5, and by Peter that ‘baptism doeth save us’ 1 Pet. 3:21, For it is not the intention of Paul to signify that our ablution and salvation are completed by water, or that water contains in itself the virtue to purify, regenerate, and renew; nor did Peter mean that it was the cause of salvation, but only the knowledge and assurance of it is received in this sacrament: what is sufficiently evident from the words they have used. For Paul connects together the ‘word of life’ and ‘the baptism of water;’ as if he had said, our ablution and sanctification are announced to us by the Gospel, and by baptism this message is confirmed. And Peter after having said the baptism doth save us, immediately adds, that it is ‘not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God’ which proceeds from faith. But on the contrary, baptism promises us no other purification than by the sprinkling of the blood of Christ; which is emblematically represented by water, on account of its resemblance to washing and cleansing." Col 2:11-12 "In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, (12) having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through you faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead." (NIV) Q: Does Col 2:11-12 show that believers must be immersed to be baptized? A: This only says that we are buried with Christ in baptism. Colossians 2:11-12 discusses circumcision in the Old Testament and baptism in the New Testament. No one in the Old Testament was declared righteous by circumcision, especially since only half of infants were circumcised. Heb 10:22 "let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." (NIV) Q: Does Heb 10:22 show that believers must be immersed to be baptized? A: In Hebrews 10:22 "having been washed with water" does nothing to save us. In fact, the washing itself does NOT save us according to 1 Peter 3:21. Rather believers’ bodies are washed with water in baptism as an emblem of their pledge of accepting Christ as their Lord and Savior. As a side note, the Greek words here are having been sprinkled (errantismenoi, Strong’s 4472), having been washed is leloumemoi Strong’s 3068), neither of which, of course is baptism. 1 Pet 3:20b-21 "days of Noah wile the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body but he pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ," (NIV) Q: Does 1 Pet 3:20b-21 prove a person must be baptized in water to be saved? A: No. Baptism is the normal response of a follower of Christ, but it is neither essential to salvation nor prior to salvation for five reasons. 1. Both Noah and Abraham were obedient servants of God prior to the flood and testing with Isaac 2. 1 Peter 3:21 says it is NOT the water, but the pledge of a good conscience before God. 3. It does not refer to people who made a pledge but were not able to get baptized. 4. The water does not take the place of the cross. 5. Neither water nor faith are a way to heaven. There is no other way to Heaven except through Christ (Acts 4:12; John 14:6), 5. The Bible also uses word save in the fourth tense (of working out our salvation. So baptism only saves in the on-going sense that we can turn others from sin (James 5:20) we can save ourselves (Acts 2:40), we can save others (1 Cor 7:16, 9:22; 1 Tim 4:16) However, as 1 Peter 3:20b-21 shows, baptism is the normal way we show our acceptance and faith in what Christ did for us. A person is to show their pledge of a good conscience towards God by water baptism, but if they cannot, this verse does not say there is no other way to show acceptance. Around 202 A.D. the martyrs Potoiaemina and the soldier Basilides. Other Christian martyrs, and the 2-year catechetical school. Patrick’s baptismal candidates Q: In Mt 4:17; 10:17; Mk 1:15; Lk 8:10; Jn 3:5 are the kingdom of God and Kingdom of heaven identical, or is there a slight difference between the two? A: Many have seen them as identical; you will not be a part of one if you are not a part of the other. Matthew uses both terms, and Mark, Luke, and John use only the kingdom of God. Jesus uses both terms in adjacent verses in Matthew 19:23-24. Others see a slight difference; the kingdom of heaven is where all believers go when we die, and the kingdom of God is what we belong to now when we are saved. Regardless of the individual words, we can all agree that our salvation has both a "now" aspect on earth and a future aspect in heaven (1 Cor 13:12; Php 1:21-24) that will not be realized until we reach heaven. In John 3:5 some think water refers to amniotic fluid when a baby is born, but others think it refers to baptism. It cannot mean Jesus told Nicodemus that a person cannot be saved unless they are baptized, unless the thief on the cross was not saved! But it can mean that a person is not a visible part of God’s kingdom on earth until they are baptized. Similar to this, many churches do not want someone to take the Lord’s Supper until they are baptized. See the Wycliffe Bible Dictionary p.991 for more info. Nevertheless, as Jesus spoke foreshadowing his death and communion in John 6:51-56, Jesus spoke not only foreshadowing Christian baptism, but they were already very familiar with baptism for repentance, thanks to John. This view is advocated by: John Chrysostom (392-407 A.D.) Homilies of St. John Homily 25 Gregory Nanzianzus (330-391 A.D.) Oration on Holy Baptism ch.8 F.F. Bruce in Hard Sayings of the Bible p.495-496 Jamieson, Fausset, Brown Harper’s Bible Commentary. 3a. The water stands for baptismal regeneration. The early church fathers held this view. However, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : New Testament p.281 mentions that this interpretation contradicts being saved by faith alone, as Ephesians 2:8-9 and John 3:16 show. This view is advocated by Justin Martyr (wrote about 138-165 A.D.) First Apology chapter 61 Irenaeus (182-188 A.D.) in fragment 34 Tertullian (200-220 A.D.) in On Baptism ch. 12 Cyprian (wrote 248-258 A.D.) in Epistle 71. Gregory Nanzianzus (330-391 A.D.) Oration on Holy Baptism chapter 8. Basil of Cappadocia (357-379 A.D.) On the Spirit 15:35 John of Damascus Exposition of the Orthodox Faith chapter 9 Ambrose of Milan (340-397 A.D.) Of the Holy Spirit 3.10.63-64 Constitutions of the Holy Apostles (c.80-190 A.D.) 6.3.15 (This was a spurious work, which had an early date. Among other things, it also supports infant Baptism.) However, interpreting John 3:5 this way sounds close to making baptism (whether John’s baptism or Christian baptism) a requirement for salvation. Nevertheless, John’s baptism was looking for salvation, not something that brought salvation. In Acts 2:38, Peter said the people had to repent and baptized and they would receive the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 4:2 said some were not saved because they did not share the faith (or combine it with faith.) Things such as repentance, faith, and obedience, including obedience in water baptism are evidence of us receiving salvation, not that which saves us. This view is advocated by: The Applied New Testament Commentary p.368 Matthew Henry’s Commentary says that "it is probably that Christ had an eye to the ordinance of baptism." 4. Water stands for conversion. Converts to Judaism went through a baptism ceremony. Jesus was implying that one had to convert to experience the new birth. Thus Jesus was saying "by conversion and by the spirit". This view does not preclude believing other views, too. However, while Jewish converts were washed, a more common scene was Jews washing for ritual purification. This viewpoint is perhaps not so much false, as too narrow a view of 3. This view is advocated by: The IVP Bible Commentary : New Testament (1993) p.270. 5. Water stands for the baptizing ministry of John the Baptist, and the Spirit for Jesus’ ministry. No one at that time could think of "baptism" and "new things" in the same sentence without thinking of John the Baptist’s ministry. This view is advocated by F.B. Meyer in The Gospel of John p.64. The Bible Knowledge Commentary : New Testament p.281 gives five views, but commends only this view as having "the merit of historical propriety as well as theological acceptability." The Life Application Bible gives various views, one of which is the repentance that John the Baptist’s ministry signified. 6. Water is an image for the pouring out of the Spirit in Old Testament times. Jesus said in John 7:38, "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified." (NKJV). The New Geneva Study Bible p.1676 says that while this is not an exact quote of any Old Testament Scripture, it can be a general reference to both Isaiah 44:3 and Ezekiel 36:25-27. Titus 3:5 has very similar phrasing to John 3:5, saying "washing of rebirth and renewal of/by the Holy Spirit" While Acts showed some special cases, the norm was for Christians to be baptized with literal water and the Holy Spirit. However, water is used for ritual washings, not the pouring of the Spirit in the Torah. Also, the Believer’s Bible Commentary p.1478 points out that if the water represented nothing more than the ministry of the Spirit, then the verse would seem to say "unless one is born of the Spirit and the Spirit", which would be redundant. 1 John 5:8 speaks of the water, spirit, and blood. Since the spirit and blood are different, the water is different, too. This view is advocated by the New Geneva Study Bible p.1665. The Companion Bible says it is "spiritual water" as opposed to literal water. The IVP Bible Commentary : New Testament says that the Greek can either be translated "water and the spirit, or water, that is, the spirit." MY CONCLUSION: 1. is not particularly compelling. It only makes sense if you downplay the precision of the Greek, and think Jesus was telling Nicodemus one had to be physically born. 2. relies on Jesus chiding Nicodemus for understanding scripture that was not written yet. For some, this view is necessitated by the opinion that if "baptism" has to mean the error of baptismal regeneration, it cannot be baptism. 3a. is unbiblical, as Acts 10 shows that people could be saved and receive the Holy Spirit prior to water baptism. 3b, 4, and 5. can all be tied together. This view has the merit of the plain meaning, as well as the universal understanding of the Greek-speaking early church. 6. has no merit, except as a secondary implication of 3b, 4, and 5. Perhaps we should focus less on "what this would mean to me" and observe "what this would mean to Nicodemus and early Christians". The most likely answer is a combination of 3b, 4, and 5. While views 2 and 6 are implied symbolism, they would not be recognized by Nicodemus as its main meaning, and were not recognized by any known Greek-speaking Christians. When Critics Ask p.406 also discusses some of the views, without committing to a particular one. Q: In Jn 3:5, is "baptismal regeneration" true, the belief that water baptism is necessary for salvation? A: No. The Gentiles who were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues in Acts 10:44-48, prior to being baptized with water, probably did not think so. Jesus apparently did not think so either when He spoke to the thief on his right. One could try to argue that the thief on the cross was prior to Jesus’ resurrection, but then Jesus’ words to Nicodemus were spoken, and were true, prior to Jesus’ resurrection, too. Of course all of this was prior to the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and there being Christian baptism; John’s baptism and Old Testament washings were all they knew. However, if an interpretation of a verse makes part of the verse without any meaning whatsoever, then that interpretation undoubtedly is incorrect. So what is the meaning of Jesus’ words here? The answer is implied in Luke 7:29-30, where it was said the Pharisees and experts in the Law had rejected God’s purpose for themselves. The reason given is that they had not been baptized by John. Water baptism is neither a meaningless ritual nor merely an optional thing, like choir practice, to show special love to God. If a person with full knowledge rejects water baptism, and the truth it represents, they have rejected God. Unless they turn around, they are not going to Heaven. See also 1001 Bible Questions Answered p.118-119, When Critics Ask p.406, When Cultists Ask p.165-166, and the Complete Book of Bible Answers p.210-211 for more info. For more see our playlist, "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ"" with 71 videos & 63 hours of teaching material at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html. See also IS WATER BAPTISM NECESSARY TO ESCAPE HELL & BE SAVED & ARE YOU "BORN AGAIN" (JOHN 3:3-8) BY IT?; THE EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN ROMANCE WITH APOSTATE ROMAN CATHOLICISM (PART 1): WATER BAPTISM SALVATION?; & Uncomfortable Questions for Catholics #2: Is Water Baptism Essential & Does Mass Bread Become God?. Also see our newsletter on the "Church of Christ" on our website www.BibleQuery.org (once on our homepage click on the "Experience" box to the left & scroll down to the newsletter section & click on "Church of Christ" & particularly notice the article, "Questions to Consider Concerning Baptism." 1 Corinthians 1:14-17, "14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect."
Zag Uiza, you bring up a good point if that is what happened but I think the fault lies with UA-cam on this one. Usually UA-cam will put the name of the UA-cam user as to who is being replied to similar to your comment which starts with "+CAnswersTV" but in this case, although the comment you refer to is almost a year old, I seem to recall that someone else put in a snide comment that I was actually replying to, not to the original "wadawaddah" since I had already replied to him. Notice the comment you're referring to is the second comment, not the first. More than likely I refuted the snide commenter & then deleted his comment which now makes it look like I'm insulting the original commenter with the question about learning more about God. I would never intentionally insult a person who has sincere questions about God because after all that's what our ministry is here for. I've just noticed in this answering questions session that UA-cam has not been been putting the name of the UA-cam user I'm replying to so that adds to the problem as to whom I'm speaking. In your case I typed in your name just to make sure everyone knew I was talking to you. I didn't have to do that before. Blessings in Christ. 1 Peter 3:15
See our videos "EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH HISTORY PROVES ROMAN CATHOLICISM FALSE" at ua-cam.com/video/WP9jg2h3xjQ/v-deo.html & "HISTORICAL SPLIT BETWEEN ROMAN CATHOLICISM & THE CHRIST OF THE SCRIPTURE: MAN'S WORD OR GOD'S WORD?" at ua-cam.com/video/iUt7rC6a_3s/v-deo.html. See our playlist "Dealing with Roman Catholicism, Idolatry & the Virgin Mary" at ua-cam.com/play/PLFFA8D69D1B914715.html&feature=plcp with 134 videos & counting. So where did the Roman Catholic Church come from since you don't find it mentioned anywhere in the New Testament (see our video "THE ORIGINAL EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH WAS NOT A ROMAN CATHOLIC SYSTEM OF SALVATION" at ua-cam.com/video/ujbtVmZ5wes/v-deo.html by former Roman Catholic priest for 22 years Richard Bennett, website: www.BereanBeacon.org). A study of church history gives the answer. The following is a very brief review (for an indepth study of church history see Professor of Church History William Cunningham's "Historical Theology, Volumes #1 & #2" at www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=William_Cunningham). Zenith of Roman Empire Power, [46 B.C.A.D. 395] Extended from the Atlantic to the Euphrates, and from the North sea to the African Desert. Population 120,000,000. Julius Caesar, 46-44 B.C. Lord of the Roman World. Augustus 31 B.C. A.D.14. In his Reign Christ was born. Tiberius A.D. 12-37. In his Reign Christ was Crucified. Nero A.D. 54-68. Persecuted Christians. Executed Paul and Peter. The Great Fire in Rome occurred A.D. 64. Nero himself burned the city. It was in order to build a new and grander Rome that Nero set fire to the city. To divert suspicion from himself he accused the Christians of burning Rome, and Ordered their punishment. In and around Rome multitudes of Christians were arrested and put to death in the cruelest ways. Crucified Or tied in skins of animals, and thrown into the arena to the wild Beasts to be eaten alive. Some tied to stakes in Nero's gardens, Pitch poured over their bodies, and their burning bodies used as torches to light Nero's gardens at night, while he drove around in his chariot, gloating over the dying agonies of his victims. It was in the wake of this persecution that Paul was re-arrested in Greece or Asia Minor, and brought back to Rome this time as a criminal. While waiting in Rome dungeon for the "time of his death," he wrote his last letter to Timothy, his friend and co-worker, begging him to be faithful, in spite of everything. Vespasian, A.D. 69-79 Destroyed the Jerusalem temple. Domitian, A.D. 81-96 Persecuted Christians. Banished John the apostle on the island of Patmos during the persecution of Domitian, and in which these visions were given to him to write it down the things must take place, the history of the True Church, and the outcome of the False Church and the end result of the Roman Empire. Hadrian A.D. 117-138 Persecuted Christians. Antoninus Pius A.D. 138-180 Persecuted Christians. Heptimius Severus A.D. 193-211 Appointed by the army during the Civil War. Maximin, A.D. 235- 238 Persecuted Christians. Philip A.D. 244-249 Favorable to Christians. Decius A.D. 249- 251 Persecuted Christians Furiously. Velarian A.D. 251- 253 Persecuted Christians. Galienus A.D. 260- 268 Favored Christians. Aurelian A.D. 270- 275 Persecuted Christians. Diocletian A.D. 284- 305 Persecuted Christians Furiously. Emperor Constantine A.D 306- 337 Became a Christian Himself. In the year A.D. 300 Constantine's father was the Emperor of all Roman Empire. He died in 306 and the Empire was divided between Constantine and his brother. But in 6 years Constantine seemed a way to get it all for himself. He could see that the population, which once had been Pagan, was turning toward Christianity, so he used this as the means of taking the whole Empire. He claimed to see a vision, a banner in the sky with words "Hoc Sigl Pince" and a Cross. He said it meant "By this sign you will conquer" and that he was to go forth with the Sword and to conquer all nations for the Cross. Constantine got All the Catholics on his side and the 90 other Christian denominations had to join with the Catholics, then they went into his brother's territory. He had it all in 12 years. In 324 he had conquered all the Roman Empire. He had conquered for himself and for the Catholic Church. So, all the denominations that existed then, had to come under the Catholic Church and under Rome. This is not the way Jesus sent the Gospel forth; this is Conquering by the Sword. Constantine really wanted it for himself, but he left something bigger than himself, he left a Religion that would Dominate the entire Western world. Christ, had design to conquer by purely Spiritual, and Moral means, Up to this time conversion was Voluntary, a Genuine Change in Heart and Life. But now the Military Spirit of Rome had entered the Catholic Church. The Church had changed it nature, had entered its Great Apostasy, had become a Political Organization in the spirit and pattern of Imperial Rome, and took its Nose-Dive into the Millennium of Papal Abominations. Constantine made the Christians' day of Assembly, Sunday, a Rest Day. The First Church Building was Errected in the reign of Alexander Serverus. A.D. 322- 325. After the Edict of Constantine Christian church buildings began to be built everywhere. Constantine added Prayers for the dead and the sign of the Cross. He died in A.D 337. Theodosius A.D. 378-395 Made Christianity the State Religion. The Empire Divided, [A.D. 395] West & East Roman Empire. Out of the ruins of the Western Empire arose the Papal Empire, and Rome still rule the World for 1500 years. The Eastern Empire brought to an end by the Turks (1453). Although the Empire had been Divided since [A.D.395], and there had been a long bitter struggle between the Popes of Rome, and the Patriarch of Constantinople for Supremacy, yet the Church had remained One. Up to [869] all Ecumenical Councils had been held in or near Constantinople, and in the Greek language. But now at last the Pope's insistent claim of being Lord of Christendom had become unbearable, and the East definitely separated itself. The council of Constantinople [869] was the last Ecumenical Council. Henceforth the Greek Church had its Councils, and the Roman Church had its Councils. And the Breach grew wider with the centuries. The creation of the dogma of Papal Infallibility in 1870 further deepens the chasm. Summary of the Catholic Church 1) Worship, at first very Simple, was developed into elaborated, stately, imposing Ceremonies having all the Outward Splendor that had belonged to Heathen Temples. 2) Ministers became Priests. The term "Priest" was not applied to Christian ministers before A.D.200. It was borrowed from "The Old Jewish System" and from the example of the Heathen Priesthood. 3) [440-61] Leo I. Prohibited priests from marrying, and Celibacy of priests became a law of the Roman church. Conversion of the Barbarians. The Goths, Vandals, and Huns who overthrew Roman Empire accepted Christianity; but to a large extent their conversion was nominal and this further filled the Church with Pagan practices. The Papacy is an Italian Institution. It arose on the ruins of the Roman Empire, in the name of Christ occupying the throne of the Caesars; a Revival of the Image of the Roman Empire inheriting the Spirit thereof; "The Ghost of the Roman Empire comes to LIFE in the Garb of Christianity." The Popes mostly have been Italians. The Papacy's Methods. It brought itself to power through the prestige of Rome, and the Name of Christ, and by shrewd political alliances, and by Deception, and by Armed Force and Bloodshed has maintained itself in Power. Papal Revenues. Through a large part of its history the Papacy, by the Sale of ecclesiastical office, and its shameless traffic in Indulgences, has received vast revenues that enabled it to maintain, the most Luxurious Court in Europe. Personal Character of the Popes, Some of the Popes has been good men; some of them unspeakably vile the most of them have absorbed in the pursuit of Secular Power. The Papacy and the Bible. * Hilderbrand Ordered Bohemians NOT to read the Bible. * Innocent III Forbade the People reading the Bible in their own language. * Gregory IX Forbade laymen possessing the Bible and suppress translations. Translations among the Albigenses and Waldenses were burned and people Burned for having them. * Paul IV Prohibited the possession of translations without permission of The Inquisition * The Jesuits induced Clement XI Condemn the Reading of the Bible by the laity. * Leo XII, Pius VIII, Gregory XVI and Pius IX all condemned Bible Societies. In Catholic countries the Bible is an unknown book for many hundred of years. [In 345 A.D.] A new addition was added. Bishop Liberious of Rome decided to Set a Date for the Birth of Jesus. (You can find this in the Catholic Encyclopedia.) The Pagan was outlawed in [330], but not destroyed. It was still in the hearts of many. They worshiped the Sun. They would go to the Catholic Church and in front of the building they would turn and bow to the Sun, before going into the building. To stop this, Bishop Liberious decided to use the "Day" the Pagans called the Birth of the Sun, and call the Birth of Christ. This was Dec.25th. They compromised by using what the Pagans believed in, for the birthday of the Sun. to call it the Birthday Of the Son of God. [In 300] Prayers for the Dead & Making the sign of the Cross. [In 366] Damesis is Pope. He ordered pictures made of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. There had not been any Pictures in the Jewish religion. This was new. All the first pictures were made in Rome, more than 300 years after the death of Jesus. The Romans painted pictures of Jesus that looked like Romans, not like Jews. (Unscriptural in appearance, long hair, attractive robe, etc). Damesis died in 384.[In 375] Veneration of angels & dead saints & Use of images in worship.[In 394] The Mass as a daily celebration. [In 431] Beginning of the exaltation of Mary the term "Mother of God " applied at Council of Ephesus. Source: "Halley's Bible Handbook" prior to 1961 (Billy Graham bought the rights to this handbook circa 1961 or so & had the Church History section concerning the Jesuits, the horrors o the Inquisition/Persecution and countless murders inflicted on Bible believing saints by the Roman Catholic Church up through the time of the Reformation removed from it; see our video "Exclusive Interview with Dave Hunt about the Gospel-less Mother Teresa & Compromiser Billy Graham" at ua-cam.com/video/8YtX1DirDI4/v-deo.html). The standard Roman Catholic argument that there are 40,000 Protestant denominations & therefore they cannot be the one & only true church is bogus on its face. This is based on the logical fallacy of "false analogy" meaning it is trying to draw a parallel when there is no true parallel. It's like saying, "If you are brave enough to take a shower you are brave enough to swim in the ocean." People mistakenly think that there is an earthly organization that is the one true church as if a collection of people, church structures, and "authority" designates that it is the "one true church" on earth. But, this is a wrong assumption. The true church is not an earthly organization. It is not a series of buildings and ceremonies rooted in ancient tradition. Instead, the church is the body of true believers. The true church consists of those who are regenerate; that is, it consists of those who are "the called," the true Christians. Rom. 1:6, "among whom you also are the called (klaytos) of Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 1:24, "but to those who are the called (klaytos), both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." Jude 1, "Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are the called (klaytos), beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ." Rev. 17:14, "These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called (klaytos) and chosen (eklektos) and faithful." The greek word "klaytos" means "call, invited, divinely selected and appointed."1 The Greek word of "church" is ekklesia and is formed from a compound of the word "ek" (out of) and "kaleo" (call). Therefore, the church is the "called out ones." "Eklektos" in Rev. 17:14 above means simply means "chosen" and comes from the verb "eklegomai" which means to choose, to choose out. Therefore, the church, the ekkesia, is the "called out ones." Okay, but you might respond by saying you can't look into the hearts of people and know who is and is not truly saved. That is true. But, can we look at earthly "churches" and see if it they are biblical or not? The answer is simple once we understand what makes someone a Christian or not. Once we know what is essential, we can then look at a church and see if it is Christian or not. Primary Essential Doctrines Cannot be denied and still be Christian since the scriptures openly declare that to deny them is to bring judgment. Jesus is both God and man (John 1:1,14; 8:24; Col. 2:9; 1 John 4:1-4). Jesus rose from the dead physically (John 2:19-21; 1 Cor. 15:14). Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone and not by the efforts or "works" of man (Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:8-9; Gal. 3:1-2; 5:1-4). The gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (1 Cor. 15:1-4; Gal. 1:8-9). There is only one God (Exodus 20:3; Isaiah 43:10; 44:6,8) People mistakenly think that there is an earthly organization that is the one true church as if a collection of people, church structures, and "authority" designates that it is the "one true church" on earth. But, this is a wrong assumption. The true church is not an earthly organization. It is not a series of buildings and ceremonies rooted in ancient tradition. Instead, the church is the body of true believers. The true church consists of those who are regenerate; that is, it consists of those who are "the called," the true Christians. Rom. 1:6, "among whom you also are the called (klaytos) of Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 1:24, "but to those who are the called (klaytos), both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." Jude 1, "Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are the called (klaytos), beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ." Rev. 17:14, "These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called (klaytos) and chosen (eklektos) and faithful." The greek word "klaytos" means "call, invited, divinely selected and appointed."1 The Greek word of "church" is ekklesia and is formed from a compound of the word "ek" (out of) and "kaleo" (call). Therefore, the church is the "called out ones." "Eklektos" in Rev. 17:14 above means simply means "chosen" and comes from the verb "eklegomai" which means to choose, to choose out. Therefore, the church, the ekkesia, is the "called out ones." Okay, but you might respond by saying you can't look into the hearts of people and know who is and is not truly saved. That is true. But, can we look at earthly "churches" and see if it they are biblical or not? The answer is simple once we understand what makes someone a Christian or not. Once we know what is essential, we can then look at a church and see if it is Christian or not. Primary Essential Doctrines Cannot be denied and still be Christian since the scriptures openly declare that to deny them is to bring judgment. Jesus is both God and man (John 1:1,14; 8:24; Col. 2:9; 1 John 4:1-4). Jesus rose from the dead physically (John 2:19-21; 1 Cor. 15:14). Salvation is by grace through faith (Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:8-9; Gal. 3:1-2; 5:1-4). The gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (1 Cor. 15:1-4; Gal. 1:8-9). There is only one God (Exodus 20:3; Isaiah 43:10; 44:6,8) People mistakenly think that there is an earthly organization that is the one true church as if a collection of people, church structures, and "authority" designates that it is the "one true church" on earth. But, this is a wrong assumption. The true church is not an earthly organization. It is not a series of buildings and ceremonies rooted in ancient tradition. Instead, the church is the body of true believers. The true church consists of those who are regenerate; that is, it consists of those who are "the called," the true Christians. Rom. 1:6, "among whom you also are the called (klaytos) of Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 1:24, "but to those who are the called (klaytos), both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." Jude 1, "Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are the called (klaytos), beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ." Rev. 17:14, "These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called (klaytos) and chosen (eklektos) and faithful." The greek word "klaytos" means "call, invited, divinely selected and appointed."1 The Greek word of "church" is ekklesia and is formed from a compound of the word "ek" (out of) and "kaleo" (call). Therefore, the church is the "called out ones." "Eklektos" in Rev. 17:14 above means simply means "chosen" and comes from the verb "eklegomai" which means to choose, to choose out. Therefore, the church, the ekkesia, is the "called out ones." Okay, but you might respond by saying you can't look into the hearts of people and know who is and is not truly saved. That is true. But, can we look at earthly "churches" and see if it they are biblical or not? The answer is simple once we understand what makes someone a Christian or not. I have reproduced part of the information found at the doctrine grid which lays out the essential and non-essential doctrines. Once we know what is essential, we can then look at a church and see if it is Christian or not. Primary Essential Doctrines Cannot be denied and still be Christian since the scriptures openly declare that to deny them is to bring judgment. Jesus is both God and man (John 1:1,14; 8:24; Col. 2:9; 1 John 4:1-4). Jesus rose from the dead physically (John 2:19-21; 1 Cor. 15:14). Salvation is by grace through faith (Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:8-9; Gal. 3:1-2; 5:1-4). The gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (1 Cor. 15:1-4; Gal. 1:8-9). There is only one God (Exodus 20:3; Isaiah 43:10; 44:6,8) God exists as a Trinity of persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19, see our playlist, "Dealing with Anti Trinitarians (UPC) & Early Church History" at ua-cam.com/play/PL9931642C7C8FFEAB.html with 48 videos). Non-Essential Doctrines Can be believed or not and it does not affect whether or not one is Christian. Predestination, election, limited atonement, and free will Communion every week, monthly, or quarterly, etc. Saturday or Sunday Worship Pre, mid, post tribulation rapture. Premill, Amill, post millenialism, partial preterism. Continuation or cessation of the charismatic gifts Baptism for adults or infants Therefore, we can see that if a church or denomination would deny that Jesus is God in flesh, or physically risen from the dead, then it would not be Christian. Furthermore, we could have two different churches that disagree on the non-essentials, but are still Christian since they affirm the essentials. The reason the cults are not Christian is because they deny the essential doctrines of Christianity. Mormonism, for example, denies that there is only one God in all existence and it denies that salvation is by grace through faith. The Jehovah's Witness organization denies the Trinity, the deity of Christ, salvation by grace, and Jesus' physical resurrection. Therefore, they are not Christian, either. Roman Catholicism, as the cults, denies the gospel because they teach a salvation by a system of works & sacraments putting them outside the Biblical Christian family (for proof of this see the following links: "Summary of process of salvation in Roman Catholicism" at carm.org/catholic-salvation-summary, "Attaining Salvation in Roman Catholicism" at carm.org/catholic-salvation-attain, "Maintaining Salvation in Roman Catholicism" at carm.org/catholic-salvation-maintain, "Regaining Salvation in Roman Catholicism" at carm.org/catholic-salvation-regain, "Roman Catholicism, Mary, and Idolatry" at carm.org/roman-catholicism-mary-idolatry, "Why do Roman Catholics believe what they do?" at carm.org/roman-catholics-believe, "Comparison Grid of Roman Catholicism, Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Christianity" at carm.org/comparison-grid, etc.). So, if we know what the essentials are, we can then look at a church or denomination (or even a person) and ascertain if that church is Christian or not by whether or not it denies the essential doctrines that make Christianity Christian. Finally, to answer the question of which church is the true church, the true church is the cross-section of believers in all churches that adhere to the essential doctrines of Christianity & Romanism is definitely not one of them. By this same token the vast majority of the so called "40,000 Protestant denominations" would also fail the test by these same standards. 40,000 false Protestant denominations does not prove that Romanism is true. True Chrisitianity is based on individuals & local fellowships who stay as close to what the Bible actually teaches as possible without going beyond those teachings. In Roman Catholicism, because of the vast numbers of people claiming to members in that religious organization, a person could interview 40,000 Romanists about their personal beliefs and get 40,000 different answers on a wide range of subjects. Due to this fact, most of these Romanists, without even knowing it, could be cutting themselves off from their own religion by violating Roman Catholic rules & regulations because of their own personal belief systems & superstitions (see "Heresy, Schism and Apostasy" as defined by the Catechism of the Catholic Church at www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/heresy_schism_apostasy.htm). When it comes to Roman Catholic traditions remember Jeremiah 7:31 where God said, "which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart" & the words of Jesus in Matthew 15:1-14, "Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, 2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? 4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. 5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; 6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. 7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 10 And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: 11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. 12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? 13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. 14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch." Is the Bible Alone Sufficient for Spiritual Truth? According to Roman Catholicism, Sacred Tradition and the Bible together provide the foundation of spiritual truth. From this combination the Catholic church has produced many doctrines which it says are true and biblical but which Protestants reject: veneration of Mary, penance, indulgence, purgatory, prayer to saints, et. al. Protestantism, however, rejects these doctrines and Roman Catholic Sacred Tradition and holds fast to the call "Sola Scriptura" or "Scripture Alone." Catholics then challenge, "Is Sola Scriptura Biblical?" The Bible does not say "Do not use tradition" or "Scripture alone is sufficient." But the Bible does not say "The Trinity is three persons in one God" either, yet it is a fundamental doctrine of Christianity. 2 Tim. 3:16 says that Scripture is inspired and profitable for correction and teaching. Scripture states that Scripture is what is good for correction and teaching--not tradition. However, in its comments on tradition, the Bible says to listen to tradition but also warns about tradition nullifying the Gospel--which we will look at below. In discussing the issue of the Bible alone being sufficient, several points should be made: 1) The method of the New Testament authors (and Jesus as well) when dealing with spiritual truth was to appeal to the Scriptures as the final rule of authority. Take the temptation of Christ in Matthew 4 as an example. The Devil tempted Jesus, yet Jesus used the authority of Scripture--not tradition and not even His own divine power as the source of authority and refutation. To Jesus, the Scriptures were enough and sufficient. If there is any place in the New Testament where the idea of extra-biblical revelation or tradition could have been used, Jesus' temptation would have been a great place to present it. But Jesus does no such thing. His practice was to appeal to Scripture. Should we do any less having seen his inspired and perfect example? The New Testament writers constantly appealed to the Scriptures as their base of authority in declaring what was and was not true Biblical teaching: Matt. 21:42; John 2:22; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; 1 Peter 1:10-12; 2:2; 2 Peter 1:17-19, etc. Of course, Acts 17:11 says, "Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so." Paul commends those who examined God's Word for the test of truth. He did not commend them for appealing to tradition. Therefore, we can see that the method used by Jesus and the apostles for determining spiritual truth was to appeal to Scripture--not tradition. In fact, it is the Scriptures that refute the traditions of men in many instances. 2) It is not required of Scripture to have a statement to the effect, "The Bible alone is to be used for all spiritual truth," in order for Sola Scriptura to be true. Many doctrines in the Bible are not clearly stated, yet they are believed and taught by the church. For example, there is no statement in the Bible that says there is a Trinity or that Jesus has two natures (God and man) or that the Holy Spirit is the third person in the Godhead. Yet, each of the statements is considered true doctrine within Christianity--being derived from Biblical references. So, for the Catholic to require the Protestant to supply chapter and verse to prove Sola Scriptura is valid is not necessarily consistent with Biblical exegetical principles of which they themselves approve when examining such doctrines as the Trinity, the hypostatic union, etc. 3) In appealing to the Bible for authentication of Sacred Tradition, the Catholics have shown that the Bible is superior to Sacred Tradition--for the lesser is blessed by the greater (Heb. 7:7). You see, if the Bible said do not trust Sacred Tradition, then Roman Catholic Sacred Tradition would be instantly and obviously invalidated. If the Bible said to trust Sacred Tradition, then the Bible is authenticating it; and the Roman Catholic Church would cite the Scriptures to that effect. In either case, the Scriptures hold the place of final authority and by that position are shown to be superior to Sacred Tradition. This means that Sacred Tradition is not equal in authority to the Word of God. If Sacred Tradition were really inerrant as it is said to be, then it would be equal with the Bible. But, God's word does not say that Sacred Tradition is inerrant or inspired as it does say about itself (2 Tim. 3:16). Merely to claim that Sacred Tradition is equal and in agreement with the Bible does not make it so. Furthermore, to assert that Sacred Tradition is equal to Scripture effectively leaves the canon wide open to doctrinal addition. Since the traditions of men change, then to use tradition as a determiner of spiritual truth would mean that over time new doctrines that are not in the Bible would be added and that is exactly what has happened in Catholicism with doctrines such as purgatory, praying to Mary, indulgences, etc. Furthermore, if they can use Sacred Tradition as a source for doctrines not explicit in the Bible, then why would the Mormons then be wrong for having additional revelation as well? 4) If the Bible is not used to verify and test Sacred Tradition, then Sacred Tradition is functionally independent of the Word of God. If it is independent of Scripture, then by what right does it have to exist as an authoritative spiritual source equivalent to the Bible? How do we know what is and is not true in Sacred Tradition if there is no inspired guide by which to judge it? If the Roman Catholic says that the inspired guide is the Roman Catholic Church, then it is committing the fallacy of circular reasoning. In other words, it is saying that the Roman Catholic Church is inspired because the Roman Catholic Church is inspired. 5) Sacred Tradition is invalidated automatically if it contradicts the Bible, and it does. Of course, the Catholic will say that it does not. But, Catholic teachings such as purgatory, penance, indulgences, praying to Mary, etc., are not in the Bible. A natural reading of God's Word does not lend itself to such beliefs and practices. Instead, the Catholic Church has used Sacred Tradition to add to God's revealed word and then extracted out of the Bible whatever verses that might be construed to support their doctrines of Sacred Tradition. Nevertheless, the Catholic apologist will state that both the Bible and Sacred tradition are equal in authority and inspiration and to put one above another is a false comparison. But, by what authority does the Catholic church say this? Is it because it claims to be the true church--descended from the original apostles? So? Making such claims doesn't mean they are true. Besides, even if it were true and we do not grant that it is, there is no guarantee that the succession of church leaders is immune to error. We saw it creep in with Peter, and Paul rebuked him for it in Gal. 2. Are the Catholic church leaders better than Peter? To continue, is it from tradition that the Catholic Church authenticates its Sacred Tradition? If so, then there is no check upon it. Is it from quotes of some of the church Fathers who say to follow Tradition? If so, then the church fathers are given the place of authority comparable to Scripture. Is it from the Bible? If so, then Sacred Tradition holds a lesser position than the Bible because the Bible is used as the authority in validating Tradition. Is it because the Catholic Church claims to be the means by which God communicates His truth? Then, the Catholic Church has placed itself above the Scriptures. 6) One of the mistakes made by the Catholics is to assume that the Bible is derived from Sacred Tradition. This is false. The Church simply recognized the inspired writings of the Bible. They were in and of themselves authoritative. Various "traditions" in the Church served only to recognize what was from God. Also, to say the Bible is derived from Sacred Tradition is to make the Bible lesser than the Tradition as is stated in Heb. 7:7 that the lesser is blessed by the greater; but this cannot be since Catholicism appeals to the Bible to authenticate its tradition. Conclusion Since the Bible is the final authority, we should look to it as the final authenticating and inerrant source of all spiritual truth. If it says Sacred Tradition is valid--fine. But if it doesn't, then I will trust the Bible alone. Since the Bible does not approve of the Catholic Church's Sacred Tradition, along with its inventions of prayer to Mary, prayer to the saints, indulgences, penance, purgatory, etc., then neither should Christians. Objections Answered The Bible comes from Roman Catholic Sacred Tradition. The problem is twofold. First, tradition is generally anything the Christian church passed down and doesn't require inspiration of any sort. But Roman Catholicism claims such generic tradition under its umbrella of Sacred Tradition. This is the fallacy of equivocation. In other words, the meaning of the word "tradition" is changed between the first and second reference. There is no proof that the RCC sacred tradition is inspired. But there is evidence that it is flawed--particularly when we compare what it has revealed (purgatory, Mary-worship, penance, indulgences, etc.,) with Scripture and such doctrines are not only absent from Scripture but contradict Scripture. Second, it assumes that the Roman Catholic church produced the Bible. The RCC did not produce the Bible. God produced the Bible, and the Christian Church recognized the Word of God (John 10:27) and endorsed what God had already authored. To say that the RCC gave us the Bible is to imply that the RCC has the right to tell you what it means. This is problematic because how then do we check what the RCC says? Sacred Tradition is divine revelation and equal to Scripture. At best, this is only a claim that cannot be proven to be false by comparing the revelations supposedly given through Sacred Tradition with the Word of God. As mentioned above, there are many such doctrines devised by people that are not found in the Word of God and even contradict it. The Bible clearly tells us that God's Scripture is divinely breathed forth and that it is inspired. There is no such claim for tradition. In fact, though the Bible tells us to follow tradition, it also tells us to be wary of it. Therefore, tradition cannot be inspired if God's Word warns us against following it. The Bible is for tradition where it supports the teachings of the apostles (2 Thess. 2:15) and is consistent with Biblical revelation. Yet, it is against tradition when it "transgresses the commands of God" (Matt. 15:3). By Jesus' own words, tradition is not to transgress or contradict the commands of God. In other words, it should be in harmony with Biblical teaching and not oppose it in any way. The Bible clearly tells us that it is the standard of truth. We are not to exceed what the Scriptures say. "Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that in us you might learn not to exceed what is written, in order that no one of you might become arrogant in behalf of one against the other." (1 Cor. 4:6). Heb. 7:7 is not about scripture but about people and cannot be used to subject Sacred Tradition to the Bible It is true that Heb. 7:7 is about people and not about Scripture. But there is more in the text than just people. Heb. 7:4-10, "Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest spoils. 5 And those indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priests office have commandment in the Law to collect a tenth from the people, that is, from their brethren, although these are descended from Abraham. 6 But the one whose genealogy is not traced from them collected a tenth from Abraham, and blessed the one who had the promises. 7 But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8 And in this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives on. 9 And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, paid tithes, 10 for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him." The writer of Hebrews is mentioning different concepts as well as historical facts. He mentions tithing, descendants of Abraham, the lesser is blessed by the greater, authority, and Federal Headship.1 It is the concept of the greater in authority blessing the lesser in authority that is being examined here in this article. We know that there is a principle of the greater in authority blessing the lesser. Can we not also apply this same principle of authority to the issue of the Roman Catholic Church's claim on Sacred Tradition as being authoritative as compared to the authority of Scripture? I do not see why not. After all, the Roman Catholic Church appeals to Scripture to support its Sacred Tradition. In so doing, it is submitting itself to the authority of Scripture for validation of its principle. Early Church Fathers Quotes on Scripture Alone is final Authority Scripture Alone is final Authority Irenaeus, (130-202), “We have known the method of our salvation by no other means than those by whom the gospel came to us; which gospel they truly preached; but afterward, by the will of God, they delivered to us in the Scriptures, to be for the future the foundation and pillar of our faith,” (Adv. H. 3:1). Clement of Alexandria (150?-213?), “They that are ready to spend their time in the best things will not give over seeking for truth until they have found the demonstration from the Scriptures themselves,” (Stromata 7:16:3). Origen (185?-252), “No man ought, for the confirmation of doctrines, to use books which are not canonized Scriptures,” (Tract. 26 in Matt.). St. Cyprian of Carthage (200?-258), “Whence comes this tradition? Does it descend from the Lord’s authority, or from the commands and epistles of the apostles? For those things are to be done which are there written . . . If it be commanded in the gospels or the epistles and Acts of the Apostles, then let this holy tradition be observed,” (Cyprian of Carthage, Ep. 74 ad Pompeium). Athanasius (300?-375), “The Holy Scriptures, given by inspiration of God, are of themselves sufficient toward the discovery of truth. (Orat. adv. Gent., ad cap.) The Catholic Christians will neither speak nor endure to hear anything in religion that is a stranger to Scripture; it being an evil heart of immodesty to speak those things which are not written,” (Athanasius, Exhort. ad Monachas). "5. Again it is not tedious to speak of the [books] of the New Testament. These are, the four Gospels, according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Afterwards, the Acts of the Apostles and Epistles (called Catholic), seven, viz., of James, one; of Peter, two; of John, three; after these, one of Jude. In addition, there are fourteen Epistles of Paul, written in this order. The first, to the Romans; then two to the Corinthians; after these, to the Galatians; next, to the Ephesians; then to the Philippians; then to the Colossians; after these, two to the Thessalonians, and that to the Hebrews; and again, two to Timothy; one to Titus; and lastly, that to Philemon. And besides, the Revelation of John. 6 These are fountains of salvation, that they who thirst may be satisfied with the living words they contain. In these alone is proclaimed the doctrine of godliness. Let no man add to these, neither let him take ought from these. For concerning these the Lord put to shame the Sadducees, and said, 'Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures.' And He reproved the Jews, saying, 'Search the Scriptures, for these are they that testify of Me.' " (Athanasius, Festal Letter 39:5-6). "Vainly then do they run about with the pretext that they have demanded Councils for the faith's sake; for divine Scripture is sufficient above all things; but if a Council be needed on the point, there are the proceedings of the Fathers, for the Nicene Bishops did not neglect this matter, but stated the doctrine so exactly, that persons reading their words honestly, cannot but be reminded by them of the religion towards Christ announced in divine Scripture." (Athanasius, De Synodis, 6). Ambrose (340?-396), “How can we use those things which we do not find in the Holy Scriptures?” (Ambr. Offic., 1:23). Cyril of Jerusalem (315?-386), “Not even the least of the divine and holy mysteries of the faith ought to be handed down without the divine Scriptures. Do not simply give faith to me speaking these things to you except you have the proof of what I say from the divine Scriptures. For the security and preservation of our faith are not supported by ingenuity of speech, but by the proofs of the divine Scriptures,” (Cat. 4). Jerome (342?-420), “Those things which they make and find, as it were, by apostolical tradition, without the authority and testimony of Scripture, the word of God smites. (ad Aggai 1) As we deny not those things that are written, so we refuse those things that are not written. That God was born of a virgin we believe, because we read it; that Mary did marry after she was delivered we believe not, because we do not read it,” (Adv. Helvidium). 2. Scripture Alone is not final Authority Athanasius (300?-375), “But beyond these [Scriptural] sayings, let us look at the very tradition, teaching and faith of the Catholic Church from the beginning, which the Lord gave, the Apostles preached, and the Fathers kept." (Athanasius, Four Letters to Serapion of Thmuis, 1:28). Basil (330-379), "Now I accept no newer creed written for me by other men, nor do I venture to propound the outcome of my own intelligence, lest I make the words of true religion merely human words; but what I have been taught by the holy Fathers, that I announce to all who question me. In my Church the creed written by the holy Fathers in synod at Nicea is in use." (To the Church of Antioch, Epistle 140:2). Ambrose (340?-396), "Wherefore all other generations are strangers to truth; all the generations of heretics hold not the truth: the church alone, with pious affection, is in possession of the truth," (Commentary of Psalm 118,19). Cyril of Jerusalem (315?-386), "But in learning the Faith and in professing it, acquire and keep that only, which is now delivered to thee by the Church, and which has been built up strongly out of all the Scriptures . . . Take heed then, brethren, and hold fast the traditions which ye now receive, and write them and the table of your heart." Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures, 5:12 (A.D. 350). Gregory of Nyssa (330-394), “And let no one interrupt me, by saying that what we confess should also be confirmed by constructive reasoning: for it is enough for proof of our statement, that the tradition has come down to us from our Fathers, handled on, like some inheritance, by succession from the apostles and the saints who came after them," (Against Eunomius, 4:6). It is evident from the previous early church citations that anyone can quote one early writer against another early writer & in some cases quote the same early writer contradicting himself. Based on the fact that early writers have a tendency to be inconsistent in various matters this is clear proof that they are no where near as reliable as the scriptures themselves. Thus, based on this obvious fact, it is extremely dangerous to elevate church "tradition" (where is the Roman Catholic "Inspired Book of Holy Traditions" to be found?) & early writers to the same level as God's inspired Word found in the scriptures. To do this is to place oneself in extreme jeopardy as the following scriptures testify: Matthew 15:1-14, Jeremiah 7:23-31, Jeremiah 19:4, Isaiah 29:13 cf. Isaiah 28:9-17 & John 10:35, "the scripture cannot be broken." Anyone that makes the mistake of replacing clear scripture with "traditions" is described by Isaiah 8:20, "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Does 1 Timothy 3:15 refute Sola Scriptura, Scripture Alone? 1 Timothy 3:15 does not refute Sola Scriptura. In fact, it supports it. Sola Scriptura is the position that the Old and New Testaments are the final authority in all the topics they address, and that councils and tradition (even the so-called Sacred Tradition of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches) are subordinate to Scripture. Let's take a look at the verse. 1 Timothy 3:15, "but in case I am delayed, I write so that you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth." Paul says he is writing, so that we might know how to conduct ourselves in the church. Catholics and Orthodox will say that the church (their church) is the pillar and support of the truth. However, there is a very important truth right there in the text. Notice that Paul is appealing to his own writing as the authority. He is writing to them (Scripture), so that they would know how to behave in the household of God. In other words, his writing (which is Scripture) is the thing that is preeminent and to which the church is to subject itself. He says, " . . . I write so that you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God . . . " If a Roman Catholic or Orthodox Church member wants to appeal to this verse to refute Sola Scriptura, then he is shooting himself in the foot because Paul himself says that his writing, which is Scripture, is what the church is to submit to. Furthermore, he is behaving as a Protestant who holds to the doctrine of Sola Scriptura by appealing to the authority of Scripture. In addition, he is using the authority of Scripture, in a sense, to refute the idea that Scripture has authority over the church. But, we see from Paul's statement in the verse that his letter is there to tell the church how to behave. In other words, the church is to submit to Scripture--not Scripture to the church. It is not the tradition that informs the word of God but the word of God that informs tradition in the church. For more information see www.BereanBeacon.org & www.CWRC-RZ.org. Titus 1:9-16
To those who wish to discuss issues brought up in our video posted here to a greater extent please know that you can email one of our ministry volunteers at certainandsecure@gmail.com. Also realize that we may have an entire playlist of videos on this subject on our UA-cam channel at ua-cam.com/users/CAnswersTV. Besides that know that we have three websites to answer additional questions at www.BibleQuery.org (answers over 8500 questions on the Bible & refutes critics of the Bible), www.HistoryCart.com (this website deals with an in depth analysis of early Christian church history) and www.MuslimHope.com (this website is a documented refutation of Islam, a false religious & political ideology of warlike jihad against all unbelievers invented by Muhammad while he was in Medina for the last 9 years of his life where he averaged one offensive military jihad of pillage, rape & slavery every month to six weeks against his neighbors which eventually led to conquering all of Saudi Arabia- see also www.politicalislam.com/, www.answeringmuslims.com/, answering-islam.org/, www.jihadwatch.org/ & our playlist "Dealing with Islam, Muslims: Sunni, Shi'ite, Alawites, Sufis" with 71 videos & counting at ua-cam.com/play/PL1C7F68B548009FDD.html). 1 Peter 3:15
In John 3. Jesus teaches us that in order to receive the Kingdom, we must be born again from water and the Spirit. Plus Jesus himself got baptized, how could you NOT see that baptism is NECESSARY for salvation?
Water is symbolic of an inner work that has been received and done by the holy spirit; thief on the cross, did Jesus tell him no; ye must be baptized ? How many deathbed repents ever make it to the water ? It ought to be done, but it is not a must, all cults demand water baptism; you belong to a cult ? Oneness pentecostal maybe ?
SportswireSWE Water Baptism is not a savior (Christ alone is) or is it the true gospel (Galatians 1:6-9). Water Baptism - Is it Necessary for Salvation? Definitely NOT! See our video "IS WATER BAPTISM NECESSARY TO ESCAPE HELL & BE SAVED & ARE YOU "BORN AGAIN" (JOHN 3:3-8) BY IT?" at ua-cam.com/video/wYJtMV9qrWg/v-deo.html. Let’s show how Scripture differentiates between the baptism of John and the baptism of Jesus. We’ll look at Acts 19:3-5. Here are these verses: And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Acts 19:3-5 (NKJ) If John’s baptism was the same as Jesus’ baptism, then why did these people need to be re-baptized? The answer is obvious. John’s baptism was not the same as Jesus’ baptism. Now, let’s talk about some Scriptures that people might use to defend their position that water baptism is indeed necessary for salvation and respond to those verses. Let’s look at Mark 1:4. It says: John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Mark 1:4 (NKJ) This verse seems to say that the baptism of repentance was for the remission of sins. Who am I to argue with Scripture? But as we’ve discussed already, John’s baptism IS NOT THE SAME as the baptism of Jesus. So we can discount the baptism of John for our purposes, because we are baptized in the name of Jesus, not in the name of John. It is Jesus’ baptism that is for us today, not John’s. If we’re supposed to be baptized into John’s baptism, then why were the people in Acts 19:3-5 re-baptized? The answer is plain. Because once Jesus had come on the scene, it was HIS baptism that is relevant. So for us to decide what we need to do, in this present age, we need to focus on the baptism of Jesus. Here’s a set of verses that people use to defend the idea that water baptism is necessary for salvation. They are John 3:1-8. Let’s look at these verses. 1)There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2)This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” 3)Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4)Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5)Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter 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)Do not marvel that I said to you, “You must be born again.’ 8)The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:1-8 (NKJ) People taking the stance that baptism is necessary for salvation will say, “See, look here! This verse says that ‘unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.'” And I must agree that is does say that. But what does “born of water” mean? It this phrase referring to water baptism? Upon first glance, it may seem so, but let’s take a closer look at the surrounding context. Read the entire passage again, starting from verse 1. Nicodemus is asking Jesus how he can possibly enter his mother’s womb again and be re-born. So he’s talking about physical birth. He can’t understand the concept of physically being re-born. Obviously that’s an impossibility. But Jesus isn’t talking about physical rebirth, He’s talking about spiritual rebirth. Look at what He says in verses 5 and 6. I’ll repeat it. “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” John 3:5,6 (NKJ) You see? So “born of water” in this context looks to mean “physically born” not “baptized.” Let me re-phrase it. “I’m telling you that unless you’re physically born and then spiritually reborn, you can’t enter into heaven. If you’re physically born, you’re just a lost human. If you’re spiritually reborn, you’ve entered into a relationship with Jesus Christ.” (Eric’s version) Let’s look at yet another common verse used to defend the idea that the salvation of our souls requires water baptism. Here it is: Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 (NKJ) Obviously, the controversial phrase here is after the word “repent.” We all agree that repentance is necessary for salvation. Let’s look at the Greek word εις translated “for.” In the original Greek, in the New Testament, this word has several different meanings. One is “aim or purpose.” An example of εις being used in this manner is I Corinthians 2:7, which says No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for (the aim or purpose of) our glory before time began. I Corinthians 2:7 (NKJ) In another usage, the Greek word εις means “at,” or “because of” as in Matthew 12:41. Let’s look at it: The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. Matthew 12:41 (NKJ) Both of these uses are good Greek, and so the next logical question would be “what drives your choice of translation?” For me, it is the larger context of Scripture. For instance, in Acts 10, we see that people had already been saved before being baptized. Let’s look: 46)For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, 47)”Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48)And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days. Acts 10:46-48 (NKJ) These people were speaking in tongues and had received the Holy Spirit yet they had not been baptized. Another example is the thief on the cross who went to Paradise without baptism. Let’s read about that. 39)Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” 40)But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41)And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42)Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” 43)And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:39-42 (NKJ) Clearly this man was never baptized. Yet he was saved because he believed. What did Paul tell the Philippian jailor? Let’s find out. 25)But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26)Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. 27)And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 28)But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” 29)Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30)And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31)So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16:25-31 (NKJ) Although the jailor’s family was baptized, they were saved when they believed. Paul plainly set forth only belief as a prerequisite for salvation.Further, in establishing the greater context of Scripture, we can look at numerous other passages where belief is the only requirement for salvation. Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. Luke 8:12 (NKJ) But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. John 1:12 (NKJ) 15). . .that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16)For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17)For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18)”He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:15-18 (NKJ) He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” John 3:36 (NKJ) “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” John 5:24 (NKJ) And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” John 6:35 (NKJ) . . . “And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:40 (NKJ) ”Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.” John 6:47 (NKJ) ”Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” John 8:24 (NKJ) Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25,26 (NKJ) Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” John 11:40 (NKJ) . . . but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. John 20:31 (NKJ) ”To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.” Acts 10:43 (NKJ) This is Peter speaking. After he spoke these words, many people believed and they were baptized with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in tongues. After that, they were then baptized. This shows that the belief saved the people (would unsaved people have the Holy Spirit and be speaking in tongues?) and then afterward, they were baptized. . . .and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. Acts 13:39 (NKJ) Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. Acts 13:48 (NKJ) ”But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.” Acts 15:11 (NKJ) So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16:31 (NKJ) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. Romans 1:16 (NKJ) 9) . . .that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10)For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11)For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12)For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13)For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” Romans 10:9-13 (NKJ) For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. I Corinthians 1:21 (NKJ) . . . knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. Galatians 2:16 (NKJ) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8 (NKJ) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. I Thessalonians 4:14 (NKJ) . . . that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. II Thessalonians 2:12 (NKJ) However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. I Timothy 1:16 (NKJ) For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: “So I swore in My wrath, “They shall not enter My rest,”‘ although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. Hebrews 4:3 (NKJ) But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. Hebrews 10:39 (NKJ) Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.” I Peter 2:6 (NKJ) Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. I John 5:1 (NKJ) These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. I John 5:13 (NKJ) These verses would be grossly misleading if baptism were a prerequisite for salvation! I’ve just listed a plethora of verses that tell us that we are saved if we believe, and are condemned if we don’t. This should help the questioner get a better idea of the context of Scripture regarding baptism, and, for that matter, what one needs to do for salvation (hint: believe). For more on this subject, check out I Corinithians 15:1-11, and read the whole book of John. So, if you remember, we were discussing Acts 2:38, and I think the better translation of the Greek word εις is “because of” in this verse due to the greater context of Scripture. Scripture teaches baptism on the basis of repentance, and belief as the requirement for salvation.In addition, this verse presents us with a logic problem. Let me explain. If I were to say, “Eat and put gold under your bed, and you can live,” that would be a true statement. But the part that really allows you to live is the “eat” part. Putting gold under your bed may help you in your finances, but it doesn’t actually cause you to continue living. Eating does! The same logical argument can be used for this verse. Peter says, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Now, we know that if we repent and are baptized, we will be saved, according to this verse. But it doesn’t logically follow that both repentance and baptism are requirements for salvation, following the logic outlined above. And in the larger context of Scripture, we see that baptism is NOT a prerequisite for eternal life. Another verse used to defend the position that water baptism is necessary for salvation is I Peter 3:21. Here is the verse (in its context). 18)For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, 19)by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20)who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. 21)There is also an antitype which now saves us-baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22)who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him. I Peter 3:18-22 (NKJ) Granted, this is a very difficult passage, and I make no claim to thoroughly understand it. However, I want to focus in on verses 20 and 21. We see here that Peter is comparing baptism to the time when Noah and his family were saved on the ark. And then Peter tells us that baptism saves us. But he’s quick to point out, in the very next phrase, that this baptism saves us symbolically, not actually. He’s saying that baptism doesn’t cleanse us physically in a literal sense, or if you want to take it metaphorically, it doesn’t cleanse our souls in a literal sense. But what saves us is the “answer (or inquiry) of a good conscience toward God.” This is the baptism which saves us. Peter tells us that baptism saves us, and then he goes on to define baptism as an inquiry of a good conscience toward God, or in other words, an open, honest inquiry and trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It’s not the act of immersion which saves our souls, it’s our trust in Jesus. Yet another verse that often seems to promote baptism as a requirement for salvation is Mark 16:16. Here it is: He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:16 (NKJ) This verse also presents a logical question. It’s the same logic problem discussed above for Acts 2:38. Simply put, this verse in no way says that both belief and baptism are requirements for salvation. In addition, the second portion of this verse makes this quite clear without any external argument. It says, “he who does not believe will be condemned.” It does NOT say, “he who does not believe and is not baptized will be condemned.” It plainly sets forth the “believing” aspect of the statement as the requirement for avoiding condemnation. In summation, I’d like to make some additional points. First, baptism is never given in Scripture as a COMMAND to Christians except in Acts 2:38 when Peter tells the Jews to “repent and be baptized.” This is the ONLY place where we are commanded to be baptized. So since we are told to, we should be. Yet this should never be construed as a command to all new Christians as a requirement for salvation. The New Testament makes this blatantly clear. What would happen if I were on the battlefield and I accepted Jesus and then was shot through the heart before I was baptized? As Scripture so plainly states, I would be saved, just as the people were in Acts 10 who received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues before they were baptized, and just as the thief on the cross was before he died (he was never baptized). In addition, why did Paul tell his readers in such certain terms that he wasn’t called to baptize, but to preach? Look at this verse: I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, lest anone should say that I had baptized in my own name. Yes I also baptized the household of Stephanus. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom and words, lest the cross of Christ be made of no effect. I Corinthians 1:13-17 Paul tells us that Jesus didn’t call him to baptize (is Paul negating the Great Commission here? I think not!) but to preach. And Paul says he only baptized a few people. And thank goodness for that, he says, because otherwise people might be saying they were baptized in the name of Paul. The Great Commission is in Matthew 28:19,20 records Jesus’ words to his disciples to “go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit . . .” This certainly doesn’t say we need to be baptized to be saved. And why did Paul say he wasn’t called to baptize? It must be because the church as a whole is called to baptize, not us as individuals. How could a wheelchair-bound person baptize someone? Yet we have many Christians who are in wheelchairs. And we have many Christians who are invalids as well. Are they disobeying Jesus’ command to baptize? I don’t think so. Jesus Himself baptized none. And then the kicker . . . why would Paul leave 99% of his converts half-saved, or, according to some, not saved at all? If baptism were a requirement for salvation, then the majority of people Paul preached to never entered the kingdom of heaven, because, as Paul says himself, he only baptized Crispus, Gaius, and the household of Stephanus. Paul, in his zealousnous for preaching the gospel, and in his obsession for detail, would not leave so many people unsaved. My hope is that this study has given you a glimpse of the truth of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He lives today. Believe in Him, and in His words, and you will receive eternal life. That’s a promise we can all bank on. John 14:6 (it's Jesus, not water baptism)!
It has been properly pointed out that many of the early church fathers fell into numerous heresies & in some cases damnable heresies because, after all, they were not writers of inspired scripture. It is also a fact that the further in time the early church got away from the original apostolic age the more the apparent declension or deterioration of scriptural truth is to be found in the writings of the early church writers (for documented evidence of this please review the writings of early church historian & scholar William Cunningham at www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=William_Cunningham). In fact, the sixteenth century Reformers looked like university presidents compared to the early church fathers who seemed to be mere school boys by contrast when it came to scriptural apostolic understanding (although Martin Luther did suffer some from his heavy Romanist indoctrination & tradition in some regards). Although the early church fathers can be useful they cannot be put on the same level as the Word of God itself (Psalm 138:2). If the early church fathers say anything that contradicts what the apostolic writers have stated in scripture then any anti scriptural teachings of the early church fathers must be rejected completely (Isaiah 8:20, "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.") & the warning of Peter remembered, 2 Peter 3:15-16, "And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction." Water Baptism Under the heading of salvation, it is important at this point to touch on baptism. Although it may seem inconsistent to digress into what may be considered an "ordinance" or "sacrament" of the church after indulging in the metaphysical realities of being "in Christ" and being revealed as a son of God, it is necessary since so many of the early church fathers equated our regeneration with the act of immersion. The actual issue of baptismal regeneration, however, we will only touch on at the end. Instead, we will first investigate the apostolic practice, including what was considered valid and the development of baptismal theology in the early church. Baptism is perhaps the most universal of all Christian ordinances. It is considered the "portal" into the Christian church by many branches of Christianity. The early church fathers put a tremendous amount of emphasis on baptism, which sparked a significant amount of debate. Other than the controversies regarding the deity of Christ, the debates and controversies that raged over baptism and rebaptism stand out as the most intense theological debates of the third and fourth centuries. Some of the questions that are still asked today are : a) Did the early church baptize infants? b) Does baptism wash away "original sin"? c) Is an individual regenerated (ie. "born-again") at baptism? In the beginning of all of the gospels, we find how baptism was the central facet of John the Baptist’s ministry. In Judaism, ritual washing was already a practice, particularly with the Essenes and many ascetic groups, but John’s baptism is distinguished as a "baptism unto repentance" (Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3; Acts 19:4). In this respect John represents the personification of all of the prophets thus far. The highest moral teaching of Judaism can be seen in the prophets in their emphasis of the heart attitude that God seeks, rather than ritual observances (See Amos 5:21-23). Yet even during John’s ministry, there was already a foreshadowing that the pattern of water baptism served as a type for the spiritual baptism that would be introduced by the Messiah. John says in Matthew’s gospel that he baptized with water, but he that comes after me shall "baptize you with fire and the Holy Spirit". For this reason, we should always keep before us the truth that the water has no "magical" properties about it, nor can it be considered an end itself. Infant Baptism It is a common practice among orthodox, Roman Catholic, as well as several Protestant bodies (ie. Lutheran, Covenant, etc.) to baptize individuals when they are infants. The practice is frequently justified on the grounds that, under the Mosaic economy of salvation, God's covenant was extended to even infants through circumcision, which was to be performed on the eighth day after birth. The covenant of circumcision is said to be a type or foreshadowing of baptism, which serves a similar function under the New Covenant. This reasoning appears in the church documents Apostolic Constitutions (ca. 4th Century) "Do not delay to turn to the Lord, for thou knowest not what the day will bring forth." Do you also baptize your infants, and bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. For He says "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not." (VII:457) as well as Cyprian (V:353) -For this reason we think that no one should be hindered from obtaining the grace under the law that was already ordained, and that spiritual circumcision ought not be hindered... and nobody is hindered from baptism and grace- how much more should we not hinder an infant, who being lately born, has not sinned, except in being born after the flesh in the nature of Adam. Furthermore, the waters of baptism were thought by many to have a "medicinal" property, and that the water itself was effectual in affecting a rebirth of the spirit of an individual, and they would be regenerated in the act of baptism itself. Are we then to expect that this was the apostolic practice, observed by the apostles and their successors in the apostolic churches? Although the previously mentioned texts demonstrate a belief in an objective and effectual power resident in the waters of baptism, there is even more evidence that would denote the contrary. It can be sufficiently shown that the earliest apostolic teaching on baptism did not make provisions for infants. The primary reason is because faith is an integral element of salvation. Whether one believes in baptismal regeneration or not, it is undeniable that personal faith is the active agent in applying the benefits of Calvary to our lives. Baptism is an ordinance that is entered into only when an individual has made the decision to fully believe in Jesus Christ. We see in the Bible when the apostle Philip was to baptize the Ethiopian eunuch whom he had converted, the eunuch asked "What is to prevent me from being baptized?" Philip answered "If you believe with your whole heart, it is permissible." (Acts 8:36,37) It is interesting that the critical part of verse 37, which clearly implies that one must fully believe in Jesus before being baptized, is missing from many contemporary translations, even though it is found in the majority of original Greek manuscripts. The best evidence for the authenticity of the verse lies in the fact that it is quoted by Scripture by Irenaeus ( Against Heresies XI, 8), and Cyprian (Treatise IX, 2, 43), many, many years before the oldest manuscripts which do not include it were ever written. This fact establishes without question the principle that, according to scripture and church tradition, personal faith is a prerequisite to baptism. Looking through the rest of the New Testament, there are no clear examples of infants being baptized. The inference is that they were not, since such stress in put on repentance, faith and confession of the Lordship of Christ as being intrinsic to the New Birth. Most baptismal texts found in the Patristic church likewise infer that those being baptized are at least old enough to enter into baptism of their own volition. Consider some of the texts from the early church regarding baptism. Didache (ca. 100 A.D.): But before the baptism, let the baptizer fast, and also the baptized, and what ever others can; but thou shall order the baptized to fast one or two days before. Justin Martyr (First Apology; ca 155 A.D.) As many are persuaded and believe that what we teach and say is true, and undertake to live accordingly, are instructed to entreat God with fasting...then they are brought by us where there is water, and are regenerated in the same manner in which we ourselves were...For Christ also said :"'Unless you be born-again, you cannot see the kingdom of God". Tertullian (On Baptism) They who are about to enter baptism ought to pray with repeated prayer, fasts, and bendings of the knee, and vigils all the night through, and with the confession of all bygone sins, that they may express the meaning of the baptism of John. Virtually every text from the first two hundred years of Christianity that deal with baptism mention the obligation on the part of those being baptized to be spiritually prepared, usually by repentance and faith, and extended periods of prayer and fasting. This would preclude any possibility of baptism being applicable to infants. Any reference to infants being baptized is conspicuously missing. The whole matter is decisively answered by one text from Tertullian. Tertullian:(On Baptism-III:678) "Unless a man be reborn of water and spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of heaven" has tied to faith the necessity of baptism. Accordingly, all thereafter who became believers used to be baptized...and so according to the disposition, circumstances and even the age of each individual, the delay of baptism is preferable, principally, in the case of little children....For the Lord does indeed say "Forbid them not to come to me". Let them come, then, while they are growing up. Let them come while they are learning; while they learn whither to come; let them become Christians when they have become able to know Christ. Why does the innocent period in life hasten to the "remission of sins"? ..Let them know how to "ask" for salvation, that it may seem to have given "to him that asketh". . If this is indeed the unanimous consent of the church, how did it happen that infant baptism became the norm? Although the answer may be somewhat speculative, we need to look to one of the baptismal texts from Irenaeus. Irenaeus, who held to the orthodox position regarding when one should be baptized, wrote a text which supported the common perception that we are born-again when we are baptized. He said in Against Heresies in 180 A.D. We are lepers in sin, we are made clean by means of the sacred water and invocation of the Lord, from our old transgression; being spiritually regenerate as new born babes, even as the Lord has declared "except a man be born again through water and the Spirit, he shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. Years later, we see some Christian writings taking Irenaeus' words and interpreting "spiritually regenerate, as newborn babes" as meaning that we are baptized as new-born babes! In the proper historical and textual context however, this is inconceivable. Thus, sometime in the mid 3rd century and in contradiction to the norm, the practice of baptizing infants started, built largely on a misinterpretation of Irenaeus. Baptism and Original Sin One of the most common arguments in favor of the necessity of infant baptism involves the question of original sin. The Roman church today, for example, views baptism as the means that an individual is cleansed from guilt incurred in the original sin of Adam and Eve. It is thought that the effectiveness of the baptism is in no way dependent upon the recipient of the sacrament. Therefore, it was considered expedient to baptize someone as soon as possible, namely, right after their birth. This is quite different from the biblical teaching, which is that baptism is the symbolic ordinance that typifies our identification with the burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a death to our old life, and the beginning of our new life in Christ. Rather than baptizing immediately after birth, it was actually more common to wait late until the twilight of one's years to be baptized. The rationale for this was that baptism was thought by many to be a one shot deal at forgiveness and pardon, so a late baptism would minimize the opportunity for an individual to accrue any damning sins. Even in the Fourth century this mindset was prevalent, witnessed by the fact that Constantine himself would not be baptized until he was on his deathbed. The earliest archeological evidence we have that a child was baptized comes from an epitaph on a young boys tomb in the Lateran. The quote is from the fourth century and it reads: Florentius set up this inscription for his well deserving son Appronianus, who lived one year, nine months and five days. Since he was truly beloved by his grandmother, and she saw that he was destined for death, she asked of the church that he might depart a believer. Many who have pointed to this as evidence for infant baptism have missed the point of the epitaph altogether. It does not support the idea that infants were baptized. On the contrary. The boy was almost two, not yet baptized, and when it was apparent that he was not going to survive to a mature age, the grandmother made a special request (presumably to baptize him) before his death. This epitaph actually supports the view that infants were not baptized as a normal procedure at that point in church history, and that putting off the practice until later in life was still the most common opinion. If it is true that infants were not baptized, then what about the understanding of original sin? What did happen to a child or an infant that was not baptized? Were they damned because of Adam’s guilt? Again, looking closer at the earliest documents, we find that the early church had a vastly different perception of Adam's sin and it's effects. Shepherd of Hermas (ca. 150 A.D) They are as infant children in whose hearts no evil originates; nor did they know what wickedness is, but always remain as children. Such accordingly without doubt, dwell in the kingdom of God, because they defiled in nothing the commandments of God. ...all infants are honorable before God, and are first in persons with Him. The Shepherd of Hermas, previously noted, was considered canonical by several fathers of the church. According to him, there is no evil in the heart of an infant, and they dwell in the kingdom of God. Below we have a statement by Justin scolding the Roman dignitaries for allowing their pagan priests to sacrifice children from the womb for the purpose of divination. Justin Martyr, First Apology XVIII, 155 A.D) For you let even necromancy, and the divinations, whom you practice on immaculate children, and the invoking of departed human souls. Notice that he calls the children "immaculate". Tertullian apparently held the same regard for infant children. Tertullian, Treatise on the Soul, 204 AD those abodes; if you mean the good why should you judge to be unworthy of such a resting-place the souls of infants and of virgins, and those which, by reason of their condition in life were pure and innocent? In the previously noted text from Tertullian’s On Baptism, he likewise referred to unbaptized infants as "innocent". In addition to these, we have a frequently cited text from the Apocalypse of Peter from the 2nd century, that is quoted by Clement of Alexandria, Theodotus and others, that states emphatically that aborted children are immediately ushered by a guardian angel into paradise, and share in a "better fate". It is understood by these fathers that Adam’s guilt did not extend to one who had not sinned. If it did, then we would all need to concede that every aborted child, miscarriage, stillborn child, or otherwise unbaptized infant that died was in hell. Such an idea would be abhorrent to the early church. The issue is understood biblically in Romans 5:12 which states that "sin entered the world through one man (Adam), and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men for all have sinned". Notice that the actual agent of death to each individual is that individual’s personal sin. Likewise the next verse states that sin is not imputed where there is no law, that is, no understanding of right and wrong, which surely would be the case with an infant. It must be noted, however, that it would be equally wrong to propose that the descendants of Adam were unaffected by his actions. Man was qualitatively changed, now having the potential to know good and evil. Apparently his will was crippled and frustrated from being able to "do as he ought". (Romans 7:12-24) God, by his own sovereignty, has decreed that all man are bound over to disobedience (Romans 11:32; Galatians 3:22). The operation of sin in our lives, likened to a conception and gestational period in the book of James, "brings forth death ( James 1:14-15). To summarize the issue, then, we could fairly say that the early church taught that infants are guilt free, yet, the due to the fall we know that no natural mortal, upon being able to distinguish right from wrong, can stay guilt free, but instead is prone to sin. When Cyprian of Carthage started promoting infant baptism as a cure from Adam’s sin. He immediately had to defend it against the charge of novelty. As shown, it was not the church’s understanding that infants were in need of cleansing from sin. At the time, however, no major theological counter-thesis was offered. It was not until Pelegius started preaching in the early 5th century that the orthodox church was forced to define the doctrine of "Original Sin". Pelegius, who up to this point had been an orthodox bishop and writer, propounded that Adam’s sin had absolutely no effect on his offspring, and that every individual had the potential to live a perfect and holy life. Pelegius asserted that man was by nature good, and could, by his own will and accord, live pleasingly before God. This extreme position, threatened the very necessity for the sacrifice and atonement of Christ. If justification was by the law, then Christ died in vain (Galatians 2:21). St. Augustine, through a number of polemical writings and Councils, refuted and condemned the teaching of Pelegius. Unfortunately, as is with many conflicts of ideas and words throughout history, the rhetoric and polemic overstated the orthodox position. In order to counter the inherent goodness of all, as taught by Pelegius, Augustine championed the inherent depravity of all, including infants. As a result, he held to the position that all infants are in a state of damnation before God, not because of their sin, but Adam’s. According to Augustine, unbaptized infants go to suffer in hell. Some Roman Catholic theologians have attempted to soften this somewhat, hypothesizing a place called "limbo" which is more humane then hell, so as to deflect the obvious charge of injustice that would come with consigning newborn babies to eternal torment. This has never been officially defined by the Roman church, however. The Augustinian concept of Original Sin, then, must be rejected as a departure from the apostolic rule of faith. Another viewpoint of infant baptism is one which equates the baptismal act with the sign and seal of the New Covenant, akin to circumcision of the Old Covenant. Some of the later texts which support infant baptism suggest that the baptism should be done on the eighth day, as was the circumcision of the Old Covenant. It must be kept in mind, however, that the New Testament frequently mentions circumcision, but never as a type for baptism. Instead, it says "neither circumcision nor uncircumscision means anything, but what counts is a new creation" (Galatians 6:15) which subordinates any "sign or seal" of a covenant to the spiritual reality of being born-again by trust in Christ. Likewise, Paul also points out that even Abraham was justified by believing God, before and independently of the sign of circumcision. (Romans 4:9-11). Consequently, since the New Testament minimizes the alleged typology of circumcision, it is not likely that we would find any apostolic teaching that would equate baptism with the same function of sealing an individual into God’s New Covenant. Instead, we find that both circumcision and baptism both serve as types for the spiritual reality of putting off our flesh and being washed of the impurities of the old nature. The spiritual reality, of course, is most applicable to an adult. Baptismal Regeneration The belief in baptismal regeneration was apparently held by the majority of the early church fathers. Although one could debate writer by writer through the first few centuries as to whether this was indeed an apostolic teaching, in brief, the larger question would be as to whether an individual is saved (regenerated) by faith alone or by faith and baptism. The answer to that question is simply found by examining the scriptures to see whether salvation is imputed to those who believe and are baptized, or to those who merely believe. If the baptismal waters are indeed necessary for salvation, as even some writers proposed, then we should not find any cases in scripture where individuals are "saved" apart from baptism. There are, of course several glaring examples. The thief on the cross (Luke 23:40-43), as well as those in the household of Cornelius who believed and were filled with the Holy Spirit before they were baptized with water (Acts 10:43-48) are two clear examples. There are also numerous examples of Paul’s missionary endeavors, where he preaches and many believe, yet there is no reference to water baptism. With this being the case, we must conclude that water baptism cannot be equally an agent to salvation, since there are cases of individuals being saved by faith apart from the waters of baptism. Neither can the act of baptism carry salvific power in and of it’s self, since there are scriptural examples of individuals receiving baptism at the hand of the apostles, yet that individual still declared to be perishing because there heart was not right with God (cf. The Story of Simon Magus, Acts 8:9-24). Why then did so many early church fathers attribute regeneration at the point of water baptism? We could speculate that the hostile anti-Christian culture may have had a role to play. In the early church, baptism was the public profession before all that the individual was joining themselves to the Christian community. They were declaring that they were dead to their old life of idolatry and paganism. For many, it was the act that destined them to a martyr’s fate. Culturally, there was also the de-emphasis of such rites with many of the Gnostics. Those Gnostics that did have a baptismal ritual (Sethians and Valentians) had it so "super-spiritualized" that it would be construed by many to be a polemic against the normal, orthodox baptismal practice. We would consequently expect an increased emphasis on the act of baptism itself, certainly far more than our culture would remit. It could also be that the significance of water baptism is not derived so much from the agency of the water, but from the agency of faith and public profession of the Lordship of Christ. "If you confess me before men, I will confess you before my heavenly Father" (Matthew 10:32). In any respect, I would deduce that the emphasis on the ritual of baptism with respect to regeneration by the fathers was more a product of these cultural forces than actual apostolic teaching. In summary of the issue, we can see that the post-apostolic church may have had a deeper awareness of the mechanics of salvation, without the burdens of some of today's debates. This is not to say that everyone in the first three centuries understood the magnitude and glorious liberty of salvation in Christ. On the contrary; salvation by faith was one of, if not, the first foundational tenet to fall prey to the apostasy. Very early in the third century, because of the necessity of bearing up under persecution, we can see references to good works (ie. public profession) being necessary for salvation. By the middle of the third century, the regeneration of the believer was ascribed most commonly to happen at baptism. Ultimately, as the Roman Empire broke apart in the fifth century, and the church assumed the role of maintaining order in that civilization, eternal salvation was joined to the reception of the sacraments. Later in western history, this would give the papacy exceptional control over the princes, barons and kings throughout Europe. If a certain ruler would not side with the demands of the Pope, the Pope could vow to withhold the sacraments from that ruler and his subjects. Although that might not have struck fear into the ruler, the prospect of eternal damnation for an entire duchy or kingdom would create a panic and terror among the masses, and the ruler's hand would be forced to reconcile with the Pope. Today there is need to renew the original apostolic understanding of salvation. The gospel message, as typified by the Pauline revelation of grace, righteousness and adoption, is forever coupled to the truths borne by the act of baptism, that of self-abandonment and death to the old life, so as to fully serve God in the newness of life. So many have tried to reinterpret the gospels as merely a means to the end of raising one’s self-esteem, or instilling dignity and human worth. For others, it is a "feel good" message, brimming with warm snugglies of how much God loves us. All though there is truth in both views, we cheat ourselves of the fullness of our common salvation when we see it as less than a total redemption, of the total man, to be fully adopted into Gods’ family as a true child of God. Likewise, we cheat God when we respond with anything less than laying down every aspect of our old life and being, in complete service to God, for His glory alone. For more on the issue of water baptism see our videos: "IS WATER BAPTISM NECESSARY TO ESCAPE HELL & BE SAVED & ARE YOU "BORN AGAIN" (JOHN 3:3-8) BY IT?" at ua-cam.com/video/wYJtMV9qrWg/v-deo.html & "THE EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN ROMANCE WITH APOSTATE ROMAN CATHOLICISM (PART 1): WATER BAPTISM SALVATION?" at ua-cam.com/video/XobZCIzK-Zo/v-deo.html. See our website www.BibleQuery.org & the article posted there called "Water Baptism Not Essential for Salvation." See also our newsletter posted there called "Church of Christ." The following link concerning water baptism is very useful at www.gotquestions.org/baptism-salvation.html. 2 Timothy 2:15
This is in response to the many "Church of Christ" Campbellites who keep quoting 1 Peter 3:21 to prove salvation is by water baptism. These Campbellites are deceived & worship a water baptism idol although they would deny it just as Romanists worship Mary while also denying it. See our video IS WATER BAPTISM NECESSARY TO ESCAPE HELL & BE SAVED & ARE YOU "BORN AGAIN" (JOHN 3:3-8) BY IT? at ua-cam.com/video/wYJtMV9qrWg/v-deo.html which will clean up Campbellite 1 Peter 3:21 idolatry. See our playlist "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ" at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html with 72 videos. What does 1 Peter 3:21 mean? "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." Are infants "born again" (John 3:3-8) & then suddenly become Christians when they are sprinkled with water? Is salvation found in being water baptized? Do you have to be a believer in Christ to be water baptized? The following is an excerpt from our newsletter "Christian Debater Guide, "Church of Christ," Vol. 2, #1" (found at our website www.BibleQuery.org, click the "Experience" box on the homepage): "Q:In Acts 2:38, does this mean water baptism is necessary for salvation? A: No, Jesus is necessary for salvation. Neither repentance nor water baptism merits our salvation. Those are our responding to Jesus' work. Baptism is to be an outward sign of our prior inward faith and repentance. Note that Acts 2:38 was a command not a formula. Some might erroneously conclude that loving God, faith, believing, and trusting God are unnecessary, as they are not mentioned here. All who come to Christ should be baptized, and that is as true today as it was then. However, It is Jesus' blood, not our baptism that saves us. Q: In Acts 10:45-48, is water baptism essential to be saved? A: Four points to consider. 1. They spoke in tongues prior to being baptized with water. 2. Speaking in tongues is a sign (but not the only sign, 1 Cor. 12:1-13) of being filled with the Holy Spirit. 3. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is only for those who are born again. 4. Those who are born again are saved. So, they were born again prior to being baptized with water. See the discussion on Acts 22:16 for a second example of being saved prior to water baptism. See also the next question. Q: In Acts 10:45-48, since this passage was a very special occurrence, does this negate using this passage to show water baptism is not essential for salvation? A: No. This passage does describe an important transition for the church, but that does not disqualify us from understanding all of its teaching. Three points to consider. 1. Gentiles could be filled with the Holy Spirit, and thus be saved, prior to baptism at this time. This was not impossible for God to do and still be true to His Word. 2. Thus, it is possible for people to be saved , prior to baptism at other times, without God breaking His Word. 3. If your interpretation of the Bible requires that God cannot be true to His Word if anyone after Christ is saved prior to being baptized, perhaps it would be your interpretation, and not God's Word, that is wrong. Q: In Acts 22:16, how do people get baptized and wash away their sins? A: Is it OK to say that people wash away their sins here as long as you remember four points. 1. The power to wash away is with God, not magic in the water. 2. God is not restricted to being "unable" to save people who are not baptized, because the thief on the cross was with Jesus in Paradise. 3. For our part, the pledge of a sincere conscience before God is more important than the water, as in 1 Peter 3:21. However, being baptized with water is a command for every single Christian. 4. The Jews were familiar with ceremonial washings in the Old Testament Law. Thus, Paul's audience understood what he meant and did not mix it up with the errors of "magic water" or "a restricted God". The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament p. 418 sheds some helpful light on the Greek here. The phrase "calling on His name" is a Greek aorist participle, which "refers either to action which is simultaneous with or before that of the main verb. Here Paul's calling on Christ's name (for salvation) preceded his water baptism. The participle may be translated, "having called on His name." John Gill's Commentary on 1 Peter 3:21 states the following: "The like figure whereunto [even] baptism doth also now save us. The ark, and deliverance by it, as it was a type of Christ, and salvation by him, so it was a figure of baptism, and baptism was the antitype of that; or there is something in these which correspond, and answer to, and bear a resemblance to each other: as the ark was God's ordinance, and not man's invention, so is baptism, it is of heaven, and not of men; and as the ark, while it was preparing, was the scorn and derision of men, so is this ordinance of the Gospel; it was rejected with disdain by the Scribes and Pharisees, as it still is by many; and as the ark, when Noah and his family were shut up in it by God, represented a burial, and they seemed, as it were, to be buried in it, it was a lively emblem of baptism, which is expressed by a burial, ( Romans 6:4 ) ( Colossians 2:12 ) and as they in the ark had the great deep broke up under them, and the windows of heaven opened over them, pouring out waters upon them, they were, as it were, immersed in, and were covered with water, this fitly figured baptism by immersion; nor were there any but adult persons that entered into the ark, nor should any be baptized but believers; to which may be added, that as the one saved by water, so does the other; for it is water baptism which is here designed, which John practised, Christ gave a commission for, and his disciples administered: it saves not as a cause, for it has no causal influence on, nor is it essential to salvation. Christ only is the cause and author of eternal salvation; and as those only that were in the ark were saved by water, so those only that are in Christ, and that are baptized into Christ, and into his death, are saved by baptism; not everyone that is baptized, but he that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved, ( Mark 16:16 ) , for baptism is not the putting away of the filth of the flesh; the design of it is not to take off the sordid flesh, as circumcision did; or in a ceremonious way, outwardly, to sanctify to the purifying of the flesh, as the Jewish baptisms did; see ( Hebrews 9:10 Hebrews 9:13 ) , or to take away either original or actual sin; this only the blood of Christ can do; and it is not a mere external cleansing of the body: but the answer of a good conscience towards God; the Vulgate Latin renders it, "the interrogation of a good conscience"; referring, it may be, to the interrogations that used to be put to those who desired baptism; as, dost thou renounce Satan? dost thou believe in Christ? see ( Acts 8:36 Acts 8:37 ) , others render it, "the stipulation of a good conscience"; alluding also to the ancient custom of obliging those that were baptized to covenant and agree to live an holy life and conversation, to renounce the devil and all his works, and the pomps and vanities of this world; and baptism does certainly lay an obligation on men to walk in newness of life; see ( Romans 6:4 Romans 6:5 ) , the Ethiopic version renders it, "confession of God"; and to this the Syriac version agrees, rendering it, "confessing God with a pure conscience"; for, to baptism, profession of faith in Christ, and of the doctrine of Christ in a pure conscience, is requisite; and in baptism persons make a public confession of God, and openly put on Christ before men: the sense seems plainly this; that then is baptism rightly performed, and its end answered, when a person, conscious to himself of its being an ordinance of Christ, and of his duty to submit to it, does do so upon profession of his faith in Christ, in obedience to his command, and "with" a view to his glory; in doing which he discharges a good conscience towards God: and being thus performed, it saves, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ; being a means of leading the faith of the baptized person, as to the blood of Christ, for pardon and cleansing, so to the resurrection of Christ, to justification; see ( Acts 2:38 ) ( 22:16 ) ( Romans 4:25 ) , moreover, the sense of the passage may be this, that baptism is a like figure as the ark of Noah was; that as the entrance of Noah and his family into the ark was an emblem of a burial, so their coming out of it was a figure of the resurrection; and just such a figure is baptism, performed by immersion, both of the resurrection of Christ from the dead, and of the resurrection of saints to walk in newness of life. The Arabic version renders the whole verse thus; "of which thing baptism is now a type saving us, not by removing the filth of the flesh only, but by exhilarating a good conscience towards God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ." For more see our website www.BibleQuery.org & once on the homepage click on the "Experience" box to the left & scroll down to the article "Water Baptism Not Essential for Salvation" & click on it. After that scroll a little further down to our newsletter section & click on the newsletter "Church of Christ" & wait for it to download. Larry Wessels, director of Christian Answers of Austin, Texas/ Christian Debater (UA-cam channel: CANSWERSTV at ua-cam.com/users/CAnswersTV, websites: www.BIBLEQUERY.ORG, www.HISTORYCART.COM & www.MUSLIMHOPE.COM) has attended Dayspring Fellowship in Austin, Texas (website: www.DSF.org; 5500 Avenue G, Austin, TX 78751) from1981 to the present & Jackson Boyett has been the pastor there the entire time until his death in 2011. Pastor Boyett has an earned degree from the University of Texas & a Master of Divinity degree from seminary. To hear & see other messages by Pastor Boyett type "JACKSON BOYETT" in the UA-cam search box (which will include his rendition of Jonathan Edward's famous sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God"). Greg Van Court is now the teaching elder at Dayspring Fellowship (hear his sermons at www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=Greg_Van_Court). 1 Corinthians 1:14-17, " I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect."
Did Christ die for the Eskimos who lived 500 years before Jesus lived? How about the Eskimos that lived 500 years after Jesus lived yet no one ever came & told them the gospel during that time? Did Jesus die for Esau in Romans 9:13? Did Jesus die for Pharoah who opposed Moses in Romans 9:16-23? Jesus told parables so people would not understand so they would be condemned by God instead (Mark 4:11-12; see our video "Did Jesus Die for Everybody Who Ever Lived or Not? Debate #4: WHY DOES JESUS SPEAK IN PARABLES?" at ua-cam.com/video/fPHCMHCqubg/v-deo.html). Jesus does not even pray for the "world" (John 17:9 cf 1 John 2:15). Turning now to John 3:16, it should be evident from the passages just quoted that this verse will not bear the construction usually put upon it. ‘God so loved the world.’ Many suppose that this means, The entire human race. But ‘the entire human race’ includes all mankind from Adam till the close of earth’s history: it reaches backward as well as forward! Consider, then, the history of mankind before Christ was born. Unnumbered millions lived and died before the Savior came to the earth, lived here ‘having no hope and without God in the world,’ and therefore passed out into eternity of woe. If God ‘loved’ them, where is the slightest proof thereof? Scripture declares ‘Who (God) in times past (from the tower of Babel till after Pentecost) suffered all nations to walk in their own ways’ (Acts 14:16). Scripture declares that ‘And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient’ (Rom. 1:28). To Israel God said, ‘You only have I known of all the families of the earth’ (Amos 3:2). In view of these plain passages who will be so foolish as to insist that God in the past loved all mankind! The same applies with equal force to the future . . . But the objector comes back to John 3:16 and says, ‘World means world. ‘True, but we have shown that ‘the world’ does not mean the whole human family. The fact is that ‘the world’ is used in a general way.. . Now the first thing to note in connection with John 3:16 is that our Lord was there speaking to Nicodemus, a man who believed that God’s mercies were confined to his own nation. Christ there announced that God’s love in giving His Son had a larger object in view, that it flowed beyond the boundary of Palestine, reaching out to ‘regions beyond.’ In other words, this was Christ’s announcement that God had a purpose of grace toward Gentiles as well as Jews. ‘God so loved the world,’ then, signifies, God’s love is international in its scope. But does this mean that God loves every individual among the Gentiles? Not necessarily, for as we have seen the term ‘world’ is general rather than specific, relative rather than absolute. . . the ‘world’ in John 3:16 must, in the final analysis refer to the world of God’s people. Must we say, for there is no other alternative solution. It cannot mean the whole human race, for one half of the race was already in hell when Christ came to earth. It is unfair to insist that it means every human being now living, for every other passage in the New Testament where God’s love is mentioned limits it to His own people - search and see! The objects of God’s love in John 3:16 are precisely the same as the objects of Christ’s love in John 13:1: ‘Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His time was come, that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end.’ We may admit that our interpretation of John 3:16 is no novel one invented by us, but one almost uniformly given by the Reformers and Puritans, and many others since them. See our video "DEBATE: John 3:16, Does "World" Always Mean Everybody Who Ever Lived or Not?" at ua-cam.com/video/E6duguuzfho/v-deo.html. Romans 9:15-18
Water Baptism is not a savior (Christ alone is) or is it the true gospel (Galatians 1:6-9). Water Baptism - Is it Necessary for Salvation? Definitely NOT! See our video "IS WATER BAPTISM NECESSARY TO ESCAPE HELL & BE SAVED & ARE YOU "BORN AGAIN" (JOHN 3:3-8) BY IT?" at ua-cam.com/video/wYJtMV9qrWg/v-deo.html. Let’s show how Scripture differentiates between the baptism of John and the baptism of Jesus. We’ll look at Acts 19:3-5. Here are these verses: And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Acts 19:3-5 (NKJ) If John’s baptism was the same as Jesus’ baptism, then why did these people need to be re-baptized? The answer is obvious. John’s baptism was not the same as Jesus’ baptism. Now, let’s talk about some Scriptures that people might use to defend their position that water baptism is indeed necessary for salvation and respond to those verses. Let’s look at Mark 1:4. It says: John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Mark 1:4 (NKJ) This verse seems to say that the baptism of repentance was for the remission of sins. Who am I to argue with Scripture? But as we’ve discussed already, John’s baptism IS NOT THE SAME as the baptism of Jesus. So we can discount the baptism of John for our purposes, because we are baptized in the name of Jesus, not in the name of John. It is Jesus’ baptism that is for us today, not John’s. If we’re supposed to be baptized into John’s baptism, then why were the people in Acts 19:3-5 re-baptized? The answer is plain. Because once Jesus had come on the scene, it was HIS baptism that is relevant. So for us to decide what we need to do, in this present age, we need to focus on the baptism of Jesus. Here’s a set of verses that people use to defend the idea that water baptism is necessary for salvation. They are John 3:1-8. Let’s look at these verses. 1)There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2)This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” 3)Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4)Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5)Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter 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)Do not marvel that I said to you, “You must be born again.’ 8)The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:1-8 (NKJ) People taking the stance that baptism is necessary for salvation will say, “See, look here! This verse says that ‘unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.'” And I must agree that is does say that. But what does “born of water” mean? It this phrase referring to water baptism? Upon first glance, it may seem so, but let’s take a closer look at the surrounding context. Read the entire passage again, starting from verse 1. Nicodemus is asking Jesus how he can possibly enter his mother’s womb again and be re-born. So he’s talking about physical birth. He can’t understand the concept of physically being re-born. Obviously that’s an impossibility. But Jesus isn’t talking about physical rebirth, He’s talking about spiritual rebirth. Look at what He says in verses 5 and 6. I’ll repeat it. “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” John 3:5,6 (NKJ) You see? So “born of water” in this context looks to mean “physically born” not “baptized.” Let me re-phrase it. “I’m telling you that unless you’re physically born and then spiritually reborn, you can’t enter into heaven. If you’re physically born, you’re just a lost human. If you’re spiritually reborn, you’ve entered into a relationship with Jesus Christ.” (Eric’s version) Let’s look at yet another common verse used to defend the idea that the salvation of our souls requires water baptism. Here it is: Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 (NKJ) Obviously, the controversial phrase here is after the word “repent.” We all agree that repentance is necessary for salvation. Let’s look at the Greek word εις translated “for.” In the original Greek, in the New Testament, this word has several different meanings. One is “aim or purpose.” An example of εις being used in this manner is I Corinthians 2:7, which says No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for (the aim or purpose of) our glory before time began. I Corinthians 2:7 (NKJ) In another usage, the Greek word εις means “at,” or “because of” as in Matthew 12:41. Let’s look at it: The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. Matthew 12:41 (NKJ) Both of these uses are good Greek, and so the next logical question would be “what drives your choice of translation?” For me, it is the larger context of Scripture. For instance, in Acts 10, we see that people had already been saved before being baptized. Let’s look: 46)For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, 47)”Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48)And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days. Acts 10:46-48 (NKJ) These people were speaking in tongues and had received the Holy Spirit yet they had not been baptized. Another example is the thief on the cross who went to Paradise without baptism. Let’s read about that. 39)Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” 40)But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41)And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42)Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” 43)And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:39-42 (NKJ) Clearly this man was never baptized. Yet he was saved because he believed. What did Paul tell the Philippian jailor? Let’s find out. 25)But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26)Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. 27)And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 28)But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” 29)Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30)And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31)So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16:25-31 (NKJ) Although the jailor’s family was baptized, they were saved when they believed. Paul plainly set forth only belief as a prerequisite for salvation.Further, in establishing the greater context of Scripture, we can look at numerous other passages where belief is the only requirement for salvation. Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. Luke 8:12 (NKJ) But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. John 1:12 (NKJ) 15). . .that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16)For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17)For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18)”He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:15-18 (NKJ) He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” John 3:36 (NKJ) “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” John 5:24 (NKJ) And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” John 6:35 (NKJ) . . . “And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:40 (NKJ) ”Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.” John 6:47 (NKJ) ”Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” John 8:24 (NKJ) Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25,26 (NKJ) Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” John 11:40 (NKJ) . . . but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. John 20:31 (NKJ) ”To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.” Acts 10:43 (NKJ) This is Peter speaking. After he spoke these words, many people believed and they were baptized with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in tongues. After that, they were then baptized. This shows that the belief saved the people (would unsaved people have the Holy Spirit and be speaking in tongues?) and then afterward, they were baptized. . . .and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. Acts 13:39 (NKJ) Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. Acts 13:48 (NKJ) ”But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.” Acts 15:11 (NKJ) So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16:31 (NKJ) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. Romans 1:16 (NKJ) 9) . . .that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10)For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11)For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12)For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13)For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” Romans 10:9-13 (NKJ) For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. I Corinthians 1:21 (NKJ) . . . knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. Galatians 2:16 (NKJ) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8 (NKJ) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. I Thessalonians 4:14 (NKJ) . . . that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. II Thessalonians 2:12 (NKJ) However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. I Timothy 1:16 (NKJ) For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: “So I swore in My wrath, “They shall not enter My rest,”‘ although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. Hebrews 4:3 (NKJ) But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. Hebrews 10:39 (NKJ) Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.” I Peter 2:6 (NKJ) Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. I John 5:1 (NKJ) These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. I John 5:13 (NKJ) These verses would be grossly misleading if baptism were a prerequisite for salvation! I’ve just listed a plethora of verses that tell us that we are saved if we believe, and are condemned if we don’t. This should help the questioner get a better idea of the context of Scripture regarding baptism, and, for that matter, what one needs to do for salvation (hint: believe). For more on this subject, check out I Corinithians 15:1-11, and read the whole book of John. So, if you remember, we were discussing Acts 2:38, and I think the better translation of the Greek word εις is “because of” in this verse due to the greater context of Scripture. Scripture teaches baptism on the basis of repentance, and belief as the requirement for salvation.In addition, this verse presents us with a logic problem. Let me explain. If I were to say, “Eat and put gold under your bed, and you can live,” that would be a true statement. But the part that really allows you to live is the “eat” part. Putting gold under your bed may help you in your finances, but it doesn’t actually cause you to continue living. Eating does! The same logical argument can be used for this verse. Peter says, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Now, we know that if we repent and are baptized, we will be saved, according to this verse. But it doesn’t logically follow that both repentance and baptism are requirements for salvation, following the logic outlined above. And in the larger context of Scripture, we see that baptism is NOT a prerequisite for eternal life. Another verse used to defend the position that water baptism is necessary for salvation is I Peter 3:21. Here is the verse (in its context). 18)For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, 19)by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20)who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. 21)There is also an antitype which now saves us-baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22)who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him. I Peter 3:18-22 (NKJ) Granted, this is a very difficult passage, and I make no claim to thoroughly understand it. However, I want to focus in on verses 20 and 21. We see here that Peter is comparing baptism to the time when Noah and his family were saved on the ark. And then Peter tells us that baptism saves us. But he’s quick to point out, in the very next phrase, that this baptism saves us symbolically, not actually. He’s saying that baptism doesn’t cleanse us physically in a literal sense, or if you want to take it metaphorically, it doesn’t cleanse our souls in a literal sense. But what saves us is the “answer (or inquiry) of a good conscience toward God.” This is the baptism which saves us. Peter tells us that baptism saves us, and then he goes on to define baptism as an inquiry of a good conscience toward God, or in other words, an open, honest inquiry and trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It’s not the act of immersion which saves our souls, it’s our trust in Jesus. Yet another verse that often seems to promote baptism as a requirement for salvation is Mark 16:16. Here it is: He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:16 (NKJ) This verse also presents a logical question. It’s the same logic problem discussed above for Acts 2:38. Simply put, this verse in no way says that both belief and baptism are requirements for salvation. In addition, the second portion of this verse makes this quite clear without any external argument. It says, “he who does not believe will be condemned.” It does NOT say, “he who does not believe and is not baptized will be condemned.” It plainly sets forth the “believing” aspect of the statement as the requirement for avoiding condemnation. In summation, I’d like to make some additional points. First, baptism is never given in Scripture as a COMMAND to Christians except in Acts 2:38 when Peter tells the Jews to “repent and be baptized.” This is the ONLY place where we are commanded to be baptized. So since we are told to, we should be. Yet this should never be construed as a command to all new Christians as a requirement for salvation. The New Testament makes this blatantly clear. What would happen if I were on the battlefield and I accepted Jesus and then was shot through the heart before I was baptized? As Scripture so plainly states, I would be saved, just as the people were in Acts 10 who received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues before they were baptized, and just as the thief on the cross was before he died (he was never baptized). In addition, why did Paul tell his readers in such certain terms that he wasn’t called to baptize, but to preach? Look at this verse: I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, lest anone should say that I had baptized in my own name. Yes I also baptized the household of Stephanus. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom and words, lest the cross of Christ be made of no effect. I Corinthians 1:13-17 Paul tells us that Jesus didn’t call him to baptize (is Paul negating the Great Commission here? I think not!) but to preach. And Paul says he only baptized a few people. And thank goodness for that, he says, because otherwise people might be saying they were baptized in the name of Paul. The Great Commission is in Matthew 28:19,20 records Jesus’ words to his disciples to “go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit . . .” This certainly doesn’t say we need to be baptized to be saved. And why did Paul say he wasn’t called to baptize? It must be because the church as a whole is called to baptize, not us as individuals. How could a wheelchair-bound person baptize someone? Yet we have many Christians who are in wheelchairs. And we have many Christians who are invalids as well. Are they disobeying Jesus’ command to baptize? I don’t think so. Jesus Himself baptized none. And then the kicker . . . why would Paul leave 99% of his converts half-saved, or, according to some, not saved at all? If baptism were a requirement for salvation, then the majority of people Paul preached to never entered the kingdom of heaven, because, as Paul says himself, he only baptized Crispus, Gaius, and the household of Stephanus. Paul, in his zealousnous for preaching the gospel, and in his obsession for detail, would not leave so many people unsaved. My hope is that this study has given you a glimpse of the truth of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He lives today. Believe in Him, and in His words, and you will receive eternal life. That’s a promise we can all bank on. John 14:6 (it's Jesus, not water baptism)!
@kac0404 I answered your question. Can't you read? I said "the sons of God" (John 1:12-13) were established there", get it? Now you can answer some of my questions: 1. According to "Church of Christ" history (see our video "Rise of the Cults: Where Did All These Strange American Cults Come From?" for reference) do you believe Alexander Campbell & his friends "restored" the "Ancient Gospel" which had been lost for 2000 years? 2. Do you believe getting water baptized by a Baptist will save you?
@kac0404 By asking this question are you implying a Campbellite church of the "Ancient Gospel"? Are you saying that Campbellites were there with Peter in Acts chapter 2? The Oneness Pentecostals would argue that it wasn't the Campbellites there with Peter but their predecessors who "spoke in tongues" & were baptized according to Acts 2:38 "in Jesus name" only & not by a Trinitarian formula (Matt. 28:19), get it? You're both wrong. Some of the "sons of God" (John 1:12-13) were established there.
Death can come suddenly & unexpectedly. Don't depend on a last second deathbed conversion to save you from the wrath of a holy God. Hear terrifying deathbed testimonies of the damned (Atheists, Apostates, Hypocrites, Religiously Deceived & Reprobates) during their last days, hours & moments before going into eternity: Horrifying & Terrifying Death Bed Scenes Of Atheists, Apostates & Reprobates (1/3) at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?sid=731131047310, Horrifying & Terrifying Death Bed Scenes Of Atheists, Apostates & Reprobates (2/3) at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?sid=731131111372, Horrifying & Terrifying Death Bed Scenes Of Atheists, Apostates & Reprobates (3/3) at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?sid=731131132150, Death-Bed of a Free-Thinker, Exemplified in the Last Hours of Hon. Francis Newport at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?sid=72913130359, Death-Bed Scenes, Death-Bed Repentance Rarely Occurs, As Men Live, So Do Men Die #1 at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?sid=927131122460, Death-Bed Scenes, Death-Bed Repentance Rarely Occurs, As Men Live, So Do Men Die #2 at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?sid=927131158132; Dying Testimonies Of The Unsaved, The Awful Death Of An Infidel Son Who Hated Jesus at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?sid=104131120148, & although this next recording is not an actual deathbed testimonial it is highly informative concerning Judas & other reprobates, "The Repentance of Judas, or, the Lamentable Effects of a Startled Conscience" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?sid=310141542316. Listeners will notice numerous similar patterns among the final words & actions of the damned. Many seem to sense the flames of hell & the presence of demonic entities before death overtakes them. An excellent Biblical analysis of hell is given by the outstanding theologian Jonathan Edwards - "The Torments of Hell Are Exceeding Great, A Rich Man Went to Hell and Was Tormented" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=51513154140. Come to the Biblical Jesus Christ today for salvation in repentance & faith (2 Corinthians 6:2, "behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation; Acts 16:31, "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved;" Mark 1:15, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel;" 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, "Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you-unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures," Luke 6:46, Jesus said, "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?", Revelation 1:8, Jesus is the "Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.", Revelation 1:18, Jesus says "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." Becoming a true Christian is not easy therefore count the cost. Becoming a true Christian is not saying a quick prayer & thinking you're okay. You must be supernaturally "born again" by a sovereign act of God through the power of the Holy Spirit (John 1:12-13, 3:3-8; Titus 3:5-7; John 6:37, 39, 44, 63, 65; Ephesians 3:16-21; Romans 8:1-17; 1 Corinthians 2:10-16; 2 Timothy 2:24-26; Luke 14:26-35, "Luke 14:26-35, 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it- 29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.34 “Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? 35 It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” Becoming a true Christian will change your life forever in this life & the next (2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."). Beg God to save you since you cannot do it by your own righteousness & good works (Ephesians 2:8-10, "8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."). Keep begging God for salvation through Jesus Christ until the day comes that He grants your request (Acts 13:48, "Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed." & 2 Timothy 2:25-26, "24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will."). John 14:6, "Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." See our video "IS JESUS GOD ALMIGHTY IN THE FLESH MEANING THE SECOND PERSON OF THE TRINITY OR IS HE SOMETHING ELSE?" at ua-cam.com/video/_BlPm7M7uv8/v-deo.html.
@JTknem09 Ephesians 4:4-6 says, "There is one body, & one Spirit, even as we are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God & Father of all, who is above all, & through all, & in you all." None of it is a lie. Now who is Paul talking about here? Is he talking about the Campbellite "Church of Christ" cult or is he talking about all Spirit-filled true Christians throughout the world? Obviously the later since God decides who is in His body of believers (Rom 9).
The Only True Church - Hear the following: "Is the Pope in the True Church?" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=820752920, "The One True Church" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=81212170178, "Papacy's Claim to have the Authority of the Apostle Peter, Roman Catholicism, Pope" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=121312161512, "Institutes of the Christian Religion #42 The Ancient Form of Goverment Utterly Corrupted by the Tyranny of the Papacy/Antichrist" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=21308121690 & see our playlist "Dealing with Roman Catholicism, Idolatry & the Virgin Mary" at ua-cam.com/play/PLFFA8D69D1B914715.html. Just about everyone who has started a movement has declared themselves the only true church on earth. In this they claim one must join their exclusive group or organization to be saved and to be a Christian. Many believe there has been a complete apostasy already, so there is need of a full restoration. While God does have a true Church on earth, he has already stated how one enters to be part of this Church. First lets go through the many familiar and some not so familiar groups that claim to be the ONE TRUE CHURCH. Then we will look at how one enters the true church. Mormonism LDS- 13th LDS President Ezra Taft Benson, “This is not just another Church. This is not just one of a family of Christian churches. This is the Church and kingdom of God, the only true Church upon the face of the earth...” (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p.164-165). This church is the only true and living church on the face of the whole earth (D and C 1:30) “There is no salvation outside the church of Jesus Christ of Latter -day Saints (Mormon Doctrine, p.670) “Behold there are save two churches only; the one is the Church of the Lamb of God and the other is the church of the devil; wherefore who so belongeth not to the church of the lamb of God belongeth to that great church; which is the mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the earth.” (The Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 14:10) on April 8, 1973, LDS Apostle Mark E. Petersen proclaimed that salvation “comes only through the Church itself as the Lord established it... Therefore it was made clearly manifest that salvation is in the Church, and of the Church, and is obtained only through the Church.” “The Roman Catholic, Greek, and Protestant church, is the great corrupt, ecclesiastical power, represented by great Babylon....” (Orson Pratt, Writings of an Apostle, “Divine Authenticity,” no.6, p.84). the LDS church is, “the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased ...” Brigham Young (Mormonism's Second President) “Our message is so imperative, when you stop to think that the salvation, the eternal salvation of the world, rests upon the shoulders of this Church. When all is said and done, if the world is going to be saved, we have to do it “ (“Church Is Really Doing Well,” Church News (a bi-weekly publication by the Mormon church), July 3 1999, 3) Jehovah’s Witnesses- The Gospel of the Kingdom ceased to be proclaimed shortly after the death of the apostles. It was not preached again until after 1918.(WT, 12/1/1928, pp. 363-64) We acknowledge as the visible organization of Jehovah on earth the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, and recognize the Society as the Channel or instrument through which Jehovah and Christ Jesus give instruction and meat in due season to the household of faith. (Watchtower, April 15, 1939 p. 125) “ The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society the one and only channel which the Lord has used in dispensing his truth continually since the beginning of the harvest period?” (WT 4/1/1919, p. 6414) “The world is full of Bibles…why then do the people not know which was to go? Because, they do not also have the teaching or law of the mother, which is light.”(WT 5/1/1957, p.274) “Outside the true Christian congregation what alternative organization is there? Only Satan’s organization…”(Watchtower 3/1/1979 p.24) “Consider too, the fact that Jehovah's organization alone in all the earth is directed by God's holy spirit or active force.” (Watchtower, July 1, 1973, page 402) Iglesia ni Cristo- “the complete disappearance of the first-century Church of Christ and the emergence of the Catholic Church” (Pasugo, July-Aug. 1979, p. 8). Thus, outside the Church of Christ no one can be considered a true believer.'' (PASUGO, September/October 1981, p.9) “Each member ... should submit himself to the Administration of the Church in order to be saved.”(PASUGO, January 1976, p. 9) ''People who embraced the true church will be saved not because of the good deeds they have done, but through God's merciful act of commissioning messengers entrusted with words of reconciliation.'' (PASUGO September/October 1986, p. 20) International Church of Christ - “There is one church! There is one God. There is one kingdom of God and this is it! (The Great Commission, audio tape, Weger/Rock, Hodge/Hamann/Fulcher/Fields) “you are in the only family that exists on the face of the earth.”( Phil Lamb, We Are Family, audio tape 1990 West Coast Conf.) “We're the last hope the world has. Nobody else is going to do what we're doing. Nobody else has the right message. Nobody else has the right commitment.”( Gordon Ferguson, Radical Men, Radical Times Hosea Radical Love of God, Manila World Leadership Conf., Aug. 1994 ) “your salvation is hanging in the balance. .... When you walk away from the movement of God, there is no where to walk. Walking out of the light into the darkness. There is nobody else There is nobody else in this country that That has the true gospel -- that is, trying to make disciples of Jesus. There is nobody else in this entire world. This is the movement of God! There is no place to go.” (Nick Young. Tulsa Reconstruction meeting, August, 1992, audio one, side two) “When you preached who is really saved: that you gotta have faith, you gotta repent, you gotta become a true disciple of Jesus, and then you gotta be water immersed for the forgiveness of sins received through the Holy Spirit, that excludes all other denominations…everybody else out there.”( Kip McKean. “Preach the Word.” Johannesburg World Missions Leadership Conference. Aug. 1995, audiotape #10091, side 2) True Jesus Church- On 5. on the web they emphatically state “The True Jesus Church is the true church restored by God through the Holy Spirit of the latter rain. She is the revival of the apostolic church in the end times.” on the web “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6). Therefore, one can receive eternal life only through the true church.” The Philadelphia church- Mr. Flurry “The “household” is God's Family or true church. It's the family that God rules. This is God's inner circle--His very elect. One servant, one leader or one man is made ruler over God's church. Only this church (The PCG) gives meat in due season. Only this church is doing God's work!” (The Philadelphia Trumpet, p.1 May 1995) “Some in the world try to label the PCG a cult. Actually, we are God's only true representative on this earth!...”( The Philadelphia Trumpet, p. 19 March, 1994) “...that truth is in only one church today, God's church. Only God's Philadelphia Church has retained God's Law in this end time” (The Philadelphia Trumpet , p.5 March 1994). Roman Catholic Church-”But by divine institution it is the exclusive task of these pastors alone, the successors of Peter and the other Apostles, to teach the faithful authentically, that is with the authority of Christ ....” (Vatican Council II Vol. 2, p. 430, 1984) “If anyone says that in the Roman Church, which is the mother and mistress of all churches, there is not the true doctrine concerning the sacrament of baptism, let him be anathema.” (The Canons And Decrees Of The Council Of Trent, p. 53 -- Seventh Session, Sacrament Of Baptism, Canon 3) “This loyal submission of the will and intellect must be given, in a special way, to the authentic teaching authority of the Roman Pontiff, even when he does not speak ex cathedra in such wise, indeed, that his supreme teaching authority be acknowledged with respect, and that one sincerely adhere to decisions made by him, conformably with his manifest mind and intention ....” (Vatican Council II ,Vol. 1, p. 379) The Second Vatican Council’s Decree on Ecumenism explains: “For it is through Christ’s Catholic Church ALONE, which is the universal help toward salvation, that the fullness of the means of salvation can be obtained.” Pope Boniface VIII declared: “There is one holy Catholic and apostolic church, outside of which there Is NO SALVATION ... it is altogether NECESSARY FOR SALVATION for every creature to be subject to the Roman Pontiff.' (“infallible papal bull, Unam Sanctam) Vatican II declared: ... this holy Council teaches ... that the church .. Is NECESSARY FOR SALVATION.” (VATICAN COUNCIL II, Costello Publishing, Austin Flannery, O.P., General Editor, Vol 1, pp. 364-365) All Christians will be gathered in a common celebration of the Eucharist, into the unity of the one and only Church, ... The unity, we believe subsists in the Catholic Church as something she can never lose. (Vatican II, Decree on Ecumenism, chap. 1, 4, p. 416). The local Church (Witness Lee)- When we were in the denominations, we were blind. I do not believe that any dear Christians who have really received sight from the Lord could still remain in the denominations. Everyone who sees must leave the fold and enter the pasture, under the sunshine, in the fresh air, in liberty. Where are you now? Are you in the fold, or are you now in the pasture? Allow me to say this: if anyone is still in the fold, he is blind. Of course, a blind person requires the fold to keep him. But when he receives his sight, he will swiftly leave the fold for the pasture, for the sunshine, for the fresh air.” (Witness Lee, Christ Versus Religion LSM, 197,1 p.109-110) The only way to follow the Lord absolutely is to go the way of the local church. (Witness Lee, The Practical Expression...p.94) If you leave the church (the Local Church), you miss the mark of the Lord's testimony. You must be in the testimony of Jesus. Only the golden lampstands, the local churches, are the testimony of Jesus....if you are not in the local churches you are not the testimony of Jesus.”( Witness Lee, The Stream magazine Nov. 1976, p.7) House of Yahweh-”With all the Churches and Religious Organizations in these Last Days preaching what they call Salvation, why would Yahweh need to establish another organization in order to get his way--the True Way of Salvation--taught? “The One Body of Messiah IS The House of Yahweh! “...IF we 'separate' from the One Body of Messiah: The House of Yahweh, then we succumb to Satan, then at that very moment we become worshipers of Satan...of if one LEAVES The Body - The only Prophesied, Established Work that Yahweh Himself has chosen, then that one does NOT partake, or is NO LONGER a partaker, with the rest of The body of Messiah - The House of Yahweh” (What Yahweh's Feasts Mean to You, pp. 78, 87). “ The churches in the world today do not even pretend to keep Yahweh’s Laws. How could they pretend such a thing anyway, they all blatantly rebel against every one of them.... It should be very obvious why Yahweh had to establish His House in these Last Days--the Christian Churches are not The House of Yahweh. They do not stand in Yahweh’s counsel. They are not the Pillar and Ground of the Truth. They do not teach Yahweh’s Laws, therefore, they do not turn the people away from sin--breaking Yahweh’s Laws.” “I urge you to obtain the books … and start learning the true way to Salvation. This way is not taught in the world by any organization, other than the one established by Yahweh--The House of Yahweh.” Hawaii fellowship of the Universal World Church “a voice thundered and uttered these words “This is my daughter in whom I am well pleased. As Jesus, my son, paid the price through his faithfulness upon the cross.. my anointed daughter, Miss Velma, has paid the price through her faithfulness at the golden altar. Therefore, all who will believe in her, will receive my gift of eternal youth which is new revelation Mamre.” (The mighty Miracle of the new Revelation of Mamre p.49-50) The new Revelation of Mamre is the greatest gift ever given to a people by almighty God. “(The mighty Miracle of the new Revelation of Mamre p.7) “Miss Velma has paid the price! She has become the sacrificial offering required by God that all of mankind may reap one of god's greatest rewards, new revelation Mamre”( ibid.p.51) 7th day Adventists-”I saw that God has honest children among the nominal Adventists and the fallen churches, and before the plagues shall be poured out, MINISTERS AND PEOPLE WILL BE CALLED OUT FROM THESE CHURCHES and will gladly receive the truth....But the light will shine, and ALL WHO ARE HONEST WILL LEAVE THE FALLEN CHURCHES, and take their stand with the remnant” (Early Writings, p. 261 ) We can see the common thread of these churches. They are separatists and deny anyone else can have the right message. That one must come to their CHURCH to be saved. That is the common deviation from Scripture and what makes them a cult. 1 Jn.2:19 “they went out from us but they were not of us, if they had been of us , they would have continued with us, but they went out that they might be made known that none of them were of us.” This was already occurring in the early church. Now that we have read through just a few churches that claim exclusivity to being the only representatives of Christ and God on earth. We need to go to the Bible to see what it states on this matter. It is possible that one of these groups that claim this can be right. But it is impossible for all of them to be right since they all claim exclusivity. Who would know? Jesus who is the head of the Church would know, and the Apostles he appointed to write down his teachings are the ones we need to go to, to find the truth. What is the Church? The first time we find the word Church is in Mt.16:18 where Jesus said he will build his church upon the revelation the Father gave Peter when he openly confessed that Christ is “ the Son of the living God.” “Upon this rock I will build my church.” So this must be the Churches confession of faith, if not, then it is not the Church. What this meant in the Judaic culture is that Christ is equal to God, having the same nature as his Father. The Scripture is clear only God is to be worshipped Ex.34:14: “For thou shall worship no other God for the Lord (Yahweh), whose name is jealous, is a jealous God.” The Church worships God and also worships Christ. The Father in Heb.1:6 tells all the angels to worship the Son. Both the Father and the Son are worshipped in heaven (Rev.4-5) and on earth. The Bible teaches that Jesus is not only worshipped, but also called God by Thomas in Jn.20:28 “My Lord, my God.” (Greek- The Lord of me, the God of me). We find the wise men worshipped Jesus as a child. Mt.2:11.The leper worshipped Jesus Mt.8. The ruler bowed and worshipped Mt.9:18 .The believer who was blind worshipped him Jn.9:38. The women worshipped him Mt. 15:25, Mary Magdalene worshipped him Mt.28:9, the disciples worshipped him Mt.28:17.Jesus was worshipped just as the Father was worshipped. It is called the Church of God which he had purchased with his own blood (Acts 20:28). After Christ raised from the dead and ascended he sent the Holy Spirit to birth a new entity, the church. The Greek word is ekklesia (which is used 114 times in the New Testament) which means a called out assembly (Ek = out of, Kaleo= to call). It is never used of a building or of the kingdom of God. The Church is not the kingdom, but included in it. The Church is a invisible living spiritual organism, composed of all the believers world wide, from the time of its inception on Pentecost, until the taking away of the Church at the rapture. Its origin is found in God as the Holy Spirit gave it its birth in Acts 2:1-4 with the disciples and the Jews at Pentecost in v.33. And we become part of this same Church today the same way they did, by spirit baptism, being born again of the Spirit. No one joins the Church unless they are first joined to Christ. This is why Jesus said you must be born again, (by the Spirit Jn.3:5) not join the Church! The Church began in Jerusalem, not Rome. Any Church that does not trace its start to Jerusalem on Pentecost is not His church. Those who claim the Church needed to be restored from an apostasy are not part of the original Church. Jesus said the gates of hell would not prevail against the Church, she would never be overcome, no matter how many were killed, it would never result in a complete apostasy. So any church claiming theirs as a restoration can't be traced back to the original. Jesus told Peter: “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” (Matt. 16:18). Meaning it would not remove it nor hinder it's growth, work or people. If his Church had apostatized then the gates of hell would have prevailed against it, which makes Christ a liar, that is uncomfortable even for the cult's to say. Christ will not abandon his bride, he said he would always be with. How could Christ be with his Church always if his Church ceased to exist for over 1800 years? The Church is already made and continues to grow through history. No devil or man can stop or hinder it because Jesus is the architect, not man. While it is valid to claim that there needs to be repentance or reformation throughout the church's history, to get back to the bible when we drift. To restore a church from apostasy has quite a different meaning. The true Church is built upon what Peter said Christ is- The Son of the living God- the eternal one. We can only have this by revelation the same way Peter did, from heaven. It is not man revealing this truth but God himself. Christ teaches In Matthew 28:20 he said, “I am with you always even until the end of the world.” And in John 14:16, 18 he said, “And I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you forever. . . . I will not leave you desolate.” Christ promised that nothing would prevail against his Church, that he would be with it always, that the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, the third person of the Holy Trinity would be with her always. Christ will not abandon his bride. How could Christ be with his Church always if his Church ceased to exist for 1800 years? We are the Church We (the people) are the Church, which is likened to the temple 1 Pet. 2:5 “you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” We are bricks cemented together our spiritual sacrifice is ourselves, our lives. As Rom.12:2 tells to present ourselves as living sacrifices. We no longer sacrifice animals for a sin offering but present ourselves, our lives to God continually each day to be used by Him. 1 Cor.3:16 teaches that each of us as individuals are the temple of God because “the Spirit of God dwells in you.” You are not Christ's possession or part of his Church unless you have the proof by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. (by the way this does not mean one must speak in tongues or have another spiritual manifestation). We are called Col. 1:24: “His body, which is the church” 2 Cor. 6:16 that “we are the temple of the living God.” As God has said: “I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” 2 Cor.3:7 The church will be God's dwelling place. together we are the temple (the church) the dwelling of God. Christ “In You” is the hope of glory. Eph. 2:20-22: “Having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone, in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” Jesus is the cornerstone and the apostles the foundation stones. Paul explains further in Eph. 4:15-16: “but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head-- Christ-- from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” The Church is a living temple made up of bricks whom are the people. We are all interdependent on one another. Just as a house is not made with one brick but all are cemented together. Each brick has a different gifting and talents and all are to be used so that the body can be healthy. Just as Paul's example of the outside of the body we are all different and the least is to be honored as much as the greatest. Certainly the pancreas adrenal glands on the inside of the body if they were not functioning would affect the rest of its health. Heb 3:1-6: “For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God. And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.” How Does one Join the Church? 1 Cor. 12:27: “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.” Notice collectively and individually. This means one does not have to belong to a certain denomination or group but to Christ. No one is told to join the Church by the apostles because it is an automatic placing of one in the body of which Christ is the head. 2 Cor.5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” We are put in Christ to become a new creature, not in a Church. Becoming part of a Church is the natural outcome of the new birth. Jn.1:12-13 “ But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” To be born of God is to have the Holy Spirit regenerate the dead spirit in man back to a relationship with God. This comes through Christ alone, no Church or minister can give you this. 1 Cor.12:12-13 “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body-- whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free-- and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.” This is how one enters the Church by the Spirit who comes inside us and unites us with the rest of the body which is invisible and visible. Paul writes in Rom.3:24: “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” This is one of Paul's favorite technical terms. Paul points to our spiritual life coming from being connected to the Son. It is Christ that uses examples to show us that He is the gate, the door, the way. We enter the Church (become part of the church) by a person and his work for us. As we come to Christ He puts each one in his spiritual body the Church. You don’t join a church but are born into a family that is the Church. And it is not limited to a local body but a worldwide family of faith. When Paul was persecuting the church, Jesus said he was persecuting him, because he was the owner of it, we are his body and his Spirit indwells those who he killed. By killing Christians he was fighting against Christ himself. The Church is Christ's invisible body on earth. The Church is called “the Church of God” Eph.5:23-24: “also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.” 24... “the Church is subject to Christ.” The Church is ruled by God, just as our body takes instructions from its head. Col.1:18: “And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.” If we want to obey the truth we receive our sustenance and instructions from Christ alone, collectively and individually! Jesus referred to those who were part of his body/ Church as “my sheep”. In John 10:16, Jesus spoke of other sheep which were not of this fold, them also I must bring and they will hear my voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. What he meant is that the Gentiles outside the nation of Israel were to be grafted into the covenant and have him as their shepherd. You are the branches “I am the vine.” All these relate to our connection to the Son who brings us to the Father, and is the source of our eternal life. We cannot produce fruit apart from him Jn.17. Mark 6:34 “So He began to teach them many things.” Listening to Christ is the first step to having him be your shepherd, you then become a disciple by following his teachings. The leaders or shepherds are to train the sheep to hear the chief shepherds voice. The word “Church of Christ” is not singular but plural in the Scriptures, which is a problem for those that call themselves the exclusive Church of Christ.1 Cor.1:2, 1 Cor.10:32, also Rom.16:16 calls them the Churches of Christ. Rev.1:20 says Christ holds the seven golden lamp stand's, the seven stars and the messengers (angels) of the seven churches in his hand showing his control. This becomes a problem for numerous groups that claim the name “Church of Christ”, since it is plural not single. Likewise for the Jehovah’s Witnesses, since they are Jehovah’s “organization” and not a Church nor Christ’s. Not because of name only, but because they do not look to Christ as the head. Actually if one asks the question to these groups who is the head of your Church? You can various answers from a prophet, apostle, a revelator, to a Pope. Even those who claim Christ can have a different Jesus from the Scriptures. (2 Cor.11:4) So we must examine who Jesus is to them and their relationship to him. Rev 2:23 “and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.” Only God is able to search the heart and give rewards. The Church's Purpose The true Church teaches the bible alone, and promotes evangelism to fulfill the commission Christ gave in Mt.28:18-19. Our purpose Eph. 3:9-10: “... to make all men see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things; that through the Church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.” This is done by teaching the Scriptures equipping the body for our growth first then for the work of ministry Eph.4. So the message can go out to there communities. We are to gather to be taught, equipped for ministry so we can evangelize to bring others to the Lord. The church is a spiritual hospital for sinners so they can be healed from sin. The church is not a building to meet in to come to the Church, instead we should be going out being the church. We have a mission. To make disciples and grow in their relationship with God. We have them join in the body, whether its our particular local body or another that is part of the church universal. Everyone needs to be involved in a local body of believers, an assembly to help bring health to themselves and the body. Different churches have different focuses and different ways of doing ministry. Within the main framework of evangelism there is other ministries, this does not mean any one way is the only way as a long as it is all biblical. Each church may have a specific way to minister to its own communities needs and essentially have different focuses. It is from this variety God is able to meet the needs of individuals and their personalities. The One TRUE Church The true Church holds to the core beliefs of Christianity without subtracting or adding to them. Christ is the eternal God come in the flesh, there is one God and 3 distinct identities (persons) who exist simultaneously as the One God. The virgin conception, the sinfulness of man and the need of a savior, the new birth, the Gospel which is the death burial and physical resurrection, the 2nd coming, baptism, eternal mediator and priesthood of Christ, the priesthood of all believers, the infallibility and inerrancy of Scripture, judgment and rewards to the believers. These are the essentials that are clarified in the Scriptures. If the Church one attends does not hold to these essential beliefs, they are not Christ's Church no matter what name they have on their outside or on paper. This is not my opinion, but the Bibles explanation what the apostles taught through the Gospels, the book of Acts, and in the Epistles. In conclusion there is one true Church, but it is not found in a certain denomination or group by itself. Those who claim you must join their group or Church to be right with God, only prove they do not understand what the word Church or body of Christ means. It is not exclusive but inclusive, as it is found in the heart of all those who have accepted the true Jesus, and have come to God the way He has provided (through His son on the cross), and hold to the essentials of the faith. Whether one is Lutheran, Anglican, Baptist, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Charismatic, or Pentecostal, etc. The Church transcends denominational barriers, it exists within denominations, as well as outside of them. This is the Universal Church that has continued from the beginning of Pentecost. While denominations may have differences on peripheral issues, they do hold to the core beliefs that make them all part of the body of Christ, the Church. Two items that come in handy in knowing about when Romanists argue that anything said against the Roman "church" is not the truth is to tell them about the following two items: 1. The following website is by self proclaimed Roman Catholics following the so-called "true church" (in other words their Roman church is their true savior not the Biblical Jesus Christ) at www.mostholyfamilymonastery.com/. These Romanists destroy the new Romanists since the invention of Vatican 2 in 1965. They present great information proving modern Romanism & their popes (they call them anti-popes) to be a false & apostate religion. It doesn't get much better than this when one group of apostate Romanists attack another brand of apostate Romanists in order to prove to the world they are false! 2. Our video "The Homosexual Pope, Priests, Universalists, Evolutionists & Disunited Roman Catholic Apologists" at ua-cam.com/video/hThonwrX6QU/v-deo.html proves from Roman Catholic sources themselves that one of their popes was a practicing homosexual, that almost 50% of Roman Catholic priests are homosexuals (for more on this see our video "FORMER ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST SAYS CHURCH OF ROME HAS A FALSE GOSPEL & WIDESPREAD HOMOSEXUALITY" at ua-cam.com/video/0y4C-nBQ3mE/v-deo.html), that the Roman church buys the theory of evolution which denies the first eleven chapters of Genesis in the Bible, that Pope John Paul II kissed the Muslim Qur'an & said Islam has the same god as Roman Catholics have (see the videos "Top Ten Reasons Muhammad Is Not a Prophet" at ua-cam.com/video/MO8sZ1JyP1A/v-deo.html, "Ten MORE Reasons Muhammad Is Not a Prophet" at ua-cam.com/video/T4p7HuuhF8k/v-deo.html, "50 Reasons Muhammad Was Not a Prophet (in Under Five Minutes)" at ua-cam.com/video/4Q3f15NXrLI/v-deo.html, "David Wood: Five Reasons the Quran Is Not the Word of God" at ua-cam.com/video/NvlzlBov9zc/v-deo.html, "Who Killed Muhammad?" at ua-cam.com/video/6st_tFj6ouM/v-deo.html, "Why Did Muhammad Wear Women's Clothing?" at ua-cam.com/video/-50CraaniT0/v-deo.html; also see www.AnsweringMuslims.com & www.MuslimHope.com) & how Roman Catholic apologists are at each others' throats because of the vast differences within Romanism itself. Besides all that see the following websites for detailed information on Romanism & how it is a counterfeit religion at www.BereanBeacon.org, www.CWRC-RZ.org & www.mtc.org/. Remember Titus 1:9-16, "9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. 12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, the Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." www.BibleQuery.org www.historycart.com/ www.muslimhope.com/ John 14:6
Hello Eric, please see our videos "Walter Martin Inspired Our Christian Answers Apologetics & Evangelism Ministry - 1 Peter 3:15" at ua-cam.com/video/V2j6ICz22fM/v-deo.html & "Walter Martin's Cults Reference Bible - A Perfect Street Witnessing Tool for Christian Evangelists" at ua-cam.com/video/Jc0GMN-h0RM/v-deo.html. We we are big Walter Martin fans at this ministry but we are also 5 point Reformed Baptists (Calvinists). Unfortunately brother Walter was a "4 point Calvinist" (another way of saying "inconsistent Arminian") while he was alive but I'm sure he's a pure 5-pointer now. Since brother Walter's passing we believe the best Christian apologist living on the planet right now is Dr James White (www.AOMin.org) who has participated in over 150 moderated debates against heretics of all stripes. Dr White is a 5-point Calvinist & an elder at the Phoenix Reformed Baptist Church. Blessing to you in Christ. 1 Peter 3:15
Thank you for this great eye opening info that needs to be heard I'm from the Coc background but I don't agree with there methods but you don't realize this until you get older and learn every religion is a movement of some sort and thanks for clearing up cults..
"Evangelical" Christianity (see our video "ECUMENICAL CHAOS: Going to Bed With Roman Catholic False Prophets & Idolaters" at ua-cam.com/video/S76Nvi6p0lw/v-deo.html) is awash in bad theology (via Wesley & Finney), bad leadership (like Billy Graham & TBN), & Biblical ignorance (87% don't know the Gospel or what justificaton is) thus it seems to accept anyone who claims to be a Christian (like Romanists, Mormons, Seventh-day Adventists or whoever). For proof of this see the following: "Methodist Founder & Self Proclaimed Heathen John Wesley Said He Never Believed In or Loved God" (short version) at ua-cam.com/video/L_bz2RyShFI/v-deo.html & "JOHN WESLEY, FOUNDER OF METHODISM & AN ARMINIAN, SAID HE DID NOT LOVE GOD & WAS "AN HONEST HEATHEN" (long version) at ua-cam.com/video/6Vo3ljr7ccs/v-deo.html; BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS: CHARLES GRANDISON FINNEY - PHONY REVIVALIST & ARCH-HERETIC at ua-cam.com/video/0rUbi8AJRw4/v-deo.html, "Exclusive Interview with Dave Hunt about the Gospel-less Mother Teresa & Compromiser Billy Graham" at ua-cam.com/video/8YtX1DirDI4/v-deo.html, Our playlist "Dealing with Phony TV Preachers (TBN) & King James Onlyites" at ua-cam.com/play/PL2CDA855486B09128.html & "SAD STATE OF THE CHURCH: 87% OF EVANGELICAL "CHRISTIANS" DON'T KNOW WHAT GOSPEL JUSTIFICATION IS" at ua-cam.com/video/im4ozy_EiR4/v-deo.html. See our playlist "Dealing with Roman Catholicism, Idolatry & the Virgin Mary" with 119 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PLFFA8D69D1B914715.html, our playlist "Dealing with Mormonism, the Religion of Mitt Romney & Utah" with 20 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PL11CD0EE613306BB5.html & our playlist "Dealing with Seventh-day Adventism & Their "Prophetess" at ua-cam.com/play/PL5316CC6F66F24283.html with 23 videos. Billy Graham's false views on universal salvation & hell distort the Gospel message & is another reason he is so popular with the world (Galatians 1:6-10, see our playlist "Dealing with Hell, Lake of Fire, Unpopular Bible Doctrines" with 30 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PLE04A1D0DFE95B95E.html). Please reference the websites: www.BereanBeacon.org & www.CWRC-RZ.org. The simple Biblical fact is that few are going to be saved from the wrath of God & hell (Luke 13:23-30, Matthew 7:13-29, etc.); see our video on this: "Unpopular Bible Doctrines #2: Many "Christians" Are Not Real; God Loves Judgment; No Forgiveness" at ua-cam.com/video/iJIlReP9SFw/v-deo.html. All the ecumenical "love" & "harmony" in the world is not going to change the fact that God still hates false religions (Deuteronomy 28:64, 32:17, 21, Leviticus 17:7, Psalm 106:37, Jeremiah 44:3, 1 Corinthians 10:20, see also biblehub.com/deuteronomy/32-17.htm) & false doctrine (Revelation 2:6,14-15, 2 Peter 2:15, etc.). Thus following the Bible alone is the only safe path to travel (2 Timothy 3:15-17, 4:2-5, 1 Timothy 1:3-11, 6:3-5, etc.; see our video "WITHOUT "SOLA SCRIPTURA" (THE BIBLE ALONE), WHO IS TELLING THE TRUTH?" at ua-cam.com/video/dcMnF6tgya0/v-deo.html). 2 Timothy 2:15
"Church of Christ" Campbellites are water baptism idolaters. This is in response to the many "Church of Christ" Campbellites who keep quoting 1 Peter 3:21 to prove salvation is by water baptism. These Campbellites are deceived & worship a water baptism idol although they would deny it just as Romanists worship Mary while also denying it. See our video IS WATER BAPTISM NECESSARY TO ESCAPE HELL & BE SAVED & ARE YOU "BORN AGAIN" (JOHN 3:3-8) BY IT? at ua-cam.com/video/wYJtMV9qrWg/v-deo.html which will clean up Campbellite 1 Peter 3:21 idolatry. See our playlist "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ" at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html with 72 videos. What does 1 Peter 3:21 mean? "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." Are infants "born again" (John 3:3-8) & then suddenly become Christians when they are sprinkled with water? Is salvation found in being water baptized? Do you have to be a believer in Christ to be water baptized? The following is an excerpt from our newsletter "Christian Debater Guide, "Church of Christ," Vol. 2, #1" (found at our website www.BibleQuery.org, click the "Experience" box on the homepage): "Q:In Acts 2:38, does this mean water baptism is necessary for salvation? A: No, Jesus is necessary for salvation. Neither repentance nor water baptism merits our salvation. Those are our responding to Jesus' work. Baptism is to be an outward sign of our prior inward faith and repentance. Note that Acts 2:38 was a command not a formula. Some might erroneously conclude that loving God, faith, believing, and trusting God are unnecessary, as they are not mentioned here. All who come to Christ should be baptized, and that is as true today as it was then. However, It is Jesus' blood, not our baptism that saves us. Q: In Acts 10:45-48, is water baptism essential to be saved? A: Four points to consider. 1. They spoke in tongues prior to being baptized with water. 2. Speaking in tongues is a sign (but not the only sign, 1 Cor. 12:1-13) of being filled with the Holy Spirit. 3. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is only for those who are born again. 4. Those who are born again are saved. So, they were born again prior to being baptized with water. See the discussion on Acts 22:16 for a second example of being saved prior to water baptism. See also the next question. Q: In Acts 10:45-48, since this passage was a very special occurrence, does this negate using this passage to show water baptism is not essential for salvation? A: No. This passage does describe an important transition for the church, but that does not disqualify us from understanding all of its teaching. Three points to consider. 1. Gentiles could be filled with the Holy Spirit, and thus be saved, prior to baptism at this time. This was not impossible for God to do and still be true to His Word. 2. Thus, it is possible for people to be saved , prior to baptism at other times, without God breaking His Word. 3. If your interpretation of the Bible requires that God cannot be true to His Word if anyone after Christ is saved prior to being baptized, perhaps it would be your interpretation, and not God's Word, that is wrong. Q: In Acts 22:16, how do people get baptized and wash away their sins? A: Is it OK to say that people wash away their sins here as long as you remember four points. 1. The power to wash away is with God, not magic in the water. 2. God is not restricted to being "unable" to save people who are not baptized, because the thief on the cross was with Jesus in Paradise. 3. For our part, the pledge of a sincere conscience before God is more important than the water, as in 1 Peter 3:21. However, being baptized with water is a command for every single Christian. 4. The Jews were familiar with ceremonial washings in the Old Testament Law. Thus, Paul's audience understood what he meant and did not mix it up with the errors of "magic water" or "a restricted God". The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament p. 418 sheds some helpful light on the Greek here. The phrase "calling on His name" is a Greek aorist participle, which "refers either to action which is simultaneous with or before that of the main verb. Here Paul's calling on Christ's name (for salvation) preceded his water baptism. The participle may be translated, "having called on His name." John Gill's Commentary on 1 Peter 3:21 states the following: "The like figure whereunto [even] baptism doth also now save us. The ark, and deliverance by it, as it was a type of Christ, and salvation by him, so it was a figure of baptism, and baptism was the antitype of that; or there is something in these which correspond, and answer to, and bear a resemblance to each other: as the ark was God's ordinance, and not man's invention, so is baptism, it is of heaven, and not of men; and as the ark, while it was preparing, was the scorn and derision of men, so is this ordinance of the Gospel; it was rejected with disdain by the Scribes and Pharisees, as it still is by many; and as the ark, when Noah and his family were shut up in it by God, represented a burial, and they seemed, as it were, to be buried in it, it was a lively emblem of baptism, which is expressed by a burial, ( Romans 6:4 ) ( Colossians 2:12 ) and as they in the ark had the great deep broke up under them, and the windows of heaven opened over them, pouring out waters upon them, they were, as it were, immersed in, and were covered with water, this fitly figured baptism by immersion; nor were there any but adult persons that entered into the ark, nor should any be baptized but believers; to which may be added, that as the one saved by water, so does the other; for it is water baptism which is here designed, which John practised, Christ gave a commission for, and his disciples administered: it saves not as a cause, for it has no causal influence on, nor is it essential to salvation. Christ only is the cause and author of eternal salvation; and as those only that were in the ark were saved by water, so those only that are in Christ, and that are baptized into Christ, and into his death, are saved by baptism; not everyone that is baptized, but he that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved, ( Mark 16:16 ) , for baptism is not the putting away of the filth of the flesh; the design of it is not to take off the sordid flesh, as circumcision did; or in a ceremonious way, outwardly, to sanctify to the purifying of the flesh, as the Jewish baptisms did; see ( Hebrews 9:10 Hebrews 9:13 ) , or to take away either original or actual sin; this only the blood of Christ can do; and it is not a mere external cleansing of the body: but the answer of a good conscience towards God; the Vulgate Latin renders it, "the interrogation of a good conscience"; referring, it may be, to the interrogations that used to be put to those who desired baptism; as, dost thou renounce Satan? dost thou believe in Christ? see ( Acts 8:36 Acts 8:37 ) , others render it, "the stipulation of a good conscience"; alluding also to the ancient custom of obliging those that were baptized to covenant and agree to live an holy life and conversation, to renounce the devil and all his works, and the pomps and vanities of this world; and baptism does certainly lay an obligation on men to walk in newness of life; see ( Romans 6:4 Romans 6:5 ) , the Ethiopic version renders it, "confession of God"; and to this the Syriac version agrees, rendering it, "confessing God with a pure conscience"; for, to baptism, profession of faith in Christ, and of the doctrine of Christ in a pure conscience, is requisite; and in baptism persons make a public confession of God, and openly put on Christ before men: the sense seems plainly this; that then is baptism rightly performed, and its end answered, when a person, conscious to himself of its being an ordinance of Christ, and of his duty to submit to it, does do so upon profession of his faith in Christ, in obedience to his command, and "with" a view to his glory; in doing which he discharges a good conscience towards God: and being thus performed, it saves, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ; being a means of leading the faith of the baptized person, as to the blood of Christ, for pardon and cleansing, so to the resurrection of Christ, to justification; see ( Acts 2:38 ) ( 22:16 ) ( Romans 4:25 ) , moreover, the sense of the passage may be this, that baptism is a like figure as the ark of Noah was; that as the entrance of Noah and his family into the ark was an emblem of a burial, so their coming out of it was a figure of the resurrection; and just such a figure is baptism, performed by immersion, both of the resurrection of Christ from the dead, and of the resurrection of saints to walk in newness of life. The Arabic version renders the whole verse thus; "of which thing baptism is now a type saving us, not by removing the filth of the flesh only, but by exhilarating a good conscience towards God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ." For more see our website www.BibleQuery.org & once on the homepage click on the "Experience" box to the left & scroll down to the article "Water Baptism Not Essential for Salvation" & click on it. After that scroll a little further down to our newsletter section & click on the newsletter "Church of Christ" & wait for it to download. 1 Corinthians 1:14-17, " I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect."
A COC woman (when I lived in Austin) shared the gospel with me in 1971 and the Holy Spirit THROUGH HER drew me to Him and I was radically saved a few days later when I cried out to God. Then a few years later a COC woman told me I was going to hell b/c, well, I was never totally sure of why she thought I was going to hell. All I know is, it made me furious. I later realized that it was what I came to call a 'religious spirit' speaking through her.
This is in response to a Campbellite "Church of Christ" supporter who commented on our video then deleted his comment after getting caught - The only one to "FAIL" is you buddy. I'm glad your ignorant comment is here for all to see since I will now demonstrate how stupid your uninformed comment really is. You say "I can tell that that guy did not debate any CoC minister" referring to Bob L. Ross who is in this video. Apparently you did not realize that Bob L. Ross has written several books on the Campbellite "Church of Christ" (see his website pilgrimpublications.auctivacommerce.com/Campbellism-alias-Church-of-Christ-by-Bob-Ross-C313624.aspx?sid=33136) & has debated Campbellite "Church of Christ" debaters for decades (see his many debates with "Church of Christ" preachers on our playlist "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ" with 75 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html which includes his week long debate with well known Campbellite minister Bill Jackson - "Church of Christ Week Long Debate #1: TV "Memory Lane" Review" at ua-cam.com/video/MZHY2p29WKQ/v-deo.html begins the 22 part series. The Campbellite "Church of Christ" is the mother of cults (see our video "RISE OF THE CULTS: WHERE DID ALL THESE STRANGE AMERICAN RELIGIOUS SECTS COME FROM?" at ua-cam.com/video/HfVTXbFrvh8/v-deo.html) & deserves to be exposed for what it is. The Bible tells us to expose error (Ephesians 5:11, "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them."). And to expose error we must make righteous judgments. Christians must judge in order to: 1. Try the spirits to see if they are from God, for many false prophets are in the world. (1 John 4:1). 2. Mark & avoid false teachers, slaves of their own bellies, deceiving many with their smooth & flattering speech (Romans 16:17-18). 3. Rebuke false teachers, rebellious men, & deceivers who subvert whole families with their false doctrine. (Titus 1:9-16) 4. Have no fellowship with immoral, impure, or covetous men. (Ephesians 5:5-7) 5. Receive not deceivers who do not abide in the teaching of Christ into our homes, nor giving them any greeting. (2 John 7-11) 6. Be wary of those who preach another gospel. (2 Corinthians 11:4, Galatians 1:6-9) Even David, who feared touching one of God's anointed, did not hesitate to judge & expose Saul's sin before the world. "Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness." (1 Samuel 24:10, 12-13) Thus, shouldn't true Christians, following the Biblical standards laid down, judge & expose the sins of false teachers, prophets & immoral brothers in the church; all those who would pollute the truth with perverted doctrines or watered-down teachings which tickle the ear? (2 Timothy 4:2-5, "preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with [a]great patience and instruction. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. 5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."). Our ministry, Christian Answers of Austin, Texas / Christian Debater, has attempted to do just that in order to protect the sheep of God from the many ravenous wolves that exist at every turn. UA-cam Channel : ua-cam.com/users/CAnswersTV. Titus 1:9-16
The word "cult" can be defined in many different ways. Depending on how you define the word "cult" will clarify the context to which the term can be used. Thus your comment can certainly be considered correct as long as your definition matches the understanding of your readers within a cultural & historical framework. My favorite definition of "cult" has always been "organized heresy" which fits the "Church of Christ" perfectly. See our video "RISE OF THE CULTS: WHERE DID ALL THESE STRANGE."
@JPLaff The "Church of Christ" is actually a religious cult founded by cultic leaders Alexander & Thomas Campbell, Barton Stone (who denied the deity of Christ just like the Jehovah's Witnesses) & Walter Scott. All of these men were said to have "restored the Ancient Gospel" by claiming that water baptism is how sins are remitted (Scott making the first claim to this on Nov 18, 1827). See our UA-cam video, "Rise of the Cults. Are You in One?" (type LARRY WESSELS RISE CULTS in search box).
True, but as your guest said, while we identify groups whose doctrine are in err, there are individuals in every denomination that have sincere faith in Christ. I will forever be thankful for the COC woman who shared Christ with me. But I thank God for people such as yourself who educate us on sound doctrine. I came to discover your videos Saturday after I had a SDA come to my door. Fortunately, I was partly prepared for him since I have spent the last 3 years studying sound doctrine.
Jesus is NOT going to ask us about the salvation of someone else. HE knows HIS sheep. AND HIS sheep knows HIM. I grew up CoC and left at the age of 40. The Gospel is about a MAN ( Jesus the SON of GOD) and NOT a plan. Grace alone, Jesus alone, Faith alone!
Does te Church of Christ also not beleive in music, but only singing? I heard from Perry Stone of Mannfest Ministries say that the Church of Christ was growing in Alabama & many were coming from various Pentecostal churches! Iam a Christian mucisian & cannot just beleive that music is bad & evil!
"Circumpunk" - This is in response to your comments on our video. I looked at your UA-cam channel & there doesn't seem to be anything "Christian" about you so why are you talking about "Christian" things. Stick to your music videos. The modern day "Church of Christ" movement was began back in the early 1800s by Thomas & Alexander Campbell, Barton W. Stone & Walter Scott. See our video at RISE OF THE CULTS: WHERE DID ALL THESE STRANGE AMERICAN RELIGIOUS SECTS COME FROM?. Walter Scott "arranges" the "ancient gospel" & makes "experiments" with it; baptizes William Amend on November 18, 1827 & claims to have "restored the gospel" (see "Life of Elder Walter Scott" by Baxter, Chapter VI; "Memoirs of Alexander Campbell, Vol. 2, pp. 208-220) thus the name "The Restoration Movement." Water baptism becomes the savior & gospel of this group. However, did Christianity really need these four men to "restore the ancient gospel" in 1827? Was there no Christianity before 1827? Is water baptism then essential & necessary in order to be saved from hell & go to heaven instead? Why Water Baptism Is Not Essential to Salvation By Steve Morrison www.BibleQuery.org Points We Should Agree On Salvation was purchased neither by water nor by faith. Our salvation is by grace through the shed blood of Jesus on the cross. The issue is whether we choose to receive that salvation through a) faith (most Bible-believing Christians, including some Church of Christ) b) Faith plus one work: baptism (some Church of Christ) c) Faith plus works in general (Catholic, Orthodox, some Church of Christ) d) Being a nice guy (Jesus’ blood was unnecessary) (many liberal Protestants and Catholics) Why This is Important A person can believe the wrong one of the first two and still be saved. But to me this is still important and unscriptural: 1. Says God sometimes breaks His promise 2. Salvation: God plus our response plus a 3rd party 3. Is there a corner in Hell for some obedient believers? On the other hand, many Church of Christ people say that if a person was martyred for their faith, and even if they were first baptized by immersion, if it was not specifically for remission of sins, there was no point for them to die for their faith, because they are in Hell. What if a Church of Christ person believed, but was killed in a car wreck on the way to being baptized? Thesis Nowhere does the Bible say the words "Cannot be saved without water baptism" Granted that some Bible truths are implied, not directly stated. But allegedly implied truths that contradict Biblically stated truths are untruths. Outline: Five Points Through Faith (Jn 3:16,18,36; Jn 5:24; 6:29,35,40 Rom 10:9-13, 1 Cor 1:14,17a etc.) Response of a Believer (Mk 16:16; Jn 3:3-6; Acts 2:38; 22:16, 1 Pet 3:20-21 etc.) Understanding Salvation (Eph 2:8-10) Thief on the Cross (Luke 23:40-43) Holy Spirit & Cornelius (Acts 10:43-48) Through Faith We Are Saved Some verses teach belief/faith for salvation, no mention of baptism. Others explicitly give the Promise of All who believe / have faith … are saved (John 3:16,18, etc.) We should all believe God’s promises. But what is genuine belief / saving faith? Genuine Belief / Saving Faith Saving Faith is not belief about but believing on Even the devils believe - and shudder (Jms 2:19) "Cheap grace", mere belief about facts, but not leading to a transformed life, is dead (Jms 2:20-24) True belief means trusting our lives to God OT: Ps 4:5; 9:10; 13:5; 20:7; 22:4,9; 25:2; Pr 3:5; Isa 8:17 NT: Rom 4:5; 9:33; 10:11; 1 Pet 2:6 Heb 2:13 (quotes 2 Sam 22:3) Blondin & tightrope over Niagara Falls illustration Old Testament believers, with the knowledge they had, were saved trusting forward to the same Savior we have, while we with the knowledge we have trust backwards at the finished work of Christ. When Blondin was about to walk over Niagara Falls on a tightrope pushing a wheelbarrow, a man told him that he believed that he could do it. Blondin asked if he really believed. When the man said yes, Blondin told him to get in the wheelbarrow. Genuine faith is not standing on the side saying "I believe", but saving faith in Christ is being willing to get in the wheelbarrow. Genuine Belief in Jesus as Lord Genuine belief in Jesus as Lord implies a repentance, calling on God, and commitment to obedience, including I might add, practicing the Lord’s supper and baptism. But let’s say a person was unable to fulfill baptism or another act of obedience, God understands out intentions. Role of Works in Salvation Both Ephesians 2:8-9 and James 2 show that works have an important role in our salvation: they are an output, not an input. Works are like a beating heart. You can make a dead person’s heart beat with electrodes, but that does not mean they are alive. But if you say a person is alive but their heart is not beating, then I have my doubts. Baptism is a work of a saved believer, not a lost person. But if someone says works have a role in us getting saved, then they deny Ephesians 2:8. Twice as many verses emphasize belief without baptism Verses showing water baptism Jn 3:16,18,36 (whosoever) Jn 1:11-12 (received him) Mk 16:16 (believe and is baptized) Jn 5:24 Jn 2:11b, 23b (belief only) Jn 3:4-6 (born of water & spirit) Acts 10:43-48 Jn 6:29,35,40,47 Acts 2:37-38 (for remission of sins) Rom 4:1-6; 5:1 Jn 7:38,39; Acts 22:16 (wash away thy sins) Rom 9:33 (belief only) Jn 8:30-32 Rom 6:3-5 (bapt.…into His death) Rom 10:9-13 Jn 11:25-26 (believes) 1 Cor 6:11 (washed... by the spirit) Joel 2:32a+Acts 2:21+Rom 10:13 Jn 12:46 (believe) Gal 3:26-27 (baptized…clothed) 1 Cor 1:14,17 Jn 16:9 (not believe) Eph 5:26,Tt 3:5 (washing) Eph 2:8-10 Jn 17:20 (believe only) Col 2:11-13; Heb 10:22 Gal 3:22b (belief only) Rom 10:9-10 (if a man…) 1 Pet 3:20b-21 Heb 4:2 (faith only) 1 Jn 5:1,10-13 1 Cor 1:12-13 (Paul and divisions) Other verses mentioning belief but not baptism: Jn 4:39a,41; 9:35; 10:42; 11:25,45,48; 12:11, 31,42,44; 14:1,12; 20:31 Acts 14:23; 20:21; Rom 15:13; Php 1:29; Tt 3:8 Other verses mentioning baptism: Mt 28:19; Acts 1:22; 2:41; 8:13,16, 37-39; 1 Cor 10:2 John 3:16,18 Jn 3:16 "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. (KJV) Note it is not that this verse simply mentions belief without baptism. It says that whosoever believes is saved, without baptism. John 3:18 Jn 3:18 He that believeth in Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (KJV) When you believed in Christ, were you condemned or not condemned at that exact in time? John 3:36 "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." (KJV) John 5:24 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." (KJV) Acts 10:43 (KJV) "To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name, whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins." This was said to Cornelius prior to baptism. Rom 10:9-13 (also Joel 2:32a; Acts 2:21) (KJV) "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (11) For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (12) For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." 1 Cor 1:14; 17a (KJV) 1 Cor 1:14 "I [Paul] thank God that I baptized none of you but Cris’pus and Ga’i-us" 1 Cor 1:17a "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel:" Jn 6:28-29,35,40 (KJV) Jn 6:28-29 "Then said they unto him, What shall we do that we might work the works of God? (29) Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." Jn 6:35 "And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." Jn 6:40 "And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day." Twice as many verses emphasize belief without baptism Verses showing water baptism Jn 3:16,18,36 (whosoever) Jn 1:11-12 (received him) Mk 16:16 (believe and is baptized) Jn 5:24 Jn 2:11b, 23b (belief only) Jn 3:4-6 (born of water & spirit) Acts 10:43-48 Jn 6:29,35,40,47 Acts 2:37-38 (for remission of sins) Rom 4:1-6; 5:1 Jn 7:38,39; Acts 22:16 (wash away thy sins) Rom 9:33 (belief only) Jn 8:30-32 Rom 6:3-5 (bapt.…into His death) Rom 10:9-13 Jn 11:25-26 (believes) 1 Cor 6:11 (washed... by the spirit) Joel 2:32a+Acts 2:21+Rom 10:13 Jn 12:46 (believe) Gal 3:26-27 (baptized…clothed) 1 Cor 1:14,17 Jn 16:9 (not believe) Eph 5:26,Tt 3:5 (washing) Eph 2:8-10 Jn 17:20 (believe only) Col 2:11-13; Heb 10:22 Gal 3:22b (belief only) Rom 10:9-10 (if a man…) 1 Pet 3:20b-21 Heb 4:2 (faith only) 1 Jn 5:1,10-13 1 Cor 1:12-13 (Paul and divisions) Other verses mentioning belief but not baptism: Jn 4:39a,41; 9:35; 10:42; 11:25,45,48; 12:11, 31,42,44; 14:1,12; 20:31 Acts 14:23; 20:21; Rom 15:13; Php 1:29; Tt 3:8 Other verses mentioning baptism: Mt 28:19; Acts 1:22; 2:41; 8:13,16, 37-39; 1 Cor 10:2 Summary of the First Section While some verses simply mention belief without baptism, many other verses say that all who believe, regardless of baptism will be saved. We will call these the "whosoever" verses. Saving faith is a living faith, that is willing to repent, confess God, and obey. Of course getting baptized with water is part of obeying. But if a person dies before they are able to be baptized, God looks at our heart. Response of a Believer Water baptism verses Summary of Response Mk 16:16 yet Jn 3:36 Faith leads to baptism, only unbelief condemned Jn 3:4-6 yet Jn 3:16,18 Spoken to Nicodemus before the resurrection Acts 2:37-38 yet 10:43 Eis can mean result of or in, as in Acts 10:43 Acts 22:16 yet 22:13 Never said "Brother" Saul was not saved first Rom 6:3-5 yet 10:9-11 No mention of the pious unbaptized like the thief 1 Cor 6:11 yet Rom 8:11; Eph 1:13-14a Washed by the Spirit here, not water. If the Spirit is in a NT believer, Spirit’s seal guarantees. Gal 3:26-27 yet 2 Cor 5:4-5 A soldier’s uniform is an emblem of his identity. All with the Spirit guaranteed future clothing. Eph 5:26,Tt 3:5 Baptism of the Holy Spirit as in Acts 1:5 + 2:4 Col 2:11-13 yet Rom 2:29; Acts 15:1-21 Symbol of buried with Christ. Bible never said cannot be saved without water baptism Heb 10:22 yet 1 Pet 3:21 The washed body is a visible emblem, but 1 Pet 3:21a says does not save. 1 Pet 3:20b-21 yet 2:6b Noah and Abraham obedient saints beforehand. 1 Cor 1:12-13 yet 1:14-17 Baptism not vital since Paul NOT sent to baptize. Others: Mt 28:19; Acts 1:22; 2:41; 8:13,16, 37-39 - not say for salvation Response of a Believer Belief in the Lord Jesus implies a pledge of obedience. But this does NOT imply God sends an obedient believer, who in unable to do something, to Hell! While no other way except Christ (Jn 14:6b, Acts 4:12) the Bible never says condemned without baptism. While these show baptism is an important response of believers, no verse reneges on God’s promise to all who believe! Mk 16:16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." Yet John 3:36 "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (NKJV) Mark 16:16 does not specifically say all who believe but are unbaptized go to Hell. It if did, it would contradict John 3:36 and the other whosoever verses. Here is a "Change for a dollar and a water bottle illustration". If my daughter in the kitchen asks me for change for a dollar, and I tell her, give me a dollar and a water bottle and I will give you change. If my daughter gives me both I give her the change. If my daughter does not give me a dollar, then no change. But what if my daughter gives me a dollar but not a water bottle. Then it depends. If she says, I looked but I was unable to find a water bottle, then I will still give her change. But if she says something disrespectful, and refuses to give me a water bottle that she can get, then no change. A Church of Christ counter example was given as: "if you eat and digest your food you will live, if you do not eat, you will die." Digesting your food is implied. However, applying to Mark 16:16 this example of an involuntary bodily action to a command of God we are to voluntarily obey contradicts the Word of God, that promises salvation to all who truly believe in the following places: John 3:16,18,36; John 5:24; 6:47; 11:25-26; Acts 10:43-48; Romans 9:33; Joel 2:32a + Acts 2:21 + Romans 10:9-10; 10:13; 1 John 5:1,10-13 John 3:4-6 "‘Nic-o-de’mus saith unto Him, ‘How can a man be born when is old? Can he enter a 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 the kingdom of God. (6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." (KJV) Jn 3:16 "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." (KJV) Jn 3:18a "He that believeth on him is not condemned" (KJV) One reason John 3:4-6 does not mean all who are not baptized go to Hell is that it would contradict John 3:16; 18a and the other whosoever verses. A second reason is that Jesus said John 3:4-6 before the resurrection. Jn 3:46 said before the resurrection a) If baptism essential before resurrection: Thief on the cross problem in Lk 23:43 b) If baptism not-essential, then since Jesus told Nicodemus prior to His resurrection, John 3:5 cannot teach no unbaptized person can be saved. But if b), note that believers were to be baptized in Jn 4:2 Water baptism: Not practiced in the OT, a command in the New, but never was it simply a suggestion! Acts 2:37-38 yet Acts 10:43 Acts 2:37-38 "When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ (38) Peter replied, ‘[ya’ll] Repent and [he/she] be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for [eis] the forgiveness / remission [aphesin] of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (NIV/NKJV) Yet Acts 10:43 "To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission / forgiveness of sins." (NKJV/NIV) Yet Acts 2:21 (Joel 2:32a; Rom 10:13) "And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved" (NKJV) So right before Acts 2:36, Peter told us the criteria for receiving salvation: Acts 2:21. A second reason Acts 2:37-38 does not teach all who are not baptized go to Hell is that it would contradict the other whosoever verses. Forgiveness/Remission [Aphesin] are the Same word in Greek The word forgiveness/remission is the same Greek: aphesin (Strong’s 859) The same Greek word is used as: Remission (KJV/NKJV) Mt 26:28; Mk 1:4; Lk 1:77; 3:3; 24:47; Heb 9:22; 10:18 Forgiveness (KJV/NKJV), Mk 3:29; Acts 5:31; 13:38; 26:18; Eph 1:7; Col 1:14 NIV has forgiveness/forgiven in all these verses Many Meanings of Eis (Strong’s 1519) Eis mean in order to cause (looking forward) Lk 5:14 Jesus told the cleansed leper to show himself to the priests as Moses commanded eis a testimony to them. Eis means "because of" (looking backward) Mt 3:11 "John baptized eis repentance. If eis could only mean to cause remission of sins in Acts 2:38, then eis would have to baptize to cause repentance in Mt 3:11 Mt 12:41 [Ninevites] "repented eis the preaching of Jonah" Eis means "to" Jn 4:5 "He [Jesus] comes eis a city of Samaria" Jn 11:31 "She goes eis the tomb" Isa 13:14 (Septuagint) "a man shall turn back to his own people" This means "[return] to", but it is looking backward, not forward. They did not just become his people, they were already his people. Eis means "about" or "in reference to" Acts 2:25 David speaks eis him Cause and Effect and Eis If eis could only mean "caused" The Ninevites "caused" the preaching of Jonah? Mt 12:31 Mary goes to "cause" the tomb"? Jn 11:31 Through one man sin "caused" the world"? Rom 5:12) John the Baptist had a baptism for repentance to cause forgiveness of sins too. (Then what about the thief on the cross?) (Lk 3:3) You cannot base a doctrine on a grammatical ambiguity! Looking Backward with eis Church of Christ people claim eis never looks backward. However, besides Mt 3:11 and 12:41; it looks backward (as well as forward) in the Old Testament Septuagint. It looks backward in Mal 2:2 Did not One God (eis) create you? Mal 2:11 [Judah] has gone (eis) after other gods. Acts 22:16 yet Acts 22:13a Acts 22:16 [Ananias told Paul] "And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name." (NIV) Acts 22:13a "He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’…" (NIV) Saul/Paul was already a fellow believer in Acts 22:13. 1) This does not say baptism saved, and 2) if it was the water that washed sins away that would be against 1 Peter 3:21. One reason Acts 22:16 does not refer to unbaptized believers going to Hell is that it would contradict the whosoever verses. More on Brother Now brethren meant fellow Jews in Rom 9:3; Acts 3:17; 13:26; 22:1,2; 23:1,5. However: We have no proof that Ananias was Jewish Ananias and Paul had a bond that was closer than being Jewish: even prior to Paul’s baptism, both were genuine believers. All genuine believers are our brothers. Baptism is only something a brother and sister believer does. The key issue here, is, can a genuine "brother", like the thief on the cross, or Cornelius before he was baptized, be in Hell if He dies before he does the "work" of water baptism? Alexander Campbell Christian Messenger, 1831 p.19,21 "My opinion is that immersion is the only baptism. But shall I therefore make my opinion a term of Christian fellowship? If in this case I thus act, where shall I cease from making my opinions terms of fellowship? I confess I see no end. . . . Let us still acknowledge all to be brethren, who believe in the Lord Jesus, and humbly and honestly obey him, as far as they know his will, and their duty." Rom 6:3-5 yet Rom 10:9-13 Rom 6:3-5 "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? (4) 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. (5) For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:" (KJV) While Rom 6 refers to water baptism, not just Spirit baptism, this never says cannot be saved if not baptized. Rather, it gives the meaning of baptism (our identification with Christ’s death and resurrection. Yet Rom 10:9-13 Rom 10:9-13 "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (10) For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (11) For Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame. (12) For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. (13) For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (NKJV) 1 Cor 6:11 yet Rom 8:11; Eph 1:13-14a 1 Cor 6:11 "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God." (NIV) Washed by the Spirit here, not water. Baptism of the Holy Spirit is in Mt 3:11b; Mk 1:8; Lk 3:16b; Acts 1:5+2:4; 8:16-17; 19:2-7; 1 Cor 12:13 Yet Rom 8:11; Eph 1:13-14a Rom 8:11 "But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." (NKJV) Eph 1:13-14a "In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, (14) who is the guarantee of our inheritance…" (NKJV) Gal 3:26-27 yet 2 Cor 5:4-5 Gal 3:26-27 "For you are all sons of God though faith in Christ Jesus, (27) For all of you who were baptized in Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." (uNASB) The Greek word enduo "clothed/put on" (Strong’s 1746) "in the sense of sinking into a garment); to invest with clothing (lit. or fit.): array, cloths (with), endue, have (put) on." As a soldier has a uniform, being clothed with Christ is an external emblem or an inward change and new identity. Yet 2 Cor 5:4-5 Yet 2 Cor 5:4-5 "For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now He who have prepared for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee." (NKJV) Even we are not fully clothed while in this life, but in the New Testament those who have the Spirit are guaranteed they will be fully clothed. Eph 5:26 & Titus 3:5 yet Acts 1:5+2:4 Eph 5:26 "To make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word," (NIV) Titus 3:5 "he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior" (NIV) This is baptism (washing) of the Holy Spirit, which is mentioned in Acts 1:5 and fulfilled in Acts 2:4 Alexander Campbell Design by Baptism p.262 (1st part) "In this sense we are to understand what is said by Paul, that Christ sanctifieth and cleanseth the church ‘with washing of water by the word.’ Eph 5:26, and in another place, that ‘according to His mercy he saved us, but the washing of regeneration, and of renewing of the Holy Ghost’ Titus 3:5, and by Peter that ‘baptism doeth save us’ 1 Pet. 3:21, For it is not the intention of Paul to signify that our ablution and salvation are completed by water, or that water contains in itself the virtue to purify, regenerate, and renew; nor did Peter mean that it was the cause of salvation, but only the knowledge and assurance of it is received in this sacrament: what is sufficiently evident from the words they have used." Alexander Campbell Design by Baptism p.262 (2nd part) "For Paul connects together the ‘word of life’ and ‘the baptism of water;’ as if he had said, our ablution and sanctification are announced to us by the Gospel, and by baptism this message is confirmed. And Peter after having said the baptism doth save us, immediately adds, that it is ‘not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God’ which proceeds from faith. But on the contrary, baptism promises us no other purification than by the sprinkling of the blood of Christ; which is emblematically represented by water, on account of its resemblance to washing and cleansing." Col 2:11-13 yet Rom 2:29; Acts 15:1-21 Col 2:11-13 "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." (KJV) Yet Rom 2:29 Rom 2:25-28 said that circumcision had value if you obeyed the law, but not for lawbreakers. Even those who kept the law but were uncircumised will be regarded as circumcised. Rom 2:29 "But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God." (KJV) Yet Acts 15:1-12 Some men [falsely] taught that unless you are circumcised you cannot be saved. The apostles COULD have said, "Not circumcision anymore but baptism." But instead Peter said, "No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are." So they told Gentile believers to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, sexual immorality, blood, but "missed their chance" to say that baptism is required. Heb 10:22 yet 1 Pet 3:21 Heb 10:22 "let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." (NIV) Yet 1 Pet 3:21a (NIV) "and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God…" 1 Pet 3:21a (KJV) "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.)" The body washed with pure water is a visible emblem of our changed hearts. 1 Peter 3:21 says that it is not the water that saves us but the pledge of a good conscience towards God. 1 Pet 3:20b-21 yet 1 Pet 2:6b Pet 3:20b-21 "days of Noah, while the ark was preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. (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:" (KJV) Note: KJV’s "by water" is incorrect; the Greek is "through water (di udatos)" per (NKJV, NIV, uNASB, Green’s literal translation, NRSV) Yet 1 Pet 2:6b "he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame." (NKJV) Response to 1 Pet 3:20b-21 Both Noah and Abraham were obedient servants of God prior to the flood and testing with Isaac. 1 Peter 3:21 says it is NOT the water, but the pledge of a good conscience before God. It does not refer to people who made a pledge but were not able to get baptized. The Bible also uses word save in the fourth tense (of working out our salvation. So baptism only saves in the on-going sense that we can turn others from sin (James 5:20) we can save ourselves (Acts 2:40), we can save others (1 Cor 7:16, 9:22; 1 Tim 4:16) Alexander Campbell Millennial Harbinger, 1837 p.411-412 (1st part) "But who is a Christian? I answer, every one that believes in his heart that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, the Son of God; repents of his sins, and obeys him in all things according to his measure of knowledge of his will. . . . I cannot make any one duty the standard of Christian state or character, not even immersion into the name of Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and [cannot] in my heart regard all that have been sprinkled in infancy without their own knowledge and consent, as aliens from Christ and the well-grounded hope of heaven." Alexander Campbell Millennial Harbinger, 1837 p.411-412 (2nd part) "Should I find a Pedobaptist [one baptized as an infant] more intelligent in the Christian Scriptures, more spiritually-minded and more devoted to the Lord than a Baptist, or one immersed on a profession of the ancient faith, I could not hesitate a moment in giving the preference of my heart to him that loveth most. Did I act otherwise, I would be a pure sectarian, a Pharisee among Christians." It if False to Claim Church of Christ Always Taught This This, it is wrong for Church of Christ literature to claim Churches of Christ always believed a person not immersed for sins is going to Hell. One of the founders, Alexander Campbell, said a pedobaptist could be saved Alexander Campbell was never immersed for remission of sins Nobody in the church prior to this time said that belief without baptism would send someone to Hell However, Ambrose, Augustine, and others did teach that baptized babies go to Heaven, and unbaptized babies go to Hell. Understanding Salvation in Eph 2:8-10 Eph 2:8-10 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, (9) not of works, lest anyone should boast. (10) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (NKJV) Counter-argument1: Naaman the Syrian In 2 Ki 5:10-15, Naaman was not cleansed of leprosy until he washed in the Jordan. a) This act of faith was for cleansing from leprosy, not salvation. b) It does not matter what river, or baptism water you use. But here it had to specifically be the Jordan River to make a point to Naaman. c) There was no water baptism in the Old Testament. d) Finally, if someone tried to make it relate to baptism, then Naaman did not know for sure there was only one God except the God of Israel until AFTER he washed in the Jordan in 2 Kings 5:15. Counter-argument 2: Walls of Jericho God by His grace gave Jericho to the Israelites without them working for it (Josh 6:2) But they still had to march around the city for seven days, 13 times, before it fell. Counter-argument 2 Answer Their marching did not cause the walls to fall; God supernaturally did. Obediently doing works DOES give us blessings, but this was not for their salvation, but to their conquering strongholds in their life as believers. It would be a false caricature of our position to say that we are against works, or that works have nothing to do with a saved person’s life. Works are an output of salvation, not an input. Thief on the Cross in Luke 23:40-43 Baptism was a much "for" remission of sins before Jesus’ resurrection as after. (Mk 1:4; Lk 1:77; Lk 3:3b same wording as Acts 2:38) Rejecting John’s baptism was rejecting God’s will for them (Lk 7:30) The disciples baptized too (Jn 3:26; 4:2) Jesus had high regard for at least one near-death conversion! No opportunity for water baptism, but did not reject. One answer: God is understanding Martyrs Potamiaena and the soldier Basilides About 202 A.D., as the Christian lady Potamiaena was being lead to her martyr’s death in the arena, the soldier Basilides kindly kept the rabble from bothering her. She said she would tell God of his kindness, and he would receive a reward. Three days after her death, he had a dream about her. Afterwards, when he was asked to swear something, he said he could not, as he was a Christian. First they thought he was joking, then they put him in prison; he was martyred too. Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History (323-326 A.D.) book 6 ch.5 p.253) So would someone like that go to Hell, who truly trusted in Christ and was martyred for Him? More on Basilides In fairness to the other side, I must mention something else too. Brothers of the church met with Basilides in prison, and after talking with him gave him "the seal of the Lord". It is unclear that this is baptism, but it probably was. However, the pagan jailers would not have let a prisoner leave the prison to get baptized. So how could he get baptized? Early Church: Immersion when Practical Didache (c.125 A.D.) ch.7 p.379 "baptize into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in living water. But if thou have not living water, baptize into other water; and if thou canst not in cold, in warm. But if thou have not either, pour out water thrice upon the head into the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." Early Church Errors But the early church made mistakes too. Around 210 A.D. the early Church got the idea that before baptism you needed to go through a long, two year class for catechumens. What if someone came to Christ and was martyred before completing their lengthy class? So according to this Church of Christ doctrine, all the Christian martyrs, including Basilides, who were killed before getting immersed in water, will be in Hell, I supposed studying Greek forever. Maybe they will have the thief on the cross as their instructor though. Holy Spirit and Cornelius in Acts 10:43-48 They had the Holy Spirit prior to water baptism So do we (John 14:16-17,23) In the New Testament, all who have the Holy Spirit are in Christ. (1 John 4:13; Rom 8:9-11,14,16a) Rom 8:14 "For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." (uNASB) Rom 8:16-17a "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, (17) and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ." (uNASB) Cornelius according to 1 John 4:13 1 Jn 4:13 "By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit." (KJV, NKJV, uNASB) Cornelius According to Rom 8:9-11 Rom 8:9-11 "But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you, Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. (10) And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is life because of righteousness. (11) But if the Spirit of him that raised Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by [through] His Spirit that dwelleth in you." (KJV) (Greek dia is "through" as NKJV, NIV, uNASB, Green’s) Summary Through Faith (Jn 3:16,18,36, Jn 5:24; 6:29,35,40 Rom 10:9-13; 1 Cor 1:14,17a etc.) Response of a Believer (Mk 16:16; Jn 3:3-6; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet 3:20-21 etc.) Understanding Salvation (Eph 2:8-10) Thief on the Cross (Luke 23:40-43) Holy Spirit & Cornelius (Acts 10:43-48) Conclusion Water baptism is what a believer should do. Even all Church of Christ people will agree, but they try to differentiate between a genuine believer and a saved person. Water baptism by immersion is only as essential for salvation as it was for the thief on the cross, Cornelius, Basilides and other early martyrs Quote on Potamiaena and the soldier Basilides Basilides may be counted the seventh of these. He led to martyrdom the celebrate Potamiaena, whose is still famous among the people of the country for the many things which she endured for the preservation of her chastity and virginity. For she was blooming in the perfection of her mind and her physical graces. Having suffered much for the faith of Christ, finally after tortures dreadful and terrible to speak of, she with her mother, Marcella, was put to death by fire. They say that the judge, Aquilla by name, having inflicted severe tortures upon her entire body, at last threatened to hand her over to the gladiators for bodily abuse. After a little consideration, being asked for her decision, she made a reply which was regarded as impious. Thereupon she received sentence immediately, and Basilides, one of the officers of the army, led her to death. But as the people attempted to annoy and insult her with abusive words, he drove back her insulters, showing her much pity and kindness. And perceiving the man’s sympathy for her, she exhorted him to be of good courage, for she would supplicate her Lord for him after her departure, and he would soon receive a reward for the kindness he had shown her. Having said this, she nobly sustained the issue, burning pitch being poured little by little, over various parts of her body, from the sole of her feet to the crown of her head. Such was the conflict endured by this famous maiden. Not long after this Basilides, being asked by his fellow-soldiers to swear for a certain reason, declared that it was not lawful for him to swear at all, for he was a Christian, and he confessed this openly. At first they thought that he was jesting, but when he continued to affirm it, he was led to the judge, and, acknowledging his conviction before him he was imprisoned. But the brethren in God coming to him and inquiring the reason of this sudden and remarkable resolution, he is reported to have said the Potamiaena, for three days after her martyrdom, stood beside him by night and placed a crown on his head, and said that she had besought the Lord for him and had obtained what she asked, and that soon she would take him with her. Thereupon the brethren gave him the seal(4) of the Lord; and on the next day, after giving glorious testimony for the Lord, he was beheaded." Footnote 4 says, "The word aphragis, ‘seal,’ was very commonly used by the Fathers to signify baptism (see Suicer’s Thesaurus)." The Early Church on Cornelius Anonymous Treatise on Re-baptism (254-257 A.D.) ch.5 p.669-670 On speaking of Cornelius said, "And there will be no doubt that men may be baptized with the Holy Ghost without water, - as thou observest that these were baptized before they were baptized with water; that the announcements of both John and of our Lord Himself were satisfied, - forasmuch as they received the grace of the promise both without the imposition of the apostle’s hands and without the [baptismal] laver, which they attained afterwards. And their hearts being purified, God bestowed upon them at the same time, in virtue of their faith, remission of sins; so that the subsequent baptism conferred upon them this benefit alone, that they received also the invocation of the name of Jesus Christ, that nothing might appear to be wanting to the integrity of their service and faith." Cyprian (246-258 A.D.) Letter 71 p.378 strongly emphasized baptism (even of infants), and one can see the doctrine of baptismal regeneration in his writings. Yet in discussing Cornelius he even said, "For we find also, in the Acts of the Apostles, that this is maintained by the apostles, and kept in the truth of the saving faith, so that when, in the house of Cornelius the centurion, the Holy Ghost had descended upon the Gentiles who were there, fervent in the warmth of their faith, and believing in the Lord with the whole heart; and when, filled with the Spirit, they blessed God in divers tongues, still none the less the blessed Apostle Peter, mindful of the divine precept and the Gospel, commanded that those same men should be baptized who had already been filled with the Holy Spirit, that nothing might seem to be neglected to the observance by the apostolic instruction in all things of the law of the divine precept and Gospel." We cannot find a single person in history who held to both believer’s baptism plus all who are lost who are not immersed for remission of sins. In other words, according to the doctrine of many Churches of Christ, outside of the New Testament we cannot find in history a single person who had any possibility of going to heaven, until after the restoration movement started, and even Alexander Campbell was never baptized for remission of sins. Note that Acts 2:38 says "ya’ll (second person plural) repent and each of you (third person singular) be baptized. So forgiveness/remission of sins does not modify repent. Other Notes Two Classes of Verses 1. Mention of belief/faith for salvation, no mention of baptism 2. The Promise of All who believe/ have faith … are saved (John 3:16,18, etc.) Verses Showing Salvation Can Come Before or Without Water Baptism Thief on the cross (Luke 23:40-43). The thief was not permitted to get down, get baptized, and then get back up on the cross again. If God is understanding of the situation of the thief, then that proves water baptism is not essential for salvation. Even though the thief died before Christ’s resurrection, water baptism was still practiced by Jesus and his disciples (Jon 3:26; 4:2), and water baptism was for repentance for remission of sins by John the Baptist (Mk 1:4; Lk 1:77; 3:3b). Jesus was said to have baptized (John 3:26), though actually Jesus had His disciples do the baptizing (John 4:2) In Lk 3:3b John the Baptist was "preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins" (NKJV) and the words for remissions/forgiveness are the same in Acts 2:38 and Lk 3:3 in Greek as they are in English. (See also Mk 1:4; Lk 1:77) Cornelius (Acts 10:43-48) Note that they had the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:45b) prior to water baptism. In New Testament times, Romans 8:9,11,14,16-17 says that those who have the spirit in them, their spirit is alive, are sons of God, (17b) "heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." Jn 3:16,18 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (18) He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he was not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (36) He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (NKJV) Jesus was said to have baptized (John 3:26), though actually Jesus had His disciples do the baptizing (John 4:2) In Lk 3:3b John the Baptist was "preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins" (NKJV) and the words for remissions/forgiveness are the same in Acts 2:38 and Lk 3:3 in Greek as they are in English. (See also Mk 1:4; Lk 1:77) Jn 5:24 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life." (NKJV) Rom 4:1-6 "What than shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he as something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 4) Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, (6) just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:" (NKJV) Acts 10:43 "To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins." (NKJV) Rom 5:1 "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, though whom we also have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (NKJV) Rom 10:9-13 "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (10) For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (11) For Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame. (12) For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. (13) For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (NKJV) Joel 2:32a and Acts 2:21 and Rom 10:13 "And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved" (NKJV) 1 Cor 1:17a "For Christ did not send me [Paul] to baptize, but to preach the gospel," (NKJV) Eph 2:8-10 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (NKJV) 1 Cor 10:2 (indirectly) "all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea." (NKJV) Yet Moses, Joshua, Caleb, and other godly Israelites followed God before the crossed the Red Sea. Gal 3:22b (indirectly) "that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe." (NKJV) Heb 4:2 (indirectly) "For indeed the gospel was reached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it." They had to have faith for it to profit them. It does not say faith and baptism. Jn 1:11-12 (indirectly) "He [Jesus] cam into His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe His name;" Says have to believe to become children of God; does not specify whether other steps or not. Jn 2:11b, 23b (belief only) ""…and His disciples believed in Him. (23b) many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did." Jn 6:29,35,40 "Jesus answered and said to them [the crowds], ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent." (35) And Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." (40) "And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day." (NKJV) Jn 7:38,39 "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. (39) But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified." (NKJV) Jn 8:30-32 "As He spoke these words, many believed in Him. Then Jesus aid to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed, And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’" (NKJV) Jn 11:25-26 ""Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me; though he may die, shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (NKJV) Jn 12:46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness." (NKJV) Jn 16:9 [The Holy Spirit will convict the world] "of sin, because they do not believe in Me;" No mention of conviction for not being baptized. Jn 17:20 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one,…" Php 1:29 "For it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake" (not mention of baptism) 1 Jn 5:1 "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him." (NKJV) 1 Jn 5:10-13 "He who believes in the Son of God has the witness of himself; and he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son." (11) And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life; and this life is in His Son. (12) He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. (13) These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God." (NKJV) Other verses mentioning belief but not baptism: Jn 4:39a; 4:41; 9:35; 10:42; 11:45,48; 12:11,42,44; 14:1,12 Mark 16:16 "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." (NIV) Yet: John 3:36 "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (NKJV) Q: Does Mark 16:16 prove that a person must be baptized in order to be saved? A: No, it does not specify. It says that a person who believes and is baptized will be saved, and a person who does not believe is condemned. It is silent about people who believe but are not baptized. Let me give you a simple illustration. If my daughter’s in the kitchen and she asks me for four quarters for a dollar, I could tell her to bring me a dollar, and also a water bottle. Now if she brings me a dollar and a water bottle I will give her change. If she does not bring me the dollar I do not give her change. But if she brings the dollar but no water bottle, I did not specify what I would do. If she refuses, perhaps making a disrespectful remark, I would not make change for her. On the other hand, if she tries to bring me a water bottle but cannot find one, should I still refuse her? - of course not. Matthew 7:7-8 says that "everyone who asks receives" Likewise Mark 16:16 does not specify about those who believe and are not baptized, and probably for similar reason. Is it because a person was not able to be baptized, or a person rejected obeying God. Scripture that says salvation comes at the point of faith in Jesus include Acts 16:31; Jn 1:12; 3:14-18; 3:36; 6:47; 30:31. Proverbs 30:6 and 1 Corinthians 4:6 are strict warnings not to add to God’s word. If you say that Mark 16:16 states what happens to those who believe and are not baptized, when that verse is silent on that, you are adding to God’s word. While some people, called ultra-dispensationalists, say we are not to be baptized today, that is wrong. Baptism, along with other works, are in fact involved in salvation; they are an output, not an input. Baptism and other works are the obedient response of a saved person, not the work of a lost person. John 3:4-6 "’How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit." (NIV) Q: Does John 3:5 imply a person must be baptized in water to be saved? A: No, Jesus blood saves. Water would not save Nicodemus any more than it would save the thief on the cross. First five reasons why did does not teach that, and then what it does teach. Why it does not teach that: On the surface, this might sound like one of the strongest verses supporting that you must be baptized to be saved. However, four points completely eliminate that teaching from this verse. 1. Thief on the cross: If John 3:5 taught that no unbaptized person can be saved, then the thief on the cross could not be saved, contradicting Luke 23:43. 2. Said before the resurrection too: If someone notices that the thief on the cross was before the resurrection, this command was before the resurrection too. 3. Jesus’ disciples baptized before the crucifixion: Do not forget that believers WERE to be baptized before the resurrection; otherwise why were Jesus’ disciples baptizing in John 4:2? 4. Contradicts believe only passages: Saying water baptism were essential for salvation, whether before or after the resurrection, John 3:16 "whoever believes in him", Romans 10:9-10, and other verses that say our point of contact with salvation is our belief or faith. There is no work, of any category, involved, as Ephesians 2:8-10 teaches. 5. God is understanding: Even one Church of Christ pastor told me that God is understanding of believers who are not baptized but did not reject water baptism. He and I agree on this. But if God can be "understanding" then getting baptized is still an important command to be followed, but no longer "ties the hands of God Almighty" if a person dies before being baptized. In contrast to this, I heard of a Church of Christ boy who was killed in a car accident on his way to being baptized. Would you teach that he is in Hell now, despite his intent? What it does teach: Christians see at least two truths Jesus is teaching here. 1. Do-over: We were born as sinners, with a sinful nature and we need to be born again. "…born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit". A lost person reforming themselves into salvation does not work; we must be born again, and have the Holy Spirit living inside of us (Romans 8:10,11,15). 2. Baptism visibly joins us to the kingdom of God now: Genuine believers will go to heaven eventually, but we are a part of the kingdom of God now. Believing intellectual facts is not enough (James 2:19), saving faith includes trusting Jesus as our Lord. We pledge our life to God, our Master, and one of the acts of an obedient believer is to be baptized. Baptism is not just a bath, but an outward sign of an inward pledge. Acts 2:37-38 "When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ Peter replied, ‘[ya’ll] Repent and [he/she] be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ eis the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (NIV) [remission of sins in the NKJV, aphesin (Strong’s 859, from 863] Yet Acts 10:43: "To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission/forgiveness of sins." (NKJV) (forgiveness in NIV) Q: Does Acts 2:37-38 prove a person must be baptized in water to be saved? A: No, you cannot base a major doctrine solely on 1. Contradicts Acts 10:43 2. A grammatical error: Repent is second person plural [ya’ll] and baptized is third person singular, so the forgiveness of sins here only modifies the second part: baptized, not the forgiveness of sins too. 3. An ambiguous use of a single word. The Greek word here, eis (Strong’s 1519), like the English word "for" can mean many things, and it can mean "because of [the past]" as well as "to cause [the future]" 4. Choosing the ambiguous use that contradicts scriptural meaning. In Mk 1:4; Lk 1:77; 3:3b John the Baptist was "preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins" (NKJV) and the words for remission / forgiveness are the same in Acts 2:38 and Lk 3:3 in Greek, as they are in English. Do you believe that baptism was essential for salvation prior to Jesus; ministry with John the Baptist? (Most Christians would say no.) Of course the thief on the cross was not allowed to get down and get baptized before Jesus said he would be with Him in paradise. As for details, here are some examples of different meanings of eis. Eis mean in order to cause Lk 5:14 Jesus told the cleansed leper to show himself to the priests as Moses commanded eis a testimony to them. Eis means "in [the]" Mt 10:41 "receives a prophet eis name of the prophet" … "receives a just one eis name of the just one" Eis means "because of" Mt 3:11 "John baptized eis repentance. If eis could only mean "to cause" in Acts 2:38, then eis would have to baptize to cause repentance in Mt 3:11 Mt 12:41 [Ninevites] "repented eis the preaching of Jonah" Eis means "into" Rom 5:12 "sin eis the world entered" Rom 6:3 "all who were baptized into Christ Jesus, eis the death of Him were baptized." Lk 14:23 "Go eis the ways and hedges" Acts 22:10 "Bring [Paul] eis the fortress Eis means "in" Acts 10:43 "through the name of Him [Jesus everyone believing eis Him. Mk 1:9 Jesus was baptized of John eis Jordan. Acts 19:3 Ephesians baptized eis John’s baptism Eis means "about" or "in reference to" Acts 2:25 David speaks eis him Eis means "towards" Rom 5:8 "of Himself love eis us God," Eis means "to" Jn 4:5 "He [Jesus] comes eis a city of Samaria" Jn 11:31 "She goes eis the tomb" Green’s literal translation says, "…baptized each of you on the name of Jesus Christ to forgiveness of sins." Wuest’s Expanded Translation says "and let each one of you be baptized upon the ground of your confession of belief in the sum total of all that Jesus Christ is in His glorious Person, this baptismal testimony being in relation to the fact that your sins have been put away," The Greek word eis, is a less precise word that English. Thayer’s A Greek English Lexicon of the New Testament 20th printing 1979 (Zondervan) spends almost six pages discussing the Greek word eis. On p.183 he writes, "[Preposition] governing the Accusative, and denoting entrance into, or direction and limit: into, to, towards, for, among" It has a variety of uses, but Thayer classifies Rom 5:12 as Properly of Place. He says, "4. of the limit to which ; with acc. of place, as far as, even to : ... Lk 14:23 ; with [accusative plural] or pers. to, unto; Acts 23:15 ... Ro. v.12; xvi.10; 2 Co ix. 5 ... x.14." Just prior to this he writes "3. of motion (not into a place itself, but) in a vicinity of a place; where it may be rendered to, near, towards..." Examples include Mk 3:7, Jn 4:5;11:31,38;20:1,3. In Rom 5:8 (eis) means unto, towards or one [Thayer p.184]. In Rom 5:12 and 15 (eis) is equivalent to the Latin in and ad [Thayer p.186]. In conclusion, for verses 16 and 18, one can see why most major English translations (NKJV, NASB, NIV, and Wuest) render this as "resulting" or "bringing". This more precisely conveys the meaning than simply translating "to" as the KJV does. Acts 22:16 [Ananias told Paul] "And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name." (NIV) Yet Acts 22:13a "He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive our sight!’…" (NIV) Q: Does Acts 22:16 prove a person must be baptized in water to be saved? A: No. Saul/Paul was already saved by then, for Ananias called him "brother Saul" in Acts 22:13. Baptism is an emblem of washing our sins away. But even if someone that this was literally washing their sins away, they would probably still agree with three things. 1) If it was the liquid water that literally took away the sins, then future sins would not be taken way unless a person was baptized again and again. 2) It is not the water that is special, but rather the water is an identification with the blood of Christ. 3) It does not say people can have sins washed away without baptism. God is not incapable of taking ways the sins of the thief on the cross, and early Christians who were martyred before they had the opportunity to be baptized. So it is not the drops of water that take away anything. Rather it is the pledge of a good conscience before God that connects us with Christ’s blood, and baptism is an acknowledgement, and emblem, of that. Rom 6:3-4 "Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized in to Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just a Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." (NIV) Q: Does Rom 6:3-4, prove a person must be baptized in water to be saved? A: No this verse uses a spiritual illustration from the normal experience of baptism that Christians normally have, but it does not mention the people who were not baptized or any power in the water. Rather it shows that our baptism visibly signified our decision to identify with Christ’s death, and likewise with His resurrection. Paul’s teaching here has similarities to Colossians 2:11-14. We have been "circumcised", not in the Old Testament way, but in the New Testament way. Colossians 2:12 says, "having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead." 1 Cor 6:11 "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God." (NIV) Q: Does 1 Cor 6:11 show that believers must be immersed to be baptized? A: We are cleansed or washed in Christ. But the Greek word here, apeloussathe, (Strong’s 628) is not related to baptism. I do not know that Church of Christ people do not try to appeal to this verse very often, but occasionally they might grasp at it. Gal 3:26-27 "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, (27) for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." (NIV) Q: Does Gal 3:26-27 prove a person must be baptized in water to be saved? A: No, this verse does not mention salvation, but it shows some of the importance of baptism after salvation. Baptism is an outward, external sign; we agree that the water is not magic; its soaking into our skin does not do anything. Nevertheless baptism is an external clothing with Christ symbolic of both an external and internal change. External: We need to be externally clothed with Christ as a sign to the world and a visible sign of our joining God’s kingdom and a pledge of ourselves toward God. As a soldier puts on a uniform we put on baptism. The uniform does not make a soldier; it is what a soldier is commanded to put on. Water does not make a Christian, baptism is what a Christian is commanded to do. Symbol of internal change: Baptism is an outward symbol of an inward change: believers are baptized with the Holy Spirit; who now lives in us. (1 John 4:13; Rom 8:9-11) Eph 5:26 "To make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word," (NIV) Titus 3:5 "he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior" (NIV) Q: Do Eph 5:26 and Tt 3:5 prove that a person must be baptized in water to be saved? A: No, Titus 3:5 refers to the baptism of the Holy Spirit, On Ephesians 5:25, rather than answer myself, I will let Alexander Campbell, one of the founders of the Restoration Movement speak. He taught various things at various time, but here is what he wrote in Design by Baptism by Alexander Campbell p.262. "In this sense we are to understand what is said by Paul, that Christ sanctifieth and cleanseth the church ‘with washing of water by the word.’ Eph 5:26, and in another place, that ‘according to His mercy he saved us, but he washing of regeneration, and of renewing of the Holy Ghost’ Titus 3:5, and by Peter that ‘baptism doeth save us’ 1 Pet. 3:21, For it is not the intention of Paul to signify that our ablution and salvation are completed by water, or that water contains in itself the virtue to purify, regenerate, and renew; nor did Peter mean that it was the cause of salvation, but only the knowledge and assurance of it is received in this sacrament: what is sufficiently evident from the words they have used. For Paul connects together the ‘word of life’ and ‘the baptism of water;’ as if he had said, our ablution and sanctification are announced to us by the Gospel, and by baptism this message is confirmed. And Peter after having said the baptism doth save us, immediately adds, that it is ‘not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God’ which proceeds from faith. But on the contrary, baptism promises us no other purification than by the sprinkling of the blood of Christ; which is emblematically represented by water, on account of its resemblance to washing and cleansing." Col 2:11-12 "In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, (12) having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through you faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead." (NIV) Q: Does Col 2:11-12 show that believers must be immersed to be baptized? A: This only says that we are buried with Christ in baptism. Colossians 2:11-12 discusses circumcision in the Old Testament and baptism in the New Testament. No one in the Old Testament was declared righteous by circumcision, especially since only half of infants were circumcised. Heb 10:22 "let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." (NIV) Q: Does Heb 10:22 show that believers must be immersed to be baptized? A: In Hebrews 10:22 "having been washed with water" does nothing to save us. In fact, the washing itself does NOT save us according to 1 Peter 3:21. Rather believers’ bodies are washed with water in baptism as an emblem of their pledge of accepting Christ as their Lord and Savior. As a side note, the Greek words here are having been sprinkled (errantismenoi, Strong’s 4472), having been washed is leloumemoi Strong’s 3068), neither of which, of course is baptism. 1 Pet 3:20b-21 "days of Noah wile the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body but he pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ," (NIV) Q: Does 1 Pet 3:20b-21 prove a person must be baptized in water to be saved? A: No. Baptism is the normal response of a follower of Christ, but it is neither essential to salvation nor prior to salvation for five reasons. 1. Both Noah and Abraham were obedient servants of God prior to the flood and testing with Isaac 2. 1 Peter 3:21 says it is NOT the water, but the pledge of a good conscience before God. 3. It does not refer to people who made a pledge but were not able to get baptized. 4. The water does not take the place of the cross. 5. Neither water nor faith are a way to heaven. There is no other way to Heaven except through Christ (Acts 4:12; John 14:6), 5. The Bible also uses word save in the fourth tense (of working out our salvation. So baptism only saves in the on-going sense that we can turn others from sin (James 5:20) we can save ourselves (Acts 2:40), we can save others (1 Cor 7:16, 9:22; 1 Tim 4:16) However, as 1 Peter 3:20b-21 shows, baptism is the normal way we show our acceptance and faith in what Christ did for us. A person is to show their pledge of a good conscience towards God by water baptism, but if they cannot, this verse does not say there is no other way to show acceptance. Around 202 A.D. the martyrs Potoiaemina and the soldier Basilides. Other Christian martyrs, and the 2-year catechetical school. Patrick’s baptismal candidates Q: In Mt 4:17; 10:17; Mk 1:15; Lk 8:10; Jn 3:5 are the kingdom of God and Kingdom of heaven identical, or is there a slight difference between the two? A: Many have seen them as identical; you will not be a part of one if you are not a part of the other. Matthew uses both terms, and Mark, Luke, and John use only the kingdom of God. Jesus uses both terms in adjacent verses in Matthew 19:23-24. Others see a slight difference; the kingdom of heaven is where all believers go when we die, and the kingdom of God is what we belong to now when we are saved. Regardless of the individual words, we can all agree that our salvation has both a "now" aspect on earth and a future aspect in heaven (1 Cor 13:12; Php 1:21-24) that will not be realized until we reach heaven. In John 3:5 some think water refers to amniotic fluid when a baby is born, but others think it refers to baptism. It cannot mean Jesus told Nicodemus that a person cannot be saved unless they are baptized, unless the thief on the cross was not saved! But it can mean that a person is not a visible part of God’s kingdom on earth until they are baptized. Similar to this, many churches do not want someone to take the Lord’s Supper until they are baptized. See the Wycliffe Bible Dictionary p.991 for more info. Nevertheless, as Jesus spoke foreshadowing his death and communion in John 6:51-56, Jesus spoke not only foreshadowing Christian baptism, but they were already very familiar with baptism for repentance, thanks to John. This view is advocated by: John Chrysostom (392-407 A.D.) Homilies of St. John Homily 25 Gregory Nanzianzus (330-391 A.D.) Oration on Holy Baptism ch.8 F.F. Bruce in Hard Sayings of the Bible p.495-496 Jamieson, Fausset, Brown Harper’s Bible Commentary. 3a. The water stands for baptismal regeneration. The early church fathers held this view. However, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : New Testament p.281 mentions that this interpretation contradicts being saved by faith alone, as Ephesians 2:8-9 and John 3:16 show. This view is advocated by Justin Martyr (wrote about 138-165 A.D.) First Apology chapter 61 Irenaeus (182-188 A.D.) in fragment 34 Tertullian (200-220 A.D.) in On Baptism ch. 12 Cyprian (wrote 248-258 A.D.) in Epistle 71. Gregory Nanzianzus (330-391 A.D.) Oration on Holy Baptism chapter 8. Basil of Cappadocia (357-379 A.D.) On the Spirit 15:35 John of Damascus Exposition of the Orthodox Faith chapter 9 Ambrose of Milan (340-397 A.D.) Of the Holy Spirit 3.10.63-64 Constitutions of the Holy Apostles (c.80-190 A.D.) 6.3.15 (This was a spurious work, which had an early date. Among other things, it also supports infant Baptism.) However, interpreting John 3:5 this way sounds close to making baptism (whether John’s baptism or Christian baptism) a requirement for salvation. Nevertheless, John’s baptism was looking for salvation, not something that brought salvation. In Acts 2:38, Peter said the people had to repent and baptized and they would receive the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 4:2 said some were not saved because they did not share the faith (or combine it with faith.) Things such as repentance, faith, and obedience, including obedience in water baptism are evidence of us receiving salvation, not that which saves us. This view is advocated by: The Applied New Testament Commentary p.368 Matthew Henry’s Commentary says that "it is probably that Christ had an eye to the ordinance of baptism." 4. Water stands for conversion. Converts to Judaism went through a baptism ceremony. Jesus was implying that one had to convert to experience the new birth. Thus Jesus was saying "by conversion and by the spirit". This view does not preclude believing other views, too. However, while Jewish converts were washed, a more common scene was Jews washing for ritual purification. This viewpoint is perhaps not so much false, as too narrow a view of 3. This view is advocated by: The IVP Bible Commentary : New Testament (1993) p.270. 5. Water stands for the baptizing ministry of John the Baptist, and the Spirit for Jesus’ ministry. No one at that time could think of "baptism" and "new things" in the same sentence without thinking of John the Baptist’s ministry. This view is advocated by F.B. Meyer in The Gospel of John p.64. The Bible Knowledge Commentary : New Testament p.281 gives five views, but commends only this view as having "the merit of historical propriety as well as theological acceptability." The Life Application Bible gives various views, one of which is the repentance that John the Baptist’s ministry signified. 6. Water is an image for the pouring out of the Spirit in Old Testament times. Jesus said in John 7:38, "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified." (NKJV). The New Geneva Study Bible p.1676 says that while this is not an exact quote of any Old Testament Scripture, it can be a general reference to both Isaiah 44:3 and Ezekiel 36:25-27. Titus 3:5 has very similar phrasing to John 3:5, saying "washing of rebirth and renewal of/by the Holy Spirit" While Acts showed some special cases, the norm was for Christians to be baptized with literal water and the Holy Spirit. However, water is used for ritual washings, not the pouring of the Spirit in the Torah. Also, the Believer’s Bible Commentary p.1478 points out that if the water represented nothing more than the ministry of the Spirit, then the verse would seem to say "unless one is born of the Spirit and the Spirit", which would be redundant. 1 John 5:8 speaks of the water, spirit, and blood. Since the spirit and blood are different, the water is different, too. This view is advocated by the New Geneva Study Bible p.1665. The Companion Bible says it is "spiritual water" as opposed to literal water. The IVP Bible Commentary : New Testament says that the Greek can either be translated "water and the spirit, or water, that is, the spirit." MY CONCLUSION: 1. is not particularly compelling. It only makes sense if you downplay the precision of the Greek, and think Jesus was telling Nicodemus one had to be physically born. 2. relies on Jesus chiding Nicodemus for understanding scripture that was not written yet. For some, this view is necessitated by the opinion that if "baptism" has to mean the error of baptismal regeneration, it cannot be baptism. 3a. is unbiblical, as Acts 10 shows that people could be saved and receive the Holy Spirit prior to water baptism. 3b, 4, and 5. can all be tied together. This view has the merit of the plain meaning, as well as the universal understanding of the Greek-speaking early church. 6. has no merit, except as a secondary implication of 3b, 4, and 5. Perhaps we should focus less on "what this would mean to me" and observe "what this would mean to Nicodemus and early Christians". The most likely answer is a combination of 3b, 4, and 5. While views 2 and 6 are implied symbolism, they would not be recognized by Nicodemus as its main meaning, and were not recognized by any known Greek-speaking Christians. When Critics Ask p.406 also discusses some of the views, without committing to a particular one. Q: In Jn 3:5, is "baptismal regeneration" true, the belief that water baptism is necessary for salvation? A: No. The Gentiles who were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues in Acts 10:44-48, prior to being baptized with water, probably did not think so. Jesus apparently did not think so either when He spoke to the thief on his right. One could try to argue that the thief on the cross was prior to Jesus’ resurrection, but then Jesus’ words to Nicodemus were spoken, and were true, prior to Jesus’ resurrection, too. Of course all of this was prior to the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and there being Christian baptism; John’s baptism and Old Testament washings were all they knew. However, if an interpretation of a verse makes part of the verse without any meaning whatsoever, then that interpretation undoubtedly is incorrect. So what is the meaning of Jesus’ words here? The answer is implied in Luke 7:29-30, where it was said the Pharisees and experts in the Law had rejected God’s purpose for themselves. The reason given is that they had not been baptized by John. Water baptism is neither a meaningless ritual nor merely an optional thing, like choir practice, to show special love to God. If a person with full knowledge rejects water baptism, and the truth it represents, they have rejected God. Unless they turn around, they are not going to Heaven. See also 1001 Bible Questions Answered p.118-119, When Critics Ask p.406, When Cultists Ask p.165-166, and the Complete Book of Bible Answers p.210-211 for more info. For more see our playlist, "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ"" with 71 videos & 63 hours of teaching material at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html. See also IS WATER BAPTISM NECESSARY TO ESCAPE HELL & BE SAVED & ARE YOU "BORN AGAIN" (JOHN 3:3-8) BY IT?; THE EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN ROMANCE WITH APOSTATE ROMAN CATHOLICISM (PART 1): WATER BAPTISM SALVATION?; & Uncomfortable Questions for Catholics #2: Is Water Baptism Essential & Does Mass Bread Become God?. Also see our newsletter on the "Church of Christ" on our website www.BibleQuery.org (once on our homepage click on the "Experience" box to the left & scroll down to the newsletter section & click on "Church of Christ" & particularly notice the article, "Questions to Consider Concerning Baptism." 1 Corinthians 1:14-17, "14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect."
Any music that is not praise and adoration of the lord is not the music God will anoint for his praises, and his house. it prepares the hearts of sinners for the sermon, and then alter call.
Are "Church of Christ" churches which originated with Alexander & Thomas Campbell, Barton W. Stone & Walter Scott (the "restorers" of the "ancient gospel" back in 1827 according to them) good Bible based churches? No! Church of Christ churches, such as these are religious cult organizations in their preferences, practices, and doctrines. Many American based cults such as Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christadelphians, Seventh-day Adventists & others spawned out of the "Church of Christ" restoration movement of the Campbells, Stone & Scott (see our video "RISE OF THE CULTS: WHERE DID ALL THESE STRANGE AMERICAN RELIGIOUS SECTS COME FROM?" at ua-cam.com/video/HfVTXbFrvh8/v-deo.html). "Churches of Christ" major in "minor" doctrines in order to make it appear that they are righteous while everyone else is wrong. One “minor” issue is the Church of Christ policy of not allowing musical instruments in their church services. The problem is that many within the Church of Christ are fanatically against musical instruments. Some are fanatical to the point of declaring any church that uses musical instruments as not being a true, biblical, or godly church. Such dogmatism on a clearly non-essential issue is the mark of a cult, not the mark of a good biblical church. A second issue is the fact that some in the Church of Christ claim to be “the one true church,” outside of which there is no salvation. By no means do all Church of Christ members believe this, but it is prevalent enough to warrant concern. Some go so far as to argue that since the name is “Church of Christ,” that indicates that the church / denomination is the one and only true Church of the Lord Jesus. This is completely unbiblical. There is no one church or denomination that encompasses the entire Body of Christ. The “one true church of Christ” is comprised of all those who have, by grace through faith, personally received Jesus Christ as Savior. The Church is composed of true believers everywhere, no matter the local church or denominational affiliation. The claim of exclusive access to salvation is another common identification of a cult, not the teaching of a good biblical church. A third and very important issue is the Church of Christ’s emphasis on baptism as being necessary for salvation. Church of Christ advocates point to Scriptures such as Acts 2:38, John 3:5, Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21, and Acts 22:16 as biblical evidence that baptism is required for salvation. There is no denying that baptism is very important. Baptism is intended to be an initial act of obedience to Christ, an illustration of Christ’s death and resurrection, a public declaration of faith in Christ, a step of identification with Him, and a proclamation of desire to follow Him. In the minds of the apostles and early Christians, baptism was so inextricably linked with salvation that the two were viewed as inseparable. The idea that a person could receive Christ as Savior and not be baptized was completely foreign to the early church. With that said, however, baptism is not required for salvation. There are biblically plausible and contextually valid interpretations of each of the above Scriptures that do not indicate baptism as being necessary for salvation. There are many Scriptures that declare salvation to be received by faith / believing, with no mention of baptism or any other requirement (John 3:16; Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:8-9). If baptism is necessary for salvation, these Scriptures are in error and the Bible is contradictory. A person who has genuinely received salvation will produce good fruit. Good works are the inevitable result of salvation (Ephesians 2:10). What differentiates a “living faith” from a “dead faith” in James 2:14-26 is the presence of good works. Church of Christ advocates are right to denounce churches that teach intellectual assent to the facts of the Gospel as sufficient for salvation. The Church of Christ is right to reject the idea that a dead faith, a faith that produces no good works, is what saves a person. Faith / trust in Christ as the Savior is what saves a person, but this faith is a living faith that always results in and produces good works. To say that good works must be present BEFORE a person is saved is to make salvation dependent on our obedience, which is works-salvation, not salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. As Titus 3:5 declares, “He saved us - not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” Churches of Christ are made up of religious heretics believing they are saved by their good works & water baptism (see our playlist "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ"" with 75 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html). Thus the Campbellite "Church of Christ" cult has an extreme over-emphasis on the absence of musical instruments, with a claim of exclusive access to salvation, and with a doctrine of salvation that is works-based, therefore they should be avoided & definitely not be attended or participated in. This group is the mother of cults. Matthew 7:15
Philip Buckley - A cult is a religious group (but do not have to be religious - footnote 1) that follows a particular theological system. From the view of Christianity, a cult distorts the doctrines that affect salvation sufficiently to cause it to be unattainable. For example, it is an essential doctrine of Christianity that there is only one God (Isaiah 43:10; 44:6; 44:8; 45:5) and that believing in a false God brings judgment (Exodus 20:1-6). If a group were to affirm that there is more than one God (i.e., Mormonism), then it would violate an essential doctrine and be outside the Christian faith. Another essential would be that Jesus is God in flesh (John 1:1,14; Col. 2:9) and that to deny it means a person will die in his sins, John 8:24. The Jehovah's Witnesses deny Christ's deity and are, therefore, not Christian. A few examples of cults are Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science, Christadelphians, Unity, Religious Science, The Way International, Campbellism, The Nation of Islam, and the Moonies. See also our playlist called "Dealing with AntiChrist Cults, "New Age" & World Religions" with 65 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PL69A3047B3497590A.html. Apostasy (falling away from the truth) is different than being a non-Christian cult. Roman Catholicism, for example, is not a cult but is apostate. It has fallen away from the true Christian faith by violating the teaching of salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone which is something that all cults also do. _______________________ 1. UFO cults are those groups that are dedicated to the advancement, study, and promotion of aliens, perceived alien communications, and or beliefs therein.
Philip Buckley - The Campbellite "Church of Christ" which was started by Thomas & Alexander Campbell, Barton W. Stone & Walter Scott by "discovering" the "Ancient Gospel" which was water baptism for the "remission of sins" & works of righteousness to keep from losing your salvation - this a false gospel (Galatians 1:6-9) started by a bunch of "know-it-all" false prophets thus classifying their phony religion as a "cult" by our stated definition. Satan's as well as the Campbellite "Church of Christ's" favorite Bible verse is Acts 2:38. The problem is that Acts 2:38 isn't the only verse in the Bible which deals with salvation. While many claim to "speak where the scriptures speak and remain silent where the scriptures are silent," they practically ignore most of the New Testament teaching on salvation. The only verses that such false teachers quote and reference are the ones they feel they can use to promote their "water gospel." The fact is that most of what the New Testament says about salvation doesn't include baptism at all! (John 5:24, John 11:25-26, John 14:6, Romans 4:5, Romans 10:9-13, Eph. 2:8-9, etc.), and the few places that do mention water baptism do not include it as part of one's salvation. Water baptism follows salvation as one of the first steps of obedience for the new believer. In spite of this obvious truth, the cultists remain steadfast in their heresy, insisting that Acts 2:38 sets forth water baptism as a requirement for salvation. Thus, this verse of scripture has become Satan's favorite Bible verse. In fact, many are trusting water baptism alone for the salvation of their souls! Indeed, Satan has deceived multitudes by his perversion of Acts 2:38. Rather than ignore Acts 2:38 by quoting "our favorite verses" instead, it is more appropriate to face this popular verse of scripture and see if the cultists are right in what they claim it teaches. The Truth about Acts 2:38 First, please notice that verse 38 isn't the only verse in Acts 2. In Peter's message, a great deal was said before verse 38 came out of his mouth. In fact, he even told his listeners how to be saved before verse 38! In Acts 2:21, Peter quotes from Joel 2 and says, "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." His words preceding verse 38 were so convicting that his listeners were "pricked in their heart" in verse 37. So, to use verse 38 out of its context causes a misrepresentation of God's word. The verse does not stand alone, and, in fact, a totally different meaning is conveyed when one makes it stand alone. Another error that many make with Acts 2:38 is the error of assumption. It is assumed that the word "for" must mean "in order to get." That is, being baptized "for" the remission of sins supposedly means to be baptized "in order to get" remission of sins. However, a closer look at the scriptures will reveal that this isn't the case at all. Notice Luke 5:12-14: "And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him. And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them." Jesus made this man clean in verse 13, yet in the next verse, verse 14, Jesus tells him to go offer a sacrifice "for thy cleansing" as a "testimony." Here the word "for" cannot mean "in order to get" because he had already gotten his cleansing in verse 13! It obviously meant "because of" his cleansing. If a man goes to jail "for stealing," then he goes there "because of" the stealing that he's already done, not "in order to get" a chance to steal again. Some like to argue that the Greek word "eis" means "in order to," but this isn't always the case. Jesus said in Matthew 12:41, "The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at (eis) the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here." The Greek word for "at" is "eis." Does this mean that the men of Nineveh repented "in order to get" the preaching of Jonah? No, they repented "because of" the preaching of Jonah. So, even "the Greek" doesn't demand the popular interpretation of Acts 2:38. The word "for" can be used different ways, not just one, so it is wrong to assume that it must mean "in order to get" in Acts 2:38. Another factor which is commonly ignored is the JEWISH factor. Every person in Acts 2 is a Mosaic law observing Old Testament Jew. In fact, they are all gathered together to observe a JEWISH FEAST called Pentecost (verse 1). A fair reading of the whole chapter (especially verses 4, 14, and 36) will clearly reveal that no Gentiles (non Jews) are present. Since this involves Jews, it involves a NATION (verse 36!!), not individuals. No one asked, "What must I do to be saved?" The question asked concerned the NATION of Israel: "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" (verse 37) Not, "What shall I do," but rather, "What shall WE do?" Acts 2 presents a NATION of people who come to realize that they have murdered their blessed Messiah and they're asking what THEY must do. It's a question concerning NATIONAL salvation. Isaiah 66:8 says, ". . . shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children." The "nation" is Israel! Romans 11:26 says, "And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob." Acts 2:38 is dealing with NATIONAL salvation. The Messianic Kingdom is still available to the Jews (until Acts 7:60 when they kill Stephen), so national salvation remains an issue until then. This is clear from what follows Acts 7. In Acts 8, an individual from Africa is saved (before baptism). In Acts 9, an individual from Asia is saved (before baptism). In Acts 10, an individual from Europe is saved (before baptism). Why didn't these individual conversions occur before Acts 7? Because the first seven chapter of Acts deal with Israel (1:6-8; 2:36; 3:12; 4:8-10; 5:31; 6:7-14; 7:1-60). The question of INDIVIDUAL salvation is asked and answered in Acts 16:30-31: ". . . Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Those who fail to make this distinction are guilty of violating II Timothy 2:15 where we are told to RIGHTLY DIVIDE the word of truth. The Bible says the gospel is to go to the Jew FIRST (Rom. 1:16), so they are the FIRST to receive the gospel in the book of Acts (chapter 2), but they are not the last to receive it. Acts doesn't end with chapter 2, so we should be cautious of anyone who develops their doctrine in Acts 2 while practically ignoring the next 26 chapters! If God didn't stop in Acts 2, then why does anyone else? Could it be that the later chapters in Acts contain information which the cultists want hidden from us? Could it be that there are other scriptures in Acts which do not agree with the wording of Acts 2:38? Could it be that Peter himself, the one preaching in Acts 2:38, says something different when speaking to individual Gentiles like you and me? One only has to read Acts chapter 10 to get the answer. Peter is preaching again in Acts 10, except only to individual Gentiles, and something very interesting occurs. In Acts 2:38, the Holy Ghost was promised to be given to the converts AFTER they were baptized, yet in Acts 10:44 the Holy Ghost falls upon the Gentiles BEFORE they are baptized! Now, Paul tells us in Romans 8:9, " . . .if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." Having God's Spirit is synonymous with belonging to God or being saved (John 3:6-8), so the Gentiles in Acts 10 were saved BEFORE they were baptized in water. Why don't the Acts 2:38 cultists ever point this out? Answer: It destroys their perverted doctrine that water baptism is essential for salvation. The fact is that Acts 2:38 is NOT the "model" plan of salvation, nor are any of the other "water verses" which the cultists use. Only by taking such verses out of their context can one teach such heresy. All of the Bible is true, not just the favorite "proof texts" of the cults. Baptism saves no one. It only serves as a testimonial picture of the death, the burial, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ AFTER one has believed on Christ (Acts 8:36-38). Paul said in I Corinthians 1:17 that ". . . Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect." This "gospel" is defined by Paul in I Corinthians 15:1-4, and it does NOT include water baptism. The dying thief was not baptized, yet Jesus saved him (Luke 23:42-43), and John wrote that we are washed in the BLOOD of Christ (Rev. 1:5), not in the water. In fact, the saints in Heaven claim to have gotten there by the blood of Jesus (Rev. 5:9), not by water. By faith in the blood of Jesus Christ one is saved (Rom. 3:25). Water baptism only follows this faith as an outward step of obedience. Friend, if you have fallen for the water gospel, why not repent of your sin and trust Jesus Christ alone? Acts 10:43 says, "To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." Why not believe on Christ 100% right now and quit trusting something you DO for salvation? "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Rom. 5:1) Ephesians 2:8-9, "...Not of works, lest any man should boast." For more see our playlist "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ"" with 80 videos at at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html. Titus 1:9-16
@@bedmangoodman145 - Alexander Campbell was born 12 September 1788 near Ballymena, in the parish of Broughshane, County Antrim, Ireland. His parents were Thomas Campbell and Jane Corneigle Campbell, who were of Scots descent. Like his father, he was educated at the University of Glasgow, where he was greatly influenced by Scottish Enlightenment philosophy. He was also influenced by the English philosopher John Locke. In 1809 at the age of 21, Alexander emigrated to the United States with his mother and siblings from Scotland, to join his father Thomas, who had emigrated there in 1807. They sailed from Scotland on the Latonia on 3 August 1809 and landed in New York City on 29 September, then traveled overland to Philadelphia. They continued to western Pennsylvania, where the senior Campbell was serving as a minister in Washington County on the frontier. Alexander was ordained by his father's Brush Run Church on 1 January 1812. After years of theological "experimenting" Alexander Campbell & his associates decided they had "discovered" the lost & ancient gospel by baptizing a Baptist. Alexander Campbell writes, "Walter Scott “arranges” the “ancient gospel” and makes “experiments” with it; baptizes William Amend on November 18, 1827 and claims to have restored the gospel. (see Life of Elder Walter Scott by Baxter, Chapter VI; Memoirs of Alexander Campbell, Vol. 2, pp. 208-220). Thus to Campbell, Scott & others in their little religious group were the first Christians around since the early first Christians mentioned in Romans 16:16 so they simply assumed that they were the same as the ones in Romans 16:16 which is a very bad assumption to say the least. To learn more about the cultic Campbellite "Church of Christ" movement also known as the "Restoration Movement" see our playlist called "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ" with 104 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html . Matthew 7:15, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's. clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." Romans 16:16 - "All the churches of Christ send greetings. I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the "teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites."
I was raised in the COC and so was my wife. We attended together after we married, for a few years, but began to sense something wasn't right, namely, we were taught that we were the only correct church. When we finally did leave, my mother treated us like second class citizens and she would never "come together to reason in the scriptures". She believed I was hell bound for attending a church with musical instruments. I, ironically, ended up playing drums in a praise band.
WOW!! Wonderful breakdown of this mess....I grew up in COC and 20 years later was saved in prison. I smelled a rat,but couldn't put my finger on it...you put both feet down on it! Thank you for this ministry!
Heretics who believe they & even unbelieving newborn infants will be saved by water baptism go to no limits in perverting scripture in order to justify themselves that their water baptism is what has saved them (making them water baptism idolaters of the worse sort who replace faith alone in Jesus Christ alone by grace alone with a man made "work" of performing a human ritual of water baptism thus promoting "another gospel" which is cursed in Galatians 1:6-9 by the apostle Paul; see also Ephesians 2:8-10). See our video "IS WATER BAPTISM NECESSARY TO ESCAPE HELL & BE SAVED & ARE YOU "BORN AGAIN" (JOHN 3:3-8) BY IT?" at ua-cam.com/video/wYJtMV9qrWg/v-deo.html. Heretics even turn to Old Testament verses to argue for their water baptism savior. The following are some of the arguments made by them for water baptism salvation in the Old Testament: "Old Testament references to Holy Baptism with water - As with the other sacraments, references to Holy Baptism with water can be found in the Old Testament. The deliverance of Noah and his family in the ark is regarded in 1 Peter 3: 20-21 as an "antitype of baptism" and a reference to future salvation. In Christian tradition, the Israelites' passage through the Red Sea-their deliverance from Egyptian captivity-is also understood as a reference to the deliverance that occurs through baptism with water. The Mosaic Law strictly distinguishes between "clean" and "unclean". Water is one of the means used to bring about ritual purity. Persons who were unclean in a religious sense had to subject to a bath of purification (Leviticus 13-15). Ezekiel 16: 9 mentions a washing with water and an anointing with oil, through which Jerusalem was received into a covenant of salvation. This can also be understood as a reference to Holy Baptism with water and Holy Sealing. Likewise, the situation of the Aramaic commander Naaman can be related to baptism: at the instruction of the prophet Elisha, the leper washed himself by dipping his body seven times into the Jordan, and the disease abated (2 Kings 5: 1-14). This can be understood as a symbol for the washing away of original sin through baptism." Weak arguments for water baptism salvation such as these are easily refuted by a proper New Testament understanding of Biblical salvation. 101 Reasons Why Water Baptism is Not Necessary to be Saved Thesis: We are saved by the grace (gift) of God through a living faith, via the agency (baptism) of the Holy Spirit because of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Water baptism is a most important part of the Christian life. Since the earliest days, baptism has been consistently practiced by Christians to confirm their faith and relationship with the Father, Son, And Holy Spirit. Certainly a person with a sincere saving faith will be baptized (or if they were baptized as an infant will acknowledge and cherish that fact). Water baptism is a physical act that testifies to a spiritual event. But does the actual act of being baptized get one to heaven? Christians sometimes assume that whenever they see the term baptism, that it is referring to water baptism. This is not always a correct understanding. The New Testament uses the term baptism in four different ways: baptism by water, by the Holy Spirit, and by fire (Matthew 3:11, etc.). It also uses it as a metaphor for the association believers have in Christ's death (Romans 6:4, etc.). Items 1 through 41 are concerned with how we are saved, that is how we get to heaven. Many verses emphasize salvation by grace through faith without mentioning water baptism: 1. John 1:12 2. John 3:14-18, 36 (whoever) 3. John 5:24 4. John 6:29-40, 47, 69 (whoever, everyone) 5. John 11:25-26 (whoever) 6. John 12:46-50 (whoever) 7. John 16:7-9 (not believe) 8. John 17:20-22 9. John 20:31 10. Acts 2:21,33 (everyone) 11. Acts 10:43-48 (whoever, water baptism follows belief and Holy Spirit’s work of salvation) 12. Acts 13:38-39, 48 (everyone) 13. Acts 15:8-11 14. Acts 16:30-31 (answer to a direct question: What must I do to be saved?) 15. Acts 26:18 16. Romans 1:16 (everyone) 17. Romans 3:20-31 (all who believe) 18. Romans 4:1-11 19. Romans 4:23-25 20. Romans 5:1-21 21. Romans 9:30-33 (whoever) 22. Romans 10:4-13 (everyone, whoever) 23. Galatians 2:15-21, Galatians 3:1-28 (whoever, baptism secondary to faith) 24. Galatians 5:5-6 25. Ephesians 2:8-10 26. Philippians 3:4-14 27. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 28. Hebrews 4:2-3 29. 1 Peter 2:6 30. 1 John 1:5-10 31. 1 John 4:15 (God abides in whoever confesses Christ) 32. 1 John 5:1, 10-13 (whoever) 33. Other verses mention belief without water baptism: Luke 7:50; John 2:11, 23; John 4:39, 41; John 7:38-39; John 8:30-32; John 9:35-36; John 10:42; John 11:45, 48; John 12:11, 42-44; John 14:1, 12; John 20:31; Acts 14:23; Acts 20:21; Romans 15:13; Philippians 1:29; Titus 3:8. There nine instances of conversion in the book of Acts without reference to baptism: Acts 3:1-4:4, Acts 5:1-14, Acts 9:32-35, Acts 11:19-24, Acts 13:6-12, Acts 13:42-52, Acts 14:1, Acts 17:10-12, Acts 17:22-34. Did the authors miss the opportunity to mention baptism in these many passages if it is so important? 34. Many of the above verses use the language “whosoever” (King James) or “whoever” or “everyone” who believes. This language is all-encompassing. That is, by the language of the text nothing else is required for salvation except faith. Thus, in addition to not mentioning water baptism, the all-encompassing language of whoever precludes other requirements. SO HERE WE HAVE THE THESIS OF SALVATION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH DEMONSTRATED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE. 35. Further, many verses specifically preclude works as a way to salvation: Acts 13:39; Romans 3:20, 28; Galatians 2:15-17; Ephesians 2:9; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:5; Philippians 3:8-9 (“everything”), etc. Others say that we cannot boast before God-a similar concept (Romans 3:27; 1 Corinthians 1:29). Note: some of these passages could be construed to mean we are not saved by the Law of Moses-the Old Testament law- leaving open that other works (“laws of Christ”) are necessary for salvation. However, other passages clarify that “works” are any works. See Romans 3:20-27 (clearly speaking of moral law thus broader than ceremonial law of Moses); Galatians 2:21 (“nothing”), Galatians 3:21-22 (“if a law”); Galatians 3:25 (no longer a guardian law); Titus 3:5. And please consider Romans 13:10 in Young's Literal Translation: "Love therefore is the fulness of law." Note that in the Greek there is no "the" in front of "law," making law a general term and not a reference to Old Testament law. So Paul is making a general case that we are not saved by works of any kind. Jesus himself explains in John 6:27-29 that the “work” we must do is to believe. Thus we are not saved by what we do; we cannot get to heaven by what we do. HERE WE HAVE THE THESIS OF GRACE THROUGH FAITH DEMONSTRATED IN THE NEGATIVE. 36. Baptism in the Bible typically follows one’s saving faith as an act of obedience after being saved. 37. We listed numerous passages that say that forgiveness of sins comes with faith. There are also passages that indicate that forgiveness of sins is associated with repentance (without mention of water baptism), for example Mark 1:15; Luke 24:47; Acts 3:19; Acts 5:31; Acts 19:4; Acts 20:21; 2 Corinthians 7:10. 38. Faith and repentance are closely associated. They are like two sides of the same coin. You cannot turn toward Christ without turning away from sin. So the command to non-Christians is to repent and believe. All other commands to obedience in the New Testament, including water baptism, are to people who are already Christians. 39. Having pointed out the above, we must clarify that the type of faith that saves is one that is obedient. Ephesians 2:8-10 confirms that we are saved by grace through faith and not of our own doing, but through a faith that results in good works. James 2 confirms that we cannot be saved by a “dead” faith. Thus we are saved by a living faith. Someone who has a genuine faith will seek to conform their life to the will of God. Ephesians 2 confirms that even faith itself is a gift of God. Yet a living faith is still faith. Faith expressed is still faith. We would question whether a person who refused water baptism has a genuine (living) faith. A person who had received a saving faith would want to be obedient, thus would be baptized, not for salvation but because of it. 40. Yes, “works” are indeed necessary for salvation-Christ’s work (Romans 5:19)! For us humans, works are an output rather than an input. In terms of a formula: (a) Correct Formula: GRACE THROUGH FAITH = SALVATION + WORKS (b) Incorrect Formula: GRACE THROUGH FAITH + WORKS = SALVATION Formula (b) is biblically incorrect as well as logically incorrect. The first law of logic says that 2 contradictory things cannot both be true at the same time and in the same relationship. The definition of grace is unmerited favor (www.carm.org/christianity/dictionary-theology/gehenna-hypostatic-union#_1_75) and is a free gift (Romans 5:15, 5:16, 6:23). So it would be merited favor if works are required for salvation. Something cannot both be unmerited and merited at the same time. This is precisely what Paul is arguing in Romans 11:6 (“But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.”) and in Galatians 2:9 (“I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died needlessly.”) 41. Nowhere does the Bible say the words, “cannot be saved without water baptism,” or “an unbaptized believer is not saved.” Items 42 through 59 pertain to Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21, and Acts 22:16-passages which are often used to show that water baptism saves. 42. Acts 2:38 in most translations says, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins….” But there are valid reasons why for in Acts 2:38 does not necessarily mean “in order to achieve” forgiveness of sins. The Greek word eis (“for”) can have a variety of translations or meanings. Possible meanings include "in," "into," "unto," "to,"towards," "at," or even “because of,” “as a result of,” or “in light of.” There are many passages in the New Testament that show these various nuances in meaning: Matthew 3:11, 10:41, 12:41, 28:19; Mark 1:9; Luke 5:14, 14:23; John 4:5, 11:31; Acts 2:25, 10:43, 19:3, 22:10; Romans 4:20, 5:8, 5:12, 6:3; 1 Corinthians 10:2. Thus, whatever follows eis (for) may even be something that has already been accomplished. Here is an online Bible that the reader can look up each of these passages: www.biblegateway.com/. Also see Got Questions, a site that has the most extensive list of Bible answers on the Internet. Robert Morey cites many Bible translations that render eis in Acts 2:38 as “because of” or “as a result of” or “in light of.” Also helpful is an essay by Lanny Tanton, a former Church of Christ preacher that changed his mind on this: Change of Mind. Eis also “looks backward” in the Old Testament Septuagint (Malachi 2:2, 2:11). 43. The English dictionary gives about a dozen ways that the word “for” is used. For example, consider the statement, “John was beheaded for his faithfulness.” Isn't it accurate to say that “for” does not mean “in order to obtain” in this sentence? Similarly, the statement "Take two aspirin for a headache" does not mean "Take two aspirin in order to get a headache." 44. Further regarding Acts 2:38, The Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible (page 1357) says this, “The main verb in this verse is metanoesate (3340), meaning 'repent.' This refers to that initial repentance of a sinner unto salvation. The verb translated ‘be baptized’ is in the indirect passive imperative of baptizo (907) which means that it does not have the same force as the direct command of ‘repent.’ The preposition ‘for’ in the phrase ‘for the remission of sins’ in Greek is eis (1519), ‘unto.’ Literally it means ‘for the purpose of identifying you with the remission of sins.’ This same preposition is used in 1 Corinthians 10:2 in the phrase ‘and were all baptized unto [eis] Moses.’ These people were identifying themselves with the work and ministry of Moses. Repentance is something that concerns an individual and God, while baptism is intended to be a testimony to other people. That is why baptistheto, ‘to be baptized,’ is in the passive voice indicating that one does not baptize himself, but he is baptized by another usually in the presence of others.” 45. Thayer’s A Greek English Lexicon of the New Testament confirms many alternative meanings to the Greek word eis. 46. People are saved after (1) hearing God’s word (Acts 2:22-37). They then (2) received God’s word (Acts 2:41) and (3) believed in Jesus (Acts 10:43, Romans 10:9-13) for salvation. Peter’s audience “gladly received his word”-and by necessary inference believed in their hearts and put their trust in Jesus-before they were water baptized (Acts 2:41). Salvation thus comes at the point of receiving God’s word and taking it to heart. 47. Those who believed Peter’s message clearly received the Holy Spirit before they were baptized. Peter said, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” (Acts 10:47) Peter’s first emphasis is on having received the Holy Spirit (just as we have); baptism comes later as a follow-up. 48. Scripture must be interpreted so that it harmonizes. Language is often not straight forward or literal, and interpretation is required. There are passages that may seem to be saying, on the surface, that we must do something to be saved (water baptism)-such as Acts 2:38 or Mark 16:16. But if they actually meant that, Scripture would be contradictory. Any concept or statement that is contradictory cannot be true. Note for example, that Mark 16:16 does not specifically say that all who believe but are not baptized go to hell. If it did, it would contradict the “whoever” passages such as John 3:16 or Acts 10:43 (whoever believes shall be saved) and would also contradict the numerous passages that say we are not saved by works (Romans 3, Ephesians 2, Galatians 3, Titus 3, etc.). Similarly, Acts 2:38 cannot mean that water baptism is necessary for salvation because Acts 2:21 says that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” The way to harmonize these concepts is to understand that works such as water baptism are things that a true saved believer will do to be obedient. But (in the case of an adult convert) such works follow salvation. Thus we are saved by a living faith (James 2). But faith expressed is still faith-and it is faith that saves us-not the works. 49. To emphasize, if eis has the meaning of “in order to be saved” in Acts 2:38, it suggests that salvation is based on works-an idea that runs counter to the theology of Acts, namely: (a) repentance-and sins blotted out-often precedes baptism (cf. Acts 3:19, 26:20), and (b) salvation is entirely a gift of God, not procured via water baptism (Acts 10:43 [cf. v. 47]; Acts 13:38-39, 48; Acts 15:11; Acts 16:30-31; Acts 20:21; Acts 26:18). 50. Acts 2:44 speaks of “all who believed” as constituting the early church, not necessarily all who were baptized. 51. According to theologians Geisler and Howe (book When Critics Ask), in view of the many factors, “It seems best to understand Peter’s statement in Acts 2:38 like this: ‘Repent and be baptized with a view to the forgiveness of sins’ (or ‘because of forgiveness of sins’). Believing (or repenting) and being baptized are placed together, since baptism should follow belief. But nowhere does it say, ‘He who is not baptized will be condemned’ (Mark 16:16). Yet Jesus said emphatically that ‘he who does not believe is condemned already’ (John 3:18). So neither Peter nor the rest of Scripture makes water baptism a condition of salvation.” 52. Mark 16:16, which is often used to support water baptismal regeneration does not appear in the oldest and most reliable manuscripts. So many scholars question whether it should even be considered part of Scripture. See Got Questions on Mark. 53. Does Mark 16:16 prove that a person must be baptized in order to be saved? No, it does not specify. It says that a person who believes and is baptized will be saved, and a person who does not believe is condemned. Proverbs 30:6 and 1 Corinthians 4:6 are strict warnings not to add to God’s word. If you say that Mark 16:16 states what happens to those who believe and are not baptized, when that verse is silent on that, you are adding to God’s word. 54. The Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible (page 1260) says about Mark 16:16, “The word ‘believeth’ is pisteuo [4100], an aortist participle referring to one who has believed at some time in the past. Also, baptistheis (907), translated ‘is baptized,’ is an aorist participle but in the passive voice. This form refers to an act of outward obedience, in this case, baptism. Therefore, the correct translation here should be stated, 'He who believed and who was baptized shall be saved.' However, the Lord adds, ' …but he that believeth not shall be damned.’ It should be noted that this negative statement does not include a reference to baptism, making it clear that what saves a person is living faith in Jesus Christ. This is made clear in Ephesians 2:8, ‘For by grace are ye saved through faith….’ The word ‘saved’ is translated from the Greek word sesosmenoi, which is a perfect passive participle. It means that this salvation took place at some point in the past and is continuing on in the present, being accomplished by Jesus Christ Himself. If baptism were necessary for salvation, Ephesians 2:8 and many other verses should have been translated ‘ye are saved through faith and baptism.’…Baptism is a distinct act of obedience apart from salvation. This is clarified by the order in which the words ‘believe’ and ‘baptize’ occur in the text…” 55. 1 Pet 3:21 (NIV): “and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also-not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God…” 1 Pet 3:21 (KJV): “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.)” The body washed with pure water is a visible emblem of our changed hearts. The key word in the Greek in this sentence is antitypos, which means “a thing resembling another” (Blue Letter Bible). So the NIV rendering “symbolizes” is correct. 1 Peter 3:21 says that it is not the water that saves us but the pledge of a good conscience towards God, which is symbolized by baptism. See Got Questions on Peter. 56. Regarding 1 Peter 3:21, the notes in the The Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible (pages 1539-1540) explains, “The expression ‘baptism doth now save’ should be understood in light of verse twenty: ‘eight souls were saved by water.’ Noah and his family, being in the ark, were able to pass safely ‘through’ the waters….In the same way, the term ‘baptism’ should be understood as the visible representation of deliverance through Christ, just as the ark represented deliverance from the waters of the flood. When a person accepts Christ, he is saved; when the believer is baptized, he is identified with the One who has delivered him (i.e. Jesus Christ).” 57. KJV’s “by water” is incorrect; the Greek is “through water (di udatos)” per (NKJV, NIV, NASB, Green’s Literal Translation, NRSV, Young's Literal Translation). Wasn’t Noah saved before the flood (Genesis 6:8)? So aren’t believers saved before baptism in the same way, baptism being a symbol of a saving faith? It also seems significant that Peter here (1 Peter 3:21) explains his own statement by stating that baptism is "an appeal to God for a good conscience through the resurrection of Christ." 58. Further regarding 1 Peter 3:21, is referring not the the dirt on the surface of the body, but most likely to our sinful nature. The Greek word is sarx (Blue Letter Bible). So Peter is saying specifically that water batpism does not remove our sinful nature. See Filth of the Flesh. 59. Acts 22:16 says, “Now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.” According to the John MacArthur study Bible, “Grammatically the phrase, ‘calling on His name,’ precedes ‘Get up and be baptized.’ Salvation comes from calling on the name of the Lord (Romans 10:9, 10, 13), not from being baptized.” Items 60 through 76 are concerned with baptism of the Holy Spirit Here's a helpful article: Got Questions on Baptism of the Holy Spirit 60. In Acts 10:43-48 those who believed Peter’s message clearly received the Holy Spirit before they were baptized. Before receiving water baptism, they believed, praised God and spoke in tongues, so they had already become children of God before receiving water baptism. Then Peter said, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So water baptism followed their salvation. The Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible (page 1372) says, “This is similar to the circumstances at Jerusalem and Samaria in that each time, many believers were baptized in the Holy Spirit at the same time (cf. Acts 2:1-4, 8:14-17). It is interesting to note that apostles were present in each instance. The special manifestation of the Holy Spirit here, which allowed these Gentiles to speak in tongues, proved that God gave the Gentiles the same ‘gift’ (v. 45) as the Jews. Notice that the baptism of the Holy Spirit [normally] took place prior to water baptism. ‘Spiritual’ baptism is what actually places believers into the body of Christ while water baptism only demonstrates to others that a person is in the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13)….” 1 Corinthians 12:13 specifically confirms that baptism by the Holy Spirit is what places us in the body of Christ. Peter in Acts 10:43 makes it clear that it is faith that produces remission of sins, and that water baptism comes later as a symbol of one’s new life in Christ. Also, we note that in Acts 11, where Peter explains what happened in Acts 10, he makes no mention of water baptism, and in Acts 11:16 indicates that Holy Spirit baptism superceded water baptism of John the Baptist. 61. The situation in Acts 8:14-17 is somewhat different from the ones in Acts 2 and Acts 10 however. The Samaritans received the laying on of hands and the Holy Spirit after water baptism. So it is obvious from this story that it is possible to be regenerated and not to have received the Spirit’s empowering presence yet. Even today, it is certainly true that we receive certain aspects of the Holy Spirit’s work at the point of regeneration and some afterward. The Holy Spirit is working in our lives before, during, and after water baptism. See www.faithfacts.org/bible-101/christian-cram-course#holyspirit. Certainly we should not put God in a box about how he works in a person’s life. There are some logical reasons why this situation occurred as it did. Apparently the apostles were not present when the original conversions took place. This was a group of Samaritans, who were not fully Jewish and there was a lot of hostility that existed between the Samaritans and Jews. It would have been desirable in this early ministry to receive apostolic approval to prove that this new church was “kosher.” This passage does not in any way indicate that water baptism saves. 62. Romans 8:14: “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” Similarly, Romans 8:16-17: “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs-heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” Who would be “sons” or “children?” In modern figurative language, children would have the DNA of the father-having been “born again” (John 3). 63. Romans 15:13. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Thus, our hope is in the power of the Holy Spirit through faith (not our power to obey or whatever legalistic requirement). 64. Included in the many things the Holy Spirit does is that he is active in the salvation of a person. He regenerates us, this being made quite clear in Titus 3:5. He transforms us (2 Corinthians 3:18). He sanctifies us (Galatians 5:16-23; 2 Thessalonians 2:13). Remembering that we are saved by a transformation of the heart-the Holy Spirit pours out God’s love in the heart (Romans 5:5), He seals God’s promises in believers’ hearts (Ephesians 1:13-14), and He strengthens the inner being (Ephesians 3:16). It is by his power that we have hope (Romans 15:13). Further, he shapes the individual’s community life to Christ’s (Romans 8:1-17), etc, etc. See also Who Is the Holy Spirit. 65. Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Acts 1:5; Acts 2:4; 1 Cor 6:11 shows that we are baptized, washed, justified, and sanctified by the Spirit of God. (We are washed by the Holy Spirit-not by water.) The Holy Spirit is everywhere in the Scriptures from beginning to end doing his work in the world and in people. 66. The Holy Spirit is the seal of the believer’s salvation (Ephesians 4:30; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Romans 8:9), not water baptism. Indeed, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit when we believed (Ephesians 1:11-14), and even before at the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:3-12). Note: Certainly, predestination is a difficult concept, but we believe it because God says it. 67. Titus 3:3-8 shows that it is the Holy Spirit that regenerates a person, not water baptism or any other work. Notice also that it is by the work of God that we are saved, and specifically not because of any righteousness things we have done. This is baptism (washing) of the Holy Spirit, which is mentioned in Acts 1:5 and fulfilled in Acts 2:4. 68. 2 Tim 1:9-14 shows that it is the power of the Trinity-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit- that saves us, not because of our works. 69. Many verses show that the Holy Spirit dwells in a person or is the helpmate of God’s or Jesus’ indwelling (John 14:17; Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 3:16-19; 2 Timothy 1:14; 1 John 4:13-17). The Holy Spirit’s indwelling is the means whereby “Christ is in you.” Paul views this relationship as so close that he can even say “the Lord is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:17, Galatians 4:6, etc.) Elsewhere, in Galatians 2:20 Paul says, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” Paul teaches that the Holy Spirit and Christ work together in applying the resurrected life of Christ to the believer. Indeed, the Spirit’s presence now is a guarantee, if you will, of the future bodily resurrection of the believer (Romans 8:11). 70. In further context, those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God (Romans 8:14). What does it mean to be a son of God? We should think that in some sense in modern language it means that we have his DNA. He also intercedes for the Saints (8:27)-which is mentioned in the context of predestination (8:29). All this is to say that it is the Holy Spirit who is working salvation in the person. Just as our physical birth is not something we earn or have any control over, spiritual birth is something the God gives rather than something we earn or have any control over (1 Peter 1:3-5). 71. John 3 is an interesting passage. Here Jesus tells Nicodemus that unless one is born again of water and the Spirit, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Some might say that water here refers to the water being released when one is born physically by a woman. Others would say that water here means water baptism. But this latter interpretation seems quite unlikely, since Christian baptism had not been instituted yet and would have been meaningless to Nicodemus. (Others find reference to John’s baptism in this statement, but Jesus nowhere makes John’s baptism a requirement for salvation.) Remembering who Jesus is speaking to-a leading Jew-he is most certainly referring to Old Testament passages the Nicodemus would have been familiar with: Isaiah 32:15, Isaiah 44:3, and Ezekiel 36:25-27. According the notes in The Reformation Study Bible, linguistic considerations point to understanding “water” and the “Spirit” as referring to a single spiritual birth. In these OT passages, the concept expressed is the pouring out of God’s Spirit in the end times. The presence of such rich Old Testament imagery accounts for Jesus’ reproof of Nicodemus (John 3:10) as a “teacher of Israel,” which he should have understood. The Reformation Study Bible, of note, also says that the passage emphasizes the priority and sovereignty of God in salvation, though it does not exclude the reality of human response in repentance and faith. So the message is that salvation is through baptism of the Holy Spirit, not water baptism. 72. Can the word water as used in John 3:5 mean water baptism? Why didn't Christ say what he meant to say? If he really meant baptism-when he said water-by the same reasoning he evidently meant baptism in the next Chapter (John 4:7-15). Read again the story of the Woman at the Well and substitute the word baptism for water everywhere it is found in the story exactly as you substitute the word baptism for water in John 3:5, and see what a story you make. False doctrines always lead to muddy water. 73. Jesus baptizes via the Holy Spirit (Mat 3:11 and Mark 1:8) and never personally baptized with water as far we know. If water baptism is so important, why didn’t Jesus do so? 74. There is a close relationship between how we are saved and the gospel. Romans 1:16 says that the gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. Understanding clearly from this passage that it is the power of God that saves (and not the power of a person), at the very least to deny that God the Holy Spirit is active in the believer is, we think, a gross distortion of the gospel, which we further demonstrate at www.faithfacts.org/world-religions-and-theology/church-of-christ#gospel. 75. The Holy Spirit is most certainly active today. Denying the work of the Holy Spirit, especially as regards to salvation, is very close to being the unforgivable sin that the Bible speaks of in Matthew 12:31-32 and Mark 3:22-30. 76. 1 Corinthians 12:13 plainly states that "we were all baptized by one Spirit...." See Baptism by the Holy Spirit. The conclusion must be, it seems to us, that indeed we are saved by the spiritual baptism of the Holy Spirit creating an inner change in the heart rather than water on the skin. The Bible makes a distinction between spiritual baptism and water baptism (Matthew 3:11). But we would not put God in a box, and so this would not preclude the Holy Spirit working through water baptism as a means of God’s grace- as the Holy Spirit works before, during, and after one is saved. But it does preclude the legalistic view that water baptism is a work of the individual that one must do to be saved. Items 77 through 95 pertain to other Scripture passages and concepts on baptism 77. There is no record of the apostles ever receiving water baptism. Though they probably did, it would be a glaring omission for the writers of the New Testament to omit this if it is so important. 78. Paul separates baptism from the Gospel, saying, “Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the Gospel” (1 Corinthians 1:17). But it is the Gospel which saves us (Romans 1:16, 1 Corinthians 15:1-8). Therefore, water baptism is not part of what saves us. See “What is the Gospel”: www.faithfacts.org/bible-101/what-is-the-gospel. 79. Jesus implied in Matthew 3:13-16 that water baptism is a work of righteousness. But Titus 3:5 teaches that it is “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.” 80. Not once in the entire Gospel of John, written explicitly so that people could believe and be saved (John 20:31), does it give water baptism as part of the condition of salvation. It simply says over and over that people should believe and be saved (cf. John 3:16, 18, 36). 81. While a legalist may say, “Our salvation depends on a proper baptism.”-there is no terminology or concept of a “proper” baptism in the New Testament. This is simply a term that identifies the speaker as a legalist. 82. The thief on the cross was saved without water baptism. Some claim that water baptism was not necessary because the thief died under the Old Covenant. But because Jesus died BEFORE the thief, it follows that the thief was saved without water baptism AFTER the atonement. Another problem with the Old Covenant claim as to the thief on the cross comes from Romans 2:12: "and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law." Was the thief on the cross judged by the law or by grace through faith alone? Of course, it was by faith alone. Finally, some claim that he must have been baptized previously. This assumption is not probable and seems suspect to fit a pre-conceived doctrine. 83. In addition to the thief on the cross, there are other instances in the Bible where a sinner was saved without baptism: the paralytic man in Matthew 9:2; the penitent woman in Luke 7:37-50; the publican in Luke 18:13-14. See also: Acts 15:9; Acts 26:18; Ephesians 1:11-13; 1 Jn 5:4; etc. 84. The apostle Paul (Acts 9:6-9, 22:6-16, 26:12-23) obeyed before he received water baptism. Was he saved before he was baptized? Yes! Ananias called him “brother Saul” in Acts 22:13. He became a child of God-a true Christian-when he called on the name of the Lord (and obeyed Jesus) before being baptized. He had a living faith, not a “dead faith” when he called on the name of the Lord and was obedient prior to water baptism. Baptism was another-though certainly important-event of obedience after he was saved. In Acts 26:20, Paul makes the statement “...and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.”(ESV) In the NIV, it is translated “...that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.” This confirms Paul’s understanding of his own conversion, as well as others, that salvation occurred before water baptism. Just before that he quotes Jesus as saying that people are “sanctified by faith in me [Jesus],” (Acts 26:18)-further proving that salvation comes with faith. In Acts 3:19 we see Paul making a similar statement: “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out.” So it is faith and repentance that save, without regard to water baptism. 85. In Romans 4:9-11, Abraham was saved before the obedience of circumcision, which is the Old Testament correlation to New Testament baptism. 86. Acts 15:1-12. Some men (falsely) taught that unless you are circumcised you cannot be saved. The apostles COULD have said, “Not circumcision anymore but baptism.” But instead Peter said, “No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” So they told Gentile believers to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, sexual immorality, blood, but “missed their chance” to say that baptism is required. 87. Water baptism is a sacrament, like the Lord’s Supper. Both are symbols of the reality of our salvation in Christ. Just as we do not literally eat Christ’s body in the Lord’s Supper, we are not literally saved by water trickling over our skin. 88. Water baptism is like the ring in a wedding. We use the term “with this ring I thee wed.” The language indicates that we are literally married by the ring. But it is not the ring that marries a couple. It is the commitment under God. Similarly, water baptism is to a Christian what a uniform is to a soldier. The soldier puts on the uniform because he is ordered to. It identifies him outwardly as what he is in his person. 89. Water baptism is like physical birth, while our salvation is like conception prior to physical birth. See www.freedomsring.org/ftc/chap27.html. Life began at conception, not at birth. Baptism does not initiate life, it was initiated earlier at the point of faith, that is, at the point of the work of the Holy Spirit. 90. Steve Morrison (www.biblequery.com) argues that “baptism is an emblem of washing our sins away. But even if someone says that this was literally washing their sins away, they should probably still agree with these things: a. If it was the liquid water that literally took away the sins, then future sins would not be taken away unless a person was baptized again and again. b. It is not the water that is special, but rather the water as the identification with the blood of Christ. c. The Bible does not say people cannot have sins washed away without baptism. God is capable of taking away the sins of the thief on the cross, as well as early Christians who were martyred before they had the opportunity to be baptized. d. So, it is not the drops of water that take away anything. Rather, it is the pledge of a good conscience before God that connects us with Christ’s blood, and baptism is an acknowledgment-an emblem, of that.” 91. Ephesians 2:1-10 explains that regeneration actually precedes faith, and the faith itself is a gift of God! See www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/sproul01.html. 92. Did Christ personally, at any time or place tell a sinner to be baptized FOR or IN ORDER to the Remission of Sin? If so, where and when? Why didn’t Jesus regularly practice water baptism if it is so important? 93. “Washing” in 1 Cor 6:11 may not necessarily mean water baptism. Revelation 1:5 and Revelation 7:14 make it clear that we are washed by the blood of Christ! 94. The healing of Naaman in the Jordan River (2 Kings 5) does not mean that water baptism saves. The healing of leprosy is not evidence of salvation. Naaman did not even believe in God when he was healed. 95. What if a person met all the requirements to be saved, but was killed in a car wreck on his way to being baptized. Would he not be in heaven? Items 92 through 101 pertain to historical interpretations 96. Alexander Campbell in Design by Baptism p.262 said: “In this sense we are to understand what is said by Paul, that Christ sanctifieth and cleanseth the church ‘with washing of water by the word.’ Ephesians 5:26, and in another place, that ‘according to His mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and of renewing of the Holy Ghost’ Titus 3:5, and by Peter that ‘baptism doeth save us’ 1 Peter 3:21. For it is not the intention of Paul to signify that our ablution and salvation are completed by water, or that water contains in itself the virtue to purify, regenerate, and renew; nor did Peter mean that it was the cause of salvation, but only the knowledge and assurance of it is received in this sacrament: what is sufficiently evident from the words they have used. For Paul connects together the ‘word of life’ and ‘the baptism of water;’ as if he had said, our ablution and sanctification are announced to us by the Gospel, and by baptism this message is confirmed. And Peter after having said the baptism doth save us, immediately adds, that it is ‘not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God’ which proceeds from faith. But on the contrary, baptism promises us no other purification than by the sprinkling of the blood of Christ; which is emblematically represented by water, on account of its resemblance to washing and cleansing.” 97. Alexander Campbell in Millennial Harbinger, 1837, p.411-412 said: “But who is a Christian? I answer, every one that believes in his heart that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, the Son of God; repents of his sins, and obeys him in all things according to his measure of knowledge of his will. . . . I cannot make any one duty the standard of Christian state or character, not even immersion into the name of Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and [cannot] in my heart regard all that have been sprinkled in infancy without their own knowledge and consent, as aliens from Christ and the well-grounded hope of heaven. Should I find a Pedobaptist [one baptized as an infant] more intelligent in the Christian Scriptures, more spiritually-minded and more devoted to the Lord than a Baptist, or one immersed on a profession of the ancient faith, I could not hesitate a moment in giving the preference of my heart to him that loveth most. Did I act otherwise, I would be a pure sectarian, a Pharisee among Christians.” 98. The early church document the Didache (c.125 A.D.) ch.7 p.379 said: “baptize into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in living water. But if thou have not living water, baptize into other water; and if thou canst not in cold, in warm. But if thou have not either, pour out water thrice upon the head into the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” 99. In another early church document, Anonymous Treatise on Re-baptism (254-257 A.D.) ch.5 p.669-670: On speaking of Cornelius said, “And there will be no doubt that men may be baptized with the Holy Ghost without water, as thou observest that these were baptized before they were baptized with water; that the announcements of both John and of our Lord Himself were satisfied, forasmuch as they received the grace of the promise both without the imposition of the apostle’s hands and without the laver [baptismal font], which they attained afterwards. And their hearts being purified, God bestowed upon them at the same time, in virtue of their faith, remission of sins; so that the subsequent baptism conferred upon them this benefit alone, that they received also the invocation of the name of Jesus Christ, that nothing might appear to be wanting to the integrity of their service and faith.” 100. In an extensive study of what the early church fathers said about baptism, Steve Morrison (www.biblequery.org/) says, “We cannot find a single person in history who held to both believer’s baptism plus all are lost who are not immersed for remission of sins. In other words, according to the doctrine of many Churches of Christ, outside of the New Testament we cannot find in history a single person who had any possibility of going to heaven, until after the restoration movement started, and even Alexander Campbell was never baptized for remission of sins.” 101. And finally, for the record, the word baptism does not necessarily always mean immersion. For example, in 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 the Israelites were baptized by only getting their feet wet, while it was the Egyptians who got immersed. Luke 11:38 is a reference to the washing of hands, not of total body immersion. In Mark 7:4 baptism is described as washing of vessels, which is not necessarily immersion but could be pouring or scrubbing. Hebrews 9:10 speaks of “various ceremonial washings.” The word here is baptismos. The ceremonial washing, or baptisms, that follow are rites of purification in the Old Testament (cf. Hebrews 9:13-31). In all of these ceremonial washings, the method of application was sprinkling. In fact, all Old Testament purifications or washings were by sprinkling (Numbers 8:7, 19:19, Leviticus 14:7, etc). Doesn't it stand to reason that New Testament Jewish Christians would have appreciated that method of baptism? Conclusion: (a) We get to heaven by God’s grace through a genuine living faith in Jesus. The view that water touching skin is what saves us is a superficial view of the doctrine of salvation. (b) Requirements of a “proper” baptism are not bibilical and are a mark of legalism-especially when combined with other works requirements. (c) However, anyone who refuses to be baptized probably does not have a genuine faith. “Christian baptism, which has the form of a ceremonial washing (like John’s pre-Christian baptism), is a sign from God that signifies inward cleansing and remission of sins (Acts 22:16; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Ephesians 5:25-27), Spirit-wrought regeneration and new life (Titus 3:5), and the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit as God’s seal testifying and guaranteeing that one will be kept safe in Christ forever (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:13-14). Fundamentally, Baptism signifies union with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-7; Colossians 2:11-12), and this union with Christ is the source of every element in our salvation (1 John 5:11-12). Receiving the sign of baptism in faith assures those baptized that God’s gift of new life in Christ is freely given to them. At the same time, it commits them to live in a new way as disciples of Jesus.” (The Reformation Study Bible, page 1623.) See also other articles: Christian Cram Course at www.faithfacts.org/bible-101/christian-cram-course What is the Gospel? at www.faithfacts.org/bible-101/what-is-the-gospel Bible Questions for the Church of Christ at www.faithfacts.org/world-religions-and-theology/church-of-christ Other links: CRI Baptism for the Forgiveness of Sins Part 1 at www.equip.org/PDF/DB055-1.pdf CRI Baptism for the Forgiveness of Sins Part 2 at www.equip.org/PDF/DB055-2.pdf Baptismal Regeneration at www.ovrlnd.com/FalseDoctrine/Refuting_baptismal_Regen.html Grace to You at www.gty.org/resources/questions/qa79 Titus 3 at www.zianet.com/maxey/reflx609.htm "Baptism Now Saves You"?"All the fountains of the great deep burst open and the floodgates of the sky were opened... after Noah and his family of seven had entered the ark. It rained for forty days and forty nights, the waters rose above the mountains, and the ark floated on the surface of the water... All flesh that moved on the earth perished... and only Noah was left, together with those that were with him in the ark" (Gen. 7:11,18,21,23)."...the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you - not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience - through the resurrection of Jesus Christ . . . " (I Peter 3:21) What was the baptism that was saving the first-century saints? We have two basic choices: It was either a ritual baptism or a spiritual (or non-ritual) baptism.If we say that the New-Testament saving baptism to which the Noahic experience corresponded was a ritual baptism, one of many problems immediately presents itself: It is Biblically incongruous that an old-testament event prefigured a ritual. It is on the other hand an established hermeneutical principle that old-testament rituals prefigured New-Testament events / experiences / realities. And since old-testament rituals (such as sacrifices) symbolized New-Testament non-rituals (such as the death of Christ/the believer’s sacrifice of praise), it seems even more likely that the non-ritual Noahic salvation foreshadowed a New-Testament non-ritual baptism.But ignoring this obstacle for now, let us examine how I Peter 3:21 might be understood to teach that the salvation of Noah and his family in the ark could have somehow typified a ritual-baptism: Perhaps Peter might have been speaking of one of the ritual baptisms mentioned in Heb. 9:10,13,19-22 ("various washings" in 9:10 is literally "various baptisms"). The problem with this proposal is that those baptisms were only to be "imposed until a time of reformation" (Heb. 9:10), that is, until the consummation of the old covenant. It is hardly believable that ritual-baptisms which could not perfect one's conscience (Heb. 9:9), and which were destined to be done away in the disappearance of the old covenant (Heb. 8:13; 9:10) were "saving" the Christians in the apostolic era. But perhaps Peter was talking about the ritual-baptism which was being administered to converts to Christianity. If we are going to say this, we must presuppose that Christian ritual-baptism was not included in the "various baptisms" of Heb. 9:10 that were only to be imposed until A.D. 70. If Christian ritual-baptism came out of the old covenant, and was thus to be no longer "imposed" after A.D. 70, then it would be axiomatic that Christian ritual-baptism was not the saving baptism of I Peter 3:21. (We will save a discussion on the cessation or continuation of Christian ritual-baptism for another place.) There is another problem though with the idea of the saving baptism in I Peter 3:21 being a ritual, and that is the tense of the verb "saves." The verb is present tense, active voice, and the phrase literally reads, "baptism is now saving you." The meaning seems to be that just as Noah and his family were in process of being saved by a baptism in the ark, so were the first-century believers in process of being saved by baptism. This should further lead us to consider the saving baptism as being spiritual. Thus far, general hermeneutical principles of typology, the weakness and temporary nature of the old-covenant rituals and the tense of the verb "saves" ("saving") direct us toward the idea that the baptism of I Peter 3:21 might be a non-ritual, spiritual baptism. But what kind of a non-ritual baptism could have been in process of saving the first-century Christians? Spiritual BaptismThe first New-Testament reference to a non-ritual baptism is found in Matt. 3:11 (and Mk. 1:8; Lk. 3:16; cf. Acts 1:5), where John the Baptizer said, "As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He Who is Coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." {1}The old covenant could offer only typical and temporary ritual-baptisms such as the one John was offering. {2} But Christ was coming to administer the true, spiritual, New-Testament Baptism to the people of Israel, which baptism was first experienced on the day of Pentecost when the Scripture was fulfilled: "I will pour forth of My Spirit upon all mankind" (Acts 2:17,18; Joel 2:28,29). That baptism was later accompanied by signs a second time in Acts 10:44-46; 11:15,17 when the first Gentiles were converted to Christ. As Peter said concerning that time, "the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon the Gentiles also" and, "the Holy Spirit fell upon them." (Acts 10:45; 11:15) {3} Subsequently, the Lord baptized all believers with the Holy Spirit: "For with one Spirit (cf. Eph. 4:5) we were all baptized into one Body." (I Cor. 12:13)In this spiritual light we should understand Gal. 3:27, "All of you who were baptized into Christ {4} have clothed yourselves with Christ"; and Col. 2:11,12, "In Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, . . . having been buried with [Christ] in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God . . . "; and Rom. 6:3,4, "All of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death. Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life."Spiritual baptism coincides with receiving the Spirit of God (Acts 2:17,18; 10:45; 11:15), with being spiritually clothed with Christ (Gal. 3:27) and with being circumcised with the circumcision made without hands (Col. 2:11,12). And as we shall see, the ongoing spiritual baptism for the believer is equivalent with being daily and experientially unified / identified (Ps. 133:1,2; Rom. 6:5; Eph. 4:3-13) with Christ's death, burial and resurrection (Rom. 6:1-11).Union / identity with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection is the essence of spiritual baptism. In I Peter, it is the "suffering" or "fiery" aspect of spiritual baptism for Christians that is the running theme. Peter wrote his epistle to the persecuted, scattered Jewish believers who were living as aliens and strangers (1:1; 2:11). Many of them were being distressed by various trials (1:6), being slandered, reviled and maligned (2:12; 3:16; 4:4,14); their faith was being tested by fire (1:7). This same baptism was predicted by Jesus in Matt. 20:22,23 (AV); Mk. 10:38,39 (cf. Lk. 12:50), where Jesus asked James and John, "Are you able to . . . be baptized with the baptism which I am baptized?" And they answered, "We are able." And Jesus said, ". . . You shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized." Christ was prophesying to His disciples that they were going to become sharers of His sufferings, i.e., they were going to be experientially / spiritually unified and identified with Him in His sufferings, death and burial. They were going to be "crucified with Him" (Rom. 6:6; Gal. 2:20; 5:24) through persecution, but were also going to endure unto victory through the power of Christ’s resurrection.Union with Christ in His sufferings was further borne out in I Peter when Peter told his readers that it was their calling to patiently endure their persecutions, just as Christ when He suffered, kept entrusting Himself to God. (2:23) "Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose" (4:1), and, "you share the sufferings of Christ" (4:12,13). It was this spiritual baptism that was saving the first-century Christians. Just as a small remnant, eight souls (I Peter 3:20), had been brought safely through the flood waters in Noah’s day (I Peter 3:20), so was a small remnant (Rom. 9:27,29) being brought safely through the fire of God's Last-Days wrath. (Matt. 24:38,39; Lk. 17:26,27; II Peter 2:5-9) {5} Their saving baptism was a refining, purifying baptism, as they were being sovereignly preserved by God through their persecutions until the end of the age. As Paul said in II Cor. 4:17, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." (Cf. Acts 14:22) Not the Cleansing of the Flesh, but a Good ConscienceWhat did Peter mean when he said that the saving baptism was "not the removal of the filth of the flesh?" Heb. 9:8-10 helps us to understand this: "[At] the present time, . . . both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, since they relate only to . . . various baptisms, regulations for the flesh imposed until a time of reformation."Ritual baptisms removed the filth of the flesh, or as Heb. 9:13 reiterates it, they only "sanctified for the cleansing of the flesh." That was their purpose. They could not make the worshipers perfect in conscience. Only spiritual baptism could effect that result. In saying then, "not the removal of dirt from the flesh," Peter was explaining to his readers that the baptism that saves is not ritual ("not the removal of dirt from the flesh") but spiritual.This spiritual saving baptism of suffering was for Peter's brothers "an appeal to God for a good conscience." As I Peter 2:19 says: "For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a man bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly," and in I Peter 3:16,17, "Keep a good conscience . . . For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right . . . "Paul wrote similarly in II Cor. 1:12 of the intense sufferings of the apostles: "For our proud confidence is this, the testimony of our consciences, that in holiness and godly sincerity, . . .we have conducted ourselves in the world . . . "The writer of Hebrews also, in writing to his persecuted brothers, promised a clean conscience through spiritual baptism, in Heb. 9:14, ". . . the blood of Christ . . .[will] cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God."Without the cleansing baptism from God above, the Church was not, and could not, be ultimately saved, for it was only that divine baptism of Spirit-power that could keep the Church faithful and spotless through the fiery judgment of God unto the end. {6} Conclusion As Noah and his family endured patiently in the ark, so were the first-century Christians patiently enduring a spiritual and fiery baptism, sharing the sufferings of Christ. Old-Covenant baptisms were a fading and ceremonial removal of the filth of the flesh, but New-Covenant, spiritual baptism in Christ was the appeal of a good conscience toward God. (Heb. 10:2) By means of it, believers remained faithful through the power of God in Christ, and retained a clean conscience. (I Peter 3:16) And as Christ was exalted after He patiently endured, so to was His Church-Body called and chosen through His resurrection-power to soon be exalted with Him in the end of the old-covenant age. Footnotes:1. The predicted baptizing with the Holy Spirit here is a future-active baptizing, which corresponds with the present-active saving work of the baptism in I Peter 3:21, indicating that I Peter 3:21 is a record of the fulfillment of John's prediction of the coming spiritual baptism.2. The fact that John was administering an old-testament ritual is borne out in Jn. 1:25 where the Pharisees asked him, "Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ?" We should infer from this question that the Scriptures teach that Messiah was to come baptizing as John was doing, and that John was thus working in accordance with the Law. 3. Note that the mode of spiritual baptism in these passages was pouring. It is not unlikely then that John's baptism, which was a symbol / foreshadow of spiritual baptism, was administered by pouring (or sprinkling), the water coming from above as the Spirit from heaven. The references below demonstrate that spiritual baptism was not an immersion but a pouring / sprinkling:Isa. 44:3, "For I will pour out water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring, and My blessing on your descendants." Zech. 12:10, "And I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced...." (See also, Prov. 1:23, Isa. 32:15;45:8; Eze. 39:29). Isa. 52:15, "He will sprinkle many nations." Eze.36:25, "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols."4. Christian ritual-baptism was administered by men with water, and was a baptism "into the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" in Matt. 28:19; "into the Name of the Lord Jesus" in Acts 8:16; 19:5; "in the Name of the Lord" in Acts 10:48 (Some manuscripts have for Acts 10:48, "in the name of Jesus Christ"); and "on the name of Jesus Christ" in Acts 2:38. (Cf. I Cor. 1:13,15). In contrast, spiritual baptism is administered by God with His Spirit, and is a baptism not into the "name" of, but into Jesus Christ in I Cor. 12:13; Rom. 6:3; and Gal. 3:27 (Cf. I Cor. 10:2). The difference between being baptized into the name of someone and being baptized into someone is the difference between ritual and non-ritual baptism. The one is a sign and the other is what the sign signified.5. It was a fiery baptism (I Peter 4:12) of which Peter spoke as being the antitype to the experience of Noah and his family "through waters," even as Peter made the same water / fire parallel in his second epistle:"...The world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. But the present heavens and earth by His word are being reserved for fire..." (II Peter 3:6,7).6. Note that the mode of the various baptisms that could not make the worshipers perfect in conscience in Heb. 9:9,10 was explained to be that of "sprinkling" in Heb. 9:13,19,21. Note also (below) that the mode of spiritual baptism in the context of keeping a good conscience is spoken of as "sprinkling." That baptism was the sprinkling of the redeeming blood of Christ on the hearts of believers:Heb. 10:22 (cf. 12:24), "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, our hearts having been sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our body having been washed in pure water [of the Word]." (Cf. Eph. 5:26). I Peter 1:2, "...unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ."It is also helpful to note here that Christ's "one baptism" of the Church with the Holy Spirit was a triune baptism:1. a pouring out of His "Spirit" upon the Church (uniting the church with Christ), 2. a spiritual sprinkling of His "blood" on the heart of the Church (creating a clean heart and conscience), and 3. a spiritual washing of the Church body with pure spiritual "water" in the Word (making the body and works of the Church acceptable to God).This reveals the meaning of I Jn. 5:8: "There are three who bear witness on the earth: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three agree in one." See our playlist "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ"" with 73 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html. See also our website www.BibleQuery.org. Titus 1:9-16
+Jeff Estep You have made a very excellent point. This article was originally written with paragraphs & spacing but for some reason when I copied & pasted the article material from my email account to this comments section for this video UA-cam condensed the entire article into one mass blob as you have pointed out. As I started to notice this trend on our over 600 videos I at first tried to go back in on the UA-cam edit mode to restore the paragraphs & spacing. After spending all the time necessary to edit the written material back to its original form unfortunately when I hit the UA-cam button to save it the UA-cam program would never the less return the material to an unparagraphed blob. Since this was happening I just gave up trying to correct it since something there was better than nothing at all. Sorry about that. The good news is more recently some of my long written comments on some of our videos in the comments section have actually been saved with paragraphs & spacing so perhaps UA-cam is improving their software. 1 Peter 3:15
Baptism is an act of obedience after one is saved by the grace of God; but it has nothing to do with salvation itself, you are saved by The Holy Spirit after you are called, convicted of your confessed sins, and baptism may be anytime thereafter, and in the Father, Son, Holy Spirit, just like Jesus said in Matthew 28:19, cults use Acts 2:38 as a doctrine to add to your salvation, making it mandatory for water baptism, it is the shed blood of Jesus, not water that cleanses from your sins.
The Church of Christ is perfect for high achievers or type "A" personalities' these kinds of people do really well in this kind of legalistic Church environment and are commonly the "leaders" Any other kind of personality will be the "followers" This is not a bad thing necessarily because *you do need leaders* and most people are *naturally followers* so that is not the problem. You just have to figure out which one *you* are and either thrive in the COC with people who are like minded, or resolve to be a follower and support them. Don't cause division if you do not like them...just leave (like I did) These rules and regulations are apart of their whole structure and have been since Kip started the whole thing. This will never change, so you either accept that or don't associate with them at all.
@twicks696 Is that the best you can come up with? Give us a break! Do you know what logic is? If not, do a web search online of the word "logic" & learn more then try to make a rational statement. Here you make several logical fallacies: (look these up to find out what they mean) FALSE ANALOGY, NON SEQUITUR, APPEAL TO IGNORANCE, & BEGGING THE QUESTION. It takes a truly irrational mind to come up with this many fallacies in 2 sentences. Where in the Bible is a certain church name commanded?
The "Church of Christ" is a cultic system with a false gospel (see our playlist "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ" with 71 videos posted on our UA-cam channel page CANSWERSTV). The Campbellite COC spawned all these other cults like Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-Day Adventism, etc (see our video "RISE OF THE CULTS: WHERE DID ALL THESE STRANGE AMERICAN RELIGIOUS SECTS COME FROM?"). All cultists are sincere in their faith but God saved you, not the COC woman.
I'm arguing with one of them now. One of the CoC cult members told me that in order to Stay saved, I have to spread the gospel AND baptize people.... It's sad how lost and how persistent this cult is.
BlackFox0911 "The thief on the cross? Jesus hadn't died yet" That is a demonic lie straight out of the Church of Christ temple. John 19 30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. 31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32 Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. 33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: Did you catch that in Verse 32? They came to break the legs of the two thief's who were on the side of them so that they would die before the Sabbath, but when they came to Jesus, he was already dead. The Thief on the cross died AFTER Jesus.
BlackFox0911 I called you out on your first lie, let me call you out on the second lie. Hebrews 9:16-17 16 For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it. 17 For a covenant is valid only when men are dead, for it is never in force while the one who made it lives. The new covenant started at the death of Christ. The thief died AFTER the death of Christ. Repent from your false Christ and your false religion and believe the gospel!
All of this false extraneous doctrine comes from pride.It's either the pride or self regard of the founder of the group or pride of those following.Making yourself humble before God is the best thing you can do to put yourself on the right path.
@fitnessfreak498 - If you would like free literature sent to you regarding the "Church of Christ" started by the Campbellite "Restorers" in the early 1800s please email us at cdebater@aol.com. Please also see our playlist "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ" with 112 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html . To see how many American cults came out of the Campbellite "Church of Christ" please see our video "RISE OF THE CULTS: WHERE DID ALL THESE STRANGE AMERICAN RELIGIOUS SECTS COME FROM?" at ua-cam.com/video/HfVTXbFrvh8/v-deo.html . 2 Timothy 2:15 - "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."
You're like the Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons or Seventh-Day Adventists, they don't know their own history either. See our video entitled, "RISE OF THE CULTS: WHERE DID ALL THESE STRANGE AMERICAN RELIGIOUS SECTS COME FROM?" (copy & paste title into the UA-cam search box to bring it up). After that go to our UA-cam channel page CANSWERSTV with 19 playlists with one of them entitled, "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ" which has 69 videos exposing your religious outfit.
Asi said before when there is no one to refute your point it is very easy to make one. Most churches today act out of ignorance or tradition. Sticking strictly to the Bible is the only way for me. I am saved through repentance and the cleansing blood of Jesus through Baptism as were the new testament Biblical Christians!
I found this interesting. I am and have grown up CofC and attended dozens of them in TX, OK, and CO. I have never heard of 90% of the point's made by these gentlemen taught or printed in these churches; the role of baptism being the exception. I can easily see this being apart of our history however, as well as our most senior members having such an exclusive view erroneously (depending on where you fall on the baptism issue and CofC doesnt have exclusive rights to performing baptisms). I wonder how prevalent these views are in 2018. Perhaps this is a regional thing (I grew up in Houston)? I notice the sword publication is from TN. The point he made about the hymnal and singing from it needing to be saved was ridiculous. I'd rebuke anyone that testifies to almost everything they say here in this video. I do acknowledge he said not all CofCs are hard liners but because my experience is so uniformly different, it makes me ask the question if this dated video accurately represents us today. Yes CofC does still hold to accapella worship.
Chase Scott - Like any religious group that had a beginning the original religious group starts to fracture & splinter over time. For the Campbellite "Church of Christ" it was started by Thomas & Alexander Campbell, Barton W. Stone & Walter Scott back in the 1820s in the United States. On November 18, 1827 Walter Scott "restored" the "ancient gospel" as he claimed & the "Church of Christ" of the 1820s was off & running. For more documentation about this see our Christian Answers newsletter Vol. 2 #1 called "Is Restorationism ("Church of Christ," Campbellism) a Cult? at our website www.BibleQuery.org. Once there click on the menu icon to the upper left hand corner of the homepage & then click on "newsletters." From there click on the second newsletter listed called "Church of Christ pdf". Not only did this new Campbellite sect begin to fracture & splinter over time but it became the genesis & mother of several major American cults (see our video called "RISE OF THE CULTS: WHERE DID ALL THESE STRANGE AMERICAN RELIGIOUS SECTS COME FROM?" at ua-cam.com/video/HfVTXbFrvh8/v-deo.html). As our newsletter on the "Church of Christ" points out in a second article on page 5 called "Changes in Campbellism; here's a short excerpt from that article by Bob L. Ross - " - I received several of the most prominent Restoration Movement (alias “Church of Christ”) publications over the years, and if one can believe what they say, the movement spawned by Thomas and Alexander Campbell, Barton W. Stone, and Walter Scott in the early 1800’s has become one of the most splintered, fractured, and floundering of the professing “non-denominational” sects. The “Ancient Order” ship launched in the last century is springing leaks all along its hull. No longer must the Church of Christ segment of the movement be concerned about old and continuing “issues” such as the missionary society, use of mechanical instruments of music, millennial controversies, anti-institutionalism, and some of the lesser and familiar controversies of former days, it is also now being threatened by the foreboding “demons” of the Crossroads/Boston Movement [now called the International Church of Christ], the “New Hermeneutic” advocates, “Ketchersidism,” some Charismatic inroads, the “Wineskinites,” Calvinistic inroads, the A.D. 70 “Kingites,” the divorce-remarriage controversy, not to mention the “normal” theological liberalism which inevitably creeps into the colleges and universities. Perry B. Cothan warned, “The Church is in danger of another digression... the future of the Church is at the turning point,” and he made a direct “prediction” of evil things to come (Firm Foundation, 8/92, p. 28). In addition to the foregoing, The Spiritual Sword magazine complained about the need for “a kinder and gentler brotherhood,” with editor Alan Highers proclaiming, “never have I seen a time when there was more suspicion, fragmentation, and criticism among the brethren than now,” and that “we can scarcely think about trying to baptize alien sinners because we are too busy picking at one another” (1/90, p. 1). Highers’ brotherhood, at their October 1993 annual lectureship had as a theme, “The Restoration: THE WINDS OF CHANGE,” and the meeting focused upon some of the major departures from past views and practices. The headline article of the February 1993 issue of Christian Worker magazine proclaimed “Brethren, We Are Drifting,” and the article said “the tragedy of all this is that it is so widespread” (p. 7)." As you can see from this article excerpt from over 25 years ago with the changes going on then there is no doubt that things have changed even more since then just to answer your question about 2018. Virtually any wind of doctrine or change is now possible inside these Campbellite religions depending on who is running the show at individual "Church of Christ" meeting houses whether hard line or not. The water baptism for salvation gospel still seems to be a major part of Campbellite "Church of Christ" doctrine despite their many differences on other topics though. For further information about the 1820s religion founded by the so-called "Restorers" please see our playlist called "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ" at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html with 90 videos. To obtain books about Campbellism & its history go to www.pilgrimpublications.com. Titus 1:9-16
It's interesting you raise that question. Your very question was dealt with in a 22 hour debate we had with the "Church of Christ." If you're interested in hearing how the "Church of Christ" representative in that debate tried to prove that there was a "Church of Christ" before the 1800s that believed & taught like they do since the 1800s then please see the evidence he presented & how laughable it is. To find this debate please go to our playlist "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ"" with 72 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html & look for the debate series entitled "Church of Christ Week Long Debate." Judge the evidence the Campbellite preacher presents for yourself & draw your own conclusions. 1 Corinthians 2:15
+Terry Thacker "Church of Christ" Campbellites are water baptism idolaters. This is in response to the many "Church of Christ" Campbellites who keep quoting 1 Peter 3:21 to prove salvation is by water baptism. These Campbellites are deceived & worship a water baptism idol although they would deny it just as Romanists worship Mary while also denying it. See our video IS WATER BAPTISM NECESSARY TO ESCAPE HELL & BE SAVED & ARE YOU "BORN AGAIN" (JOHN 3:3-8) BY IT? at ua-cam.com/video/wYJtMV9qrWg/v-deo.html which will clean up Campbellite 1 Peter 3:21 idolatry. See our playlist "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ" at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html with 72 videos. What does 1 Peter 3:21 mean? "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." Are infants "born again" (John 3:3-8) & then suddenly become Christians when they are sprinkled with water? Is salvation found in being water baptized? Do you have to be a believer in Christ to be water baptized? The following is an excerpt from our newsletter "Christian Debater Guide, "Church of Christ," Vol. 2, #1" (found at our website www.BibleQuery.org, click the "Experience" box on the homepage): "Q:In Acts 2:38, does this mean water baptism is necessary for salvation? A: No, Jesus is necessary for salvation. Neither repentance nor water baptism merits our salvation. Those are our responding to Jesus' work. Baptism is to be an outward sign of our prior inward faith and repentance. Note that Acts 2:38 was a command not a formula. Some might erroneously conclude that loving God, faith, believing, and trusting God are unnecessary, as they are not mentioned here. All who come to Christ should be baptized, and that is as true today as it was then. However, It is Jesus' blood, not our baptism that saves us. Q: In Acts 10:45-48, is water baptism essential to be saved? A: Four points to consider. 1. They spoke in tongues prior to being baptized with water. 2. Speaking in tongues is a sign (but not the only sign, 1 Cor. 12:1-13) of being filled with the Holy Spirit. 3. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is only for those who are born again. 4. Those who are born again are saved. So, they were born again prior to being baptized with water. See the discussion on Acts 22:16 for a second example of being saved prior to water baptism. See also the next question. Q: In Acts 10:45-48, since this passage was a very special occurrence, does this negate using this passage to show water baptism is not essential for salvation? A: No. This passage does describe an important transition for the church, but that does not disqualify us from understanding all of its teaching. Three points to consider. 1. Gentiles could be filled with the Holy Spirit, and thus be saved, prior to baptism at this time. This was not impossible for God to do and still be true to His Word. 2. Thus, it is possible for people to be saved , prior to baptism at other times, without God breaking His Word. 3. If your interpretation of the Bible requires that God cannot be true to His Word if anyone after Christ is saved prior to being baptized, perhaps it would be your interpretation, and not God's Word, that is wrong. Q: In Acts 22:16, how do people get baptized and wash away their sins? A: Is it OK to say that people wash away their sins here as long as you remember four points. 1. The power to wash away is with God, not magic in the water. 2. God is not restricted to being "unable" to save people who are not baptized, because the thief on the cross was with Jesus in Paradise. 3. For our part, the pledge of a sincere conscience before God is more important than the water, as in 1 Peter 3:21. However, being baptized with water is a command for every single Christian. 4. The Jews were familiar with ceremonial washings in the Old Testament Law. Thus, Paul's audience understood what he meant and did not mix it up with the errors of "magic water" or "a restricted God". The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament p. 418 sheds some helpful light on the Greek here. The phrase "calling on His name" is a Greek aorist participle, which "refers either to action which is simultaneous with or before that of the main verb. Here Paul's calling on Christ's name (for salvation) preceded his water baptism. The participle may be translated, "having called on His name." John Gill's Commentary on 1 Peter 3:21 states the following: "The like figure whereunto [even] baptism doth also now save us. The ark, and deliverance by it, as it was a type of Christ, and salvation by him, so it was a figure of baptism, and baptism was the antitype of that; or there is something in these which correspond, and answer to, and bear a resemblance to each other: as the ark was God's ordinance, and not man's invention, so is baptism, it is of heaven, and not of men; and as the ark, while it was preparing, was the scorn and derision of men, so is this ordinance of the Gospel; it was rejected with disdain by the Scribes and Pharisees, as it still is by many; and as the ark, when Noah and his family were shut up in it by God, represented a burial, and they seemed, as it were, to be buried in it, it was a lively emblem of baptism, which is expressed by a burial, ( Romans 6:4 ) ( Colossians 2:12 ) and as they in the ark had the great deep broke up under them, and the windows of heaven opened over them, pouring out waters upon them, they were, as it were, immersed in, and were covered with water, this fitly figured baptism by immersion; nor were there any but adult persons that entered into the ark, nor should any be baptized but believers; to which may be added, that as the one saved by water, so does the other; for it is water baptism which is here designed, which John practised, Christ gave a commission for, and his disciples administered: it saves not as a cause, for it has no causal influence on, nor is it essential to salvation. Christ only is the cause and author of eternal salvation; and as those only that were in the ark were saved by water, so those only that are in Christ, and that are baptized into Christ, and into his death, are saved by baptism; not everyone that is baptized, but he that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved, ( Mark 16:16 ) , for baptism is not the putting away of the filth of the flesh; the design of it is not to take off the sordid flesh, as circumcision did; or in a ceremonious way, outwardly, to sanctify to the purifying of the flesh, as the Jewish baptisms did; see ( Hebrews 9:10 Hebrews 9:13 ) , or to take away either original or actual sin; this only the blood of Christ can do; and it is not a mere external cleansing of the body: but the answer of a good conscience towards God; the Vulgate Latin renders it, "the interrogation of a good conscience"; referring, it may be, to the interrogations that used to be put to those who desired baptism; as, dost thou renounce Satan? dost thou believe in Christ? see ( Acts 8:36 Acts 8:37 ) , others render it, "the stipulation of a good conscience"; alluding also to the ancient custom of obliging those that were baptized to covenant and agree to live an holy life and conversation, to renounce the devil and all his works, and the pomps and vanities of this world; and baptism does certainly lay an obligation on men to walk in newness of life; see ( Romans 6:4 Romans 6:5 ) , the Ethiopic version renders it, "confession of God"; and to this the Syriac version agrees, rendering it, "confessing God with a pure conscience"; for, to baptism, profession of faith in Christ, and of the doctrine of Christ in a pure conscience, is requisite; and in baptism persons make a public confession of God, and openly put on Christ before men: the sense seems plainly this; that then is baptism rightly performed, and its end answered, when a person, conscious to himself of its being an ordinance of Christ, and of his duty to submit to it, does do so upon profession of his faith in Christ, in obedience to his command, and "with" a view to his glory; in doing which he discharges a good conscience towards God: and being thus performed, it saves, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ; being a means of leading the faith of the baptized person, as to the blood of Christ, for pardon and cleansing, so to the resurrection of Christ, to justification; see ( Acts 2:38 ) ( 22:16 ) ( Romans 4:25 ) , moreover, the sense of the passage may be this, that baptism is a like figure as the ark of Noah was; that as the entrance of Noah and his family into the ark was an emblem of a burial, so their coming out of it was a figure of the resurrection; and just such a figure is baptism, performed by immersion, both of the resurrection of Christ from the dead, and of the resurrection of saints to walk in newness of life. The Arabic version renders the whole verse thus; "of which thing baptism is now a type saving us, not by removing the filth of the flesh only, but by exhilarating a good conscience towards God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ." For more see our website www.BibleQuery.org & once on the homepage click on the "Experience" box to the left & scroll down to the article "Water Baptism Not Essential for Salvation" & click on it. After that scroll a little further down to our newsletter section & click on the newsletter "Church of Christ" & wait for it to download. 1 Corinthians 1:14-17, " I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect."
To some Jesus would be considered a cult in the past. He brought something opposite of the norm. You got to be ready to grow and think outside the box. People make it so confusing. Follow the steps of Christ is what we are admonished to do. He showed love to people and was a preacher of righteousness. His purpose was to save save save humans not get involved with the political system and go to war. The only religion that does that are Jehovah's witnesses
panda bear - If your going to join any religion it's always a good idea to find out if it is true or not first. The "flickering" flashlight of the so-called "new light" of the Jehovah's Witnesses. The Watchtower Society emphasizes that they are a progressive organization, blessed with spiritual insights from God. They call these insights "new truths." Members are encouraged to keep abreast of "present truth" and to adjust their thinking when "old truth" changes. They are then encouraged to embrace "new light" or "new truths," called "enhanced understanding," "progressive understanding," "progressive truth" or "progressive knowledge." Whichever way you slice it, members are expected to believe the new truth and teach it, even if it contradicts former truth or is a reversal to a previously held viewpoint (very similar to the Muslim doctrine of abrogation in Islam - see "The Quran and the Problem of Abrogation" at ua-cam.com/video/fkRCpQ8LA4Y/v-deo.html). The Society likens their changes in viewpoint to a boat that tacks, moving side-to-side but always moving forward. Most of us have traveled in a boat that, pushed about by the waves, didn't always move forward in a straight line. But tossed about or not, if the boat had something to propel it, we eventually got to where we were going. Using the Society's own tacking rationale, let's see if their teachings about the men of Sodom have truly moved forward progressively, helping members to an enhanced understanding. As you read the quoted statements below, ask yourself which is the actual scenario: tacking or reversal to a previously held viewpoint? Sodomites Will-Will Not be Resurrected Watchtower 7/1879 p. 8 “the Sodomites will be resurrected.” Watchtower 6/1/1952 p.338 “The men of Sodom will not be resurrected.” So, years (approximately 73) pass and they change their viewpoint--but this is fine because in this case, it truly could be said to be a progressive understanding, because it has changed. Except that ... Watchtower 8/1/1965 p. 479 “The men of Sodom will be resurrected.” Hmm ... no side-to-side tacking here but a complete return to a viewpoint held 85-86 years earlier. so, at this juncture, it cannot be said to be progressive, rather regressive. But, did they finally have it right? Watchtower 6/1/1988 p.31 “men of Sodom will not be resurrected.” Twenty-three years pass and ... nope. Two complete reversals spanning over 100 years, and they still haven't gained or presented any additional insights to members. "Insight" publication Vol. 2, 1988 p. 985 “men of Sodom will be resurrected.” "Revelation Book," 1988 p. 273 “men of Sodom will not be resurrected.” You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth (Book published by the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society in 1982) The men of Sodom WILL be resurrected. You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth (Secondary Edition, published by the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society in 1989) The men of Sodom WILL NOT be resurrected. Wow! Lightening-fast reversals but no progressive "the light is getting brighter" truth, merely a replay of "will, will not." Recycled Information is Not Progressive Truth When the Society claims that a teaching that reverts to a previous viewpoint is in actuality "new light" or a "new spiritual truth," this is incorrect. While it may be "new" to a new generation of members, it is old, recycled information. Returning to a previous point of view is not the same thing as adopting a truly new understanding, nor does this indicate that God gave any type of progressive understanding to the Governing Body regarding the men of Sodom. If the Governing Body came up with a completely different understanding, one that didn't mirror previous teachings, this could be said to be an actual new understanding and could reasonably be said to be progressive (even if not necessarily from God). True Humility: Not Passing Off Human Teachings as God's Truths When old ideas are readopted, it would be more accurate to dub these, "a changed understanding." Far better still, religious organizations should refrain from stating that something comes from God and from presenting the information as "God's truth." A truly humble approach would be to say that this is a present understanding but that it is merely an understanding and not new light flashing forth from the Most High. For more information on the Watchtower see our playlist ""Dealing with Jehovah's Witnesses, Watchtower Society" with 48 videos & over 30 hours of teaching material at ua-cam.com/play/PLCF0ADB29C0EB8C40.html. Matthew 7:15
You're quoting a typical Campbellite proof text (misinterpreted by Campbellites) to say water baptism is necessary for salvation. If you bothered to look at our other 68 videos on Campbellism you'd know that we've answered that lame argument dozens of times. See our video "IS WATER BAPTISM NECESSARY TO ESCAPE HELL & BE SAVED & ARE YOU "BORN AGAIN" (JOHN 3:3-8) BY IT?" - it deals specifically with 1 Peter 3:21. A "clear conscience toward God" saves not water baptism which is used metaphorically.
What you're experiencing is typical of many people who have come out of false religious systems. It's a difficult time & one thing I would recommend is reading of the Psalms in the Old Testament on a continual basis. The Psalms have brought great comfort to many in times of spiritual & emotional depression. I'd also recommend finding good Bible preachers to listen to such as John MacArthur, Paul Washer, RC Sproul or sermons of my home church Dayspring Fellowship (website: DAYSPRINGCHAPEL COM).
You can claim that the so-called "church of Christ" founded by Thomas & Alexander Campbell, Walter Scott, & Barton Stone back in the early 1800s is "undenominational" but it's really just a religious cult founded by these 4 heretics. It has nothing to do with the true, original Christian church founded in the first century. For more documentation on this see our playlist with 71 videos "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ" posted on our main UA-cam channel CANSWERSTV.
@kac0404 By your answer you just condemned to hell Thomas & Alexander Campbell who were 2 of the 4 "restorers" (Barton W. Stone & Walter Scott were the other 2 "restorers") of the "ancient Gospel" of water baptism to earn salvation & possibly make it to heaven if you do enough good works after you're water baptized. The Campbells founded the "Church of Christ" denomination & now you say they went to hell, wow! The only water baptism the Campbells ever had was by a Baptist preacher named Luce.
@kac0404 Wake up please! The Gospel of John applies to the Christian church whether you like it or not, get it? I see you don't want to answer my first question for obvious reasons. The very thing you say about "churches of Christ in this country before the Alexanders" is completely bogus. We've already studied it & documented it (see our 22 hour video debate series "CHURCH OF CHRIST WEEK LONG DEBATE" which gets into this very issue about Campbellite history. See Bob Ross' book, "Campbellism."
@wasupsquare This is a fatal eternal mistake. You think your water baptism is going to save you? You think doing all the Campbellite religious duties is going to save you? You think "sticking strictly" to the Campellite interpretation of "the Bible is the only way" for salvation? You're another un-"born again" by the Holy Spirit person, devoid of the Spirit (1 Cor 2:14) thinking your Campbellite works & water baptism is going to save you. God must save you not your baptism & works (Eph 2:8-10).
@37:00 this is absolutely true! I appreciate you sharing this information! 12 years ago I was recruited into the church, as a college student. I left right after graduation and never looked back. They argued that the COC is the one true church and other Christian denominations are preaching false doctrine and therefore not saved. It never sat well with me. I was constantly uneasy and lived in fear. I was young, naive, and vulnerable at that time (you live and you learn)
I have attended ICOC for over 2 decades, I have been away now for 11 months, I have suffered with insecurity by feeling I was not living up to God's standards set by ICOC. I am still suffering from frequent depression, guilt and extreme anxiety. I feel I will never really get over what has happened in my life spiritually and emotionally.
Any church that says that "they are the only ones going to heaven is a cult"i was raised catholic,but got involved in church of christ(part of the crossroads movement).Yes,i got born-again,but it was definitely a cult,at first i thought it was good,but,as a catholic,i didn't know the bible well,and i was easy money for them,but as we know,all you have to do is call on the name of the Lord and be saved....not hurry and go get baptized before you die.
Thankyou for sharing. I left the CoC a long time ago. Jesus is the only one that saves us . Not a denomination. Do we need the right fellowship? YES! However again like the CoC does, anyone claiming they are the only true church is a liar. Glad I left that denomination.
@athiker87 The so-called "Church of Christ" founded by the Campbells along with Scott & Stone said they had "restored" the "Ancient Gospel" & all the other churches were apostate. A "denomination" doesn't claim an exclusive right to "restoring" the Gospel while saying everyone else is apostate & have a false gospel. Did you even bother to watch this video? Campbellism is the mother of cults; see our UA-cam video, RISE OF THE CULTS: WHERE DID ALL THESE STRANGE AMERICAN RELIGIOUS SECTS COME FROM?
The Holy Spirit of the Triune & living God can even use antiChrists & fake preachers to preach the Gospel that people might be saved. Caiaphas, the high priest, condemned Jesus to die yet the Holy Spirit spoke through him (John 11:49-52). Fake & greedy preachers can preach the Gospel for all the wrong reasons yet the sovereignty of God can use them to get the message out (Philippians 1:15-18). God can even have a jackass to speak the truth, i.e. Balaam's ass (Numbers 22:22-35). Acts 13:48.
@wasupsquare The only garbage is being spoken by you. You speak the "trash" you're saying because you're ignorant of the circumstances. Please type "LARRY WESSELS CAMPBELLISM" in the UA-cam search box & you'll find almost 50 videos we have produced on "Church of Christ" Campbellism. Included in this is a 22 hour debate with Campbellites on "Church of Christ" history & their water baptism gospel, a 13 hour debate on whether a Christian needs the Holy Spirit, 8 hour debate on musical instruments.
Water Baptism is not a savior (Christ alone is) or is it the true gospel (Galatians 1:6-9). Water Baptism - Is it Necessary for Salvation? Definitely NOT! See our video "IS WATER BAPTISM NECESSARY TO ESCAPE HELL & BE SAVED & ARE YOU "BORN AGAIN" (JOHN 3:3-8) BY IT?" at ua-cam.com/video/wYJtMV9qrWg/v-deo.html. Let’s show how Scripture differentiates between the baptism of John and the baptism of Jesus. We’ll look at Acts 19:3-5. Here are these verses: And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Acts 19:3-5 (NKJ) If John’s baptism was the same as Jesus’ baptism, then why did these people need to be re-baptized? The answer is obvious. John’s baptism was not the same as Jesus’ baptism. Now, let’s talk about some Scriptures that people might use to defend their position that water baptism is indeed necessary for salvation and respond to those verses. Let’s look at Mark 1:4. It says: John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Mark 1:4 (NKJ) This verse seems to say that the baptism of repentance was for the remission of sins. Who am I to argue with Scripture? But as we’ve discussed already, John’s baptism IS NOT THE SAME as the baptism of Jesus. So we can discount the baptism of John for our purposes, because we are baptized in the name of Jesus, not in the name of John. It is Jesus’ baptism that is for us today, not John’s. If we’re supposed to be baptized into John’s baptism, then why were the people in Acts 19:3-5 re-baptized? The answer is plain. Because once Jesus had come on the scene, it was HIS baptism that is relevant. So for us to decide what we need to do, in this present age, we need to focus on the baptism of Jesus. Here’s a set of verses that people use to defend the idea that water baptism is necessary for salvation. They are John 3:1-8. Let’s look at these verses. 1)There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2)This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” 3)Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4)Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5)Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter 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)Do not marvel that I said to you, “You must be born again.’ 8)The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:1-8 (NKJ) People taking the stance that baptism is necessary for salvation will say, “See, look here! This verse says that ‘unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.'” And I must agree that is does say that. But what does “born of water” mean? It this phrase referring to water baptism? Upon first glance, it may seem so, but let’s take a closer look at the surrounding context. Read the entire passage again, starting from verse 1. Nicodemus is asking Jesus how he can possibly enter his mother’s womb again and be re-born. So he’s talking about physical birth. He can’t understand the concept of physically being re-born. Obviously that’s an impossibility. But Jesus isn’t talking about physical rebirth, He’s talking about spiritual rebirth. Look at what He says in verses 5 and 6. I’ll repeat it. “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” John 3:5,6 (NKJ) You see? So “born of water” in this context looks to mean “physically born” not “baptized.” Let me re-phrase it. “I’m telling you that unless you’re physically born and then spiritually reborn, you can’t enter into heaven. If you’re physically born, you’re just a lost human. If you’re spiritually reborn, you’ve entered into a relationship with Jesus Christ.” (Eric’s version) Let’s look at yet another common verse used to defend the idea that the salvation of our souls requires water baptism. Here it is: Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 (NKJ) Obviously, the controversial phrase here is after the word “repent.” We all agree that repentance is necessary for salvation. Let’s look at the Greek word εις translated “for.” In the original Greek, in the New Testament, this word has several different meanings. One is “aim or purpose.” An example of εις being used in this manner is I Corinthians 2:7, which says No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for (the aim or purpose of) our glory before time began. I Corinthians 2:7 (NKJ) In another usage, the Greek word εις means “at,” or “because of” as in Matthew 12:41. Let’s look at it: The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. Matthew 12:41 (NKJ) Both of these uses are good Greek, and so the next logical question would be “what drives your choice of translation?” For me, it is the larger context of Scripture. For instance, in Acts 10, we see that people had already been saved before being baptized. Let’s look: 46)For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, 47)”Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48)And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days. Acts 10:46-48 (NKJ) These people were speaking in tongues and had received the Holy Spirit yet they had not been baptized. Another example is the thief on the cross who went to Paradise without baptism. Let’s read about that. 39)Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” 40)But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41)And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42)Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” 43)And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:39-42 (NKJ) Clearly this man was never baptized. Yet he was saved because he believed. What did Paul tell the Philippian jailor? Let’s find out. 25)But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26)Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. 27)And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 28)But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” 29)Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30)And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31)So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16:25-31 (NKJ) Although the jailor’s family was baptized, they were saved when they believed. Paul plainly set forth only belief as a prerequisite for salvation.Further, in establishing the greater context of Scripture, we can look at numerous other passages where belief is the only requirement for salvation. Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. Luke 8:12 (NKJ) But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. John 1:12 (NKJ) 15). . .that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16)For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17)For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18)”He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:15-18 (NKJ) He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” John 3:36 (NKJ) “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” John 5:24 (NKJ) And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” John 6:35 (NKJ) . . . “And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:40 (NKJ) ”Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.” John 6:47 (NKJ) ”Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” John 8:24 (NKJ) Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25,26 (NKJ) Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” John 11:40 (NKJ) . . . but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. John 20:31 (NKJ) ”To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.” Acts 10:43 (NKJ) This is Peter speaking. After he spoke these words, many people believed and they were baptized with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in tongues. After that, they were then baptized. This shows that the belief saved the people (would unsaved people have the Holy Spirit and be speaking in tongues?) and then afterward, they were baptized. . . .and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. Acts 13:39 (NKJ) Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. Acts 13:48 (NKJ) ”But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.” Acts 15:11 (NKJ) So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16:31 (NKJ) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. Romans 1:16 (NKJ) 9) . . .that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10)For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11)For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12)For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13)For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” Romans 10:9-13 (NKJ) For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. I Corinthians 1:21 (NKJ) . . . knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. Galatians 2:16 (NKJ) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8 (NKJ) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. I Thessalonians 4:14 (NKJ) . . . that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. II Thessalonians 2:12 (NKJ) However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. I Timothy 1:16 (NKJ) For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: “So I swore in My wrath, “They shall not enter My rest,”‘ although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. Hebrews 4:3 (NKJ) But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. Hebrews 10:39 (NKJ) Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.” I Peter 2:6 (NKJ) Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. I John 5:1 (NKJ) These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. I John 5:13 (NKJ) These verses would be grossly misleading if baptism were a prerequisite for salvation! I’ve just listed a plethora of verses that tell us that we are saved if we believe, and are condemned if we don’t. This should help the questioner get a better idea of the context of Scripture regarding baptism, and, for that matter, what one needs to do for salvation (hint: believe). For more on this subject, check out I Corinithians 15:1-11, and read the whole book of John. So, if you remember, we were discussing Acts 2:38, and I think the better translation of the Greek word εις is “because of” in this verse due to the greater context of Scripture. Scripture teaches baptism on the basis of repentance, and belief as the requirement for salvation.In addition, this verse presents us with a logic problem. Let me explain. If I were to say, “Eat and put gold under your bed, and you can live,” that would be a true statement. But the part that really allows you to live is the “eat” part. Putting gold under your bed may help you in your finances, but it doesn’t actually cause you to continue living. Eating does! The same logical argument can be used for this verse. Peter says, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Now, we know that if we repent and are baptized, we will be saved, according to this verse. But it doesn’t logically follow that both repentance and baptism are requirements for salvation, following the logic outlined above. And in the larger context of Scripture, we see that baptism is NOT a prerequisite for eternal life. Another verse used to defend the position that water baptism is necessary for salvation is I Peter 3:21. Here is the verse (in its context). 18)For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, 19)by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20)who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. 21)There is also an antitype which now saves us-baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22)who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him. I Peter 3:18-22 (NKJ) Granted, this is a very difficult passage, and I make no claim to thoroughly understand it. However, I want to focus in on verses 20 and 21. We see here that Peter is comparing baptism to the time when Noah and his family were saved on the ark. And then Peter tells us that baptism saves us. But he’s quick to point out, in the very next phrase, that this baptism saves us symbolically, not actually. He’s saying that baptism doesn’t cleanse us physically in a literal sense, or if you want to take it metaphorically, it doesn’t cleanse our souls in a literal sense. But what saves us is the “answer (or inquiry) of a good conscience toward God.” This is the baptism which saves us. Peter tells us that baptism saves us, and then he goes on to define baptism as an inquiry of a good conscience toward God, or in other words, an open, honest inquiry and trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It’s not the act of immersion which saves our souls, it’s our trust in Jesus. Yet another verse that often seems to promote baptism as a requirement for salvation is Mark 16:16. Here it is: He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:16 (NKJ) This verse also presents a logical question. It’s the same logic problem discussed above for Acts 2:38. Simply put, this verse in no way says that both belief and baptism are requirements for salvation. In addition, the second portion of this verse makes this quite clear without any external argument. It says, “he who does not believe will be condemned.” It does NOT say, “he who does not believe and is not baptized will be condemned.” It plainly sets forth the “believing” aspect of the statement as the requirement for avoiding condemnation. In summation, I’d like to make some additional points. First, baptism is never given in Scripture as a COMMAND to Christians except in Acts 2:38 when Peter tells the Jews to “repent and be baptized.” This is the ONLY place where we are commanded to be baptized. So since we are told to, we should be. Yet this should never be construed as a command to all new Christians as a requirement for salvation. The New Testament makes this blatantly clear. What would happen if I were on the battlefield and I accepted Jesus and then was shot through the heart before I was baptized? As Scripture so plainly states, I would be saved, just as the people were in Acts 10 who received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues before they were baptized, and just as the thief on the cross was before he died (he was never baptized). In addition, why did Paul tell his readers in such certain terms that he wasn’t called to baptize, but to preach? Look at this verse: I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, lest anone should say that I had baptized in my own name. Yes I also baptized the household of Stephanus. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom and words, lest the cross of Christ be made of no effect. I Corinthians 1:13-17 Paul tells us that Jesus didn’t call him to baptize (is Paul negating the Great Commission here? I think not!) but to preach. And Paul says he only baptized a few people. And thank goodness for that, he says, because otherwise people might be saying they were baptized in the name of Paul. The Great Commission is in Matthew 28:19,20 records Jesus’ words to his disciples to “go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit . . .” This certainly doesn’t say we need to be baptized to be saved. And why did Paul say he wasn’t called to baptize? It must be because the church as a whole is called to baptize, not us as individuals. How could a wheelchair-bound person baptize someone? Yet we have many Christians who are in wheelchairs. And we have many Christians who are invalids as well. Are they disobeying Jesus’ command to baptize? I don’t think so. Jesus Himself baptized none. And then the kicker . . . why would Paul leave 99% of his converts half-saved, or, according to some, not saved at all? If baptism were a requirement for salvation, then the majority of people Paul preached to never entered the kingdom of heaven, because, as Paul says himself, he only baptized Crispus, Gaius, and the household of Stephanus. Paul, in his zealousnous for preaching the gospel, and in his obsession for detail, would not leave so many people unsaved. My hope is that this study has given you a glimpse of the truth of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He lives today. Believe in Him, and in His words, and you will receive eternal life. That’s a promise we can all bank on. John 14:6 (it's Jesus, not water baptism)!
Satan's as well as the Campbellite "Church of Christ's" favorite Bible verse is Acts 2:38. "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). The previous verse of scripture is a favorite among many religious groups.
The problem is that Acts 2:38 isn't the only verse in the Bible which deals with salvation. While many claim to "speak where the scriptures speak and remain silent where the scriptures are silent," they practically ignore most of the New Testament teaching on salvation. The only verses that such false teachers quote and reference are the ones they feel they can use to promote their "water gospel." The fact is that most of what the New Testament says about salvation doesn't include baptism at all! (John 5:24, John 11:25-26, John 14:6, Romans 4:5, Romans 10:9-13, Eph. 2:8-9, etc.), and the few places that do mention water baptism do not include it as part of one's salvation. Water baptism follows salvation as one of the first steps of obedience for the new believer.
In spite of this obvious truth, the cultists remain steadfast in their heresy, insisting that Acts 2:38 sets forth water baptism as a requirement for salvation. Thus, this verse of scripture has become Satan's favorite Bible verse. In fact, many are trusting water baptism alone for the salvation of their souls! Indeed, Satan has deceived multitudes by his perversion of Acts 2:38.
Rather than ignore Acts 2:38 by quoting "our favorite verses" instead, it is more appropriate to face this popular verse of scripture and see if the cultists are right in what they claim it teaches.
The Truth about Acts 2:38
First, please notice that verse 38 isn't the only verse in Acts 2. In Peter's message, a great deal was said before verse 38 came out of his mouth. In fact, he even told his listeners how to be saved before verse 38! In Acts 2:21, Peter quotes from Joel 2 and says, "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." His words preceding verse 38 were so convicting that his listeners were "pricked in their heart" in verse 37. So, to use verse 38 out of its context causes a misrepresentation of God's word. The verse does not stand alone, and, in fact, a totally different meaning is conveyed when one makes it stand alone.
Another error that many make with Acts 2:38 is the error of assumption. It is assumed that the word "for" must mean "in order to get." That is, being baptized "for" the remission of sins supposedly means to be baptized "in order to get" remission of sins. However, a closer look at the scriptures will reveal that this isn't the case at all.
Notice Luke 5:12-14: "And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him. And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them." Jesus made this man clean in verse 13, yet in the next verse, verse 14, Jesus tells him to go offer a sacrifice "for thy cleansing" as a "testimony." Here the word "for" cannot mean "in order to get" because he had already gotten his cleansing in verse 13! It obviously meant "because of" his cleansing. If a man goes to jail "for stealing," then he goes there "because of" the stealing that he's already done, not "in order to get" a chance to steal again.
Some like to argue that the Greek word "eis" means "in order to," but this isn't always the case. Jesus said in Matthew 12:41, "The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at (eis) the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here." The Greek word for "at" is "eis." Does this mean that the men of Nineveh repented "in order to get" the preaching of Jonah? No, they repented "because of" the preaching of Jonah. So, even "the Greek" doesn't demand the popular interpretation of Acts 2:38. The word "for" can be used different ways, not just one, so it is wrong to assume that it must mean "in order to get" in Acts 2:38.
Another factor which is commonly ignored is the JEWISH factor. Every person in Acts 2 is a Mosaic law observing Old Testament Jew. In fact, they are all gathered together to observe a JEWISH FEAST called Pentecost (verse 1). A fair reading of the whole chapter (especially verses 4, 14, and 36) will clearly reveal that no Gentiles (non Jews) are present. Since this involves Jews, it involves a NATION (verse 36!!), not individuals. No one asked, "What must I do to be saved?" The question asked concerned the NATION of Israel: "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" (verse 37) Not, "What shall I do," but rather, "What shall WE do?" Acts 2 presents a NATION of people who come to realize that they have murdered their blessed Messiah and they're asking what THEY must do. It's a question concerning NATIONAL salvation. Isaiah 66:8 says, ". . . shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children." The "nation" is Israel! Romans 11:26 says, "And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob." Acts 2:38 is dealing with NATIONAL salvation. The Messianic Kingdom is still available to the Jews (until Acts 7:60 when they kill Stephen), so national salvation remains an issue until then.
This is clear from what follows Acts 7. In Acts 8, an individual from Africa is saved (before baptism). In Acts 9, an individual from Asia is saved (before baptism). In Acts 10, an individual from Europe is saved (before baptism). Why didn't these individual conversions occur before Acts 7? Because the first seven chapter of Acts deal with Israel (1:6-8; 2:36; 3:12; 4:8-10; 5:31; 6:7-14; 7:1-60). The question of INDIVIDUAL salvation is asked and answered in Acts 16:30-31: ". . . Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Those who fail to make this distinction are guilty of violating II Timothy 2:15 where we are told to RIGHTLY DIVIDE the word of truth.
The Bible says the gospel is to go to the Jew FIRST (Rom. 1:16), so they are the FIRST to receive the gospel in the book of Acts (chapter 2), but they are not the last to receive it. Acts doesn't end with chapter 2, so we should be cautious of anyone who develops their doctrine in Acts 2 while practically ignoring the next 26 chapters! If God didn't stop in Acts 2, then why does anyone else? Could it be that the later chapters in Acts contain information which the cultists want hidden from us? Could it be that there are other scriptures in Acts which do not agree with the wording of Acts 2:38? Could it be that Peter himself, the one preaching in Acts 2:38, says something different when speaking to individual Gentiles like you and me? One only has to read Acts chapter 10 to get the answer. Peter is preaching again in Acts 10, except only to individual Gentiles, and something very interesting occurs. In Acts 2:38, the Holy Ghost was promised to be given to the converts AFTER they were baptized, yet in Acts 10:44 the Holy Ghost falls upon the Gentiles BEFORE they are baptized! Now, Paul tells us in Romans 8:9, " . . .if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." Having God's Spirit is synonymous with belonging to God or being saved (John 3:6-8), so the Gentiles in Acts 10 were saved BEFORE they were baptized in water. Why don't the Acts 2:38 cultists ever point this out? Answer: It destroys their perverted doctrine that water baptism is essential for salvation.
The fact is that Acts 2:38 is NOT the "model" plan of salvation, nor are any of the other "water verses" which the cultists use. Only by taking such verses out of their context can one teach such heresy. All of the Bible is true, not just the favorite "proof texts" of the cults. Baptism saves no one. It only serves as a testimonial picture of the death, the burial, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ AFTER one has believed on Christ (Acts 8:36-38). Paul said in I Corinthians 1:17 that ". . . Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect." This "gospel" is defined by Paul in I Corinthians 15:1-4, and it does NOT include water baptism. The dying thief was not baptized, yet Jesus saved him (Luke 23:42-43), and John wrote that we are washed in the BLOOD of Christ (Rev. 1:5), not in the water. In fact, the saints in Heaven claim to have gotten there by the blood of Jesus (Rev. 5:9), not by water. By faith in the blood of Jesus Christ one is saved (Rom. 3:25). Water baptism only follows this faith as an outward step of obedience.
Friend, if you have fallen for the water gospel, why not repent of your sin and trust Jesus Christ alone? Acts 10:43 says, "To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." Why not believe on Christ 100% right now and quit trusting something you DO for salvation? "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Rom. 5:1) Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "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 more see our playlist "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ"" with 76 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html. Titus 1:9-16
CAnswersTV Please tell me. What is the one church and one faith? I have been an atheist turned Jehovah witness. Then after leaving the watchtower I had began studying at The Church of Christ and I thought I really found the truth. where do I go to worship? where do I go to find the study the truth?
Sorry for the delay I didn't see your comment until now. When I became a true "born again" Christian by a sovereign act of God back on May 16, 1981 (you can see my personal testimony of how I became a Christian on two different videos: "D & D Dungeon Master Testimony: Dungeons & Dragons, Wargaming, Violent Video Games & Wasting Time" at ua-cam.com/video/V41a_5INzVY/v-deo.html & " EVANGELISM & APOLOGETICS (PART 1): ORIGINS OF CHRISTIAN ANSWERS - JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY OF SALVATION" at ua-cam.com/video/D57zK7aDFu8/v-deo.html) I spent the rest of the year trying to find a good Bible believing church. I finally found one at the end of 1981 after visiting many different churches. I've been at Dayspring Fellowship of Austin, Texas (www.DSF.org) since then. You are welcome to see our live streaming church service on Sunday mornings online via our website until you can find a church home in the location where you are. Be very careful in discerning what you are getting from church to church as you visit to find a Christian home. Dr. James White gave a sermon on what a Biblical church is on our video "James White: Acts 20:17-32, A Biblical Church, Preach Whole Counsel of God & Beware Savage Wolves" at ua-cam.com/video/sGDoxDEDNBo/v-deo.html. Here is a sample of a typical sermon by Dayspring Fellowship's Pastor Greg Van Court on our video "Strive To Enter - But Many Will Not Be Able To - Greg Van Court - Dayspring Fellowship, Austin, TX" at ua-cam.com/video/qr2Rn-7o4RA/v-deo.html. You can hear more of his sermons at www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=Greg_Van_Court. I like a church that teaches the deep things of God from the scriptures & not shallow psychological pep talks (2 Timothy 2:15). May the Lord bless you in finding a faithful Bible fellowship with sound Biblical teaching. Hebrews 10:25"
It is really true that there are not that many real Christians out there but there are plenty of fake Christians as well as many fake "Christian" churches as you have already discovered. I have been asked by numerous born again Christians like yourself over the years from all over America & in foreign countries who have had the same problem you are experiencing in finding a good Bible believing church with real Christians who actually love the true & living Biblical God. Many complain that they just can't find a decent church. Here's what I usually tell them to do: 1. Try doing an internet search for Reformed Baptist churches in your area & see what comes up & go visit (there's not that many of them out there but I believe Reformed Baptists are the closest to what the Bible actually teaches doctrinally). 2. If that doesn't work try a Bible believing Baptist church but they can easily be filled with all the problems you have already been experiencing so you must be discerning in what each Baptist church you come across is doing (there can be the good, the bad & the ugly so be careful). 3. If that doesn't work try a "Bible Church" but you'll have to investigate what their doctrinal statement is in each case. 4. If that doesn't work you could try an orthodox Presbyterian Church but I really don't like their stand on infant baptism & their form of covenant theology (for more on this see our video "The Faulty Presuppositions of Dispensationalism & Covenant Theology (Including Infant Baptism)" at ua-cam.com/video/bkUzH914IzM/v-deo.html). 5. Anything beyond these options & you're getting into real danger of doctrinal error with the likes of Charismatic & Pentecostal churches (see our video series beginning with "Blasphemous Charismatic & Pentecostal Mayhem #1: Mad Delusional Experiences Replace Scripture Alone" at ua-cam.com/video/Kbv7YsyMf0I/v-deo.html) & the liberalism of many of the mainline denominations such as the Methodists, United Methodists, & many others (see our videos: "WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING - LIBERAL CHRISTIANITY #1: DENOMINATIONAL FALSE PROPHETS - ACTS 20:28-31" at ua-cam.com/video/iNSCQF65aeA/v-deo.html, "WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING - LIBERAL CHRISTIANITY #2: NEO-ORTHODOXY - GOSPEL REDEFINITION" at ua-cam.com/video/qdg8EJrqUuc/v-deo.html & "JOHN WESLEY, FOUNDER OF METHODISM & AN ARMINIAN, SAID HE DID NOT LOVE GOD & WAS "AN HONEST HEATHEN" at ua-cam.com/video/6Vo3ljr7ccs/v-deo.html). Needless to say, and I think you already know this, forget the Roman Catholic Church (see our playlist "Dealing with Roman Catholicism, Idolatry & the Virgin Mary" with 123 videos & counting at ua-cam.com/play/PLFFA8D69D1B914715.html), the cults (see our video "RISE OF THE CULTS: WHERE DID ALL THESE STRANGE AMERICAN RELIGIOUS SECTS COME FROM?" at ua-cam.com/video/HfVTXbFrvh8/v-deo.html - which includes the "Church of Christ" (see our playlist "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ"" with 72 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html) & world religions (see our playlist "Dealing with Anti Christ Cults, "New Age" & World Religions" with 42 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PL69A3047B3497590A.html). I hope this helps & I will pray for you.
May the Lord bless your search for a true Bible believing fellowship of believers,
Larry Wessels
Director, Christian Answers of Austin, Texas / Christian Debater
www.BibleQuery.org www.HistoryCart.com www.MuslimHope.com
UA-cam Channel: ua-cam.com/users/CAnswersTV
1 Peter 3:15
There is one mediator between man, and God. Only one mediator, not two. This mediator is not a preacher affiliated with some church organisation who is standing in a baptistry. Jesus Christ is that one and only mediator.
“Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” -Luke 13:23-24 Do you understand the question in the above Scripture? “Lord, are there few that be saved?” Someone came to Jesus and wanted to know if “few” people were saved. It's interesting that the person didn't ask if “many” people were saved. Evidently the person had been listening to Jesus' preaching and became convinced that few people were really saved. When the Bible speaks of being “saved,” it means saved from God's wrath upon Christ-rejecting sinners in Hell (for more on hell see our playlist "Dealing with Hell, Lake of Fire, Unpopular Bible Doctrines" with 30 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PLE04A1D0DFE95B95E.html & "Eternal Punishment, Part 1" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=12607145320 & "Eternal Punishment, Part 2" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=12607143539). Romans 5:9, “Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” All Christ-rejecters go to Hell if they die in their sins. If a person is “saved,” then they are going to Heaven when they die. Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” We are saved from the eternal consequences of sin, which is punishment in hellfire. To be saved is synonymous with being “born again.” When a person becomes a born-again child of God, they are saved eternally. EVERY human being MUST to be saved (i.e., born again) to enter into Heaven. John 3:3, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” If a person dies in their sins without believing on Jesus as the Savior, the Son of God, they will burn in Hell forever (Revelation 20:11-15).Just as the disciple who asked Jesus the question in Luke 13:23, I myself often wonder how few are truly born again believers. I dare say not many. Let's consider the question again...“Lord, are there few that be saved?” There are over one billion Catholics in the world who errantly believe that the Catholic Church is going to save them. Roman Catholics do not trust Jesus Christ alone; but rather, rely upon manmade traditions and self-righteous works to save them. According to the Word of God, genuine Catholics are hellbound in their sins because they are trusting in self-righteousness (Romans 3:20; 10:3-4; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5, see our playlist "Dealing with Roman Catholicism, Idolatry & the Virgin Mary" with 129 videos & counting at ua-cam.com/play/PLFFA8D69D1B914715.html). There are over one billion Islamic Muslims in the world who deny that Jesus Christ ever died upon a cross for our sins (see our playlist "Dealing with Islam, Muslims: Sunni, Shi'ite, Alawites, Sufis" with 67 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PL1C7F68B548009FDD.html). According to the Bible, they are antichrists and liars on their way to Hell (1st John 2:22-23). There are over 183,000 cults in Japan alone that deny Jesus Christ as the only Savior of the world. Other false religions include Scientology, Hinduism, Wicca, Buddhism, Seventh Day Adventism, Zoroastrianism, Greek Orthodox, Judaism, Jehovah Witness, Mormonism, Freemasonry, and many more (see our UA-cam channel CAnswersTV at ua-cam.com/users/CAnswersTV with over 615 videos covering most of these anti Christian religions in detail). Why do I call them “false religions”? It's simply because they all corrupt the Biblical teaching of salvation, i.e., the gospel (see our playlist "Dealing with Anti Trinitarians (UPC) & Early Church History" with 48 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PL9931642C7C8FFEAB.html). Most false religions ADD works to faith. Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses DENY the deity of Jesus Christ (i.e., that He is Almighty God) - see our playlists "Dealing with Mormonism, the Religion of Mitt Romney & Utah" with 20 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PL11CD0EE613306BB5.html & "Dealing with Jehovah's Witnesses, Watchtower Society" with 22 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PLCF0ADB29C0EB8C40.html. Seventh Day Adventists falsely and deceitfully redefine faith to mean works (see our playlist, "Dealing with Seventh-day Adventism & Their "Prophetess" with 23 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PL5316CC6F66F24283.html). There are hundreds of millions of followers of Hinduism who deny Jesus as the Savior, the Son of God (see our playlist "Dealing with Anti Christ Cults, "New Age" & World Religions" with 42 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PL69A3047B3497590A.html). Judaism denies that Jesus is the Messiah. The same Pharisaical Jews who crucified Jesus 2,000 years ago are crucifying Him today. The Campbellite Church of Christ deceitfully speaks of faith in Christ, but also requires water baptism and living the Christian life to be saved. That is works salvation, which is a lie of the Devil (Romans 3:20; Romans 4:5-6, see our playlist "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ" with 72 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html). Every Catholic claims not to worship Mary, but the second commandment (Exodus 20:3-5) forbids even bowing to Mary (which every Catholic does, for more on the Roman Catholic installation of the worship of saints, images, & polytheism in church history hear "Perseverance of the Saints & the Worship of Saints (Historical Theology Vol. 1, #17)" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=14101149112 & "The Worship of Images & Civil Authorities (Historical Theology Vol. 1, #18)" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=15101057200). There are hundreds of millions of so-called Charismatic & Pentecostal "Christians" who trade the Word of God for their own wild emotional experiences & replace the Biblical gospel for a gospel of "heath & wealth" despite 1 Timothy 6:10 saying, "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows" - see our two video series on this: "Blasphemous Charismatic & Pentecostal Mayhem #1: Mad Delusional Experiences Replace Scripture Alone" at ua-cam.com/video/Kbv7YsyMf0I/v-deo.html begins one series while "AGONY OF THE PHONY WORD-FAITH TV PREACHERS #1: MIND SCIENCE ORIGINS OF KENNETH HAGIN & HIS DISCIPLES" at ua-cam.com/video/VwQ5BLrYD_U/v-deo.html begins another series. Even secular humanism, atheism & agnosticism can be considered faith based religions due to the fact that atheists & humanists have a faith that God does not exist while agnostics are willingly ignorant concerning God (see our playlist "Dealing with "God Hating" Atheists, Agnostics, Know-It-Alls" with 20 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PL640E505B96CD6B39.html). Many animistic religions exist throughout the world as well which are described in Romans 1:18-32, see our video "FOREIGN MISSIONS FOR CHRIST: PREACHING TO CANNIBALS, WITCH DOCTORS & TRIBAL NATIVES" at ua-cam.com/video/ACnDLyXa9H0/v-deo.html. All of the religions I have just mentioned account for well over seven eighths of the earth's population or more. Keep in mind, besides all of this, Jesus said, "And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God" (Matthew 19:24). Who are considered "rich people"? It's not just millionaires & world leaders but many lesser wealthy persons who exceed the vast majority of mankind in money & possessions (Luke16:19-31 is a good example of this in the parable of the rich man & Lazarus). See the video "It is Difficult for Americans to Enter Heaven - Tim Conway" at ua-cam.com/video/bDwNGXciNCQ/v-deo.html. Statistics provided in this video show that even the poorest Americans living in the United States have a better net income than most of the world. For instance, according to Forbes magazine, June 1, 2013, the bottom 5% of United States citizens are richer than 68% of people living throughout the rest of the world; U.S. citizens who make $50,000 a year are richer than 99.69% of the people in the rest of the world; U.S. citizens who make $20,000 a year are richer than 96% of the people in the rest of the world, U.S. citizens who make $10,000 a year are richer than 84% of the people in the rest of the world; U.S. citizens who make $100,000 a year are in a category that only 8 out of every 10,000 people achieve in the entire world. Will it be difficult for rich Americans who don't think they're rich to enter into the kingdom of heaven? Jesus already gave the answer. For more on this hear "Those Whom God Hates He Is Often Pleased To Give Plenty Of Earthly Things To, Edwards" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=427121150346 by the well known theologian Jonathan Edwards who also preached the most famous sermon on North American soil called, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=770213541. If you don't like what I am telling you then get mad at God because He wrote the Bible. If you take the Bible at FACE VALUE, you can only interpret it one way. The best way to interpret the Bible is with the Bible. God said what He meant and meant what He said. Let the Bible speak for itself. Jesus answered the question in Luke 13:24 with the following words...“...for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” Most of the people in this world are going straight to Hell when they die because they have not been born again (hear "Few Saved From A Burning Hell" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=3514145121). Lies and deception are everywhere! Catholics and Jehovah Witnesses claim to be born-again but they are NOT. You can't get born-again by doing good works, confessing your sins to a priest, getting water baptized, joining a church or keeping the Sabbath Day. Salvation is NOT found in any religion; but rather, in a Person-The Lord Jesus Christ! Most people today have churchianity without Christianity, and they are all going to Hell if they don't repent toward God of their unbelief (for more on this see our video "TRUE BELIEVERS & NON BELIEVERS ACCORDING TO THE GOSPEL OF THE REFORMATION: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?" at ua-cam.com/video/3_dN0oC57Rk/v-deo.html). The vast majority of so-called "Evangelical Christians" in the world today do not know what the Biblical gospel is or what "justification by faith alone" is (see our video "SAD STATE OF THE CHURCH: 87% OF EVANGELICAL "CHRISTIANS" DON'T KNOW WHAT GOSPEL JUSTIFICATION IS" at ua-cam.com/video/im4ozy_EiR4/v-deo.html. There are only two types of religions in the world: DO and DONE. Either you believe that you have to DO something to go to Heaven; or else you believe that it is DONE, paid for by Jesus' precious blood. Jesus said in Luke 13:24 that “many” will seek to enter into Heaven but will not be able. That is quite startling. Jesus said the same thing in Matthew 7:21-23 . . . “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” The reason why these religious people were not allowed into Heaven was because they attempted to enter Heaven through their own self-righteousness. In Matthew 5:20 Jesus spake concerning the religious leaders of His time . . . “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Most of the religious churchgoers in the world today are as lost as can be, still hellbound in their wickedness. They have not done the will of God concerning salvation, which is to BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST (John 6:40; Acts 16:30-31). Jesus provides two contrasts in Luke 13:24, the contrast between seeking to enter and striving to enter and the contrast between seeking to enter through the narrow door and seeking to enter by any other means. Let’s now focus on the second contrast. Look at verses 25-27:"Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, 'Lord, open up to us!' then He will answer and say to you, 'I do not know where you are from.' 26 "Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets'; 27 and He will say, 'I tell you, I do not know where you are from; DEPART FROM ME, ALL YOU EVILDOERS.' (Luke 13:25 NAU) Jesus’ statement at the end of 25 and the middle of 27 is translated well in the NIV: “I don't know you or where you come from.” In effect, He is saying, “I don’t know you at all! You may think that you are mine, but I have nothing to do with you - I don’t even know your family, your village” So what does Jesus mean by the narrow door? What is His intended contrast with other methods of entering? Again, let’s begin by considering what the narrow door is not: The narrow door is NOT being in a church, reading the Bible, listening to sermons, looking to others like a Christian. This is clear from verse 26: these evildoers looked just like believers who had been with Jesus. They had listened to His preaching. But He does not know them, and they stand condemned.The narrow door is NOT being prominent in this life. Jesus says in verse 30 that some who are presently first will be last. Prominence now is no guarantee of one’s entering through the narrow door.The narrow door is NOT being a descendant of a great believer. See verse 28. Remember, Jesus is speaking to descendants of Abraham and Jacob. I sometimes like to use the expression, “God has no grandchildren.” Each of us must come to Jesus on our own, not through our parents, our grandparents, or other ancestors. Then what does Jesus mean by the narrow door? Elsewhere, Jesus says He Himself is the door: I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. (John 10:9) In what sense is this door narrow? In two ways. First, the door is narrow in the sense that no one comes to the Father any other way (John 14:6). No religious activities - Christian or non-Christian - bring us into the Kingdom. Sincere beliefs do not bring us in. Good works do not bring us in. Good feelings about our relationship with Christ do not bring us in. Though in our pluralistic society this message is despised, we must preach, teach, and live out this truth: There is only one door, and that narrow door is Jesus. The Lake of Fire is waiting for "many" when they die. Jesus' disciple asked Him if few people are going to Heaven. Jesus replied that many people will attempt, but fail. When the floods came in Noah's day, many people tried to get on the ark, but it was too late once the door was closed. When the bridegroom came in Matthew 25:1-13, the five foolish virgins were left behind because they were gone buying oil at the last moment. Do not likewise make the mistake of delaying salvation, for you will be sorry when it is too late. Few souls are going to Heaven. Jesus said, "Only those who find that strait gate and narrow way that leadeth unto life (Matthew 7:13-15), which is the righteousness of Jesus Christ will make it to heaven. So many churchgoers have religion, but they have never truly been born of the spirit of God, which is the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9, hear "Why Are So Few People Saved?" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=111710103558). Salvation happens when a person acknowledges their guilt of sin unto God in repentance; believing on Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, to be forgiven (this is a supernatural action caused by God in the heart of a repentant sinner in 2 Timothy 2:24-26; see also "SUPERNATURAL BIBLE PROPHECY CONCERNING JESUS THE JEWISH MESSIAH (PART #1)" at ua-cam.com/video/DVByqkjwChs/v-deo.html). We are SINNERS and Jesus is the wonderful SAVIOR! Acts 10:43, “To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.” Salvation is given to those "few" who have been ordained to eternal life by God Himself (Acts 13:48). And who are those "few"? Jesus answers that question in John chapter 6:37,39,44,63 & 65: "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." "And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day." "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day." " It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." "And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father." For more on this see our video "The Sovereignty of God Versus Man-Made Religions, Hollywood Movies & Petty Emotionalism" - ua-cam.com/video/1UQABR_9gGI/v-deo.html. Keep in mind that God works with relatively few numbers throughout world history (remember how Elijah thought he was the last prophet of God left in Israel in 1 Kings 19:13-18 & the Lord had to correct Elijah about the number but still the number God told Elijah was small). The God of the Bible has always had His way of operating His plan in this world & it has always been consistently with small numbers (1 Corinthians 1:26-29, "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence." For an excellent message concerning the small numbers God has historically employed please hear the outstanding theologian Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones in his sermon "Sermon 113 - Three-score and Fifteen Souls" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=99217141430450. We also have a video along these lines called " Biblical Predestination #6: God Only Chooses a FEW for Salvation (Many Called/Few Chosen)" - ua-cam.com/video/veCdGzYsc70/v-deo.html. See also our video "Strive To Enter - But Many Will Not Be Able To - Greg Van Court - Dayspring Fellowship, Austin, TX" at ua-cam.com/video/qr2Rn-7o4RA/v-deo.html. 2 Timothy 2:15, "Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
The modern day "Church of Christ" movement was began back in the early 1800s by Thomas & Alexander Campbell, Barton W. Stone & Walter Scott. See our video at RISE OF THE CULTS: WHERE DID ALL THESE STRANGE AMERICAN RELIGIOUS SECTS COME FROM?. Walter Scott "arranges" the "ancient gospel" & makes "experiments" with it; baptizes William Amend on November 18, 1827 & claims to have "restored the gospel" (see "Life of Elder Walter Scott" by Baxter, Chapter VI; "Memoirs of Alexander Campbell, Vol. 2, pp. 208-220) thus the name "The Restoration Movement." Water baptism becomes the savior & gospel of this group. However, did Christianity really need these four men to "restore the ancient gospel" in 1827? Was there no Christianity before 1827? Is water baptism then essential & necessary in order to be saved from hell & go to heaven instead?
Why Water Baptism Is Not Essential to Salvation
By Steve Morrison www.BibleQuery.org
Points We Should Agree On
Salvation was purchased neither by water nor by faith. Our salvation is by grace through the shed blood of Jesus on the cross. The issue is whether we choose to receive that salvation through
a) faith
(most Bible-believing Christians, including some
Church of Christ)
b) Faith plus one work: baptism
(some Church of Christ)
c) Faith plus works in general
(Catholic, Orthodox, some Church of Christ)
d) Being a nice guy (Jesus’ blood was unnecessary)
(many liberal Protestants and Catholics)
Why This is Important
A person can believe the wrong one of the first two and still be saved. But to me this is still important and unscriptural:
1. Says God sometimes breaks His promise
2. Salvation: God plus our response plus a 3rd party
3. Is there a corner in Hell for some obedient believers?
On the other hand, many Church of Christ people say that if a person was martyred for their faith, and even if they were first baptized by immersion, if it was not specifically for remission of sins, there was no point for them to die for their faith, because they are in Hell.
What if a Church of Christ person believed, but was killed in a car wreck on the way to being baptized?
Thesis
Nowhere does the Bible say the words "Cannot be saved without water baptism"
Granted that some Bible truths are implied, not directly stated.
But allegedly implied truths that contradict Biblically stated truths are untruths.
Outline: Five Points
Through Faith (Jn 3:16,18,36; Jn 5:24; 6:29,35,40 Rom 10:9-13, 1 Cor 1:14,17a etc.)
Response of a Believer (Mk 16:16; Jn 3:3-6; Acts 2:38; 22:16, 1 Pet 3:20-21 etc.)
Understanding Salvation (Eph 2:8-10)
Thief on the Cross (Luke 23:40-43)
Holy Spirit & Cornelius (Acts 10:43-48)
Through Faith We Are Saved
Some verses teach belief/faith for salvation, no mention of baptism. Others explicitly give the Promise of All who believe / have faith … are saved (John 3:16,18, etc.)
We should all believe God’s promises.
But what is genuine belief / saving faith?
Genuine Belief / Saving Faith
Saving Faith is not belief about but believing on
Even the devils believe - and shudder (Jms 2:19)
"Cheap grace", mere belief about facts, but not leading to a transformed life, is dead (Jms 2:20-24)
True belief means trusting our lives to God
OT: Ps 4:5; 9:10; 13:5; 20:7; 22:4,9; 25:2; Pr 3:5; Isa 8:17
NT: Rom 4:5; 9:33; 10:11; 1 Pet 2:6
Heb 2:13 (quotes 2 Sam 22:3)
Blondin & tightrope over Niagara Falls illustration
Old Testament believers, with the knowledge they had, were saved trusting forward to the same Savior we have, while we with the knowledge we have trust backwards at the finished work of Christ.
When Blondin was about to walk over Niagara Falls on a tightrope pushing a wheelbarrow, a man told him that he believed that he could do it. Blondin asked if he really believed. When the man said yes, Blondin told him to get in the wheelbarrow. Genuine faith is not standing on the side saying "I believe", but saving faith in Christ is being willing to get in the wheelbarrow.
Genuine Belief in Jesus as Lord
Genuine belief in Jesus as Lord implies a repentance, calling on God, and commitment to obedience, including I might add, practicing the Lord’s supper and baptism.
But let’s say a person was unable to fulfill baptism or another act of obedience, God understands out intentions.
Role of Works in Salvation
Both Ephesians 2:8-9 and James 2 show that works have an important role in our salvation: they are an output, not an input. Works are like a beating heart. You can make a dead person’s heart beat with electrodes, but that does not mean they are alive. But if you say a person is alive but their heart is not beating, then I have my doubts.
Baptism is a work of a saved believer, not a lost person.
But if someone says works have a role in us getting saved, then they deny Ephesians 2:8.
Twice as many verses emphasize belief without baptism
Verses showing water baptism
Jn 3:16,18,36 (whosoever)
Jn 1:11-12 (received him)
Mk 16:16 (believe and is baptized)
Jn 5:24
Jn 2:11b, 23b (belief only)
Jn 3:4-6 (born of water & spirit)
Acts 10:43-48
Jn 6:29,35,40,47
Acts 2:37-38 (for remission of sins)
Rom 4:1-6; 5:1
Jn 7:38,39;
Acts 22:16 (wash away thy sins)
Rom 9:33 (belief only)
Jn 8:30-32
Rom 6:3-5 (bapt.…into His death)
Rom 10:9-13
Jn 11:25-26 (believes)
1 Cor 6:11 (washed... by the spirit)
Joel 2:32a+Acts 2:21+Rom 10:13
Jn 12:46 (believe)
Gal 3:26-27 (baptized…clothed)
1 Cor 1:14,17
Jn 16:9 (not believe)
Eph 5:26,Tt 3:5 (washing)
Eph 2:8-10
Jn 17:20 (believe only)
Col 2:11-13; Heb 10:22
Gal 3:22b (belief only)
Rom 10:9-10 (if a man…)
1 Pet 3:20b-21
Heb 4:2 (faith only)
1 Jn 5:1,10-13
1 Cor 1:12-13 (Paul and divisions)
Other verses mentioning belief but not baptism: Jn 4:39a,41; 9:35; 10:42; 11:25,45,48; 12:11, 31,42,44; 14:1,12; 20:31 Acts 14:23; 20:21; Rom 15:13; Php 1:29; Tt 3:8
Other verses mentioning baptism: Mt 28:19; Acts 1:22; 2:41; 8:13,16, 37-39; 1 Cor 10:2
John 3:16,18
Jn 3:16 "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. (KJV)
Note it is not that this verse simply mentions belief without baptism. It says that whosoever believes is saved, without baptism.
John 3:18
Jn 3:18 He that believeth in Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (KJV)
When you believed in Christ, were you condemned or not condemned at that exact in time?
John 3:36 "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." (KJV)
John 5:24 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." (KJV)
Acts 10:43 (KJV) "To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name, whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins."
This was said to Cornelius prior to baptism.
Rom 10:9-13 (also Joel 2:32a; Acts 2:21) (KJV)
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (11) For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (12) For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
1 Cor 1:14; 17a (KJV)
1 Cor 1:14 "I [Paul] thank God that I baptized none of you but Cris’pus and Ga’i-us"
1 Cor 1:17a "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel:"
Jn 6:28-29,35,40 (KJV)
Jn 6:28-29 "Then said they unto him, What shall we do that we might work the works of God? (29) Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."
Jn 6:35 "And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst."
Jn 6:40 "And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day."
Twice as many verses emphasize belief without baptism
Verses showing water baptism
Jn 3:16,18,36 (whosoever)
Jn 1:11-12 (received him)
Mk 16:16 (believe and is baptized)
Jn 5:24
Jn 2:11b, 23b (belief only)
Jn 3:4-6 (born of water & spirit)
Acts 10:43-48
Jn 6:29,35,40,47
Acts 2:37-38 (for remission of sins)
Rom 4:1-6; 5:1
Jn 7:38,39;
Acts 22:16 (wash away thy sins)
Rom 9:33 (belief only)
Jn 8:30-32
Rom 6:3-5 (bapt.…into His death)
Rom 10:9-13
Jn 11:25-26 (believes)
1 Cor 6:11 (washed... by the spirit)
Joel 2:32a+Acts 2:21+Rom 10:13
Jn 12:46 (believe)
Gal 3:26-27 (baptized…clothed)
1 Cor 1:14,17
Jn 16:9 (not believe)
Eph 5:26,Tt 3:5 (washing)
Eph 2:8-10
Jn 17:20 (believe only)
Col 2:11-13; Heb 10:22
Gal 3:22b (belief only)
Rom 10:9-10 (if a man…)
1 Pet 3:20b-21
Heb 4:2 (faith only)
1 Jn 5:1,10-13
1 Cor 1:12-13 (Paul and divisions)
Other verses mentioning belief but not baptism: Jn 4:39a,41; 9:35; 10:42; 11:25,45,48; 12:11, 31,42,44; 14:1,12; 20:31 Acts 14:23; 20:21; Rom 15:13; Php 1:29; Tt 3:8
Other verses mentioning baptism: Mt 28:19; Acts 1:22; 2:41; 8:13,16, 37-39; 1 Cor 10:2
Summary of the First Section
While some verses simply mention belief without baptism, many other verses say that all who believe, regardless of baptism will be saved.
We will call these the "whosoever" verses.
Saving faith is a living faith, that is willing to repent, confess God, and obey. Of course getting baptized with water is part of obeying. But if a person dies before they are able to be baptized, God looks at our heart.
Response of a Believer
Water baptism verses
Summary of Response
Mk 16:16 yet Jn 3:36
Faith leads to baptism, only unbelief condemned
Jn 3:4-6 yet Jn 3:16,18
Spoken to Nicodemus before the resurrection
Acts 2:37-38 yet 10:43
Eis can mean result of or in, as in Acts 10:43
Acts 22:16 yet 22:13
Never said "Brother" Saul was not saved first
Rom 6:3-5 yet 10:9-11
No mention of the pious unbaptized like the thief
1 Cor 6:11 yet Rom 8:11; Eph 1:13-14a
Washed by the Spirit here, not water. If the Spirit is in a NT believer, Spirit’s seal guarantees.
Gal 3:26-27 yet
2 Cor 5:4-5
A soldier’s uniform is an emblem of his identity.
All with the Spirit guaranteed future clothing.
Eph 5:26,Tt 3:5
Baptism of the Holy Spirit as in Acts 1:5 + 2:4
Col 2:11-13 yet Rom 2:29; Acts 15:1-21
Symbol of buried with Christ. Bible never said cannot be saved without water baptism
Heb 10:22
yet 1 Pet 3:21
The washed body is a visible emblem, but 1 Pet 3:21a says does not save.
1 Pet 3:20b-21 yet 2:6b
Noah and Abraham obedient saints beforehand.
1 Cor 1:12-13 yet 1:14-17
Baptism not vital since Paul NOT sent to baptize.
Others: Mt 28:19; Acts 1:22; 2:41; 8:13,16, 37-39 - not say for salvation
Response of a Believer
Belief in the Lord Jesus implies a pledge of obedience. But this does NOT imply God sends an obedient believer, who in unable to do something, to Hell!
While no other way except Christ (Jn 14:6b, Acts 4:12) the Bible never says condemned without baptism.
While these show baptism is an important response of believers, no verse reneges on God’s promise to all who believe!
Mk 16:16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned."
Yet John 3:36 "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (NKJV)
Mark 16:16 does not specifically say all who believe but are unbaptized go to Hell. It if did, it would contradict John 3:36 and the other whosoever verses.
Here is a "Change for a dollar and a water bottle illustration".
If my daughter in the kitchen asks me for change for a dollar, and I tell her, give me a dollar and a water bottle and I will give you change. If my daughter gives me both I give her the change. If my daughter does not give me a dollar, then no change. But what if my daughter gives me a dollar but not a water bottle. Then it depends. If she says, I looked but I was unable to find a water bottle, then I will still give her change. But if she says something disrespectful, and refuses to give me a water bottle that she can get, then no change.
A Church of Christ counter example was given as: "if you eat and digest your food you will live, if you do not eat, you will die." Digesting your food is implied. However, applying to Mark 16:16 this example of an involuntary bodily action to a command of God we are to voluntarily obey contradicts the Word of God, that promises salvation to all who truly believe in the following places: John 3:16,18,36; John 5:24; 6:47; 11:25-26; Acts 10:43-48; Romans 9:33; Joel 2:32a + Acts 2:21 + Romans 10:9-10; 10:13; 1 John 5:1,10-13
John 3:4-6 "‘Nic-o-de’mus saith unto Him, ‘How can a man be born when is old? Can he enter a 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 the kingdom of God. (6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." (KJV)
Jn 3:16 "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." (KJV)
Jn 3:18a "He that believeth on him is not condemned" (KJV)
One reason John 3:4-6 does not mean all who are not baptized go to Hell is that it would contradict John 3:16; 18a and the other whosoever verses. A second reason is that Jesus said John 3:4-6 before the resurrection.
Jn 3:46 said before the resurrection
a) If baptism essential before resurrection: Thief on the cross problem in Lk 23:43
b) If baptism not-essential, then since Jesus told Nicodemus prior to His resurrection, John 3:5 cannot teach no unbaptized person can be saved.
But if b), note that believers were to be baptized in Jn 4:2
Water baptism: Not practiced in the OT, a command in the New, but never was it simply a suggestion!
Acts 2:37-38 yet Acts 10:43
Acts 2:37-38 "When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ (38) Peter replied, ‘[ya’ll] Repent and [he/she] be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for [eis] the forgiveness / remission [aphesin] of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (NIV/NKJV)
Yet Acts 10:43 "To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission / forgiveness of sins." (NKJV/NIV)
Yet Acts 2:21 (Joel 2:32a; Rom 10:13)
"And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved" (NKJV)
So right before Acts 2:36, Peter told us the criteria for receiving salvation: Acts 2:21.
A second reason Acts 2:37-38 does not teach all who are not baptized go to Hell is that it would contradict the other whosoever verses.
Forgiveness/Remission [Aphesin] are the Same word in Greek
The word forgiveness/remission is the same Greek: aphesin (Strong’s 859)
The same Greek word is used as:
Remission (KJV/NKJV) Mt 26:28; Mk 1:4; Lk 1:77; 3:3; 24:47; Heb 9:22; 10:18
Forgiveness (KJV/NKJV), Mk 3:29; Acts 5:31; 13:38; 26:18; Eph 1:7; Col 1:14
NIV has forgiveness/forgiven in all these verses
Many Meanings of Eis (Strong’s 1519)
Eis mean in order to cause (looking forward)
Lk 5:14 Jesus told the cleansed leper to show himself to the priests as Moses commanded eis a testimony to them.
Eis means "because of" (looking backward)
Mt 3:11 "John baptized eis repentance. If eis could only mean to cause remission of sins in Acts 2:38, then eis would have to baptize to cause repentance in Mt 3:11
Mt 12:41 [Ninevites] "repented eis the preaching of Jonah"
Eis means "to"
Jn 4:5 "He [Jesus] comes eis a city of Samaria"
Jn 11:31 "She goes eis the tomb"
Isa 13:14 (Septuagint) "a man shall turn back to his own people" This means "[return] to", but it is looking backward, not forward. They did not just become his people, they were already his people.
Eis means "about" or "in reference to"
Acts 2:25 David speaks eis him
Cause and Effect and Eis
If eis could only mean "caused"
The Ninevites "caused" the preaching of Jonah? Mt 12:31
Mary goes to "cause" the tomb"? Jn 11:31
Through one man sin "caused" the world"? Rom 5:12)
John the Baptist had a baptism for repentance to cause forgiveness of sins too. (Then what about the thief on the cross?) (Lk 3:3)
You cannot base a doctrine on a grammatical ambiguity!
Looking Backward with eis
Church of Christ people claim eis never looks backward. However, besides Mt 3:11 and 12:41; it looks backward (as well as forward) in the Old Testament Septuagint. It looks backward in
Mal 2:2 Did not One God (eis) create you?
Mal 2:11 [Judah] has gone (eis) after other gods.
Acts 22:16 yet Acts 22:13a
Acts 22:16 [Ananias told Paul] "And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name." (NIV)
Acts 22:13a "He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’…" (NIV)
Saul/Paul was already a fellow believer in Acts 22:13. 1) This does not say baptism saved, and 2) if it was the water that washed sins away that would be against 1 Peter 3:21.
One reason Acts 22:16 does not refer to unbaptized believers going to Hell is that it would contradict the whosoever verses.
More on Brother
Now brethren meant fellow Jews in Rom 9:3; Acts 3:17; 13:26; 22:1,2; 23:1,5. However:
We have no proof that Ananias was Jewish
Ananias and Paul had a bond that was closer than being Jewish: even prior to Paul’s baptism, both were genuine believers.
All genuine believers are our brothers. Baptism is only something a brother and sister believer does. The key issue here, is, can a genuine "brother", like the thief on the cross, or Cornelius before he was baptized, be in Hell if He dies before he does the "work" of water baptism?
Alexander Campbell Christian Messenger, 1831 p.19,21
"My opinion is that immersion is the only baptism. But shall I therefore make my opinion a term of Christian fellowship? If in this case I thus act, where shall I cease from making my opinions terms of fellowship? I confess I see no end. . . . Let us still acknowledge all to be brethren, who believe in the Lord Jesus, and humbly and honestly obey him, as far as they know his will, and their duty."
Rom 6:3-5 yet Rom 10:9-13
Rom 6:3-5 "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? (4) 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. (5) For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:" (KJV)
While Rom 6 refers to water baptism, not just Spirit baptism, this never says cannot be saved if not baptized. Rather, it gives the meaning of baptism (our identification with Christ’s death and resurrection.
Yet Rom 10:9-13
Rom 10:9-13 "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (10) For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (11) For Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame. (12) For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. (13) For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (NKJV)
1 Cor 6:11 yet Rom 8:11; Eph 1:13-14a
1 Cor 6:11 "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God." (NIV)
Washed by the Spirit here, not water.
Baptism of the Holy Spirit is in Mt 3:11b; Mk 1:8; Lk 3:16b; Acts 1:5+2:4; 8:16-17; 19:2-7; 1 Cor 12:13
Yet Rom 8:11; Eph 1:13-14a
Rom 8:11 "But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." (NKJV)
Eph 1:13-14a "In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, (14) who is the guarantee of our inheritance…" (NKJV)
Gal 3:26-27 yet 2 Cor 5:4-5
Gal 3:26-27 "For you are all sons of God though faith in Christ Jesus, (27) For all of you who were baptized in Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." (uNASB)
The Greek word enduo "clothed/put on" (Strong’s 1746) "in the sense of sinking into a garment); to invest with clothing (lit. or fit.): array, cloths (with), endue, have (put) on."
As a soldier has a uniform, being clothed with Christ is an external emblem or an inward change and new identity.
Yet 2 Cor 5:4-5
Yet 2 Cor 5:4-5 "For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now He who have prepared for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee." (NKJV)
Even we are not fully clothed while in this life, but in the New Testament those who have the Spirit are guaranteed they will be fully clothed.
Eph 5:26 & Titus 3:5 yet Acts 1:5+2:4
Eph 5:26 "To make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word," (NIV)
Titus 3:5 "he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior" (NIV)
This is baptism (washing) of the Holy Spirit, which is mentioned in Acts 1:5 and fulfilled in Acts 2:4
Alexander Campbell Design by Baptism p.262 (1st part)
"In this sense we are to understand what is said by Paul, that Christ sanctifieth and cleanseth the church ‘with washing of water by the word.’ Eph 5:26, and in another place, that ‘according to His mercy he saved us, but the washing of regeneration, and of renewing of the Holy Ghost’ Titus 3:5, and by Peter that ‘baptism doeth save us’ 1 Pet. 3:21, For it is not the intention of Paul to signify that our ablution and salvation are completed by water, or that water contains in itself the virtue to purify, regenerate, and renew; nor did Peter mean that it was the cause of salvation, but only the knowledge and assurance of it is received in this sacrament: what is sufficiently evident from the words they have used."
Alexander Campbell Design by Baptism p.262 (2nd part)
"For Paul connects together the ‘word of life’ and ‘the baptism of water;’ as if he had said, our ablution and sanctification are announced to us by the Gospel, and by baptism this message is confirmed. And Peter after having said the baptism doth save us, immediately adds, that it is ‘not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God’ which proceeds from faith. But on the contrary, baptism promises us no other purification than by the sprinkling of the blood of Christ; which is emblematically represented by water, on account of its resemblance to washing and cleansing."
Col 2:11-13 yet Rom 2:29; Acts 15:1-21
Col 2:11-13 "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." (KJV)
Yet Rom 2:29
Rom 2:25-28 said that circumcision had value if you obeyed the law, but not for lawbreakers. Even those who kept the law but were uncircumised will be regarded as circumcised.
Rom 2:29 "But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God." (KJV)
Yet Acts 15:1-12
Some men [falsely] taught that unless you are circumcised you cannot be saved. The apostles COULD have said, "Not circumcision anymore but baptism." But instead Peter said, "No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."
So they told Gentile believers to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, sexual immorality, blood, but "missed their chance" to say that baptism is required.
Heb 10:22 yet 1 Pet 3:21
Heb 10:22 "let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." (NIV)
Yet 1 Pet 3:21a (NIV) "and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God…"
1 Pet 3:21a (KJV) "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.)"
The body washed with pure water is a visible emblem of our changed hearts. 1 Peter 3:21 says that it is not the water that saves us but the pledge of a good conscience towards God.
1 Pet 3:20b-21 yet 1 Pet 2:6b
Pet 3:20b-21 "days of Noah, while the ark was preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. (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:" (KJV)
Note: KJV’s "by water" is incorrect; the Greek is "through water (di udatos)" per (NKJV, NIV, uNASB, Green’s literal translation, NRSV)
Yet 1 Pet 2:6b "he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame." (NKJV)
Response to 1 Pet 3:20b-21
Both Noah and Abraham were obedient servants of God prior to the flood and testing with Isaac.
1 Peter 3:21 says it is NOT the water, but the pledge of a good conscience before God.
It does not refer to people who made a pledge but were not able to get baptized.
The Bible also uses word save in the fourth tense (of working out our salvation. So baptism only saves in the on-going sense that we can turn others from sin (James 5:20) we can save ourselves (Acts 2:40), we can save others (1 Cor 7:16, 9:22; 1 Tim 4:16)
Alexander Campbell Millennial Harbinger, 1837 p.411-412 (1st part)
"But who is a Christian? I answer, every one that believes in his heart that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, the Son of God; repents of his sins, and obeys him in all things according to his measure of knowledge of his will. . . . I cannot make any one duty the standard of Christian state or character, not even immersion into the name of Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and [cannot] in my heart regard all that have been sprinkled in infancy without their own knowledge and consent, as aliens from Christ and the well-grounded hope of heaven."
Alexander Campbell Millennial Harbinger, 1837 p.411-412 (2nd part)
"Should I find a Pedobaptist [one baptized as an infant] more intelligent in the Christian Scriptures, more spiritually-minded and more devoted to the Lord than a Baptist, or one immersed on a profession of the ancient faith, I could not hesitate a moment in giving the preference of my heart to him that loveth most. Did I act otherwise, I would be a pure sectarian, a Pharisee among Christians."
It if False to Claim Church of Christ Always Taught This
This, it is wrong for Church of Christ literature to claim Churches of Christ always believed a person not immersed for sins is going to Hell.
One of the founders, Alexander Campbell, said a pedobaptist could be saved
Alexander Campbell was never immersed for remission of sins
Nobody in the church prior to this time said that belief without baptism would send someone to Hell
However, Ambrose, Augustine, and others did teach that baptized babies go to Heaven, and unbaptized babies go to Hell.
Understanding Salvation in Eph 2:8-10
Eph 2:8-10 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, (9) not of works, lest anyone should boast. (10) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (NKJV)
Counter-argument1: Naaman the Syrian
In 2 Ki 5:10-15, Naaman was not cleansed of leprosy until he washed in the Jordan.
a) This act of faith was for cleansing from leprosy, not salvation.
b) It does not matter what river, or baptism water you use. But here it had to specifically be the Jordan River to make a point to Naaman.
c) There was no water baptism in the Old Testament.
d) Finally, if someone tried to make it relate to baptism, then Naaman did not know for sure there was only one God except the God of Israel until AFTER he washed in the Jordan in 2 Kings 5:15.
Counter-argument 2: Walls of Jericho
God by His grace gave Jericho to the Israelites without them working for it (Josh 6:2)
But they still had to march around the city for seven days, 13 times, before it fell.
Counter-argument 2 Answer
Their marching did not cause the walls to fall; God supernaturally did. Obediently doing works DOES give us blessings, but this was not for their salvation, but to their conquering strongholds in their life as believers. It would be a false caricature of our position to say that we are against works, or that works have nothing to do with a saved person’s life. Works are an output of salvation, not an input.
Thief on the Cross in Luke 23:40-43
Baptism was a much "for" remission of sins before Jesus’ resurrection as after. (Mk 1:4; Lk 1:77; Lk 3:3b same wording as Acts 2:38)
Rejecting John’s baptism was rejecting God’s will for them (Lk 7:30)
The disciples baptized too (Jn 3:26; 4:2)
Jesus had high regard for at least one near-death conversion!
No opportunity for water baptism, but did not reject.
One answer: God is understanding
Martyrs Potamiaena and the soldier Basilides
About 202 A.D., as the Christian lady Potamiaena was being lead to her martyr’s death in the arena, the soldier Basilides kindly kept the rabble from bothering her. She said she would tell God of his kindness, and he would receive a reward. Three days after her death, he had a dream about her. Afterwards, when he was asked to swear something, he said he could not, as he was a Christian. First they thought he was joking, then they put him in prison; he was martyred too. Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History (323-326 A.D.) book 6 ch.5 p.253)
So would someone like that go to Hell, who truly trusted in Christ and was martyred for Him?
More on Basilides
In fairness to the other side, I must mention something else too. Brothers of the church met with Basilides in prison, and after talking with him gave him "the seal of the Lord". It is unclear that this is baptism, but it probably was. However, the pagan jailers would not have let a prisoner leave the prison to get baptized. So how could he get baptized?
Early Church: Immersion when Practical
Didache (c.125 A.D.) ch.7 p.379 "baptize into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in living water. But if thou have not living water, baptize into other water; and if thou canst not in cold, in warm. But if thou have not either, pour out water thrice upon the head into the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit."
Early Church Errors
But the early church made mistakes too.
Around 210 A.D. the early Church got the idea that before baptism you needed to go through a long, two year class for catechumens. What if someone came to Christ and was martyred before completing their lengthy class?
So according to this Church of Christ doctrine, all the Christian martyrs, including Basilides, who were killed before getting immersed in water, will be in Hell, I supposed studying Greek forever. Maybe they will have the thief on the cross as their instructor though.
Holy Spirit and Cornelius in Acts 10:43-48
They had the Holy Spirit prior to water baptism
So do we (John 14:16-17,23)
In the New Testament, all who have the Holy Spirit are in Christ. (1 John 4:13; Rom 8:9-11,14,16a)
Rom 8:14 "For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." (uNASB)
Rom 8:16-17a "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, (17) and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ." (uNASB)
Cornelius according to 1 John 4:13
1 Jn 4:13 "By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit." (KJV, NKJV, uNASB)
Cornelius According to Rom 8:9-11
Rom 8:9-11 "But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you, Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. (10) And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is life because of righteousness. (11) But if the Spirit of him that raised Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by [through] His Spirit that dwelleth in you." (KJV)
(Greek dia is "through" as NKJV, NIV, uNASB, Green’s)
Summary
Through Faith (Jn 3:16,18,36, Jn 5:24; 6:29,35,40 Rom 10:9-13; 1 Cor 1:14,17a etc.)
Response of a Believer (Mk 16:16; Jn 3:3-6; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet 3:20-21 etc.)
Understanding Salvation (Eph 2:8-10)
Thief on the Cross (Luke 23:40-43)
Holy Spirit & Cornelius (Acts 10:43-48)
Conclusion
Water baptism is what a believer should do. Even all Church of Christ people will agree, but they try to differentiate between a genuine believer and a saved person.
Water baptism by immersion is only as essential for salvation as it was for the thief on the cross, Cornelius, Basilides and other early martyrs
Quote on Potamiaena and the soldier Basilides
Basilides may be counted the seventh of these. He led to martyrdom the celebrate Potamiaena, whose is still famous among the people of the country for the many things which she endured for the preservation of her chastity and virginity. For she was blooming in the perfection of her mind and her physical graces. Having suffered much for the faith of Christ, finally after tortures dreadful and terrible to speak of, she with her mother, Marcella, was put to death by fire. They say that the judge, Aquilla by name, having inflicted severe tortures upon her entire body, at last threatened to hand her over to the gladiators for bodily abuse. After a little consideration, being asked for her decision, she made a reply which was regarded as impious. Thereupon she received sentence immediately, and Basilides, one of the officers of the army, led her to death. But as the people attempted to annoy and insult her with abusive words, he drove back her insulters, showing her much pity and kindness. And perceiving the man’s sympathy for her, she exhorted him to be of good courage, for she would supplicate her Lord for him after her departure, and he would soon receive a reward for the kindness he had shown her. Having said this, she nobly sustained the issue, burning pitch being poured little by little, over various parts of her body, from the sole of her feet to the crown of her head. Such was the conflict endured by this famous maiden.
Not long after this Basilides, being asked by his fellow-soldiers to swear for a certain reason, declared that it was not lawful for him to swear at all, for he was a Christian, and he confessed this openly. At first they thought that he was jesting, but when he continued to affirm it, he was led to the judge, and, acknowledging his conviction before him he was imprisoned. But the brethren in God coming to him and inquiring the reason of this sudden and remarkable resolution, he is reported to have said the Potamiaena, for three days after her martyrdom, stood beside him by night and placed a crown on his head, and said that she had besought the Lord for him and had obtained what she asked, and that soon she would take him with her. Thereupon the brethren gave him the seal(4) of the Lord; and on the next day, after giving glorious testimony for the Lord, he was beheaded."
Footnote 4 says, "The word aphragis, ‘seal,’ was very commonly used by the Fathers to signify baptism (see Suicer’s Thesaurus)."
The Early Church on Cornelius
Anonymous Treatise on Re-baptism (254-257 A.D.) ch.5 p.669-670 On speaking of Cornelius said, "And there will be no doubt that men may be baptized with the Holy Ghost without water, - as thou observest that these were baptized before they were baptized with water; that the announcements of both John and of our Lord Himself were satisfied, - forasmuch as they received the grace of the promise both without the imposition of the apostle’s hands and without the [baptismal] laver, which they attained afterwards. And their hearts being purified, God bestowed upon them at the same time, in virtue of their faith, remission of sins; so that the subsequent baptism conferred upon them this benefit alone, that they received also the invocation of the name of Jesus Christ, that nothing might appear to be wanting to the integrity of their service and faith."
Cyprian (246-258 A.D.) Letter 71 p.378 strongly emphasized baptism (even of infants), and one can see the doctrine of baptismal regeneration in his writings. Yet in discussing Cornelius he even said, "For we find also, in the Acts of the Apostles, that this is maintained by the apostles, and kept in the truth of the saving faith, so that when, in the house of Cornelius the centurion, the Holy Ghost had descended upon the Gentiles who were there, fervent in the warmth of their faith, and believing in the Lord with the whole heart; and when, filled with the Spirit, they blessed God in divers tongues, still none the less the blessed Apostle Peter, mindful of the divine precept and the Gospel, commanded that those same men should be baptized who had already been filled with the Holy Spirit, that nothing might seem to be neglected to the observance by the apostolic instruction in all things of the law of the divine precept and Gospel."
We cannot find a single person in history who held to both believer’s baptism plus all who are lost who are not immersed for remission of sins. In other words, according to the doctrine of many Churches of Christ, outside of the New Testament we cannot find in history a single person who had any possibility of going to heaven, until after the restoration movement started, and even Alexander Campbell was never baptized for remission of sins.
Note that Acts 2:38 says "ya’ll (second person plural) repent and each of you (third person singular) be baptized. So forgiveness/remission of sins does not modify repent.
Other Notes
Two Classes of Verses
1. Mention of belief/faith for salvation, no mention of baptism
2. The Promise of All who believe/ have faith … are saved (John 3:16,18, etc.)
Verses Showing Salvation Can Come Before or Without Water Baptism
Thief on the cross (Luke 23:40-43). The thief was not permitted to get down, get baptized, and then get back up on the cross again.
If God is understanding of the situation of the thief, then that proves water baptism is not essential for salvation.
Even though the thief died before Christ’s resurrection, water baptism was still practiced by Jesus and his disciples (Jon 3:26; 4:2), and water baptism was for repentance for remission of sins by John the Baptist (Mk 1:4; Lk 1:77; 3:3b).
Jesus was said to have baptized (John 3:26), though actually Jesus had His disciples do the baptizing (John 4:2)
In Lk 3:3b John the Baptist was "preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins" (NKJV) and the words for remissions/forgiveness are the same in Acts 2:38 and Lk 3:3 in Greek as they are in English. (See also Mk 1:4; Lk 1:77)
Cornelius (Acts 10:43-48)
Note that they had the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:45b) prior to water baptism.
In New Testament times, Romans 8:9,11,14,16-17 says that those who have the spirit in them, their spirit is alive, are sons of God, (17b) "heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."
Jn 3:16,18 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (18) He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he was not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (36) He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (NKJV)
Jesus was said to have baptized (John 3:26), though actually Jesus had His disciples do the baptizing (John 4:2)
In Lk 3:3b John the Baptist was "preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins" (NKJV) and the words for remissions/forgiveness are the same in Acts 2:38 and Lk 3:3 in Greek as they are in English. (See also Mk 1:4; Lk 1:77)
Jn 5:24 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life." (NKJV)
Rom 4:1-6 "What than shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he as something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 4) Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, (6) just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:" (NKJV)
Acts 10:43 "To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins." (NKJV)
Rom 5:1 "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, though whom we also have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (NKJV)
Rom 10:9-13 "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (10) For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (11) For Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame. (12) For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. (13) For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (NKJV)
Joel 2:32a and Acts 2:21 and Rom 10:13 "And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved" (NKJV)
1 Cor 1:17a "For Christ did not send me [Paul] to baptize, but to preach the gospel," (NKJV)
Eph 2:8-10 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (NKJV)
1 Cor 10:2 (indirectly) "all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea." (NKJV) Yet Moses, Joshua, Caleb, and other godly Israelites followed God before the crossed the Red Sea.
Gal 3:22b (indirectly) "that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe." (NKJV)
Heb 4:2 (indirectly) "For indeed the gospel was reached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it." They had to have faith for it to profit them. It does not say faith and baptism.
Jn 1:11-12 (indirectly) "He [Jesus] cam into His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe His name;" Says have to believe to become children of God; does not specify whether other steps or not.
Jn 2:11b, 23b (belief only) ""…and His disciples believed in Him. (23b) many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did."
Jn 6:29,35,40 "Jesus answered and said to them [the crowds], ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent." (35) And Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." (40) "And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day." (NKJV)
Jn 7:38,39 "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. (39) But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified." (NKJV)
Jn 8:30-32 "As He spoke these words, many believed in Him. Then Jesus aid to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed, And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’" (NKJV)
Jn 11:25-26 ""Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me; though he may die, shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (NKJV)
Jn 12:46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness." (NKJV)
Jn 16:9 [The Holy Spirit will convict the world] "of sin, because they do not believe in Me;" No mention of conviction for not being baptized.
Jn 17:20 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one,…"
Php 1:29 "For it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake" (not mention of baptism)
1 Jn 5:1 "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him." (NKJV)
1 Jn 5:10-13 "He who believes in the Son of God has the witness of himself; and he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son." (11) And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life; and this life is in His Son. (12) He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. (13) These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God." (NKJV)
Other verses mentioning belief but not baptism: Jn 4:39a; 4:41; 9:35; 10:42; 11:45,48; 12:11,42,44; 14:1,12
Mark 16:16 "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." (NIV)
Yet: John 3:36 "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (NKJV)
Q: Does Mark 16:16 prove that a person must be baptized in order to be saved?
A: No, it does not specify. It says that a person who believes and is baptized will be saved, and a person who does not believe is condemned. It is silent about people who believe but are not baptized. Let me give you a simple illustration. If my daughter’s in the kitchen and she asks me for four quarters for a dollar, I could tell her to bring me a dollar, and also a water bottle. Now if she brings me a dollar and a water bottle I will give her change. If she does not bring me the dollar I do not give her change. But if she brings the dollar but no water bottle, I did not specify what I would do. If she refuses, perhaps making a disrespectful remark, I would not make change for her. On the other hand, if she tries to bring me a water bottle but cannot find one, should I still refuse her? - of course not. Matthew 7:7-8 says that "everyone who asks receives" Likewise Mark 16:16 does not specify about those who believe and are not baptized, and probably for similar reason. Is it because a person was not able to be baptized, or a person rejected obeying God.
Scripture that says salvation comes at the point of faith in Jesus include Acts 16:31; Jn 1:12; 3:14-18; 3:36; 6:47; 30:31.
Proverbs 30:6 and 1 Corinthians 4:6 are strict warnings not to add to God’s word. If you say that Mark 16:16 states what happens to those who believe and are not baptized, when that verse is silent on that, you are adding to God’s word.
While some people, called ultra-dispensationalists, say we are not to be baptized today, that is wrong. Baptism, along with other works, are in fact involved in salvation; they are an output, not an input. Baptism and other works are the obedient response of a saved person, not the work of a lost person.
John 3:4-6 "’How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit." (NIV)
Q: Does John 3:5 imply a person must be baptized in water to be saved?
A: No, Jesus blood saves. Water would not save Nicodemus any more than it would save the thief on the cross. First five reasons why did does not teach that, and then what it does teach.
Why it does not teach that: On the surface, this might sound like one of the strongest verses supporting that you must be baptized to be saved. However, four points completely eliminate that teaching from this verse.
1. Thief on the cross: If John 3:5 taught that no unbaptized person can be saved, then the thief on the cross could not be saved, contradicting Luke 23:43.
2. Said before the resurrection too: If someone notices that the thief on the cross was before the resurrection, this command was before the resurrection too.
3. Jesus’ disciples baptized before the crucifixion: Do not forget that believers WERE to be baptized before the resurrection; otherwise why were Jesus’ disciples baptizing in John 4:2?
4. Contradicts believe only passages: Saying water baptism were essential for salvation, whether before or after the resurrection, John 3:16 "whoever believes in him", Romans 10:9-10, and other verses that say our point of contact with salvation is our belief or faith. There is no work, of any category, involved, as Ephesians 2:8-10 teaches.
5. God is understanding: Even one Church of Christ pastor told me that God is understanding of believers who are not baptized but did not reject water baptism. He and I agree on this. But if God can be "understanding" then getting baptized is still an important command to be followed, but no longer "ties the hands of God Almighty" if a person dies before being baptized. In contrast to this, I heard of a Church of Christ boy who was killed in a car accident on his way to being baptized. Would you teach that he is in Hell now, despite his intent?
What it does teach: Christians see at least two truths Jesus is teaching here.
1. Do-over: We were born as sinners, with a sinful nature and we need to be born again. "…born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit". A lost person reforming themselves into salvation does not work; we must be born again, and have the Holy Spirit living inside of us (Romans 8:10,11,15).
2. Baptism visibly joins us to the kingdom of God now: Genuine believers will go to heaven eventually, but we are a part of the kingdom of God now. Believing intellectual facts is not enough (James 2:19), saving faith includes trusting Jesus as our Lord. We pledge our life to God, our Master, and one of the acts of an obedient believer is to be baptized. Baptism is not just a bath, but an outward sign of an inward pledge.
Acts 2:37-38 "When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ Peter replied, ‘[ya’ll] Repent and [he/she] be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ eis the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (NIV) [remission of sins in the NKJV, aphesin (Strong’s 859, from 863]
Yet Acts 10:43: "To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission/forgiveness of sins." (NKJV) (forgiveness in NIV)
Q: Does Acts 2:37-38 prove a person must be baptized in water to be saved?
A: No, you cannot base a major doctrine solely on
1. Contradicts Acts 10:43
2. A grammatical error: Repent is second person plural [ya’ll] and baptized is third person singular, so the forgiveness of sins here only modifies the second part: baptized, not the forgiveness of sins too.
3. An ambiguous use of a single word. The Greek word here, eis (Strong’s 1519), like the English word "for" can mean many things, and it can mean "because of [the past]" as well as "to cause [the future]"
4. Choosing the ambiguous use that contradicts scriptural meaning. In Mk 1:4; Lk 1:77; 3:3b John the Baptist was "preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins" (NKJV) and the words for remission / forgiveness are the same in Acts 2:38 and Lk 3:3 in Greek, as they are in English. Do you believe that baptism was essential for salvation prior to Jesus; ministry with John the Baptist? (Most Christians would say no.) Of course the thief on the cross was not allowed to get down and get baptized before Jesus said he would be with Him in paradise.
As for details, here are some examples of different meanings of eis.
Eis mean in order to cause
Lk 5:14 Jesus told the cleansed leper to show himself to the priests as Moses commanded eis a testimony to them.
Eis means "in [the]"
Mt 10:41 "receives a prophet eis name of the prophet" … "receives a just one eis name of the just one"
Eis means "because of"
Mt 3:11 "John baptized eis repentance. If eis could only mean "to cause" in Acts 2:38, then eis would have to baptize to cause repentance in Mt 3:11
Mt 12:41 [Ninevites] "repented eis the preaching of Jonah"
Eis means "into"
Rom 5:12 "sin eis the world entered"
Rom 6:3 "all who were baptized into Christ Jesus, eis the death of Him were baptized."
Lk 14:23 "Go eis the ways and hedges"
Acts 22:10 "Bring [Paul] eis the fortress
Eis means "in"
Acts 10:43 "through the name of Him [Jesus everyone believing eis Him.
Mk 1:9 Jesus was baptized of John eis Jordan.
Acts 19:3 Ephesians baptized eis John’s baptism
Eis means "about" or "in reference to"
Acts 2:25 David speaks eis him
Eis means "towards"
Rom 5:8 "of Himself love eis us God,"
Eis means "to"
Jn 4:5 "He [Jesus] comes eis a city of Samaria"
Jn 11:31 "She goes eis the tomb"
Green’s literal translation says, "…baptized each of you on the name of Jesus Christ to forgiveness of sins." Wuest’s Expanded Translation says "and let each one of you be baptized upon the ground of your confession of belief in the sum total of all that Jesus Christ is in His glorious Person, this baptismal testimony being in relation to the fact that your sins have been put away,"
The Greek word eis, is a less precise word that English. Thayer’s A Greek English Lexicon of the New Testament 20th printing 1979 (Zondervan) spends almost six pages discussing the Greek word eis. On p.183 he writes, "[Preposition] governing the Accusative, and denoting entrance into, or direction and limit: into, to, towards, for, among" It has a variety of uses, but Thayer classifies Rom 5:12 as Properly of Place. He says, "4. of the limit to which ; with acc. of place, as far as, even to : ... Lk 14:23 ; with [accusative plural] or pers. to, unto; Acts 23:15 ... Ro. v.12; xvi.10; 2 Co ix. 5 ... x.14." Just prior to this he writes "3. of motion (not into a place itself, but) in a vicinity of a place; where it may be rendered to, near, towards..." Examples include Mk 3:7, Jn 4:5;11:31,38;20:1,3. In Rom 5:8 (eis) means unto, towards or one [Thayer p.184]. In Rom 5:12 and 15 (eis) is equivalent to the Latin in and ad [Thayer p.186].
In conclusion, for verses 16 and 18, one can see why most major English translations (NKJV, NASB, NIV, and Wuest) render this as "resulting" or "bringing". This more precisely conveys the meaning than simply translating "to" as the KJV does.
Acts 22:16 [Ananias told Paul] "And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name." (NIV)
Yet Acts 22:13a "He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive our sight!’…" (NIV)
Q: Does Acts 22:16 prove a person must be baptized in water to be saved?
A: No. Saul/Paul was already saved by then, for Ananias called him "brother Saul" in Acts 22:13. Baptism is an emblem of washing our sins away. But even if someone that this was literally washing their sins away, they would probably still agree with three things.
1) If it was the liquid water that literally took away the sins, then future sins would not be taken way unless a person was baptized again and again.
2) It is not the water that is special, but rather the water is an identification with the blood of Christ.
3) It does not say people can have sins washed away without baptism. God is not incapable of taking ways the sins of the thief on the cross, and early Christians who were martyred before they had the opportunity to be baptized.
So it is not the drops of water that take away anything. Rather it is the pledge of a good conscience before God that connects us with Christ’s blood, and baptism is an acknowledgement, and emblem, of that.
Rom 6:3-4 "Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized in to Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just a Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." (NIV)
Q: Does Rom 6:3-4, prove a person must be baptized in water to be saved?
A: No this verse uses a spiritual illustration from the normal experience of baptism that Christians normally have, but it does not mention the people who were not baptized or any power in the water. Rather it shows that our baptism visibly signified our decision to identify with Christ’s death, and likewise with His resurrection. Paul’s teaching here has similarities to Colossians 2:11-14. We have been "circumcised", not in the Old Testament way, but in the New Testament way. Colossians 2:12 says, "having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead."
1 Cor 6:11 "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God." (NIV)
Q: Does 1 Cor 6:11 show that believers must be immersed to be baptized?
A: We are cleansed or washed in Christ. But the Greek word here, apeloussathe, (Strong’s 628) is not related to baptism. I do not know that Church of Christ people do not try to appeal to this verse very often, but occasionally they might grasp at it.
Gal 3:26-27 "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, (27) for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." (NIV)
Q: Does Gal 3:26-27 prove a person must be baptized in water to be saved?
A: No, this verse does not mention salvation, but it shows some of the importance of baptism after salvation. Baptism is an outward, external sign; we agree that the water is not magic; its soaking into our skin does not do anything. Nevertheless baptism is an external clothing with Christ symbolic of both an external and internal change.
External: We need to be externally clothed with Christ as a sign to the world and a visible sign of our joining God’s kingdom and a pledge of ourselves toward God. As a soldier puts on a uniform we put on baptism. The uniform does not make a soldier; it is what a soldier is commanded to put on. Water does not make a Christian, baptism is what a Christian is commanded to do.
Symbol of internal change: Baptism is an outward symbol of an inward change: believers are baptized with the Holy Spirit; who now lives in us. (1 John 4:13; Rom 8:9-11)
Eph 5:26 "To make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word," (NIV)
Titus 3:5 "he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior" (NIV)
Q: Do Eph 5:26 and Tt 3:5 prove that a person must be baptized in water to be saved?
A: No, Titus 3:5 refers to the baptism of the Holy Spirit, On Ephesians 5:25, rather than answer myself, I will let Alexander Campbell, one of the founders of the Restoration Movement speak. He taught various things at various time, but here is what he wrote in Design by Baptism by Alexander Campbell p.262.
"In this sense we are to understand what is said by Paul, that Christ sanctifieth and cleanseth the church ‘with washing of water by the word.’ Eph 5:26, and in another place, that ‘according to His mercy he saved us, but he washing of regeneration, and of renewing of the Holy Ghost’ Titus 3:5, and by Peter that ‘baptism doeth save us’ 1 Pet. 3:21, For it is not the intention of Paul to signify that our ablution and salvation are completed by water, or that water contains in itself the virtue to purify, regenerate, and renew; nor did Peter mean that it was the cause of salvation, but only the knowledge and assurance of it is received in this sacrament: what is sufficiently evident from the words they have used. For Paul connects together the ‘word of life’ and ‘the baptism of water;’ as if he had said, our ablution and sanctification are announced to us by the Gospel, and by baptism this message is confirmed. And Peter after having said the baptism doth save us, immediately adds, that it is ‘not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God’ which proceeds from faith. But on the contrary, baptism promises us no other purification than by the sprinkling of the blood of Christ; which is emblematically represented by water, on account of its resemblance to washing and cleansing."
Col 2:11-12 "In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, (12) having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through you faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead." (NIV)
Q: Does Col 2:11-12 show that believers must be immersed to be baptized?
A: This only says that we are buried with Christ in baptism. Colossians 2:11-12 discusses circumcision in the Old Testament and baptism in the New Testament. No one in the Old Testament was declared righteous by circumcision, especially since only half of infants were circumcised.
Heb 10:22 "let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." (NIV)
Q: Does Heb 10:22 show that believers must be immersed to be baptized?
A: In Hebrews 10:22 "having been washed with water" does nothing to save us. In fact, the washing itself does NOT save us according to 1 Peter 3:21. Rather believers’ bodies are washed with water in baptism as an emblem of their pledge of accepting Christ as their Lord and Savior.
As a side note, the Greek words here are having been sprinkled (errantismenoi, Strong’s 4472), having been washed is leloumemoi Strong’s 3068), neither of which, of course is baptism.
1 Pet 3:20b-21 "days of Noah wile the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body but he pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ," (NIV)
Q: Does 1 Pet 3:20b-21 prove a person must be baptized in water to be saved?
A: No. Baptism is the normal response of a follower of Christ, but it is neither essential to salvation nor prior to salvation for five reasons.
1. Both Noah and Abraham were obedient servants of God prior to the flood and testing with Isaac
2. 1 Peter 3:21 says it is NOT the water, but the pledge of a good conscience before God.
3. It does not refer to people who made a pledge but were not able to get baptized.
4. The water does not take the place of the cross. 5. Neither water nor faith are a way to heaven. There is no other way to Heaven except through Christ (Acts 4:12; John 14:6),
5. The Bible also uses word save in the fourth tense (of working out our salvation. So baptism only saves in the on-going sense that we can turn others from sin (James 5:20) we can save ourselves (Acts 2:40), we can save others (1 Cor 7:16, 9:22; 1 Tim 4:16)
However, as 1 Peter 3:20b-21 shows, baptism is the normal way we show our acceptance and faith in what Christ did for us. A person is to show their pledge of a good conscience towards God by water baptism, but if they cannot, this verse does not say there is no other way to show acceptance.
Around 202 A.D. the martyrs Potoiaemina and the soldier Basilides. Other Christian martyrs, and the 2-year catechetical school. Patrick’s baptismal candidates
Q: In Mt 4:17; 10:17; Mk 1:15; Lk 8:10; Jn 3:5 are the kingdom of God and Kingdom of heaven identical, or is there a slight difference between the two?
A: Many have seen them as identical; you will not be a part of one if you are not a part of the other. Matthew uses both terms, and Mark, Luke, and John use only the kingdom of God. Jesus uses both terms in adjacent verses in Matthew 19:23-24. Others see a slight difference; the kingdom of heaven is where all believers go when we die, and the kingdom of God is what we belong to now when we are saved.
Regardless of the individual words, we can all agree that our salvation has both a "now" aspect on earth and a future aspect in heaven (1 Cor 13:12; Php 1:21-24) that will not be realized until we reach heaven. In John 3:5 some think water refers to amniotic fluid when a baby is born, but others think it refers to baptism. It cannot mean Jesus told Nicodemus that a person cannot be saved unless they are baptized, unless the thief on the cross was not saved! But it can mean that a person is not a visible part of God’s kingdom on earth until they are baptized. Similar to this, many churches do not want someone to take the Lord’s Supper until they are baptized.
See the Wycliffe Bible Dictionary p.991 for more info.
Nevertheless, as Jesus spoke foreshadowing his death and communion in John 6:51-56, Jesus spoke not only foreshadowing Christian baptism, but they were already very familiar with baptism for repentance, thanks to John.
This view is advocated by:
John Chrysostom (392-407 A.D.) Homilies of St. John Homily 25
Gregory Nanzianzus (330-391 A.D.) Oration on Holy Baptism ch.8
F.F. Bruce in Hard Sayings of the Bible p.495-496
Jamieson, Fausset, Brown
Harper’s Bible Commentary.
3a. The water stands for baptismal regeneration.
The early church fathers held this view.
However, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : New Testament p.281 mentions that this interpretation contradicts being saved by faith alone, as Ephesians 2:8-9 and John 3:16 show.
This view is advocated by
Justin Martyr (wrote about 138-165 A.D.) First Apology chapter 61
Irenaeus (182-188 A.D.) in fragment 34
Tertullian (200-220 A.D.) in On Baptism ch. 12
Cyprian (wrote 248-258 A.D.) in Epistle 71.
Gregory Nanzianzus (330-391 A.D.) Oration on Holy Baptism chapter 8.
Basil of Cappadocia (357-379 A.D.) On the Spirit 15:35
John of Damascus Exposition of the Orthodox Faith chapter 9
Ambrose of Milan (340-397 A.D.) Of the Holy Spirit 3.10.63-64
Constitutions of the Holy Apostles (c.80-190 A.D.) 6.3.15 (This was a spurious work, which had an early date. Among other things, it also supports infant Baptism.)
However, interpreting John 3:5 this way sounds close to making baptism (whether John’s baptism or Christian baptism) a requirement for salvation.
Nevertheless, John’s baptism was looking for salvation, not something that brought salvation. In Acts 2:38, Peter said the people had to repent and baptized and they would receive the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 4:2 said some were not saved because they did not share the faith (or combine it with faith.) Things such as repentance, faith, and obedience, including obedience in water baptism are evidence of us receiving salvation, not that which saves us.
This view is advocated by:
The Applied New Testament Commentary p.368
Matthew Henry’s Commentary says that "it is probably that Christ had an eye to the ordinance of baptism."
4. Water stands for conversion.
Converts to Judaism went through a baptism ceremony. Jesus was implying that one had to convert to experience the new birth. Thus Jesus was saying "by conversion and by the spirit". This view does not preclude believing other views, too.
However, while Jewish converts were washed, a more common scene was Jews washing for ritual purification. This viewpoint is perhaps not so much false, as too narrow a view of 3.
This view is advocated by:
The IVP Bible Commentary : New Testament (1993) p.270.
5. Water stands for the baptizing ministry of John the Baptist, and the Spirit for Jesus’ ministry.
No one at that time could think of "baptism" and "new things" in the same sentence without thinking of John the Baptist’s ministry.
This view is advocated by F.B. Meyer in The Gospel of John p.64. The Bible Knowledge Commentary : New Testament p.281 gives five views, but commends only this view as having "the merit of historical propriety as well as theological acceptability." The Life Application Bible gives various views, one of which is the repentance that John the Baptist’s ministry signified.
6. Water is an image for the pouring out of the Spirit in Old Testament times.
Jesus said in John 7:38, "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified." (NKJV). The New Geneva Study Bible p.1676 says that while this is not an exact quote of any Old Testament Scripture, it can be a general reference to both Isaiah 44:3 and Ezekiel 36:25-27. Titus 3:5 has very similar phrasing to John 3:5, saying "washing of rebirth and renewal of/by the Holy Spirit" While Acts showed some special cases, the norm was for Christians to be baptized with literal water and the Holy Spirit.
However, water is used for ritual washings, not the pouring of the Spirit in the Torah. Also, the Believer’s Bible Commentary p.1478 points out that if the water represented nothing more than the ministry of the Spirit, then the verse would seem to say "unless one is born of the Spirit and the Spirit", which would be redundant.
1 John 5:8 speaks of the water, spirit, and blood. Since the spirit and blood are different, the water is different, too.
This view is advocated by the New Geneva Study Bible p.1665.
The Companion Bible says it is "spiritual water" as opposed to literal water. The IVP Bible Commentary : New Testament says that the Greek can either be translated "water and the spirit, or water, that is, the spirit."
MY CONCLUSION:
1. is not particularly compelling. It only makes sense if you downplay the precision of the Greek, and think Jesus was telling Nicodemus one had to be physically born.
2. relies on Jesus chiding Nicodemus for understanding scripture that was not written yet. For some, this view is necessitated by the opinion that if "baptism" has to mean the error of baptismal regeneration, it cannot be baptism.
3a. is unbiblical, as Acts 10 shows that people could be saved and receive the Holy Spirit prior to water baptism.
3b, 4, and 5. can all be tied together. This view has the merit of the plain meaning, as well as the universal understanding of the Greek-speaking early church.
6. has no merit, except as a secondary implication of 3b, 4, and 5.
Perhaps we should focus less on "what this would mean to me" and observe "what this would mean to Nicodemus and early Christians". The most likely answer is a combination of 3b, 4, and 5. While views 2 and 6 are implied symbolism, they would not be recognized by Nicodemus as its main meaning, and were not recognized by any known Greek-speaking Christians.
When Critics Ask p.406 also discusses some of the views, without committing to a particular one.
Q: In Jn 3:5, is "baptismal regeneration" true, the belief that water baptism is necessary for salvation?
A: No. The Gentiles who were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues in Acts 10:44-48, prior to being baptized with water, probably did not think so. Jesus apparently did not think so either when He spoke to the thief on his right. One could try to argue that the thief on the cross was prior to Jesus’ resurrection, but then Jesus’ words to Nicodemus were spoken, and were true, prior to Jesus’ resurrection, too. Of course all of this was prior to the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and there being Christian baptism; John’s baptism and Old Testament washings were all they knew.
However, if an interpretation of a verse makes part of the verse without any meaning whatsoever, then that interpretation undoubtedly is incorrect. So what is the meaning of Jesus’ words here?
The answer is implied in Luke 7:29-30, where it was said the Pharisees and experts in the Law had rejected God’s purpose for themselves. The reason given is that they had not been baptized by John. Water baptism is neither a meaningless ritual nor merely an optional thing, like choir practice, to show special love to God. If a person with full knowledge rejects water baptism, and the truth it represents, they have rejected God. Unless they turn around, they are not going to Heaven.
See also 1001 Bible Questions Answered p.118-119, When Critics Ask p.406, When Cultists Ask p.165-166, and the Complete Book of Bible Answers p.210-211 for more info. For more see our playlist, "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ"" with 71 videos & 63 hours of teaching material at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html. See also IS WATER BAPTISM NECESSARY TO ESCAPE HELL & BE SAVED & ARE YOU "BORN AGAIN" (JOHN 3:3-8) BY IT?; THE EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN ROMANCE WITH APOSTATE ROMAN CATHOLICISM (PART 1): WATER BAPTISM SALVATION?; & Uncomfortable Questions for Catholics #2: Is Water Baptism Essential & Does Mass Bread Become God?. Also see our newsletter on the "Church of Christ" on our website www.BibleQuery.org (once on our homepage click on the "Experience" box to the left & scroll down to the newsletter section & click on "Church of Christ" & particularly notice the article, "Questions to Consider Concerning Baptism." 1 Corinthians 1:14-17, "14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect."
OK. Ephesians 4 - One Lord, One faith, One baptism.......which one is a lie??
This is in response to a person named "Bees Stings" who attemped to use a lot of faulty misrepresentation concerning the cultic group which calls itself the "church of Christ." Besides our playlist "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ" with 71 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html which was ignored by this person, a simple history lesson concerning the so-called "church of Christ" easily proves the point that it is a modern cultic movement & not a restoration of the original early Christian church. In the same way you can destroy the credibility of, let's say for example, the Roman Catholic Church (see our video at EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH HISTORY PROVES ROMAN CATHOLICISM FALSE) you can destroy the credibility of all the so-called "churches of Christ."
Characteristics of a cult:
1. Leaders appear as “Angels of light” (2 Cor. 11:14), meaning messengers of truth and wisdom.
2. A cult teaches “another doctrine” about Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Gospel (2 Cor. 11:14; Gal. 1:6-9).
3. Cults invariably teach forms of salvation by works, yet claim to be teaching God’s grace, in fact, they are denying God’s grace (Titus 1:16; Jude 4).
4. Cults quote the Bible as an authority, but “wrest” it, misinterpret it, add to it, and take from it (Mark 7:7-9; Col. 2:30-22; Jer. 23:36; 2 Peter 3:16).
5. Cults thrive on proselytism and glory in those they proselyte (Matt. 23:15; Gal. 6:13; 2 Peter 2:3).
6. Cults discredit the truth, the gospel, the church, and everyone but themselves. “No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you” (Job 12:2; Matt. 23:1-33; 2 Peter 2:2).
7. Cult leaders are usually strongly dominant over their followers, yet the followers are blind to their own bondage - “blind leaders of the blind” (Matt. 15:14; 2 Cor. 4:3, 4).
Sometimes a Christian gets side-tracked into a cult; if such is the case with any who reads these lines, may God give you the grace to see through the false doctrine of Restorationism and be delivered (Acts 20:29, 30).
What is the “Restoration Movement”?
Lynn Anderson, minister, Highland Church of Christ, Abilene, Texas: “The Church of Christ is a big, sick, denomination.” (Memphis Meeting, Vol. 1 p. 37).
Alan Highers, deacon, Getwell Church of Christ, Memphis, Tenn. (formerly minister of the church): “You (referring to Mr. Anderson) are talking about The Church as a whole, the Restoration Movement.” (Memphis Meeting, Garland Elkins and Thomas Warren, editors of the Spiritual Sword magazine published by the Getwell church’s elders, “The Church is the Restoration Movement.”
Who Were the Leaders of the
“Restoration Movement”?
1. Thomas Campbell:
“Thomas Campbell’s famous Declaration and Address stated in no uncertain terms the principles upon which such restoration should rest.” The Spiritual Sword, July, ‘73, p. 15.
2. Alexander Campbell:
“Alexander Campbell, son of Thomas, became even more prolific in speaking of ‘the laws of the kingdom,’ as seen in Christianity Restored and the Millennial Harbinger.” The Spiritual Sword, July, ‘73, p. 15.
3. Barton W. Stone:
“The men making the plea - among them ...Barton W. Stone, a Presbyterian.” The Spiritual Sword, July, ‘70, p. 42
4. Walter Scott:
“Pioneer preachers as ...Walter Scott.” The Spiritual Sword, July, ‘73, p. 6
These are the four primary “founding fathers” of the Restoration movement, none of whom ever obeyed the “ancient gospel” which was supposedly restored on November 18, 1827 when Walter Scott baptized William Amend (see Life of Elder Walter Scott by William Baxter, p. 108).
Significant Dates and Events in the
“Restoration Movement” as
Revealed In Restoration Writings:
We refer to nothing here but what can be found in the writings of the Restorationists who claim to “speak where the Bible speaks,” etc.
1807 - Thomas Campbell comes to America and is assigned by the Presbyterian Church Synod to minister in western Pennsylvania. (Memoirs of Alexander Campbell, Vol. 1, pp. 85, 88).
1809 - Thomas Campbell is censured by the Presbyterian Synod. (Ibid., Vol. 1 p. 225).
1809 - Thomas Campbell forms the “Christian Association of Washington” (Pa.) in promoting Christian union.” (Ibid. Vol. 1, p. 241).
1809 - Thomas Campbell writes Declaration and Address as “Constitution” of his new Association, and it became an embryonic creed of the “Restoration Movement.” (Ibid., Vol. 1, pp. 241, 242).
1810 - Thomas Campbell requests Presbyterian Synod to receive the “Christian Association” into “Christian and ministerial communion,” but is refused. (Ibid., Vol. 1, pp. 330, 331).
1811 - Thomas Campbell decides that the independent church ... he finally concluded to take this step ...he felt it to be his duty to organize an independent community.” Thus, on May 4, 1811, Campbell assembled his followers “for the purpose of organization.” (Ibid. Vol. 1, pp. 365, 366).
1811 - Organizational meeting held at Brush Run. Thomas Campbell was appointed as Elder; Alexander was licensed to preach; four deacons selected; had communion service; Alexander preached; Thomas preached. “Thus there was formally established a distinct religious community”. (Ibid., Vol. 1, pp. 367-369).
1811 - July 4th, Thomas Campbell “stood on a root” in Buffalo Creek and immersed a few followers and thus became “the first to introduce immersion” in the movement (then called the “reformatory movement”). (Ibid., Vol. 1, pp. 372, 373).
1812 - June 12: The Campbells and the Hanens (seven persons in all) are immersed by Matthias Luce, a Baptist preacher, in Buffalo Creek. This was nearly 15 years before the practice of “baptism in order to obtain the remission of sins” was supposedly “restored” by Walter Scott, Nov. 18, 1827. (Ibid., Vol. 1, pp. 396-398; Vol. 2, p. 212).
1813 - The “First Church of the Christian Association” applies to the Redstone Baptist Association for “union” and after “much debate” the “union was formed”. (Ibid., Vol. 1 pp. 391, 438-441).
1816 - A. Campbell preaches heresies on the Law at Redstone Association. (Ibid., Vol. 1, p. 471).
1820 - Alexander Campbell debates with John Walker, Presbyterian, and defends Baptist name, doctrine and history. (see Campbell-Walker Debate).
1823 - August: A. Campbell learns that the Baptists are on the verge of expelling him from the Redstone Association; Brush Run church dismisses
several members with Alexander in order to form new church at Wellsburg to escape expulsion by Redstone Association. (Ibid., Vol. 2, pp. 69, 70).
1823 - October: Alexander Campbell debates with W. L. McCalla and for the first time introduces the theory of “baptism in order to the remission of sins”, but is still identifying himself with the Baptists (see Campbell-McCalla Debate, pp. 124, 338, 339, 345; Campbell-Rice Debate, p. 473).
1827 - Walter Scott “arranges” the “ancient gospel” and makes “experiments” with it; baptizes William Amend on November 18, 1827 and claims to have restored the gospel. (see Life of Elder Walter Scott by Baxter, Chapter VI; Memoirs of Alexander Campbell, Vol. 2, pp. 208-220).
1832 - Union of Campbell’s “Disciples” with Barton Stone’s “Christians”. (Memoirs of Alexander Campbell, Vol. 2, Chapter XI).
1849 - The Missionary Society “digression” with Alexander Campbell as President (History of the Church by Brumback, p. 376).
1860 - Instrumental music “digression” at Midway, Kentucky (“The Spiritual Sword,” Oct. ‘78, p. 20).
1906 - “Churches of Christ” listed separately from “Christian Church” in United States Census (The Disciples of Christ by Garrison and Degroot, p. 404).
Twentieth Century - There have been continuing controversies in the “Restoration Move-ment” over institutionalism, schools, sponsoring arrangements, orphan homes, benevolent work, classes, cups, hats and nearly a hundred “issues” especially the issue of divorce and remarriage. (“Gospel Guardian,” May 2, ‘74
Alexander Campbell: Head of the “Church of Christ”
When Alexander Campbell went overseas in 1847, Henry Clay of Kentucky, who had moderated the Campbell-Rice Debate in 1843, wrote a letter of recommendation for Campbell to use for “introduction” in foreign lands. In the letter Mr. Clay referred to Campbell as -
“The head and founder of one of the most important and respectable religious communities in the United States.” (Memoirs of A.C.., Vol., 2. p. 548).
Mr. Campbell accepted this letter and used it to the enjoyment of “unusual facilities” on his trip.
If Clay did not tell the truth, then Campbell deliberately used the letter knowing it was not the truth. But Clay is not alone in his opinion of Campbell according to John T. Lewis:
Campbell was “the head of the reformation.” (Voice of the Pioneers, published by the Gospel Advocate, p. 47). Woods called Lewis an “authority” (Woods -Cogdill, p. 227).
The “Reformation” is another term for the “Restoration Movement and according to Alan Highers the “Restoration Movement” is the same as the Church as a whole” (Memphis Meeting, Vol. 1, p. 37).
Hence, Alexander Campbell was the head of the church.
It’s true, the Restorationists do not like to admit this fact, but sometimes they slip up and the truth breaks through.
Here is what others say about Campbell:
One of our “founding fathers” - Garrison & Degroot (History, p. 180)
“Master Spirit” - Robert Richardson (Memoirs of A.C.., Vol. 1, p. 402).
“Regulated the entire movement” - Richardson (op. cit., Vol. 2, p. 669).
“Prophet and Leader” - Restoration Reprint Library catalog, 1968.
“Restored Church” - Paul McClung (“Restoring the New Testament Church,” p. 7).
6 “Leader of the Movement” - Campbell, an article in “The Spiritual Sword” of October, 1976 refers to Campbell at least 100 times.
This same magazine calls Campbell a “restoration giant” (SS/April, 1973, p. 33).
Is it any wonder Restorationists are commonly called “Campbellites”? Where would their church be if it had not been for Campbell? If he indeed restored the church, and if salvation is in the church, they owe their salvation to him. “Men now living are in the debt of Alexander Campbell for having written and preached so faithfully these marvelous truths” (SS/Oct., ‘76, p. 29).
Restorationism and Campbellism are one and the same.
Why? Restoration doctrine originates from Campbell.
The Baptismal Theory Taught by the Restoration Movement:
“The Scriptures teach that water baptism is for (in order to obtain) the remission of past sins.”
Acts 2:38 reads as follows:
“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.” (King James Version).
The Campbellites, following the interpretation of their “master-spirit,” contend that the word “for” here means “in order to,” or “in order to obtain.” The whole watery Campbellite house is built upon this interpretation. They teach that baptism is for (in order to obtain) the literal remission of sins.
Campbellite Interpretation Refuted
It is not difficult for a born-again believer to understand that baptism has nothing to do with the saving of the soul. The saved person knows Christ as his Saviour and the scores of verses that tell of salvation by grace through faith are just too much for the child of God to overlook.
Faith in Christ is trust in Christ, and trust is an experience of the heart; it is not dead or inoperative. If a man sees, he knows he sees; if a man feels, he knows he feels; if a man hears, he knows he hears; and if a man believes, he knows he believes. This is not “dead faith.”
Faith is born of God, therefore is alive. 1 John 5:4.
Faith is born of the Spirit, through the Word of God, John 6:63; 1 Thess. 1:5; Eph. 1:19,20.
Faith is the work of God, John 6:29.
Faith is an act of obedience, 1 John 3:23.
Faith is an act of trust, Eph. 1:13.
Faith is an act of righteousness, Romans 4:5.
Faith works by love, love is of the Spirit, Gal. 5:6
Faith is God’s gift, Rom. 12:3; Eph. 2:9, 1:17, 2 Cor. 4:6; 1 Cor. 4:7 Phil. 1:29.
Faith receives Christ, John 1:12; Col. 2:6.
Through faith, one passes from death to life. Jn. 5:24.
Before one is baptized in obedience to Christ, he is a child of God by obedient faith in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26.
Conclusions:
Although God’s Law requires perfect obedience, Restorationists teach that men may be saved by less than what is required. (Matt. 5:20; James 2:10; Rom. 10:3, 4; 11:6; Titus 3:5; 2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 3:9). Imperfect law-keeping is no law-keeping.
Restorationists have an unholy mix of Law and Grace, but in reality have neither Law nor Grace. (Rom. 11:6).
Restorationists frustrate the grace of God (Gal. 2:17-21) and abuse the righteousness required by law (Rom. 2:23).
God’s law to man’s level, rejects the perfect righteousness of Christ provided by grace (Rom. 3:24-26; 10:3, 4), and seeks to establish its own righteousness by corrupt works (Tit. 1:16).
“Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to every one that believeth” - Romans 10:14
The Restorationists “Plan of Salvation” Which if you will “Obey” You will be Saved in Heaven After this Life is:
Hear + Belief + Repentance + Confession + Baptism + Local Congregation + Lord’s Supper on First Day + Giving on First Day + Singing (non-instrumental) + Prayer + Benevolence + Bible Study + No Creed + Bible Name + Second Law of Pardon + Obedience to Elders + Good Morals + No Christians in other Denominations + Scriptural Marriage (if married) + Whatever the Evangelists Preach as the Word of God.
Keep the LAWS to the “Best of Your Ability;” you do not have to be perfect; be sure all your sins are confessed before death; and if your life “favorably corresponds to the truth,” God will save you after death.
This is neither Law nor Grace, but the Restorationists distortion of both. It does not meet the requirements of the Law and it does not receive the free gift of God’s grace. It is no better than the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, and except your righteousness exceeds it, you will in no wise enter the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt. 5:20).
What Man’s Works Can and Cannot Do
Works Cannot:
Save - Eph. 2:8-10; Titus 3:5.
Judicially justify - Rom. 3:27-31; 4:2.
Forgive sin - Rom. 4:6-8.
Receive the Spirit - Gal. 3:2.
Elect - Rom. 9:6; 11:5, 6.
Fulfill Law - Rom. 8:3; James 2:10.
Call - 2 Tim. 1:9.
Regeneration - John 6:63; Titus 3:5.
Obtain Faith - Rom. 9:32
Keep one Saved - 1 Cor. 3:15
Works Can:
Manifest Salvation - Mt. 7:20; 12:35.
Demonstratively justify - James. 2:18.
Renounce sin - Mt. 5:16.
Walk in the Spirit - Gal. 5:16.
Assure of Election - 1 Th. 1:4-10.
Reveal delight in the Law - Rom. 7:22.
Respond to Calling - 2 Th. 2:14, 15.
Express new life - 2 Cor. 5:17.
Profess Faith - James 2:18.
Keep One’s Reward - 1 Cor. 3:14.
Everything has its proper God-ordained purpose, and good works have their “necessary uses” (Titus 3:14). They demonstrate inner love in an outward form (Gal. 5:6). They are an example for others (1 Tim. 2:10). They bring a “good report” (1 Tim. 5:10). They bring glory to God (Mt. 5:16; 1 Peter 2:12).
To make “saviours” of good works is to pervert them and rob the glory due to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Important Point: None of the four (T. Campbell, A. Campbell, Stone, Scott) was ever baptized AFTER Scott’s “restoration.” They had all claimed to be saved before their immersions. Hence all the “restorers” were lost men, according to present-day Restoration Movement teaching about water baptism.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER CONCERNING BAPTISM
Q: In Lk. 23:40-43, what does the thief on the cross teach us about water baptism?
A: There are two points to consider.
1. A person in the "Church of Christ" told me that since they teach one must be
baptized with water to be saved, the account of the thief of the cross being with Jesus in paradise bothered him for a long time. But then he concluded, that since the thief would have no opportunity to be baptized, God is certainly understanding of people’s situations.
His conclusion is absolutely correct. God is not restricted from saving one who is not baptized with water. While water baptism is something every obedient Christian does if and when they are able, God is not constrained by our circumstances.
If salvation was really dependent upon water baptism by immersion, would that mean that an astronaut in space who suddenly came to Christ could not be saved until he got back to earth? What about a lone Eskimo in the frozen north? What about a traveler lost in the Sahara desert who was dying of thirst? Fortunately, Scripture does not call for a baptizing pool as a requirement for salvation but we are saved through faith … it is not by works” (Eph. 2:8-9).
2. A second Church of Christ view is that the thief on the cross died prior to Christ’s resurrection, and baptism is essential only after the resurrection.
The Apostle Paul teaches in Romans 3:28-30 that there is only one God and therefore only one way of salvation meaning salvation today must correspond to salvation throughout all time (both Old and New Testament). Faith and repentance is found in the Old Testament but certainly water baptism is nowhere to be found. Gal. 2:16 states “… a man is not justified contrast to Abraham (Old Testament) who was saved through faith before the Law or works such as circumcision (Rom. 4:1-5, 9-11, 16, 23, 5:2) or David (Old Testament) who was justified by faith after the Law (Rom. 4:6-8). Similarly, men are saved by faith and repentance after Christ’s resurrection in the New Testament as well (Acts 20:21). The Campbellite interpretation of justification by baptism is simply unscriptural and false.
Furthermore, around 400 A.D., during the time of Ambrose, Augustine, and Prosper of Auguitain, the opinion became common that baptized babies who die go to heaven, and unbaptized babies who die go to hell. “Coincidentally” infant baptism became very popular. Throughout most of history, until the time of the Anabaptists during the Reformation, Christians almost universally practiced infant baptism. Is every single Christian from 400 A.D. to about 1514 A.D. going to hell because of God’s inability or unwillingness to save them?
Q: In Acts 2:38, does this mean water baptism is necessary for salvation?
A: No, Jesus is necessary for salvation. Neither repentance nor water baptism merits our salvation. Those are our responding to Jesus’ work. Baptism is to be an outward sign of our prior inward faith and repentance.
Note that Acts 2:38 was a command not a formula. Some might erroneously conclude that loving God, faith, believing, and trusting God are unnecessary, as they are not mentioned here. All who come to Christ should be baptized, and that is as true today as it was then. However, It is Jesus’ blood, not our baptism that saves us.
Q: In Acts 10:45-48, is water baptism essential to be saved?
A: Four points to consider.
1. They spoke in tongues prior to being baptized with water.
2. Speaking in tongues is a sign (but not the only sign, 1 Cor. 12:1-13) of being filled with the Holy Spirit.
3. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is only for those who are born again.
4. Those who are born again are saved.
So, they were born again prior to being baptized with water. See the discussion on Acts 22:16 for a second example of being saved prior to water baptism. See also the next question.
Q: In Acts 10:45-48, since this passage was a very special occurrence, does this negate using this passage to show water baptism is not essential for salvation?
A: No. This passage does describe an important transition for the church, but that does not disqualify us from understanding all of its teaching. Three points to consider.
1. Gentiles could be filled with the Holy Spirit, and thus be saved, prior to baptism at this time. This was not impossible for God to do and still be true to His Word.
2. Thus, it is possible for people to be saved , prior to baptism at other times, without God breaking His Word.
3. If your interpretation of the Bible requires that God cannot be true to His Word if anyone after Christ is saved prior to being baptized, perhaps it would be your interpretation, and not God’s Word, that is wrong.
Q: In Acts 22:16, how do people get baptized and wash away their sins?
A: Is it OK to say that people wash away their sins here as long as you remember four points.
1. The power to wash away is with God, not magic in the water.
2. God is not restricted to being “unable” to save people who are not baptized, because the thief on the cross was with Jesus in Paradise.
3. For our part, the pledge of a sincere conscience before God is more important than the water, as in 1 Peter 3:21. However, being baptized with water is a command for every single Christian.
4. The Jews were familiar with ceremonial washings in the Old Testament Law. Thus, Paul’s audience understood what he meant and did not mix it up with the errors of “magic water” or “a restricted God”.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament p. 418 sheds some helpful light on the Greek here. The phrase “calling on His name” is a Greek aorist participle, which “refers either to action which is simultaneous with or before that of the main verb. Here Paul’s calling on Christ’s name (for salvation) preceded his water baptism. The participle may be translated, “having called on His name.”
Q: In 1 Peter 3:21, in what sense does water baptism save us?
A: It is obvious that Peter was not using the second half of 1 Peter 3:21 to contradict the first half of 1 Peter 3:21. It is Jesus who saves us, not the water. Since water cannot take the place of Jesus rising for us, what did Peter mean? 1 Peter 3:21 itself gives us our answer in two parts:
A: From our prospective, water baptism has no value as a ceremonial washing. Rather, water baptism is of great value as “the pledge of a good conscience towards God.”
B. From God’s prospective, water baptism has no saving value. Rather water baptism is of great value as your identification that “saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (See also Colossians 3:12, Romans 6:3-5).
In addition, here are four other key doctrines about water baptism.
1. All believers, without exception, are commanded to be baptized. (Acts 2:38).
2. The command to be baptized was never taken away. (See Matthew 28:19-20).
3. If a true believer dies before being baptized, God can still send him to be with Jesus. After all, all who have the Holy Spirit are sons of God (Romans 8:10-11).
4.God can save people & give them the Holy Spirit prior to them being baptized (Acts 10:44-48).
In summary, baptism is not the cause of a new life in Christ. It is a believer's pledge to God of a new life in Christ.
Preach the Gospel not Baptism (1 Corinthians 1:14-17).
The cultic "church of Christ" movement is much like Roman Catholicism in many ways particularly in the belief that water baptism is a savior that makes you born again so you can be saved but then to keep salvation you have to do many works otherwise you still might not make it to heaven (see our playlist " Dealing with Roman Catholicism, Idolatry & the Virgin Mary" at ua-cam.com/play/PLFFA8D69D1B914715.html with 103 videos).
Finally, the so-called "church of Christ" movement is a mother of cults; see our video at RISE OF THE CULTS: WHERE DID ALL THESE STRANGE AMERICAN RELIGIOUS SECTS COME FROM?. Acts 16:30-31
Just got out of this cult today! Praise god
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"Early Christian Church History Proves Roman Catholicism False" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=113161415591,
"Divine Curse of the Hebrew Roots Movement - Replacing Jesus with the Old Testament" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=108151527437,
"Debate: Larry Wessels Versus Two Jehovah's Witnesses at a University Study Center" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=108141526191,
"Spiritual Counterfeit: ONENESS PENTECOSTALISM DENIES THE BIBLICAL DOCTRINE OF TRINITY" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=52015115043,
"Unpopular Bible Doctrines #1: The God No One Wants To Know" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=311141259524,
"Islam's 1400 Year History of Violent Jihad For Sex Slaves, Money & Jew Hatred" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=324161224286,
"The Sovereignty of God Versus Man-Made Religions, Petty Emotionalism" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=52015125752,
"The Biblical Doctrine of the Trinity- Part 3 (Answering Common Attacks Against the Trinity)" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=32416129330.
There are many more but this is just a small sampling of what is available at no charge.
Blessings to all. 2 Timothy 2:15, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
See our video "The Counterfeit Water Gospel Church ("Church of Christ") that Alexander Campbell Built" at ua-cam.com/video/2m6BvMS5Z7g/v-deo.html.
Question: "Does Acts 2:38 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?"
Answer: Acts 2:38, “And Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” As with any single verse or passage, we discern what it teaches by first filtering it through what we know the Bible teaches on the subject at hand. In the case of baptism and salvation, the Bible is clear that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works of any kind, including baptism (Ephesians 2:8-9). So, any interpretation which comes to the conclusion that baptism, or any other act, is necessary for salvation, is a faulty interpretation. For more information, please visit our webpage on "Is salvation by faith alone, or by faith plus works?"
Why, then, do some come to the conclusion that we must be baptized in order to be saved? Often, the discussion of whether or not this passage teaches baptism is required for salvation centers around the Greek word eis that is translated “for” in this passage. Those who hold to the belief that baptism is required for salvation are quick to point to this verse and the fact that it says “be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins,” assuming that the word translated “for” in this verse means “in order to get.” However, in both Greek and English, there are many possible usages of the word “for.”
As an example, when one says “Take two aspirin for your headache,” it is obvious to everybody that it does not mean “take two aspirin in order to get your headache,” but instead to “take two aspirin because you already have a headache.” There are three possible meanings of the word “for” that might fit the context of Acts 2:38: 1--“in order to be, become, get, have, keep, etc.,” 2-“because of, as the result of,” or 3-“with regard to.” Since any one of the three meanings could fit the context of this passage, additional study is required in order to determine which one is correct.
We need to start by looking back to the original language and the meaning of the Greek word eis. This is a common Greek word (it is used 1774 times in the New Testament) that is translated many different ways. Like the English word “for” it can have several different meanings. So, again, we see at least two or three possible meanings of the passage, one that would seem to support that baptism is required for salvation and others that would not. While both the meanings of the Greek word eis are seen in different passages of Scripture, such noted Greek scholars as A.T. Robertson and J.R. Mantey have maintained that the Greek preposition eis in Acts 2:38 should be translated “because of” or “in view of,” and not “in order to,” or “for the purpose of.”
One example of how this preposition is used in other Scriptures is seen in Matthew 12:41 where the word eis communicates the “result” of an action. In this case it is said that the people of Nineveh “repented at the preaching of Jonah” (the word translated “at” is the same Greek word eis). Clearly, the meaning of this passage is that they repented “because of’” or “as the result of” Jonah’s preaching. In the same way, it would be possible that Acts 2:38 is indeed communicating the fact that they were to be baptized “as the result of” or “because” they already had believed and in doing so had already received forgiveness of their sins (John 1:12; John 3:14-18; John 5:24; John 11:25-26; Acts 10:43; Acts 13:39; Acts 16:31; Acts 26:18; Romans 10:9; Ephesians 1:12-14). This interpretation of the passage is also consistent with the message recorded in Peter’s next two sermons to unbelievers where he associates the forgiveness of sins with the act of repentance and faith in Christ without even mentioning baptism (Acts 3:17-26; Acts 4:8-12).
In addition to Acts 2:38, there are three other verses where the Greek word eis is used in conjunction with the word “baptize” or “baptism.” The first of these is Matthew 3:11, “baptize you with water for repentance.” Clearly the Greek word eis cannot mean “in order to get” in this passage. They were not baptized “in order to get repentance,” but were “baptized because they had repented.” The second passage is Romans 6:3 where we have the phrase “baptized into (eis) His death.” This again fits with the meaning “because of” or in "regard to." The third and final passage is 1 Corinthians 10:2 and the phrase “baptized into (eis) Moses in the cloud and in the sea.” Again, eis cannot mean “in order to get” in this passage because the Israelites were not baptized in order to get Moses to be their leader, but because he was their leader and had led them out of Egypt. If one is consistent with the way the preposition eis is used in conjunction with baptism, we must conclude that Acts 2:38 is indeed referring to their being baptized “because” they had received forgiveness of their sins. Some other verses where the Greek preposition eis does not mean “in order to obtain” are Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 3:21; Acts 19:3; 1 Corinthians 1:15; and 12:13.
The grammatical evidence surrounding this verse and the preposition eis are clear that while both views on this verse are well within the context and the range of possible meanings of the passage, the majority of the evidence is in favor that the best possible definition of the word “for” in this context is either “because of” or “in regard to” and not “in order to get.” Therefore, Acts 2:38, when interpreted correctly, does not teach that baptism is required for salvation.
Besides the precise meaning of the preposition translated “for” in this passage, there is another grammatical aspect of this verse to carefully consider-the change between the second person and third person between the verbs and pronouns in the passage. For example, in Peter’s commands to repent and be baptized the Greek verb translated “repent” is in the second person plural while the verb “be baptized,” is in the third person singular. When we couple this with the fact that the pronoun “your” in the phrase “forgiveness of your sins” is also second person plural, we see an important distinction being made that helps us understand this passage. The result of this change from second person plural to third person singular and back would seem to connect the phrase “forgiveness of your sins” directly with the command to “repent.” Therefore, when you take into account the change in person and plurality, essentially what you have is “You (plural) repent for the forgiveness of your (plural) sins, and let each one (singular) of you be baptized (singular).” Or, to put it in a more distinct way: “You all repent for the forgiveness of all of your sins, and let each one of you be baptized.”
Another error that is made by those who believe Acts 2:38 teaches baptism is required for salvation is what is sometimes called the Negative Inference Fallacy. Simply put, this is the idea that just because a statement is true, we cannot assume all negations (or opposites) of that statement are true. In other words, just because Acts 2:38 says “repent and be baptized….for the forgiveness of sins…and the gift of the Holy Spirit,” it does not mean that if one repents and is not baptized, he will not receive forgiveness of sins or the gift of the Holy Spirit.
There is an important difference between a condition of salvation and a requirement for salvation. The Bible is clear that belief is both a condition and a requirement, but the same cannot be said for baptism. The Bible does not say that if a man is not baptized then he will not be saved. One can add any number of conditions to faith (which is required for salvation), and the person can still be saved. For example if a person believes, is baptized, goes to church, and gives to the poor he will be saved. Where the error in thinking occurs is if one assumes all these other conditions, “baptism, going to church, giving to the poor,” are required for one to be saved. While they might be the evidence of salvation, they are not a requirement for salvation. (For a more thorough explanation of this logical fallacy, please see the Question: Does Mark 16:16 teach that baptism is required for salvation?).
The fact that baptism is not required to receive forgiveness and the gift of the Holy Spirit should also be evident by simply reading a little farther in the book of Acts. In Acts 10:43, Peter tells Cornelius that “through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins” (please note that nothing at this point has been mentioned about being baptized, yet Peter connects believing in Christ with the act of receiving forgiveness for sins). The next thing that happens is, having believed Peter’s message about Christ, the “Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message” (Acts 10:44). It is only after they had believed, and therefore received forgiveness of their sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit, that Cornelius and his household were baptized (Acts 10:47-48). The context and the passage are very clear; Cornelius and his household received both forgiveness of sins and the Holy Spirit before they were ever baptized. In fact, the reason Peter allowed them to be baptized was that they showed evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit “just as Peter and the Jewish believers” had.
In conclusion, Acts 2:38 does not teach that baptism is required for salvation. While baptism is important as the sign that one has been justified by faith and as the public declaration of one’s faith in Christ and membership in a local body of believers, it is not the means of remission or forgiveness of sins. The Bible is very clear that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone (John 1:12; John 3:16; Acts 16:31; Romans 3:21-30; Romans 4:5; Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 3:9; Galatians 2:16).
Recommended Resources: Believer's Baptism: Sign of the New Covenant in Christ by Schriener and Wright and Logos Bible Software.
See also: Does Galatians 3:27 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation? at www.gotquestions.org/baptism-Galatians-3-27.html
Does Mark 16:16 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation? at www.gotquestions.org/baptism-Mark-16-16.html
Does 1 Peter 3:21 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation? at www.gotquestions.org/baptism-1Peter-3-21.html
Does John 3:5 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation? at www.gotquestions.org/baptism-John-3-5.html
Does Acts 22:16 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation? at www.gotquestions.org/baptism-Acts-22-16.html
See our playlist "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ"" with 72 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html.
Titus 1:9-16
I would like to know more about the Church of Christ. Thanks for sharing and the info.
We have an entire playlist devoted to exposing the Campbellite version of their so-called "Church of Christ." Please see our playlist entitled, "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ" with 71 videos & 63 hours of teaching material at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html. You can also access our newsletter on the "Church of Christ" on our website www.BibleQuery.org; once on the homepage click on the "experience" box to the left & then scroll down to the newsletter section & click on the newsletter called "Church of Christ." See also our article "Why Water Baptism Is Not Essential to Salvation" located right above our newsletter section on our website. To order books on the "Church of Christ" please contact www.PilgrimPublications.com or go to our website www.BibleQuery.org & click on the "Book Resource List (doc) By Chapter" (it takes a while to download) located near the top left of our website.
Matthew 7:15
This is in response to your comments on our video. I looked at your UA-cam channel & there doesn't seem to be anything "Christian" about you so why are you talking about "Christian" things. Stick to your music videos. The modern day "Church of Christ" movement was began back in the early 1800s by Thomas & Alexander Campbell, Barton W. Stone & Walter Scott. See our video at RISE OF THE CULTS: WHERE DID ALL THESE STRANGE AMERICAN RELIGIOUS SECTS COME FROM?. Walter Scott "arranges" the "ancient gospel" & makes "experiments" with it; baptizes William Amend on November 18, 1827 & claims to have "restored the gospel" (see "Life of Elder Walter Scott" by Baxter, Chapter VI; "Memoirs of Alexander Campbell, Vol. 2, pp. 208-220) thus the name "The Restoration Movement." Water baptism becomes the savior & gospel of this group. However, did Christianity really need these four men to "restore the ancient gospel" in 1827? Was there no Christianity before 1827? Is water baptism then essential & necessary in order to be saved from hell & go to heaven instead?
Why Water Baptism Is Not Essential to Salvation
By Steve Morrison www.BibleQuery.org
Points We Should Agree On
Salvation was purchased neither by water nor by faith. Our salvation is by grace through the shed blood of Jesus on the cross. The issue is whether we choose to receive that salvation through
a) faith
(most Bible-believing Christians, including some
Church of Christ)
b) Faith plus one work: baptism
(some Church of Christ)
c) Faith plus works in general
(Catholic, Orthodox, some Church of Christ)
d) Being a nice guy (Jesus’ blood was unnecessary)
(many liberal Protestants and Catholics)
Why This is Important
A person can believe the wrong one of the first two and still be saved. But to me this is still important and unscriptural:
1. Says God sometimes breaks His promise
2. Salvation: God plus our response plus a 3rd party
3. Is there a corner in Hell for some obedient believers?
On the other hand, many Church of Christ people say that if a person was martyred for their faith, and even if they were first baptized by immersion, if it was not specifically for remission of sins, there was no point for them to die for their faith, because they are in Hell.
What if a Church of Christ person believed, but was killed in a car wreck on the way to being baptized?
Thesis
Nowhere does the Bible say the words "Cannot be saved without water baptism"
Granted that some Bible truths are implied, not directly stated.
But allegedly implied truths that contradict Biblically stated truths are untruths.
Outline: Five Points
Through Faith (Jn 3:16,18,36; Jn 5:24; 6:29,35,40 Rom 10:9-13, 1 Cor 1:14,17a etc.)
Response of a Believer (Mk 16:16; Jn 3:3-6; Acts 2:38; 22:16, 1 Pet 3:20-21 etc.)
Understanding Salvation (Eph 2:8-10)
Thief on the Cross (Luke 23:40-43)
Holy Spirit & Cornelius (Acts 10:43-48)
Through Faith We Are Saved
Some verses teach belief/faith for salvation, no mention of baptism. Others explicitly give the Promise of All who believe / have faith … are saved (John 3:16,18, etc.)
We should all believe God’s promises.
But what is genuine belief / saving faith?
Genuine Belief / Saving Faith
Saving Faith is not belief about but believing on
Even the devils believe - and shudder (Jms 2:19)
"Cheap grace", mere belief about facts, but not leading to a transformed life, is dead (Jms 2:20-24)
True belief means trusting our lives to God
OT: Ps 4:5; 9:10; 13:5; 20:7; 22:4,9; 25:2; Pr 3:5; Isa 8:17
NT: Rom 4:5; 9:33; 10:11; 1 Pet 2:6
Heb 2:13 (quotes 2 Sam 22:3)
Blondin & tightrope over Niagara Falls illustration
Old Testament believers, with the knowledge they had, were saved trusting forward to the same Savior we have, while we with the knowledge we have trust backwards at the finished work of Christ.
When Blondin was about to walk over Niagara Falls on a tightrope pushing a wheelbarrow, a man told him that he believed that he could do it. Blondin asked if he really believed. When the man said yes, Blondin told him to get in the wheelbarrow. Genuine faith is not standing on the side saying "I believe", but saving faith in Christ is being willing to get in the wheelbarrow.
Genuine Belief in Jesus as Lord
Genuine belief in Jesus as Lord implies a repentance, calling on God, and commitment to obedience, including I might add, practicing the Lord’s supper and baptism.
But let’s say a person was unable to fulfill baptism or another act of obedience, God understands out intentions.
Role of Works in Salvation
Both Ephesians 2:8-9 and James 2 show that works have an important role in our salvation: they are an output, not an input. Works are like a beating heart. You can make a dead person’s heart beat with electrodes, but that does not mean they are alive. But if you say a person is alive but their heart is not beating, then I have my doubts.
Baptism is a work of a saved believer, not a lost person.
But if someone says works have a role in us getting saved, then they deny Ephesians 2:8.
Twice as many verses emphasize belief without baptism
Verses showing water baptism
Jn 3:16,18,36 (whosoever)
Jn 1:11-12 (received him)
Mk 16:16 (believe and is baptized)
Jn 5:24
Jn 2:11b, 23b (belief only)
Jn 3:4-6 (born of water & spirit)
Acts 10:43-48
Jn 6:29,35,40,47
Acts 2:37-38 (for remission of sins)
Rom 4:1-6; 5:1
Jn 7:38,39;
Acts 22:16 (wash away thy sins)
Rom 9:33 (belief only)
Jn 8:30-32
Rom 6:3-5 (bapt.…into His death)
Rom 10:9-13
Jn 11:25-26 (believes)
1 Cor 6:11 (washed... by the spirit)
Joel 2:32a+Acts 2:21+Rom 10:13
Jn 12:46 (believe)
Gal 3:26-27 (baptized…clothed)
1 Cor 1:14,17
Jn 16:9 (not believe)
Eph 5:26,Tt 3:5 (washing)
Eph 2:8-10
Jn 17:20 (believe only)
Col 2:11-13; Heb 10:22
Gal 3:22b (belief only)
Rom 10:9-10 (if a man…)
1 Pet 3:20b-21
Heb 4:2 (faith only)
1 Jn 5:1,10-13
1 Cor 1:12-13 (Paul and divisions)
Other verses mentioning belief but not baptism: Jn 4:39a,41; 9:35; 10:42; 11:25,45,48; 12:11, 31,42,44; 14:1,12; 20:31 Acts 14:23; 20:21; Rom 15:13; Php 1:29; Tt 3:8
Other verses mentioning baptism: Mt 28:19; Acts 1:22; 2:41; 8:13,16, 37-39; 1 Cor 10:2
John 3:16,18
Jn 3:16 "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. (KJV)
Note it is not that this verse simply mentions belief without baptism. It says that whosoever believes is saved, without baptism.
John 3:18
Jn 3:18 He that believeth in Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (KJV)
When you believed in Christ, were you condemned or not condemned at that exact in time?
John 3:36 "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." (KJV)
John 5:24 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." (KJV)
Acts 10:43 (KJV) "To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name, whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins."
This was said to Cornelius prior to baptism.
Rom 10:9-13 (also Joel 2:32a; Acts 2:21) (KJV)
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (11) For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (12) For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
1 Cor 1:14; 17a (KJV)
1 Cor 1:14 "I [Paul] thank God that I baptized none of you but Cris’pus and Ga’i-us"
1 Cor 1:17a "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel:"
Jn 6:28-29,35,40 (KJV)
Jn 6:28-29 "Then said they unto him, What shall we do that we might work the works of God? (29) Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."
Jn 6:35 "And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst."
Jn 6:40 "And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day."
Twice as many verses emphasize belief without baptism
Verses showing water baptism
Jn 3:16,18,36 (whosoever)
Jn 1:11-12 (received him)
Mk 16:16 (believe and is baptized)
Jn 5:24
Jn 2:11b, 23b (belief only)
Jn 3:4-6 (born of water & spirit)
Acts 10:43-48
Jn 6:29,35,40,47
Acts 2:37-38 (for remission of sins)
Rom 4:1-6; 5:1
Jn 7:38,39;
Acts 22:16 (wash away thy sins)
Rom 9:33 (belief only)
Jn 8:30-32
Rom 6:3-5 (bapt.…into His death)
Rom 10:9-13
Jn 11:25-26 (believes)
1 Cor 6:11 (washed... by the spirit)
Joel 2:32a+Acts 2:21+Rom 10:13
Jn 12:46 (believe)
Gal 3:26-27 (baptized…clothed)
1 Cor 1:14,17
Jn 16:9 (not believe)
Eph 5:26,Tt 3:5 (washing)
Eph 2:8-10
Jn 17:20 (believe only)
Col 2:11-13; Heb 10:22
Gal 3:22b (belief only)
Rom 10:9-10 (if a man…)
1 Pet 3:20b-21
Heb 4:2 (faith only)
1 Jn 5:1,10-13
1 Cor 1:12-13 (Paul and divisions)
Other verses mentioning belief but not baptism: Jn 4:39a,41; 9:35; 10:42; 11:25,45,48; 12:11, 31,42,44; 14:1,12; 20:31 Acts 14:23; 20:21; Rom 15:13; Php 1:29; Tt 3:8
Other verses mentioning baptism: Mt 28:19; Acts 1:22; 2:41; 8:13,16, 37-39; 1 Cor 10:2
Summary of the First Section
While some verses simply mention belief without baptism, many other verses say that all who believe, regardless of baptism will be saved.
We will call these the "whosoever" verses.
Saving faith is a living faith, that is willing to repent, confess God, and obey. Of course getting baptized with water is part of obeying. But if a person dies before they are able to be baptized, God looks at our heart.
Response of a Believer
Water baptism verses
Summary of Response
Mk 16:16 yet Jn 3:36
Faith leads to baptism, only unbelief condemned
Jn 3:4-6 yet Jn 3:16,18
Spoken to Nicodemus before the resurrection
Acts 2:37-38 yet 10:43
Eis can mean result of or in, as in Acts 10:43
Acts 22:16 yet 22:13
Never said "Brother" Saul was not saved first
Rom 6:3-5 yet 10:9-11
No mention of the pious unbaptized like the thief
1 Cor 6:11 yet Rom 8:11; Eph 1:13-14a
Washed by the Spirit here, not water. If the Spirit is in a NT believer, Spirit’s seal guarantees.
Gal 3:26-27 yet
2 Cor 5:4-5
A soldier’s uniform is an emblem of his identity.
All with the Spirit guaranteed future clothing.
Eph 5:26,Tt 3:5
Baptism of the Holy Spirit as in Acts 1:5 + 2:4
Col 2:11-13 yet Rom 2:29; Acts 15:1-21
Symbol of buried with Christ. Bible never said cannot be saved without water baptism
Heb 10:22
yet 1 Pet 3:21
The washed body is a visible emblem, but 1 Pet 3:21a says does not save.
1 Pet 3:20b-21 yet 2:6b
Noah and Abraham obedient saints beforehand.
1 Cor 1:12-13 yet 1:14-17
Baptism not vital since Paul NOT sent to baptize.
Others: Mt 28:19; Acts 1:22; 2:41; 8:13,16, 37-39 - not say for salvation
Response of a Believer
Belief in the Lord Jesus implies a pledge of obedience. But this does NOT imply God sends an obedient believer, who in unable to do something, to Hell!
While no other way except Christ (Jn 14:6b, Acts 4:12) the Bible never says condemned without baptism.
While these show baptism is an important response of believers, no verse reneges on God’s promise to all who believe!
Mk 16:16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned."
Yet John 3:36 "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (NKJV)
Mark 16:16 does not specifically say all who believe but are unbaptized go to Hell. It if did, it would contradict John 3:36 and the other whosoever verses.
Here is a "Change for a dollar and a water bottle illustration".
If my daughter in the kitchen asks me for change for a dollar, and I tell her, give me a dollar and a water bottle and I will give you change. If my daughter gives me both I give her the change. If my daughter does not give me a dollar, then no change. But what if my daughter gives me a dollar but not a water bottle. Then it depends. If she says, I looked but I was unable to find a water bottle, then I will still give her change. But if she says something disrespectful, and refuses to give me a water bottle that she can get, then no change.
A Church of Christ counter example was given as: "if you eat and digest your food you will live, if you do not eat, you will die." Digesting your food is implied. However, applying to Mark 16:16 this example of an involuntary bodily action to a command of God we are to voluntarily obey contradicts the Word of God, that promises salvation to all who truly believe in the following places: John 3:16,18,36; John 5:24; 6:47; 11:25-26; Acts 10:43-48; Romans 9:33; Joel 2:32a + Acts 2:21 + Romans 10:9-10; 10:13; 1 John 5:1,10-13
John 3:4-6 "‘Nic-o-de’mus saith unto Him, ‘How can a man be born when is old? Can he enter a 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 the kingdom of God. (6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." (KJV)
Jn 3:16 "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." (KJV)
Jn 3:18a "He that believeth on him is not condemned" (KJV)
One reason John 3:4-6 does not mean all who are not baptized go to Hell is that it would contradict John 3:16; 18a and the other whosoever verses. A second reason is that Jesus said John 3:4-6 before the resurrection.
Jn 3:46 said before the resurrection
a) If baptism essential before resurrection: Thief on the cross problem in Lk 23:43
b) If baptism not-essential, then since Jesus told Nicodemus prior to His resurrection, John 3:5 cannot teach no unbaptized person can be saved.
But if b), note that believers were to be baptized in Jn 4:2
Water baptism: Not practiced in the OT, a command in the New, but never was it simply a suggestion!
Acts 2:37-38 yet Acts 10:43
Acts 2:37-38 "When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ (38) Peter replied, ‘[ya’ll] Repent and [he/she] be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for [eis] the forgiveness / remission [aphesin] of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (NIV/NKJV)
Yet Acts 10:43 "To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission / forgiveness of sins." (NKJV/NIV)
Yet Acts 2:21 (Joel 2:32a; Rom 10:13)
"And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved" (NKJV)
So right before Acts 2:36, Peter told us the criteria for receiving salvation: Acts 2:21.
A second reason Acts 2:37-38 does not teach all who are not baptized go to Hell is that it would contradict the other whosoever verses.
Forgiveness/Remission [Aphesin] are the Same word in Greek
The word forgiveness/remission is the same Greek: aphesin (Strong’s 859)
The same Greek word is used as:
Remission (KJV/NKJV) Mt 26:28; Mk 1:4; Lk 1:77; 3:3; 24:47; Heb 9:22; 10:18
Forgiveness (KJV/NKJV), Mk 3:29; Acts 5:31; 13:38; 26:18; Eph 1:7; Col 1:14
NIV has forgiveness/forgiven in all these verses
Many Meanings of Eis (Strong’s 1519)
Eis mean in order to cause (looking forward)
Lk 5:14 Jesus told the cleansed leper to show himself to the priests as Moses commanded eis a testimony to them.
Eis means "because of" (looking backward)
Mt 3:11 "John baptized eis repentance. If eis could only mean to cause remission of sins in Acts 2:38, then eis would have to baptize to cause repentance in Mt 3:11
Mt 12:41 [Ninevites] "repented eis the preaching of Jonah"
Eis means "to"
Jn 4:5 "He [Jesus] comes eis a city of Samaria"
Jn 11:31 "She goes eis the tomb"
Isa 13:14 (Septuagint) "a man shall turn back to his own people" This means "[return] to", but it is looking backward, not forward. They did not just become his people, they were already his people.
Eis means "about" or "in reference to"
Acts 2:25 David speaks eis him
Cause and Effect and Eis
If eis could only mean "caused"
The Ninevites "caused" the preaching of Jonah? Mt 12:31
Mary goes to "cause" the tomb"? Jn 11:31
Through one man sin "caused" the world"? Rom 5:12)
John the Baptist had a baptism for repentance to cause forgiveness of sins too. (Then what about the thief on the cross?) (Lk 3:3)
You cannot base a doctrine on a grammatical ambiguity!
Looking Backward with eis
Church of Christ people claim eis never looks backward. However, besides Mt 3:11 and 12:41; it looks backward (as well as forward) in the Old Testament Septuagint. It looks backward in
Mal 2:2 Did not One God (eis) create you?
Mal 2:11 [Judah] has gone (eis) after other gods.
Acts 22:16 yet Acts 22:13a
Acts 22:16 [Ananias told Paul] "And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name." (NIV)
Acts 22:13a "He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’…" (NIV)
Saul/Paul was already a fellow believer in Acts 22:13. 1) This does not say baptism saved, and 2) if it was the water that washed sins away that would be against 1 Peter 3:21.
One reason Acts 22:16 does not refer to unbaptized believers going to Hell is that it would contradict the whosoever verses.
More on Brother
Now brethren meant fellow Jews in Rom 9:3; Acts 3:17; 13:26; 22:1,2; 23:1,5. However:
We have no proof that Ananias was Jewish
Ananias and Paul had a bond that was closer than being Jewish: even prior to Paul’s baptism, both were genuine believers.
All genuine believers are our brothers. Baptism is only something a brother and sister believer does. The key issue here, is, can a genuine "brother", like the thief on the cross, or Cornelius before he was baptized, be in Hell if He dies before he does the "work" of water baptism?
Alexander Campbell Christian Messenger, 1831 p.19,21
"My opinion is that immersion is the only baptism. But shall I therefore make my opinion a term of Christian fellowship? If in this case I thus act, where shall I cease from making my opinions terms of fellowship? I confess I see no end. . . . Let us still acknowledge all to be brethren, who believe in the Lord Jesus, and humbly and honestly obey him, as far as they know his will, and their duty."
Rom 6:3-5 yet Rom 10:9-13
Rom 6:3-5 "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? (4) 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. (5) For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:" (KJV)
While Rom 6 refers to water baptism, not just Spirit baptism, this never says cannot be saved if not baptized. Rather, it gives the meaning of baptism (our identification with Christ’s death and resurrection.
Yet Rom 10:9-13
Rom 10:9-13 "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (10) For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (11) For Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame. (12) For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. (13) For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (NKJV)
1 Cor 6:11 yet Rom 8:11; Eph 1:13-14a
1 Cor 6:11 "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God." (NIV)
Washed by the Spirit here, not water.
Baptism of the Holy Spirit is in Mt 3:11b; Mk 1:8; Lk 3:16b; Acts 1:5+2:4; 8:16-17; 19:2-7; 1 Cor 12:13
Yet Rom 8:11; Eph 1:13-14a
Rom 8:11 "But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." (NKJV)
Eph 1:13-14a "In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, (14) who is the guarantee of our inheritance…" (NKJV)
Gal 3:26-27 yet 2 Cor 5:4-5
Gal 3:26-27 "For you are all sons of God though faith in Christ Jesus, (27) For all of you who were baptized in Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." (uNASB)
The Greek word enduo "clothed/put on" (Strong’s 1746) "in the sense of sinking into a garment); to invest with clothing (lit. or fit.): array, cloths (with), endue, have (put) on."
As a soldier has a uniform, being clothed with Christ is an external emblem or an inward change and new identity.
Yet 2 Cor 5:4-5
Yet 2 Cor 5:4-5 "For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now He who have prepared for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee." (NKJV)
Even we are not fully clothed while in this life, but in the New Testament those who have the Spirit are guaranteed they will be fully clothed.
Eph 5:26 & Titus 3:5 yet Acts 1:5+2:4
Eph 5:26 "To make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word," (NIV)
Titus 3:5 "he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior" (NIV)
This is baptism (washing) of the Holy Spirit, which is mentioned in Acts 1:5 and fulfilled in Acts 2:4
Alexander Campbell Design by Baptism p.262 (1st part)
"In this sense we are to understand what is said by Paul, that Christ sanctifieth and cleanseth the church ‘with washing of water by the word.’ Eph 5:26, and in another place, that ‘according to His mercy he saved us, but the washing of regeneration, and of renewing of the Holy Ghost’ Titus 3:5, and by Peter that ‘baptism doeth save us’ 1 Pet. 3:21, For it is not the intention of Paul to signify that our ablution and salvation are completed by water, or that water contains in itself the virtue to purify, regenerate, and renew; nor did Peter mean that it was the cause of salvation, but only the knowledge and assurance of it is received in this sacrament: what is sufficiently evident from the words they have used."
Alexander Campbell Design by Baptism p.262 (2nd part)
"For Paul connects together the ‘word of life’ and ‘the baptism of water;’ as if he had said, our ablution and sanctification are announced to us by the Gospel, and by baptism this message is confirmed. And Peter after having said the baptism doth save us, immediately adds, that it is ‘not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God’ which proceeds from faith. But on the contrary, baptism promises us no other purification than by the sprinkling of the blood of Christ; which is emblematically represented by water, on account of its resemblance to washing and cleansing."
Col 2:11-13 yet Rom 2:29; Acts 15:1-21
Col 2:11-13 "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." (KJV)
Yet Rom 2:29
Rom 2:25-28 said that circumcision had value if you obeyed the law, but not for lawbreakers. Even those who kept the law but were uncircumised will be regarded as circumcised.
Rom 2:29 "But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God." (KJV)
Yet Acts 15:1-12
Some men [falsely] taught that unless you are circumcised you cannot be saved. The apostles COULD have said, "Not circumcision anymore but baptism." But instead Peter said, "No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."
So they told Gentile believers to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, sexual immorality, blood, but "missed their chance" to say that baptism is required.
Heb 10:22 yet 1 Pet 3:21
Heb 10:22 "let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." (NIV)
Yet 1 Pet 3:21a (NIV) "and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God…"
1 Pet 3:21a (KJV) "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.)"
The body washed with pure water is a visible emblem of our changed hearts. 1 Peter 3:21 says that it is not the water that saves us but the pledge of a good conscience towards God.
1 Pet 3:20b-21 yet 1 Pet 2:6b
Pet 3:20b-21 "days of Noah, while the ark was preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. (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:" (KJV)
Note: KJV’s "by water" is incorrect; the Greek is "through water (di udatos)" per (NKJV, NIV, uNASB, Green’s literal translation, NRSV)
Yet 1 Pet 2:6b "he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame." (NKJV)
Response to 1 Pet 3:20b-21
Both Noah and Abraham were obedient servants of God prior to the flood and testing with Isaac.
1 Peter 3:21 says it is NOT the water, but the pledge of a good conscience before God.
It does not refer to people who made a pledge but were not able to get baptized.
The Bible also uses word save in the fourth tense (of working out our salvation. So baptism only saves in the on-going sense that we can turn others from sin (James 5:20) we can save ourselves (Acts 2:40), we can save others (1 Cor 7:16, 9:22; 1 Tim 4:16)
Alexander Campbell Millennial Harbinger, 1837 p.411-412 (1st part)
"But who is a Christian? I answer, every one that believes in his heart that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, the Son of God; repents of his sins, and obeys him in all things according to his measure of knowledge of his will. . . . I cannot make any one duty the standard of Christian state or character, not even immersion into the name of Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and [cannot] in my heart regard all that have been sprinkled in infancy without their own knowledge and consent, as aliens from Christ and the well-grounded hope of heaven."
Alexander Campbell Millennial Harbinger, 1837 p.411-412 (2nd part)
"Should I find a Pedobaptist [one baptized as an infant] more intelligent in the Christian Scriptures, more spiritually-minded and more devoted to the Lord than a Baptist, or one immersed on a profession of the ancient faith, I could not hesitate a moment in giving the preference of my heart to him that loveth most. Did I act otherwise, I would be a pure sectarian, a Pharisee among Christians."
It if False to Claim Church of Christ Always Taught This
This, it is wrong for Church of Christ literature to claim Churches of Christ always believed a person not immersed for sins is going to Hell.
One of the founders, Alexander Campbell, said a pedobaptist could be saved
Alexander Campbell was never immersed for remission of sins
Nobody in the church prior to this time said that belief without baptism would send someone to Hell
However, Ambrose, Augustine, and others did teach that baptized babies go to Heaven, and unbaptized babies go to Hell.
Understanding Salvation in Eph 2:8-10
Eph 2:8-10 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, (9) not of works, lest anyone should boast. (10) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (NKJV)
Counter-argument1: Naaman the Syrian
In 2 Ki 5:10-15, Naaman was not cleansed of leprosy until he washed in the Jordan.
a) This act of faith was for cleansing from leprosy, not salvation.
b) It does not matter what river, or baptism water you use. But here it had to specifically be the Jordan River to make a point to Naaman.
c) There was no water baptism in the Old Testament.
d) Finally, if someone tried to make it relate to baptism, then Naaman did not know for sure there was only one God except the God of Israel until AFTER he washed in the Jordan in 2 Kings 5:15.
Counter-argument 2: Walls of Jericho
God by His grace gave Jericho to the Israelites without them working for it (Josh 6:2)
But they still had to march around the city for seven days, 13 times, before it fell.
Counter-argument 2 Answer
Their marching did not cause the walls to fall; God supernaturally did. Obediently doing works DOES give us blessings, but this was not for their salvation, but to their conquering strongholds in their life as believers. It would be a false caricature of our position to say that we are against works, or that works have nothing to do with a saved person’s life. Works are an output of salvation, not an input.
Thief on the Cross in Luke 23:40-43
Baptism was a much "for" remission of sins before Jesus’ resurrection as after. (Mk 1:4; Lk 1:77; Lk 3:3b same wording as Acts 2:38)
Rejecting John’s baptism was rejecting God’s will for them (Lk 7:30)
The disciples baptized too (Jn 3:26; 4:2)
Jesus had high regard for at least one near-death conversion!
No opportunity for water baptism, but did not reject.
One answer: God is understanding
Martyrs Potamiaena and the soldier Basilides
About 202 A.D., as the Christian lady Potamiaena was being lead to her martyr’s death in the arena, the soldier Basilides kindly kept the rabble from bothering her. She said she would tell God of his kindness, and he would receive a reward. Three days after her death, he had a dream about her. Afterwards, when he was asked to swear something, he said he could not, as he was a Christian. First they thought he was joking, then they put him in prison; he was martyred too. Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History (323-326 A.D.) book 6 ch.5 p.253)
So would someone like that go to Hell, who truly trusted in Christ and was martyred for Him?
More on Basilides
In fairness to the other side, I must mention something else too. Brothers of the church met with Basilides in prison, and after talking with him gave him "the seal of the Lord". It is unclear that this is baptism, but it probably was. However, the pagan jailers would not have let a prisoner leave the prison to get baptized. So how could he get baptized?
Early Church: Immersion when Practical
Didache (c.125 A.D.) ch.7 p.379 "baptize into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in living water. But if thou have not living water, baptize into other water; and if thou canst not in cold, in warm. But if thou have not either, pour out water thrice upon the head into the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit."
Early Church Errors
But the early church made mistakes too.
Around 210 A.D. the early Church got the idea that before baptism you needed to go through a long, two year class for catechumens. What if someone came to Christ and was martyred before completing their lengthy class?
So according to this Church of Christ doctrine, all the Christian martyrs, including Basilides, who were killed before getting immersed in water, will be in Hell, I supposed studying Greek forever. Maybe they will have the thief on the cross as their instructor though.
Holy Spirit and Cornelius in Acts 10:43-48
They had the Holy Spirit prior to water baptism
So do we (John 14:16-17,23)
In the New Testament, all who have the Holy Spirit are in Christ. (1 John 4:13; Rom 8:9-11,14,16a)
Rom 8:14 "For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." (uNASB)
Rom 8:16-17a "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, (17) and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ." (uNASB)
Cornelius according to 1 John 4:13
1 Jn 4:13 "By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit." (KJV, NKJV, uNASB)
Cornelius According to Rom 8:9-11
Rom 8:9-11 "But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you, Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. (10) And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is life because of righteousness. (11) But if the Spirit of him that raised Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by [through] His Spirit that dwelleth in you." (KJV)
(Greek dia is "through" as NKJV, NIV, uNASB, Green’s)
Summary
Through Faith (Jn 3:16,18,36, Jn 5:24; 6:29,35,40 Rom 10:9-13; 1 Cor 1:14,17a etc.)
Response of a Believer (Mk 16:16; Jn 3:3-6; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet 3:20-21 etc.)
Understanding Salvation (Eph 2:8-10)
Thief on the Cross (Luke 23:40-43)
Holy Spirit & Cornelius (Acts 10:43-48)
Conclusion
Water baptism is what a believer should do. Even all Church of Christ people will agree, but they try to differentiate between a genuine believer and a saved person.
Water baptism by immersion is only as essential for salvation as it was for the thief on the cross, Cornelius, Basilides and other early martyrs
Quote on Potamiaena and the soldier Basilides
Basilides may be counted the seventh of these. He led to martyrdom the celebrate Potamiaena, whose is still famous among the people of the country for the many things which she endured for the preservation of her chastity and virginity. For she was blooming in the perfection of her mind and her physical graces. Having suffered much for the faith of Christ, finally after tortures dreadful and terrible to speak of, she with her mother, Marcella, was put to death by fire. They say that the judge, Aquilla by name, having inflicted severe tortures upon her entire body, at last threatened to hand her over to the gladiators for bodily abuse. After a little consideration, being asked for her decision, she made a reply which was regarded as impious. Thereupon she received sentence immediately, and Basilides, one of the officers of the army, led her to death. But as the people attempted to annoy and insult her with abusive words, he drove back her insulters, showing her much pity and kindness. And perceiving the man’s sympathy for her, she exhorted him to be of good courage, for she would supplicate her Lord for him after her departure, and he would soon receive a reward for the kindness he had shown her. Having said this, she nobly sustained the issue, burning pitch being poured little by little, over various parts of her body, from the sole of her feet to the crown of her head. Such was the conflict endured by this famous maiden.
Not long after this Basilides, being asked by his fellow-soldiers to swear for a certain reason, declared that it was not lawful for him to swear at all, for he was a Christian, and he confessed this openly. At first they thought that he was jesting, but when he continued to affirm it, he was led to the judge, and, acknowledging his conviction before him he was imprisoned. But the brethren in God coming to him and inquiring the reason of this sudden and remarkable resolution, he is reported to have said the Potamiaena, for three days after her martyrdom, stood beside him by night and placed a crown on his head, and said that she had besought the Lord for him and had obtained what she asked, and that soon she would take him with her. Thereupon the brethren gave him the seal(4) of the Lord; and on the next day, after giving glorious testimony for the Lord, he was beheaded."
Footnote 4 says, "The word aphragis, ‘seal,’ was very commonly used by the Fathers to signify baptism (see Suicer’s Thesaurus)."
The Early Church on Cornelius
Anonymous Treatise on Re-baptism (254-257 A.D.) ch.5 p.669-670 On speaking of Cornelius said, "And there will be no doubt that men may be baptized with the Holy Ghost without water, - as thou observest that these were baptized before they were baptized with water; that the announcements of both John and of our Lord Himself were satisfied, - forasmuch as they received the grace of the promise both without the imposition of the apostle’s hands and without the [baptismal] laver, which they attained afterwards. And their hearts being purified, God bestowed upon them at the same time, in virtue of their faith, remission of sins; so that the subsequent baptism conferred upon them this benefit alone, that they received also the invocation of the name of Jesus Christ, that nothing might appear to be wanting to the integrity of their service and faith."
Cyprian (246-258 A.D.) Letter 71 p.378 strongly emphasized baptism (even of infants), and one can see the doctrine of baptismal regeneration in his writings. Yet in discussing Cornelius he even said, "For we find also, in the Acts of the Apostles, that this is maintained by the apostles, and kept in the truth of the saving faith, so that when, in the house of Cornelius the centurion, the Holy Ghost had descended upon the Gentiles who were there, fervent in the warmth of their faith, and believing in the Lord with the whole heart; and when, filled with the Spirit, they blessed God in divers tongues, still none the less the blessed Apostle Peter, mindful of the divine precept and the Gospel, commanded that those same men should be baptized who had already been filled with the Holy Spirit, that nothing might seem to be neglected to the observance by the apostolic instruction in all things of the law of the divine precept and Gospel."
We cannot find a single person in history who held to both believer’s baptism plus all who are lost who are not immersed for remission of sins. In other words, according to the doctrine of many Churches of Christ, outside of the New Testament we cannot find in history a single person who had any possibility of going to heaven, until after the restoration movement started, and even Alexander Campbell was never baptized for remission of sins.
Note that Acts 2:38 says "ya’ll (second person plural) repent and each of you (third person singular) be baptized. So forgiveness/remission of sins does not modify repent.
Other Notes
Two Classes of Verses
1. Mention of belief/faith for salvation, no mention of baptism
2. The Promise of All who believe/ have faith … are saved (John 3:16,18, etc.)
Verses Showing Salvation Can Come Before or Without Water Baptism
Thief on the cross (Luke 23:40-43). The thief was not permitted to get down, get baptized, and then get back up on the cross again.
If God is understanding of the situation of the thief, then that proves water baptism is not essential for salvation.
Even though the thief died before Christ’s resurrection, water baptism was still practiced by Jesus and his disciples (Jon 3:26; 4:2), and water baptism was for repentance for remission of sins by John the Baptist (Mk 1:4; Lk 1:77; 3:3b).
Jesus was said to have baptized (John 3:26), though actually Jesus had His disciples do the baptizing (John 4:2)
In Lk 3:3b John the Baptist was "preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins" (NKJV) and the words for remissions/forgiveness are the same in Acts 2:38 and Lk 3:3 in Greek as they are in English. (See also Mk 1:4; Lk 1:77)
Cornelius (Acts 10:43-48)
Note that they had the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:45b) prior to water baptism.
In New Testament times, Romans 8:9,11,14,16-17 says that those who have the spirit in them, their spirit is alive, are sons of God, (17b) "heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."
Jn 3:16,18 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (18) He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he was not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (36) He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (NKJV)
Jesus was said to have baptized (John 3:26), though actually Jesus had His disciples do the baptizing (John 4:2)
In Lk 3:3b John the Baptist was "preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins" (NKJV) and the words for remissions/forgiveness are the same in Acts 2:38 and Lk 3:3 in Greek as they are in English. (See also Mk 1:4; Lk 1:77)
Jn 5:24 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life." (NKJV)
Rom 4:1-6 "What than shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he as something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 4) Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, (6) just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:" (NKJV)
Acts 10:43 "To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins." (NKJV)
Rom 5:1 "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, though whom we also have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (NKJV)
Rom 10:9-13 "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (10) For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (11) For Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame. (12) For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. (13) For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (NKJV)
Joel 2:32a and Acts 2:21 and Rom 10:13 "And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved" (NKJV)
1 Cor 1:17a "For Christ did not send me [Paul] to baptize, but to preach the gospel," (NKJV)
Eph 2:8-10 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (NKJV)
1 Cor 10:2 (indirectly) "all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea." (NKJV) Yet Moses, Joshua, Caleb, and other godly Israelites followed God before the crossed the Red Sea.
Gal 3:22b (indirectly) "that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe." (NKJV)
Heb 4:2 (indirectly) "For indeed the gospel was reached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it." They had to have faith for it to profit them. It does not say faith and baptism.
Jn 1:11-12 (indirectly) "He [Jesus] cam into His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe His name;" Says have to believe to become children of God; does not specify whether other steps or not.
Jn 2:11b, 23b (belief only) ""…and His disciples believed in Him. (23b) many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did."
Jn 6:29,35,40 "Jesus answered and said to them [the crowds], ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent." (35) And Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." (40) "And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day." (NKJV)
Jn 7:38,39 "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. (39) But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified." (NKJV)
Jn 8:30-32 "As He spoke these words, many believed in Him. Then Jesus aid to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed, And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’" (NKJV)
Jn 11:25-26 ""Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me; though he may die, shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (NKJV)
Jn 12:46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness." (NKJV)
Jn 16:9 [The Holy Spirit will convict the world] "of sin, because they do not believe in Me;" No mention of conviction for not being baptized.
Jn 17:20 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one,…"
Php 1:29 "For it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake" (not mention of baptism)
1 Jn 5:1 "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him." (NKJV)
1 Jn 5:10-13 "He who believes in the Son of God has the witness of himself; and he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son." (11) And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life; and this life is in His Son. (12) He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. (13) These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God." (NKJV)
Other verses mentioning belief but not baptism: Jn 4:39a; 4:41; 9:35; 10:42; 11:45,48; 12:11,42,44; 14:1,12
Mark 16:16 "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." (NIV)
Yet: John 3:36 "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (NKJV)
Q: Does Mark 16:16 prove that a person must be baptized in order to be saved?
A: No, it does not specify. It says that a person who believes and is baptized will be saved, and a person who does not believe is condemned. It is silent about people who believe but are not baptized. Let me give you a simple illustration. If my daughter’s in the kitchen and she asks me for four quarters for a dollar, I could tell her to bring me a dollar, and also a water bottle. Now if she brings me a dollar and a water bottle I will give her change. If she does not bring me the dollar I do not give her change. But if she brings the dollar but no water bottle, I did not specify what I would do. If she refuses, perhaps making a disrespectful remark, I would not make change for her. On the other hand, if she tries to bring me a water bottle but cannot find one, should I still refuse her? - of course not. Matthew 7:7-8 says that "everyone who asks receives" Likewise Mark 16:16 does not specify about those who believe and are not baptized, and probably for similar reason. Is it because a person was not able to be baptized, or a person rejected obeying God.
Scripture that says salvation comes at the point of faith in Jesus include Acts 16:31; Jn 1:12; 3:14-18; 3:36; 6:47; 30:31.
Proverbs 30:6 and 1 Corinthians 4:6 are strict warnings not to add to God’s word. If you say that Mark 16:16 states what happens to those who believe and are not baptized, when that verse is silent on that, you are adding to God’s word.
While some people, called ultra-dispensationalists, say we are not to be baptized today, that is wrong. Baptism, along with other works, are in fact involved in salvation; they are an output, not an input. Baptism and other works are the obedient response of a saved person, not the work of a lost person.
John 3:4-6 "’How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit." (NIV)
Q: Does John 3:5 imply a person must be baptized in water to be saved?
A: No, Jesus blood saves. Water would not save Nicodemus any more than it would save the thief on the cross. First five reasons why did does not teach that, and then what it does teach.
Why it does not teach that: On the surface, this might sound like one of the strongest verses supporting that you must be baptized to be saved. However, four points completely eliminate that teaching from this verse.
1. Thief on the cross: If John 3:5 taught that no unbaptized person can be saved, then the thief on the cross could not be saved, contradicting Luke 23:43.
2. Said before the resurrection too: If someone notices that the thief on the cross was before the resurrection, this command was before the resurrection too.
3. Jesus’ disciples baptized before the crucifixion: Do not forget that believers WERE to be baptized before the resurrection; otherwise why were Jesus’ disciples baptizing in John 4:2?
4. Contradicts believe only passages: Saying water baptism were essential for salvation, whether before or after the resurrection, John 3:16 "whoever believes in him", Romans 10:9-10, and other verses that say our point of contact with salvation is our belief or faith. There is no work, of any category, involved, as Ephesians 2:8-10 teaches.
5. God is understanding: Even one Church of Christ pastor told me that God is understanding of believers who are not baptized but did not reject water baptism. He and I agree on this. But if God can be "understanding" then getting baptized is still an important command to be followed, but no longer "ties the hands of God Almighty" if a person dies before being baptized. In contrast to this, I heard of a Church of Christ boy who was killed in a car accident on his way to being baptized. Would you teach that he is in Hell now, despite his intent?
What it does teach: Christians see at least two truths Jesus is teaching here.
1. Do-over: We were born as sinners, with a sinful nature and we need to be born again. "…born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit". A lost person reforming themselves into salvation does not work; we must be born again, and have the Holy Spirit living inside of us (Romans 8:10,11,15).
2. Baptism visibly joins us to the kingdom of God now: Genuine believers will go to heaven eventually, but we are a part of the kingdom of God now. Believing intellectual facts is not enough (James 2:19), saving faith includes trusting Jesus as our Lord. We pledge our life to God, our Master, and one of the acts of an obedient believer is to be baptized. Baptism is not just a bath, but an outward sign of an inward pledge.
Acts 2:37-38 "When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ Peter replied, ‘[ya’ll] Repent and [he/she] be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ eis the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (NIV) [remission of sins in the NKJV, aphesin (Strong’s 859, from 863]
Yet Acts 10:43: "To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission/forgiveness of sins." (NKJV) (forgiveness in NIV)
Q: Does Acts 2:37-38 prove a person must be baptized in water to be saved?
A: No, you cannot base a major doctrine solely on
1. Contradicts Acts 10:43
2. A grammatical error: Repent is second person plural [ya’ll] and baptized is third person singular, so the forgiveness of sins here only modifies the second part: baptized, not the forgiveness of sins too.
3. An ambiguous use of a single word. The Greek word here, eis (Strong’s 1519), like the English word "for" can mean many things, and it can mean "because of [the past]" as well as "to cause [the future]"
4. Choosing the ambiguous use that contradicts scriptural meaning. In Mk 1:4; Lk 1:77; 3:3b John the Baptist was "preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins" (NKJV) and the words for remission / forgiveness are the same in Acts 2:38 and Lk 3:3 in Greek, as they are in English. Do you believe that baptism was essential for salvation prior to Jesus; ministry with John the Baptist? (Most Christians would say no.) Of course the thief on the cross was not allowed to get down and get baptized before Jesus said he would be with Him in paradise.
As for details, here are some examples of different meanings of eis.
Eis mean in order to cause
Lk 5:14 Jesus told the cleansed leper to show himself to the priests as Moses commanded eis a testimony to them.
Eis means "in [the]"
Mt 10:41 "receives a prophet eis name of the prophet" … "receives a just one eis name of the just one"
Eis means "because of"
Mt 3:11 "John baptized eis repentance. If eis could only mean "to cause" in Acts 2:38, then eis would have to baptize to cause repentance in Mt 3:11
Mt 12:41 [Ninevites] "repented eis the preaching of Jonah"
Eis means "into"
Rom 5:12 "sin eis the world entered"
Rom 6:3 "all who were baptized into Christ Jesus, eis the death of Him were baptized."
Lk 14:23 "Go eis the ways and hedges"
Acts 22:10 "Bring [Paul] eis the fortress
Eis means "in"
Acts 10:43 "through the name of Him [Jesus everyone believing eis Him.
Mk 1:9 Jesus was baptized of John eis Jordan.
Acts 19:3 Ephesians baptized eis John’s baptism
Eis means "about" or "in reference to"
Acts 2:25 David speaks eis him
Eis means "towards"
Rom 5:8 "of Himself love eis us God,"
Eis means "to"
Jn 4:5 "He [Jesus] comes eis a city of Samaria"
Jn 11:31 "She goes eis the tomb"
Green’s literal translation says, "…baptized each of you on the name of Jesus Christ to forgiveness of sins." Wuest’s Expanded Translation says "and let each one of you be baptized upon the ground of your confession of belief in the sum total of all that Jesus Christ is in His glorious Person, this baptismal testimony being in relation to the fact that your sins have been put away,"
The Greek word eis, is a less precise word that English. Thayer’s A Greek English Lexicon of the New Testament 20th printing 1979 (Zondervan) spends almost six pages discussing the Greek word eis. On p.183 he writes, "[Preposition] governing the Accusative, and denoting entrance into, or direction and limit: into, to, towards, for, among" It has a variety of uses, but Thayer classifies Rom 5:12 as Properly of Place. He says, "4. of the limit to which ; with acc. of place, as far as, even to : ... Lk 14:23 ; with [accusative plural] or pers. to, unto; Acts 23:15 ... Ro. v.12; xvi.10; 2 Co ix. 5 ... x.14." Just prior to this he writes "3. of motion (not into a place itself, but) in a vicinity of a place; where it may be rendered to, near, towards..." Examples include Mk 3:7, Jn 4:5;11:31,38;20:1,3. In Rom 5:8 (eis) means unto, towards or one [Thayer p.184]. In Rom 5:12 and 15 (eis) is equivalent to the Latin in and ad [Thayer p.186].
In conclusion, for verses 16 and 18, one can see why most major English translations (NKJV, NASB, NIV, and Wuest) render this as "resulting" or "bringing". This more precisely conveys the meaning than simply translating "to" as the KJV does.
Acts 22:16 [Ananias told Paul] "And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name." (NIV)
Yet Acts 22:13a "He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive our sight!’…" (NIV)
Q: Does Acts 22:16 prove a person must be baptized in water to be saved?
A: No. Saul/Paul was already saved by then, for Ananias called him "brother Saul" in Acts 22:13. Baptism is an emblem of washing our sins away. But even if someone that this was literally washing their sins away, they would probably still agree with three things.
1) If it was the liquid water that literally took away the sins, then future sins would not be taken way unless a person was baptized again and again.
2) It is not the water that is special, but rather the water is an identification with the blood of Christ.
3) It does not say people can have sins washed away without baptism. God is not incapable of taking ways the sins of the thief on the cross, and early Christians who were martyred before they had the opportunity to be baptized.
So it is not the drops of water that take away anything. Rather it is the pledge of a good conscience before God that connects us with Christ’s blood, and baptism is an acknowledgement, and emblem, of that.
Rom 6:3-4 "Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized in to Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just a Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." (NIV)
Q: Does Rom 6:3-4, prove a person must be baptized in water to be saved?
A: No this verse uses a spiritual illustration from the normal experience of baptism that Christians normally have, but it does not mention the people who were not baptized or any power in the water. Rather it shows that our baptism visibly signified our decision to identify with Christ’s death, and likewise with His resurrection. Paul’s teaching here has similarities to Colossians 2:11-14. We have been "circumcised", not in the Old Testament way, but in the New Testament way. Colossians 2:12 says, "having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead."
1 Cor 6:11 "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God." (NIV)
Q: Does 1 Cor 6:11 show that believers must be immersed to be baptized?
A: We are cleansed or washed in Christ. But the Greek word here, apeloussathe, (Strong’s 628) is not related to baptism. I do not know that Church of Christ people do not try to appeal to this verse very often, but occasionally they might grasp at it.
Gal 3:26-27 "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, (27) for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." (NIV)
Q: Does Gal 3:26-27 prove a person must be baptized in water to be saved?
A: No, this verse does not mention salvation, but it shows some of the importance of baptism after salvation. Baptism is an outward, external sign; we agree that the water is not magic; its soaking into our skin does not do anything. Nevertheless baptism is an external clothing with Christ symbolic of both an external and internal change.
External: We need to be externally clothed with Christ as a sign to the world and a visible sign of our joining God’s kingdom and a pledge of ourselves toward God. As a soldier puts on a uniform we put on baptism. The uniform does not make a soldier; it is what a soldier is commanded to put on. Water does not make a Christian, baptism is what a Christian is commanded to do.
Symbol of internal change: Baptism is an outward symbol of an inward change: believers are baptized with the Holy Spirit; who now lives in us. (1 John 4:13; Rom 8:9-11)
Eph 5:26 "To make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word," (NIV)
Titus 3:5 "he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior" (NIV)
Q: Do Eph 5:26 and Tt 3:5 prove that a person must be baptized in water to be saved?
A: No, Titus 3:5 refers to the baptism of the Holy Spirit, On Ephesians 5:25, rather than answer myself, I will let Alexander Campbell, one of the founders of the Restoration Movement speak. He taught various things at various time, but here is what he wrote in Design by Baptism by Alexander Campbell p.262.
"In this sense we are to understand what is said by Paul, that Christ sanctifieth and cleanseth the church ‘with washing of water by the word.’ Eph 5:26, and in another place, that ‘according to His mercy he saved us, but he washing of regeneration, and of renewing of the Holy Ghost’ Titus 3:5, and by Peter that ‘baptism doeth save us’ 1 Pet. 3:21, For it is not the intention of Paul to signify that our ablution and salvation are completed by water, or that water contains in itself the virtue to purify, regenerate, and renew; nor did Peter mean that it was the cause of salvation, but only the knowledge and assurance of it is received in this sacrament: what is sufficiently evident from the words they have used. For Paul connects together the ‘word of life’ and ‘the baptism of water;’ as if he had said, our ablution and sanctification are announced to us by the Gospel, and by baptism this message is confirmed. And Peter after having said the baptism doth save us, immediately adds, that it is ‘not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God’ which proceeds from faith. But on the contrary, baptism promises us no other purification than by the sprinkling of the blood of Christ; which is emblematically represented by water, on account of its resemblance to washing and cleansing."
Col 2:11-12 "In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, (12) having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through you faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead." (NIV)
Q: Does Col 2:11-12 show that believers must be immersed to be baptized?
A: This only says that we are buried with Christ in baptism. Colossians 2:11-12 discusses circumcision in the Old Testament and baptism in the New Testament. No one in the Old Testament was declared righteous by circumcision, especially since only half of infants were circumcised.
Heb 10:22 "let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." (NIV)
Q: Does Heb 10:22 show that believers must be immersed to be baptized?
A: In Hebrews 10:22 "having been washed with water" does nothing to save us. In fact, the washing itself does NOT save us according to 1 Peter 3:21. Rather believers’ bodies are washed with water in baptism as an emblem of their pledge of accepting Christ as their Lord and Savior.
As a side note, the Greek words here are having been sprinkled (errantismenoi, Strong’s 4472), having been washed is leloumemoi Strong’s 3068), neither of which, of course is baptism.
1 Pet 3:20b-21 "days of Noah wile the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body but he pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ," (NIV)
Q: Does 1 Pet 3:20b-21 prove a person must be baptized in water to be saved?
A: No. Baptism is the normal response of a follower of Christ, but it is neither essential to salvation nor prior to salvation for five reasons.
1. Both Noah and Abraham were obedient servants of God prior to the flood and testing with Isaac
2. 1 Peter 3:21 says it is NOT the water, but the pledge of a good conscience before God.
3. It does not refer to people who made a pledge but were not able to get baptized.
4. The water does not take the place of the cross. 5. Neither water nor faith are a way to heaven. There is no other way to Heaven except through Christ (Acts 4:12; John 14:6),
5. The Bible also uses word save in the fourth tense (of working out our salvation. So baptism only saves in the on-going sense that we can turn others from sin (James 5:20) we can save ourselves (Acts 2:40), we can save others (1 Cor 7:16, 9:22; 1 Tim 4:16)
However, as 1 Peter 3:20b-21 shows, baptism is the normal way we show our acceptance and faith in what Christ did for us. A person is to show their pledge of a good conscience towards God by water baptism, but if they cannot, this verse does not say there is no other way to show acceptance.
Around 202 A.D. the martyrs Potoiaemina and the soldier Basilides. Other Christian martyrs, and the 2-year catechetical school. Patrick’s baptismal candidates
Q: In Mt 4:17; 10:17; Mk 1:15; Lk 8:10; Jn 3:5 are the kingdom of God and Kingdom of heaven identical, or is there a slight difference between the two?
A: Many have seen them as identical; you will not be a part of one if you are not a part of the other. Matthew uses both terms, and Mark, Luke, and John use only the kingdom of God. Jesus uses both terms in adjacent verses in Matthew 19:23-24. Others see a slight difference; the kingdom of heaven is where all believers go when we die, and the kingdom of God is what we belong to now when we are saved.
Regardless of the individual words, we can all agree that our salvation has both a "now" aspect on earth and a future aspect in heaven (1 Cor 13:12; Php 1:21-24) that will not be realized until we reach heaven. In John 3:5 some think water refers to amniotic fluid when a baby is born, but others think it refers to baptism. It cannot mean Jesus told Nicodemus that a person cannot be saved unless they are baptized, unless the thief on the cross was not saved! But it can mean that a person is not a visible part of God’s kingdom on earth until they are baptized. Similar to this, many churches do not want someone to take the Lord’s Supper until they are baptized.
See the Wycliffe Bible Dictionary p.991 for more info.
Nevertheless, as Jesus spoke foreshadowing his death and communion in John 6:51-56, Jesus spoke not only foreshadowing Christian baptism, but they were already very familiar with baptism for repentance, thanks to John.
This view is advocated by:
John Chrysostom (392-407 A.D.) Homilies of St. John Homily 25
Gregory Nanzianzus (330-391 A.D.) Oration on Holy Baptism ch.8
F.F. Bruce in Hard Sayings of the Bible p.495-496
Jamieson, Fausset, Brown
Harper’s Bible Commentary.
3a. The water stands for baptismal regeneration.
The early church fathers held this view.
However, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : New Testament p.281 mentions that this interpretation contradicts being saved by faith alone, as Ephesians 2:8-9 and John 3:16 show.
This view is advocated by
Justin Martyr (wrote about 138-165 A.D.) First Apology chapter 61
Irenaeus (182-188 A.D.) in fragment 34
Tertullian (200-220 A.D.) in On Baptism ch. 12
Cyprian (wrote 248-258 A.D.) in Epistle 71.
Gregory Nanzianzus (330-391 A.D.) Oration on Holy Baptism chapter 8.
Basil of Cappadocia (357-379 A.D.) On the Spirit 15:35
John of Damascus Exposition of the Orthodox Faith chapter 9
Ambrose of Milan (340-397 A.D.) Of the Holy Spirit 3.10.63-64
Constitutions of the Holy Apostles (c.80-190 A.D.) 6.3.15 (This was a spurious work, which had an early date. Among other things, it also supports infant Baptism.)
However, interpreting John 3:5 this way sounds close to making baptism (whether John’s baptism or Christian baptism) a requirement for salvation.
Nevertheless, John’s baptism was looking for salvation, not something that brought salvation. In Acts 2:38, Peter said the people had to repent and baptized and they would receive the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 4:2 said some were not saved because they did not share the faith (or combine it with faith.) Things such as repentance, faith, and obedience, including obedience in water baptism are evidence of us receiving salvation, not that which saves us.
This view is advocated by:
The Applied New Testament Commentary p.368
Matthew Henry’s Commentary says that "it is probably that Christ had an eye to the ordinance of baptism."
4. Water stands for conversion.
Converts to Judaism went through a baptism ceremony. Jesus was implying that one had to convert to experience the new birth. Thus Jesus was saying "by conversion and by the spirit". This view does not preclude believing other views, too.
However, while Jewish converts were washed, a more common scene was Jews washing for ritual purification. This viewpoint is perhaps not so much false, as too narrow a view of 3.
This view is advocated by:
The IVP Bible Commentary : New Testament (1993) p.270.
5. Water stands for the baptizing ministry of John the Baptist, and the Spirit for Jesus’ ministry.
No one at that time could think of "baptism" and "new things" in the same sentence without thinking of John the Baptist’s ministry.
This view is advocated by F.B. Meyer in The Gospel of John p.64. The Bible Knowledge Commentary : New Testament p.281 gives five views, but commends only this view as having "the merit of historical propriety as well as theological acceptability." The Life Application Bible gives various views, one of which is the repentance that John the Baptist’s ministry signified.
6. Water is an image for the pouring out of the Spirit in Old Testament times.
Jesus said in John 7:38, "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified." (NKJV). The New Geneva Study Bible p.1676 says that while this is not an exact quote of any Old Testament Scripture, it can be a general reference to both Isaiah 44:3 and Ezekiel 36:25-27. Titus 3:5 has very similar phrasing to John 3:5, saying "washing of rebirth and renewal of/by the Holy Spirit" While Acts showed some special cases, the norm was for Christians to be baptized with literal water and the Holy Spirit.
However, water is used for ritual washings, not the pouring of the Spirit in the Torah. Also, the Believer’s Bible Commentary p.1478 points out that if the water represented nothing more than the ministry of the Spirit, then the verse would seem to say "unless one is born of the Spirit and the Spirit", which would be redundant.
1 John 5:8 speaks of the water, spirit, and blood. Since the spirit and blood are different, the water is different, too.
This view is advocated by the New Geneva Study Bible p.1665.
The Companion Bible says it is "spiritual water" as opposed to literal water. The IVP Bible Commentary : New Testament says that the Greek can either be translated "water and the spirit, or water, that is, the spirit."
MY CONCLUSION:
1. is not particularly compelling. It only makes sense if you downplay the precision of the Greek, and think Jesus was telling Nicodemus one had to be physically born.
2. relies on Jesus chiding Nicodemus for understanding scripture that was not written yet. For some, this view is necessitated by the opinion that if "baptism" has to mean the error of baptismal regeneration, it cannot be baptism.
3a. is unbiblical, as Acts 10 shows that people could be saved and receive the Holy Spirit prior to water baptism.
3b, 4, and 5. can all be tied together. This view has the merit of the plain meaning, as well as the universal understanding of the Greek-speaking early church.
6. has no merit, except as a secondary implication of 3b, 4, and 5.
Perhaps we should focus less on "what this would mean to me" and observe "what this would mean to Nicodemus and early Christians". The most likely answer is a combination of 3b, 4, and 5. While views 2 and 6 are implied symbolism, they would not be recognized by Nicodemus as its main meaning, and were not recognized by any known Greek-speaking Christians.
When Critics Ask p.406 also discusses some of the views, without committing to a particular one.
Q: In Jn 3:5, is "baptismal regeneration" true, the belief that water baptism is necessary for salvation?
A: No. The Gentiles who were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues in Acts 10:44-48, prior to being baptized with water, probably did not think so. Jesus apparently did not think so either when He spoke to the thief on his right. One could try to argue that the thief on the cross was prior to Jesus’ resurrection, but then Jesus’ words to Nicodemus were spoken, and were true, prior to Jesus’ resurrection, too. Of course all of this was prior to the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and there being Christian baptism; John’s baptism and Old Testament washings were all they knew.
However, if an interpretation of a verse makes part of the verse without any meaning whatsoever, then that interpretation undoubtedly is incorrect. So what is the meaning of Jesus’ words here?
The answer is implied in Luke 7:29-30, where it was said the Pharisees and experts in the Law had rejected God’s purpose for themselves. The reason given is that they had not been baptized by John. Water baptism is neither a meaningless ritual nor merely an optional thing, like choir practice, to show special love to God. If a person with full knowledge rejects water baptism, and the truth it represents, they have rejected God. Unless they turn around, they are not going to Heaven.
See also 1001 Bible Questions Answered p.118-119, When Critics Ask p.406, When Cultists Ask p.165-166, and the Complete Book of Bible Answers p.210-211 for more info. For more see our playlist, "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ"" with 71 videos & 63 hours of teaching material at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html. See also IS WATER BAPTISM NECESSARY TO ESCAPE HELL & BE SAVED & ARE YOU "BORN AGAIN" (JOHN 3:3-8) BY IT?; THE EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN ROMANCE WITH APOSTATE ROMAN CATHOLICISM (PART 1): WATER BAPTISM SALVATION?; & Uncomfortable Questions for Catholics #2: Is Water Baptism Essential & Does Mass Bread Become God?. Also see our newsletter on the "Church of Christ" on our website www.BibleQuery.org (once on our homepage click on the "Experience" box to the left & scroll down to the newsletter section & click on "Church of Christ" & particularly notice the article, "Questions to Consider Concerning Baptism." 1 Corinthians 1:14-17, "14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect."
+CAnswersTV Why are you turning away someone who wants to learn more about God? "Stick to your music videos" you say? Why?
Zag Uiza, you bring up a good point if that is what happened but I think the fault lies with UA-cam on this one. Usually UA-cam will put the name of the UA-cam user as to who is being replied to similar to your comment which starts with "+CAnswersTV" but in this case, although the comment you refer to is almost a year old, I seem to recall that someone else put in a snide comment that I was actually replying to, not to the original "wadawaddah" since I had already replied to him. Notice the comment you're referring to is the second comment, not the first. More than likely I refuted the snide commenter & then deleted his comment which now makes it look like I'm insulting the original commenter with the question about learning more about God. I would never intentionally insult a person who has sincere questions about God because after all that's what our ministry is here for. I've just noticed in this answering questions session that UA-cam has not been been putting the name of the UA-cam user I'm replying to so that adds to the problem as to whom I'm speaking. In your case I typed in your name just to make sure everyone knew I was talking to you. I didn't have to do that before. Blessings in Christ. 1 Peter 3:15
Ah. My mistake. Ephesians 4:29
See our videos "EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH HISTORY PROVES ROMAN CATHOLICISM FALSE" at ua-cam.com/video/WP9jg2h3xjQ/v-deo.html & "HISTORICAL SPLIT BETWEEN ROMAN CATHOLICISM & THE CHRIST OF THE SCRIPTURE: MAN'S WORD OR GOD'S WORD?" at ua-cam.com/video/iUt7rC6a_3s/v-deo.html. See our playlist "Dealing with Roman Catholicism, Idolatry & the Virgin Mary" at ua-cam.com/play/PLFFA8D69D1B914715.html&feature=plcp with 134 videos & counting. So where did the Roman Catholic Church come from since you don't find it mentioned anywhere in the New Testament (see our video "THE ORIGINAL EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH WAS NOT A ROMAN CATHOLIC SYSTEM OF SALVATION" at ua-cam.com/video/ujbtVmZ5wes/v-deo.html by former Roman Catholic priest for 22 years Richard Bennett, website: www.BereanBeacon.org). A study of church history gives the answer. The following is a very brief review (for an indepth study of church history see Professor of Church History William Cunningham's "Historical Theology, Volumes #1 & #2" at www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=William_Cunningham). Zenith of Roman Empire Power, [46 B.C.A.D. 395] Extended from the Atlantic to the Euphrates, and from the North sea to the African Desert. Population 120,000,000. Julius Caesar, 46-44 B.C. Lord of the Roman World. Augustus 31 B.C. A.D.14. In his Reign Christ was born. Tiberius A.D. 12-37. In his Reign Christ was Crucified. Nero A.D. 54-68. Persecuted Christians. Executed Paul and Peter. The Great Fire in Rome occurred A.D. 64. Nero himself burned the city. It was in order to build a new and grander Rome that Nero set fire to the city. To divert suspicion from himself he accused the Christians of burning Rome, and Ordered their punishment. In and around Rome multitudes of Christians were arrested and put to death in the cruelest ways. Crucified Or tied in skins of animals, and thrown into the arena to the wild Beasts to be eaten alive. Some tied to stakes in Nero's gardens, Pitch poured over their bodies, and their burning bodies used as torches to light Nero's gardens at night, while he drove around in his chariot, gloating over the dying agonies of his victims. It was in the wake of this persecution that Paul was re-arrested in Greece or Asia Minor, and brought back to Rome this time as a criminal. While waiting in Rome dungeon for the "time of his death," he wrote his last letter to Timothy, his friend and co-worker, begging him to be faithful, in spite of everything. Vespasian, A.D. 69-79 Destroyed the Jerusalem temple. Domitian, A.D. 81-96 Persecuted Christians. Banished John the apostle on the island of Patmos during the persecution of Domitian, and in which these visions were given to him to write it down the things must take place, the history of the True Church, and the outcome of the False Church and the end result of the Roman Empire. Hadrian A.D. 117-138 Persecuted Christians. Antoninus Pius A.D. 138-180 Persecuted Christians. Heptimius Severus A.D. 193-211 Appointed by the army during the Civil War. Maximin, A.D. 235- 238 Persecuted Christians. Philip A.D. 244-249 Favorable to Christians. Decius A.D. 249- 251 Persecuted Christians Furiously. Velarian A.D. 251- 253 Persecuted Christians. Galienus A.D. 260- 268 Favored Christians. Aurelian A.D. 270- 275 Persecuted Christians. Diocletian A.D. 284- 305 Persecuted Christians Furiously. Emperor Constantine A.D 306- 337 Became a Christian Himself. In the year A.D. 300 Constantine's father was the Emperor of all Roman Empire. He died in 306 and the Empire was divided between Constantine and his brother. But in 6 years Constantine seemed a way to get it all for himself. He could see that the population, which once had been Pagan, was turning toward Christianity, so he used this as the means of taking the whole Empire. He claimed to see a vision, a banner in the sky with words "Hoc Sigl Pince" and a Cross. He said it meant "By this sign you will conquer" and that he was to go forth with the Sword and to conquer all nations for the Cross. Constantine got All the Catholics on his side and the 90 other Christian denominations had to join with the Catholics, then they went into his brother's territory. He had it all in 12 years. In 324 he had conquered all the Roman Empire. He had conquered for himself and for the Catholic Church. So, all the denominations that existed then, had to come under the Catholic Church and under Rome. This is not the way Jesus sent the Gospel forth; this is Conquering by the Sword. Constantine really wanted it for himself, but he left something bigger than himself, he left a Religion that would Dominate the entire Western world. Christ, had design to conquer by purely Spiritual, and Moral means, Up to this time conversion was Voluntary, a Genuine Change in Heart and Life. But now the Military Spirit of Rome had entered the Catholic Church. The Church had changed it nature, had entered its Great Apostasy, had become a Political Organization in the spirit and pattern of Imperial Rome, and took its Nose-Dive into the Millennium of Papal Abominations. Constantine made the Christians' day of Assembly, Sunday, a Rest Day. The First Church Building was Errected in the reign of Alexander Serverus. A.D. 322- 325. After the Edict of Constantine Christian church buildings began to be built everywhere. Constantine added Prayers for the dead and the sign of the Cross. He died in A.D 337. Theodosius A.D. 378-395 Made Christianity the State Religion. The Empire Divided, [A.D. 395] West & East Roman Empire. Out of the ruins of the Western Empire arose the Papal Empire, and Rome still rule the World for 1500 years. The Eastern Empire brought to an end by the Turks (1453). Although the Empire had been Divided since [A.D.395], and there had been a long bitter struggle between the Popes of Rome, and the Patriarch of Constantinople for Supremacy, yet the Church had remained One. Up to [869] all Ecumenical Councils had been held in or near Constantinople, and in the Greek language. But now at last the Pope's insistent claim of being Lord of Christendom had become unbearable, and the East definitely separated itself. The council of Constantinople [869] was the last Ecumenical Council. Henceforth the Greek Church had its Councils, and the Roman Church had its Councils. And the Breach grew wider with the centuries. The creation of the dogma of Papal Infallibility in 1870 further deepens the chasm. Summary of the Catholic Church 1) Worship, at first very Simple, was developed into elaborated, stately, imposing Ceremonies having all the Outward Splendor that had belonged to Heathen Temples. 2) Ministers became Priests. The term "Priest" was not applied to Christian ministers before A.D.200. It was borrowed from "The Old Jewish System" and from the example of the Heathen Priesthood. 3) [440-61] Leo I. Prohibited priests from marrying, and Celibacy of priests became a law of the Roman church. Conversion of the Barbarians. The Goths, Vandals, and Huns who overthrew Roman Empire accepted Christianity; but to a large extent their conversion was nominal and this further filled the Church with Pagan practices. The Papacy is an Italian Institution. It arose on the ruins of the Roman Empire, in the name of Christ occupying the throne of the Caesars; a Revival of the Image of the Roman Empire inheriting the Spirit thereof; "The Ghost of the Roman Empire comes to LIFE in the Garb of Christianity." The Popes mostly have been Italians. The Papacy's Methods. It brought itself to power through the prestige of Rome, and the Name of Christ, and by shrewd political alliances, and by Deception, and by Armed Force and Bloodshed has maintained itself in Power. Papal Revenues. Through a large part of its history the Papacy, by the Sale of ecclesiastical office, and its shameless traffic in Indulgences, has received vast revenues that enabled it to maintain, the most Luxurious Court in Europe. Personal Character of the Popes, Some of the Popes has been good men; some of them unspeakably vile the most of them have absorbed in the pursuit of Secular Power. The Papacy and the Bible. * Hilderbrand Ordered Bohemians NOT to read the Bible. * Innocent III Forbade the People reading the Bible in their own language. * Gregory IX Forbade laymen possessing the Bible and suppress translations. Translations among the Albigenses and Waldenses were burned and people Burned for having them. * Paul IV Prohibited the possession of translations without permission of The Inquisition * The Jesuits induced Clement XI Condemn the Reading of the Bible by the laity. * Leo XII, Pius VIII, Gregory XVI and Pius IX all condemned Bible Societies. In Catholic countries the Bible is an unknown book for many hundred of years. [In 345 A.D.] A new addition was added. Bishop Liberious of Rome decided to Set a Date for the Birth of Jesus. (You can find this in the Catholic Encyclopedia.) The Pagan was outlawed in [330], but not destroyed. It was still in the hearts of many. They worshiped the Sun. They would go to the Catholic Church and in front of the building they would turn and bow to the Sun, before going into the building. To stop this, Bishop Liberious decided to use the "Day" the Pagans called the Birth of the Sun, and call the Birth of Christ. This was Dec.25th. They compromised by using what the Pagans believed in, for the birthday of the Sun. to call it the Birthday Of the Son of God. [In 300] Prayers for the Dead & Making the sign of the Cross. [In 366] Damesis is Pope. He ordered pictures made of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. There had not been any Pictures in the Jewish religion. This was new. All the first pictures were made in Rome, more than 300 years after the death of Jesus. The Romans painted pictures of Jesus that looked like Romans, not like Jews. (Unscriptural in appearance, long hair, attractive robe, etc). Damesis died in 384.[In 375] Veneration of angels & dead saints & Use of images in worship.[In 394] The Mass as a daily celebration. [In 431] Beginning of the exaltation of Mary the term "Mother of God " applied at Council of Ephesus. Source: "Halley's Bible Handbook" prior to 1961 (Billy Graham bought the rights to this handbook circa 1961 or so & had the Church History section concerning the Jesuits, the horrors o the Inquisition/Persecution and countless murders inflicted on Bible believing saints by the Roman Catholic Church up through the time of the Reformation removed from it; see our video "Exclusive Interview with Dave Hunt about the Gospel-less Mother Teresa & Compromiser Billy Graham" at ua-cam.com/video/8YtX1DirDI4/v-deo.html). The standard Roman Catholic argument that there are 40,000 Protestant denominations & therefore they cannot be the one & only true church is bogus on its face. This is based on the logical fallacy of "false analogy" meaning it is trying to draw a parallel when there is no true parallel. It's like saying, "If you are brave enough to take a shower you are brave enough to swim in the ocean." People mistakenly think that there is an earthly organization that is the one true church as if a collection of people, church structures, and "authority" designates that it is the "one true church" on earth. But, this is a wrong assumption. The true church is not an earthly organization. It is not a series of buildings and ceremonies rooted in ancient tradition. Instead, the church is the body of true believers. The true church consists of those who are regenerate; that is, it consists of those who are "the called," the true Christians. Rom. 1:6, "among whom you also are the called (klaytos) of Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 1:24, "but to those who are the called (klaytos), both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." Jude 1, "Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are the called (klaytos), beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ." Rev. 17:14, "These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called (klaytos) and chosen (eklektos) and faithful." The greek word "klaytos" means "call, invited, divinely selected and appointed."1 The Greek word of "church" is ekklesia and is formed from a compound of the word "ek" (out of) and "kaleo" (call). Therefore, the church is the "called out ones." "Eklektos" in Rev. 17:14 above means simply means "chosen" and comes from the verb "eklegomai" which means to choose, to choose out. Therefore, the church, the ekkesia, is the "called out ones." Okay, but you might respond by saying you can't look into the hearts of people and know who is and is not truly saved. That is true. But, can we look at earthly "churches" and see if it they are biblical or not? The answer is simple once we understand what makes someone a Christian or not. Once we know what is essential, we can then look at a church and see if it is Christian or not. Primary Essential Doctrines Cannot be denied and still be Christian since the scriptures openly declare that to deny them is to bring judgment. Jesus is both God and man (John 1:1,14; 8:24; Col. 2:9; 1 John 4:1-4). Jesus rose from the dead physically (John 2:19-21; 1 Cor. 15:14). Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone and not by the efforts or "works" of man (Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:8-9; Gal. 3:1-2; 5:1-4). The gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (1 Cor. 15:1-4; Gal. 1:8-9). There is only one God (Exodus 20:3; Isaiah 43:10; 44:6,8) People mistakenly think that there is an earthly organization that is the one true church as if a collection of people, church structures, and "authority" designates that it is the "one true church" on earth. But, this is a wrong assumption. The true church is not an earthly organization. It is not a series of buildings and ceremonies rooted in ancient tradition. Instead, the church is the body of true believers. The true church consists of those who are regenerate; that is, it consists of those who are "the called," the true Christians. Rom. 1:6, "among whom you also are the called (klaytos) of Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 1:24, "but to those who are the called (klaytos), both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." Jude 1, "Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are the called (klaytos), beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ." Rev. 17:14, "These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called (klaytos) and chosen (eklektos) and faithful." The greek word "klaytos" means "call, invited, divinely selected and appointed."1 The Greek word of "church" is ekklesia and is formed from a compound of the word "ek" (out of) and "kaleo" (call). Therefore, the church is the "called out ones." "Eklektos" in Rev. 17:14 above means simply means "chosen" and comes from the verb "eklegomai" which means to choose, to choose out. Therefore, the church, the ekkesia, is the "called out ones." Okay, but you might respond by saying you can't look into the hearts of people and know who is and is not truly saved. That is true. But, can we look at earthly "churches" and see if it they are biblical or not? The answer is simple once we understand what makes someone a Christian or not. Once we know what is essential, we can then look at a church and see if it is Christian or not. Primary Essential Doctrines Cannot be denied and still be Christian since the scriptures openly declare that to deny them is to bring judgment. Jesus is both God and man (John 1:1,14; 8:24; Col. 2:9; 1 John 4:1-4). Jesus rose from the dead physically (John 2:19-21; 1 Cor. 15:14). Salvation is by grace through faith (Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:8-9; Gal. 3:1-2; 5:1-4). The gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (1 Cor. 15:1-4; Gal. 1:8-9). There is only one God (Exodus 20:3; Isaiah 43:10; 44:6,8) People mistakenly think that there is an earthly organization that is the one true church as if a collection of people, church structures, and "authority" designates that it is the "one true church" on earth. But, this is a wrong assumption. The true church is not an earthly organization. It is not a series of buildings and ceremonies rooted in ancient tradition. Instead, the church is the body of true believers. The true church consists of those who are regenerate; that is, it consists of those who are "the called," the true Christians. Rom. 1:6, "among whom you also are the called (klaytos) of Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 1:24, "but to those who are the called (klaytos), both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." Jude 1, "Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are the called (klaytos), beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ." Rev. 17:14, "These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called (klaytos) and chosen (eklektos) and faithful." The greek word "klaytos" means "call, invited, divinely selected and appointed."1 The Greek word of "church" is ekklesia and is formed from a compound of the word "ek" (out of) and "kaleo" (call). Therefore, the church is the "called out ones." "Eklektos" in Rev. 17:14 above means simply means "chosen" and comes from the verb "eklegomai" which means to choose, to choose out. Therefore, the church, the ekkesia, is the "called out ones." Okay, but you might respond by saying you can't look into the hearts of people and know who is and is not truly saved. That is true. But, can we look at earthly "churches" and see if it they are biblical or not? The answer is simple once we understand what makes someone a Christian or not. I have reproduced part of the information found at the doctrine grid which lays out the essential and non-essential doctrines. Once we know what is essential, we can then look at a church and see if it is Christian or not. Primary Essential Doctrines Cannot be denied and still be Christian since the scriptures openly declare that to deny them is to bring judgment. Jesus is both God and man (John 1:1,14; 8:24; Col. 2:9; 1 John 4:1-4). Jesus rose from the dead physically (John 2:19-21; 1 Cor. 15:14). Salvation is by grace through faith (Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:8-9; Gal. 3:1-2; 5:1-4). The gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (1 Cor. 15:1-4; Gal. 1:8-9). There is only one God (Exodus 20:3; Isaiah 43:10; 44:6,8) God exists as a Trinity of persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19, see our playlist, "Dealing with Anti Trinitarians (UPC) & Early Church History" at ua-cam.com/play/PL9931642C7C8FFEAB.html with 48 videos). Non-Essential Doctrines Can be believed or not and it does not affect whether or not one is Christian. Predestination, election, limited atonement, and free will Communion every week, monthly, or quarterly, etc. Saturday or Sunday Worship Pre, mid, post tribulation rapture. Premill, Amill, post millenialism, partial preterism. Continuation or cessation of the charismatic gifts Baptism for adults or infants Therefore, we can see that if a church or denomination would deny that Jesus is God in flesh, or physically risen from the dead, then it would not be Christian. Furthermore, we could have two different churches that disagree on the non-essentials, but are still Christian since they affirm the essentials. The reason the cults are not Christian is because they deny the essential doctrines of Christianity. Mormonism, for example, denies that there is only one God in all existence and it denies that salvation is by grace through faith. The Jehovah's Witness organization denies the Trinity, the deity of Christ, salvation by grace, and Jesus' physical resurrection. Therefore, they are not Christian, either. Roman Catholicism, as the cults, denies the gospel because they teach a salvation by a system of works & sacraments putting them outside the Biblical Christian family (for proof of this see the following links: "Summary of process of salvation in Roman Catholicism" at carm.org/catholic-salvation-summary, "Attaining Salvation in Roman Catholicism" at carm.org/catholic-salvation-attain, "Maintaining Salvation in Roman Catholicism" at carm.org/catholic-salvation-maintain, "Regaining Salvation in Roman Catholicism" at carm.org/catholic-salvation-regain, "Roman Catholicism, Mary, and Idolatry" at carm.org/roman-catholicism-mary-idolatry, "Why do Roman Catholics believe what they do?" at carm.org/roman-catholics-believe, "Comparison Grid of Roman Catholicism, Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Christianity" at carm.org/comparison-grid, etc.). So, if we know what the essentials are, we can then look at a church or denomination (or even a person) and ascertain if that church is Christian or not by whether or not it denies the essential doctrines that make Christianity Christian. Finally, to answer the question of which church is the true church, the true church is the cross-section of believers in all churches that adhere to the essential doctrines of Christianity & Romanism is definitely not one of them. By this same token the vast majority of the so called "40,000 Protestant denominations" would also fail the test by these same standards. 40,000 false Protestant denominations does not prove that Romanism is true. True Chrisitianity is based on individuals & local fellowships who stay as close to what the Bible actually teaches as possible without going beyond those teachings. In Roman Catholicism, because of the vast numbers of people claiming to members in that religious organization, a person could interview 40,000 Romanists about their personal beliefs and get 40,000 different answers on a wide range of subjects. Due to this fact, most of these Romanists, without even knowing it, could be cutting themselves off from their own religion by violating Roman Catholic rules & regulations because of their own personal belief systems & superstitions (see "Heresy, Schism and Apostasy" as defined by the Catechism of the Catholic Church at www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/heresy_schism_apostasy.htm). When it comes to Roman Catholic traditions remember Jeremiah 7:31 where God said, "which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart" & the words of Jesus in Matthew 15:1-14, "Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, 2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? 4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. 5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; 6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. 7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 10 And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: 11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. 12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? 13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. 14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch." Is the Bible Alone Sufficient for Spiritual Truth? According to Roman Catholicism, Sacred Tradition and the Bible together provide the foundation of spiritual truth. From this combination the Catholic church has produced many doctrines which it says are true and biblical but which Protestants reject: veneration of Mary, penance, indulgence, purgatory, prayer to saints, et. al. Protestantism, however, rejects these doctrines and Roman Catholic Sacred Tradition and holds fast to the call "Sola Scriptura" or "Scripture Alone." Catholics then challenge, "Is Sola Scriptura Biblical?" The Bible does not say "Do not use tradition" or "Scripture alone is sufficient." But the Bible does not say "The Trinity is three persons in one God" either, yet it is a fundamental doctrine of Christianity. 2 Tim. 3:16 says that Scripture is inspired and profitable for correction and teaching. Scripture states that Scripture is what is good for correction and teaching--not tradition. However, in its comments on tradition, the Bible says to listen to tradition but also warns about tradition nullifying the Gospel--which we will look at below. In discussing the issue of the Bible alone being sufficient, several points should be made: 1) The method of the New Testament authors (and Jesus as well) when dealing with spiritual truth was to appeal to the Scriptures as the final rule of authority. Take the temptation of Christ in Matthew 4 as an example. The Devil tempted Jesus, yet Jesus used the authority of Scripture--not tradition and not even His own divine power as the source of authority and refutation. To Jesus, the Scriptures were enough and sufficient. If there is any place in the New Testament where the idea of extra-biblical revelation or tradition could have been used, Jesus' temptation would have been a great place to present it. But Jesus does no such thing. His practice was to appeal to Scripture. Should we do any less having seen his inspired and perfect example? The New Testament writers constantly appealed to the Scriptures as their base of authority in declaring what was and was not true Biblical teaching: Matt. 21:42; John 2:22; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; 1 Peter 1:10-12; 2:2; 2 Peter 1:17-19, etc. Of course, Acts 17:11 says, "Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so." Paul commends those who examined God's Word for the test of truth. He did not commend them for appealing to tradition. Therefore, we can see that the method used by Jesus and the apostles for determining spiritual truth was to appeal to Scripture--not tradition. In fact, it is the Scriptures that refute the traditions of men in many instances. 2) It is not required of Scripture to have a statement to the effect, "The Bible alone is to be used for all spiritual truth," in order for Sola Scriptura to be true. Many doctrines in the Bible are not clearly stated, yet they are believed and taught by the church. For example, there is no statement in the Bible that says there is a Trinity or that Jesus has two natures (God and man) or that the Holy Spirit is the third person in the Godhead. Yet, each of the statements is considered true doctrine within Christianity--being derived from Biblical references. So, for the Catholic to require the Protestant to supply chapter and verse to prove Sola Scriptura is valid is not necessarily consistent with Biblical exegetical principles of which they themselves approve when examining such doctrines as the Trinity, the hypostatic union, etc. 3) In appealing to the Bible for authentication of Sacred Tradition, the Catholics have shown that the Bible is superior to Sacred Tradition--for the lesser is blessed by the greater (Heb. 7:7). You see, if the Bible said do not trust Sacred Tradition, then Roman Catholic Sacred Tradition would be instantly and obviously invalidated. If the Bible said to trust Sacred Tradition, then the Bible is authenticating it; and the Roman Catholic Church would cite the Scriptures to that effect. In either case, the Scriptures hold the place of final authority and by that position are shown to be superior to Sacred Tradition. This means that Sacred Tradition is not equal in authority to the Word of God. If Sacred Tradition were really inerrant as it is said to be, then it would be equal with the Bible. But, God's word does not say that Sacred Tradition is inerrant or inspired as it does say about itself (2 Tim. 3:16). Merely to claim that Sacred Tradition is equal and in agreement with the Bible does not make it so. Furthermore, to assert that Sacred Tradition is equal to Scripture effectively leaves the canon wide open to doctrinal addition. Since the traditions of men change, then to use tradition as a determiner of spiritual truth would mean that over time new doctrines that are not in the Bible would be added and that is exactly what has happened in Catholicism with doctrines such as purgatory, praying to Mary, indulgences, etc. Furthermore, if they can use Sacred Tradition as a source for doctrines not explicit in the Bible, then why would the Mormons then be wrong for having additional revelation as well? 4) If the Bible is not used to verify and test Sacred Tradition, then Sacred Tradition is functionally independent of the Word of God. If it is independent of Scripture, then by what right does it have to exist as an authoritative spiritual source equivalent to the Bible? How do we know what is and is not true in Sacred Tradition if there is no inspired guide by which to judge it? If the Roman Catholic says that the inspired guide is the Roman Catholic Church, then it is committing the fallacy of circular reasoning. In other words, it is saying that the Roman Catholic Church is inspired because the Roman Catholic Church is inspired. 5) Sacred Tradition is invalidated automatically if it contradicts the Bible, and it does. Of course, the Catholic will say that it does not. But, Catholic teachings such as purgatory, penance, indulgences, praying to Mary, etc., are not in the Bible. A natural reading of God's Word does not lend itself to such beliefs and practices. Instead, the Catholic Church has used Sacred Tradition to add to God's revealed word and then extracted out of the Bible whatever verses that might be construed to support their doctrines of Sacred Tradition. Nevertheless, the Catholic apologist will state that both the Bible and Sacred tradition are equal in authority and inspiration and to put one above another is a false comparison. But, by what authority does the Catholic church say this? Is it because it claims to be the true church--descended from the original apostles? So? Making such claims doesn't mean they are true. Besides, even if it were true and we do not grant that it is, there is no guarantee that the succession of church leaders is immune to error. We saw it creep in with Peter, and Paul rebuked him for it in Gal. 2. Are the Catholic church leaders better than Peter? To continue, is it from tradition that the Catholic Church authenticates its Sacred Tradition? If so, then there is no check upon it. Is it from quotes of some of the church Fathers who say to follow Tradition? If so, then the church fathers are given the place of authority comparable to Scripture. Is it from the Bible? If so, then Sacred Tradition holds a lesser position than the Bible because the Bible is used as the authority in validating Tradition. Is it because the Catholic Church claims to be the means by which God communicates His truth? Then, the Catholic Church has placed itself above the Scriptures. 6) One of the mistakes made by the Catholics is to assume that the Bible is derived from Sacred Tradition. This is false. The Church simply recognized the inspired writings of the Bible. They were in and of themselves authoritative. Various "traditions" in the Church served only to recognize what was from God. Also, to say the Bible is derived from Sacred Tradition is to make the Bible lesser than the Tradition as is stated in Heb. 7:7 that the lesser is blessed by the greater; but this cannot be since Catholicism appeals to the Bible to authenticate its tradition. Conclusion Since the Bible is the final authority, we should look to it as the final authenticating and inerrant source of all spiritual truth. If it says Sacred Tradition is valid--fine. But if it doesn't, then I will trust the Bible alone. Since the Bible does not approve of the Catholic Church's Sacred Tradition, along with its inventions of prayer to Mary, prayer to the saints, indulgences, penance, purgatory, etc., then neither should Christians. Objections Answered The Bible comes from Roman Catholic Sacred Tradition. The problem is twofold. First, tradition is generally anything the Christian church passed down and doesn't require inspiration of any sort. But Roman Catholicism claims such generic tradition under its umbrella of Sacred Tradition. This is the fallacy of equivocation. In other words, the meaning of the word "tradition" is changed between the first and second reference. There is no proof that the RCC sacred tradition is inspired. But there is evidence that it is flawed--particularly when we compare what it has revealed (purgatory, Mary-worship, penance, indulgences, etc.,) with Scripture and such doctrines are not only absent from Scripture but contradict Scripture. Second, it assumes that the Roman Catholic church produced the Bible. The RCC did not produce the Bible. God produced the Bible, and the Christian Church recognized the Word of God (John 10:27) and endorsed what God had already authored. To say that the RCC gave us the Bible is to imply that the RCC has the right to tell you what it means. This is problematic because how then do we check what the RCC says? Sacred Tradition is divine revelation and equal to Scripture. At best, this is only a claim that cannot be proven to be false by comparing the revelations supposedly given through Sacred Tradition with the Word of God. As mentioned above, there are many such doctrines devised by people that are not found in the Word of God and even contradict it. The Bible clearly tells us that God's Scripture is divinely breathed forth and that it is inspired. There is no such claim for tradition. In fact, though the Bible tells us to follow tradition, it also tells us to be wary of it. Therefore, tradition cannot be inspired if God's Word warns us against following it. The Bible is for tradition where it supports the teachings of the apostles (2 Thess. 2:15) and is consistent with Biblical revelation. Yet, it is against tradition when it "transgresses the commands of God" (Matt. 15:3). By Jesus' own words, tradition is not to transgress or contradict the commands of God. In other words, it should be in harmony with Biblical teaching and not oppose it in any way. The Bible clearly tells us that it is the standard of truth. We are not to exceed what the Scriptures say. "Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that in us you might learn not to exceed what is written, in order that no one of you might become arrogant in behalf of one against the other." (1 Cor. 4:6). Heb. 7:7 is not about scripture but about people and cannot be used to subject Sacred Tradition to the Bible It is true that Heb. 7:7 is about people and not about Scripture. But there is more in the text than just people. Heb. 7:4-10, "Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest spoils. 5 And those indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priests office have commandment in the Law to collect a tenth from the people, that is, from their brethren, although these are descended from Abraham. 6 But the one whose genealogy is not traced from them collected a tenth from Abraham, and blessed the one who had the promises. 7 But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8 And in this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives on. 9 And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, paid tithes, 10 for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him." The writer of Hebrews is mentioning different concepts as well as historical facts. He mentions tithing, descendants of Abraham, the lesser is blessed by the greater, authority, and Federal Headship.1 It is the concept of the greater in authority blessing the lesser in authority that is being examined here in this article. We know that there is a principle of the greater in authority blessing the lesser. Can we not also apply this same principle of authority to the issue of the Roman Catholic Church's claim on Sacred Tradition as being authoritative as compared to the authority of Scripture? I do not see why not. After all, the Roman Catholic Church appeals to Scripture to support its Sacred Tradition. In so doing, it is submitting itself to the authority of Scripture for validation of its principle. Early Church Fathers Quotes on Scripture Alone is final Authority Scripture Alone is final Authority Irenaeus, (130-202), “We have known the method of our salvation by no other means than those by whom the gospel came to us; which gospel they truly preached; but afterward, by the will of God, they delivered to us in the Scriptures, to be for the future the foundation and pillar of our faith,” (Adv. H. 3:1). Clement of Alexandria (150?-213?), “They that are ready to spend their time in the best things will not give over seeking for truth until they have found the demonstration from the Scriptures themselves,” (Stromata 7:16:3). Origen (185?-252), “No man ought, for the confirmation of doctrines, to use books which are not canonized Scriptures,” (Tract. 26 in Matt.). St. Cyprian of Carthage (200?-258), “Whence comes this tradition? Does it descend from the Lord’s authority, or from the commands and epistles of the apostles? For those things are to be done which are there written . . . If it be commanded in the gospels or the epistles and Acts of the Apostles, then let this holy tradition be observed,” (Cyprian of Carthage, Ep. 74 ad Pompeium). Athanasius (300?-375), “The Holy Scriptures, given by inspiration of God, are of themselves sufficient toward the discovery of truth. (Orat. adv. Gent., ad cap.) The Catholic Christians will neither speak nor endure to hear anything in religion that is a stranger to Scripture; it being an evil heart of immodesty to speak those things which are not written,” (Athanasius, Exhort. ad Monachas). "5. Again it is not tedious to speak of the [books] of the New Testament. These are, the four Gospels, according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Afterwards, the Acts of the Apostles and Epistles (called Catholic), seven, viz., of James, one; of Peter, two; of John, three; after these, one of Jude. In addition, there are fourteen Epistles of Paul, written in this order. The first, to the Romans; then two to the Corinthians; after these, to the Galatians; next, to the Ephesians; then to the Philippians; then to the Colossians; after these, two to the Thessalonians, and that to the Hebrews; and again, two to Timothy; one to Titus; and lastly, that to Philemon. And besides, the Revelation of John. 6 These are fountains of salvation, that they who thirst may be satisfied with the living words they contain. In these alone is proclaimed the doctrine of godliness. Let no man add to these, neither let him take ought from these. For concerning these the Lord put to shame the Sadducees, and said, 'Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures.' And He reproved the Jews, saying, 'Search the Scriptures, for these are they that testify of Me.' " (Athanasius, Festal Letter 39:5-6). "Vainly then do they run about with the pretext that they have demanded Councils for the faith's sake; for divine Scripture is sufficient above all things; but if a Council be needed on the point, there are the proceedings of the Fathers, for the Nicene Bishops did not neglect this matter, but stated the doctrine so exactly, that persons reading their words honestly, cannot but be reminded by them of the religion towards Christ announced in divine Scripture." (Athanasius, De Synodis, 6). Ambrose (340?-396), “How can we use those things which we do not find in the Holy Scriptures?” (Ambr. Offic., 1:23). Cyril of Jerusalem (315?-386), “Not even the least of the divine and holy mysteries of the faith ought to be handed down without the divine Scriptures. Do not simply give faith to me speaking these things to you except you have the proof of what I say from the divine Scriptures. For the security and preservation of our faith are not supported by ingenuity of speech, but by the proofs of the divine Scriptures,” (Cat. 4). Jerome (342?-420), “Those things which they make and find, as it were, by apostolical tradition, without the authority and testimony of Scripture, the word of God smites. (ad Aggai 1) As we deny not those things that are written, so we refuse those things that are not written. That God was born of a virgin we believe, because we read it; that Mary did marry after she was delivered we believe not, because we do not read it,” (Adv. Helvidium). 2. Scripture Alone is not final Authority Athanasius (300?-375), “But beyond these [Scriptural] sayings, let us look at the very tradition, teaching and faith of the Catholic Church from the beginning, which the Lord gave, the Apostles preached, and the Fathers kept." (Athanasius, Four Letters to Serapion of Thmuis, 1:28). Basil (330-379), "Now I accept no newer creed written for me by other men, nor do I venture to propound the outcome of my own intelligence, lest I make the words of true religion merely human words; but what I have been taught by the holy Fathers, that I announce to all who question me. In my Church the creed written by the holy Fathers in synod at Nicea is in use." (To the Church of Antioch, Epistle 140:2). Ambrose (340?-396), "Wherefore all other generations are strangers to truth; all the generations of heretics hold not the truth: the church alone, with pious affection, is in possession of the truth," (Commentary of Psalm 118,19). Cyril of Jerusalem (315?-386), "But in learning the Faith and in professing it, acquire and keep that only, which is now delivered to thee by the Church, and which has been built up strongly out of all the Scriptures . . . Take heed then, brethren, and hold fast the traditions which ye now receive, and write them and the table of your heart." Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures, 5:12 (A.D. 350). Gregory of Nyssa (330-394), “And let no one interrupt me, by saying that what we confess should also be confirmed by constructive reasoning: for it is enough for proof of our statement, that the tradition has come down to us from our Fathers, handled on, like some inheritance, by succession from the apostles and the saints who came after them," (Against Eunomius, 4:6). It is evident from the previous early church citations that anyone can quote one early writer against another early writer & in some cases quote the same early writer contradicting himself. Based on the fact that early writers have a tendency to be inconsistent in various matters this is clear proof that they are no where near as reliable as the scriptures themselves. Thus, based on this obvious fact, it is extremely dangerous to elevate church "tradition" (where is the Roman Catholic "Inspired Book of Holy Traditions" to be found?) & early writers to the same level as God's inspired Word found in the scriptures. To do this is to place oneself in extreme jeopardy as the following scriptures testify: Matthew 15:1-14, Jeremiah 7:23-31, Jeremiah 19:4, Isaiah 29:13 cf. Isaiah 28:9-17 & John 10:35, "the scripture cannot be broken." Anyone that makes the mistake of replacing clear scripture with "traditions" is described by Isaiah 8:20, "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Does 1 Timothy 3:15 refute Sola Scriptura, Scripture Alone? 1 Timothy 3:15 does not refute Sola Scriptura. In fact, it supports it. Sola Scriptura is the position that the Old and New Testaments are the final authority in all the topics they address, and that councils and tradition (even the so-called Sacred Tradition of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches) are subordinate to Scripture. Let's take a look at the verse. 1 Timothy 3:15, "but in case I am delayed, I write so that you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth." Paul says he is writing, so that we might know how to conduct ourselves in the church. Catholics and Orthodox will say that the church (their church) is the pillar and support of the truth. However, there is a very important truth right there in the text. Notice that Paul is appealing to his own writing as the authority. He is writing to them (Scripture), so that they would know how to behave in the household of God. In other words, his writing (which is Scripture) is the thing that is preeminent and to which the church is to subject itself. He says, " . . . I write so that you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God . . . " If a Roman Catholic or Orthodox Church member wants to appeal to this verse to refute Sola Scriptura, then he is shooting himself in the foot because Paul himself says that his writing, which is Scripture, is what the church is to submit to. Furthermore, he is behaving as a Protestant who holds to the doctrine of Sola Scriptura by appealing to the authority of Scripture. In addition, he is using the authority of Scripture, in a sense, to refute the idea that Scripture has authority over the church. But, we see from Paul's statement in the verse that his letter is there to tell the church how to behave. In other words, the church is to submit to Scripture--not Scripture to the church. It is not the tradition that informs the word of God but the word of God that informs tradition in the church. For more information see www.BereanBeacon.org & www.CWRC-RZ.org. Titus 1:9-16
To those who wish to discuss issues brought up in our video posted here to a greater extent please know that you can email one of our ministry volunteers at certainandsecure@gmail.com. Also realize that we may have an entire playlist of videos on this subject on our UA-cam channel at ua-cam.com/users/CAnswersTV. Besides that know that we have three websites to answer additional questions at www.BibleQuery.org (answers over 8500 questions on the Bible & refutes critics of the Bible), www.HistoryCart.com (this website deals with an in depth analysis of early Christian church history) and www.MuslimHope.com (this website is a documented refutation of Islam, a false religious & political ideology of warlike jihad against all unbelievers invented by Muhammad while he was in Medina for the last 9 years of his life where he averaged one offensive military jihad of pillage, rape & slavery every month to six weeks against his neighbors which eventually led to conquering all of Saudi Arabia- see also www.politicalislam.com/, www.answeringmuslims.com/, answering-islam.org/, www.jihadwatch.org/ & our playlist "Dealing with Islam, Muslims: Sunni, Shi'ite, Alawites, Sufis" with 71 videos & counting at ua-cam.com/play/PL1C7F68B548009FDD.html). 1 Peter 3:15
In John 3. Jesus teaches us that in order to receive the Kingdom, we must be born again from water and the Spirit. Plus Jesus himself got baptized, how could you NOT see that baptism is NECESSARY for salvation?
Water is symbolic of an inner work that has been received and done by the holy spirit; thief on the cross, did Jesus tell him no; ye must be baptized ? How many deathbed repents ever make it to the water ? It ought to be done, but it is not a must, all cults demand water baptism; you belong to a cult ? Oneness pentecostal maybe ?
Ye must be born again is the only requirement for salvation. John 3:3
You can get re-baptized over and over as many times as you like.
SportswireSWE Water Baptism is not a savior (Christ alone is) or is it the true gospel (Galatians 1:6-9). Water Baptism - Is it Necessary for Salvation? Definitely NOT! See our video "IS WATER BAPTISM NECESSARY TO ESCAPE HELL & BE SAVED & ARE YOU "BORN AGAIN" (JOHN 3:3-8) BY IT?" at ua-cam.com/video/wYJtMV9qrWg/v-deo.html. Let’s show how Scripture differentiates between the baptism of John and the baptism of Jesus. We’ll look at Acts 19:3-5. Here are these verses:
And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 19:3-5 (NKJ)
If John’s baptism was the same as Jesus’ baptism, then why did these people need to be re-baptized? The answer is obvious. John’s baptism was not the same as Jesus’ baptism.
Now, let’s talk about some Scriptures that people might use to defend their position that water baptism is indeed necessary for salvation and respond to those verses. Let’s look at Mark 1:4. It says:
John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
Mark 1:4 (NKJ)
This verse seems to say that the baptism of repentance was for the remission of sins. Who am I to argue with Scripture? But as we’ve discussed already, John’s baptism IS NOT THE SAME as the baptism of Jesus. So we can discount the baptism of John for our purposes, because we are baptized in the name of Jesus, not in the name of John. It is Jesus’ baptism that is for us today, not John’s. If we’re supposed to be baptized into John’s baptism, then why were the people in Acts 19:3-5 re-baptized? The answer is plain. Because once Jesus had come on the scene, it was HIS baptism that is relevant. So for us to decide what we need to do, in this present age, we need to focus on the baptism of Jesus.
Here’s a set of verses that people use to defend the idea that water baptism is necessary for salvation. They are John 3:1-8. Let’s look at these verses.
1)There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2)This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” 3)Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4)Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5)Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter 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)Do not marvel that I said to you, “You must be born again.’ 8)The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
John 3:1-8 (NKJ)
People taking the stance that baptism is necessary for salvation will say, “See, look here! This verse says that ‘unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.'” And I must agree that is does say that. But what does “born of water” mean? It this phrase referring to water baptism? Upon first glance, it may seem so, but let’s take a closer look at the surrounding context. Read the entire passage again, starting from verse 1. Nicodemus is asking Jesus how he can possibly enter his mother’s womb again and be re-born. So he’s talking about physical birth. He can’t understand the concept of physically being re-born. Obviously that’s an impossibility. But Jesus isn’t talking about physical rebirth, He’s talking about spiritual rebirth. Look at what He says in verses 5 and 6. I’ll repeat it.
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
John 3:5,6 (NKJ)
You see? So “born of water” in this context looks to mean “physically born” not “baptized.” Let me re-phrase it. “I’m telling you that unless you’re physically born and then spiritually reborn, you can’t enter into heaven. If you’re physically born, you’re just a lost human. If you’re spiritually reborn, you’ve entered into a relationship with Jesus Christ.” (Eric’s version)
Let’s look at yet another common verse used to defend the idea that the salvation of our souls requires water baptism. Here it is:
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38 (NKJ)
Obviously, the controversial phrase here is after the word “repent.” We all agree that repentance is necessary for salvation. Let’s look at the Greek word εις translated “for.” In the original Greek, in the New Testament, this word has several different meanings. One is “aim or purpose.” An example of εις being used in this manner is I Corinthians 2:7, which says
No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for (the aim or purpose of) our glory before time began.
I Corinthians 2:7 (NKJ)
In another usage, the Greek word εις means “at,” or “because of” as in Matthew 12:41. Let’s look at it:
The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.
Matthew 12:41 (NKJ)
Both of these uses are good Greek, and so the next logical question would be “what drives your choice of translation?” For me, it is the larger context of Scripture. For instance, in Acts 10, we see that people had already been saved before being baptized. Let’s look:
46)For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, 47)”Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48)And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.
Acts 10:46-48 (NKJ)
These people were speaking in tongues and had received the Holy Spirit yet they had not been baptized. Another example is the thief on the cross who went to Paradise without baptism. Let’s read about that.
39)Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” 40)But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41)And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42)Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” 43)And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Luke 23:39-42 (NKJ)
Clearly this man was never baptized. Yet he was saved because he believed. What did Paul tell the Philippian jailor? Let’s find out.
25)But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26)Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. 27)And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 28)But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” 29)Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30)And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31)So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Acts 16:25-31 (NKJ)
Although the jailor’s family was baptized, they were saved when they believed. Paul plainly set forth only belief as a prerequisite for salvation.Further, in establishing the greater context of Scripture, we can look at numerous other passages where belief is the only requirement for salvation.
Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
Luke 8:12 (NKJ)
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.
John 1:12 (NKJ)
15). . .that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16)For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17)For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18)”He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
John 3:15-18 (NKJ)
He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
John 3:36 (NKJ)
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.”
John 5:24 (NKJ)
And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.”
John 6:35 (NKJ)
. . . “And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
John 6:40 (NKJ)
”Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.”
John 6:47 (NKJ)
”Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
John 8:24 (NKJ)
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25,26 (NKJ)
Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”
John 11:40 (NKJ)
. . . but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
John 20:31 (NKJ)
”To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”
Acts 10:43 (NKJ)
This is Peter speaking. After he spoke these words, many people believed and they were baptized with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in tongues. After that, they were then baptized. This shows that the belief saved the people (would unsaved people have the Holy Spirit and be speaking in tongues?) and then afterward, they were baptized.
. . .and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Acts 13:39 (NKJ)
Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.
Acts 13:48 (NKJ)
”But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”
Acts 15:11 (NKJ)
So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Acts 16:31 (NKJ)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
Romans 1:16 (NKJ)
9) . . .that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10)For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11)For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12)For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13)For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”
Romans 10:9-13 (NKJ)
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
I Corinthians 1:21 (NKJ)
. . . knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
Galatians 2:16 (NKJ)
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.
Ephesians 2:8 (NKJ)
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
I Thessalonians 4:14 (NKJ)
. . . that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
II Thessalonians 2:12 (NKJ)
However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.
I Timothy 1:16 (NKJ)
For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: “So I swore in My wrath, “They shall not enter My rest,”‘ although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
Hebrews 4:3 (NKJ)
But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.
Hebrews 10:39 (NKJ)
Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”
I Peter 2:6 (NKJ)
Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.
I John 5:1 (NKJ)
These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
I John 5:13 (NKJ)
These verses would be grossly misleading if baptism were a prerequisite for salvation! I’ve just listed a plethora of verses that tell us that we are saved if we believe, and are condemned if we don’t. This should help the questioner get a better idea of the context of Scripture regarding baptism, and, for that matter, what one needs to do for salvation (hint: believe). For more on this subject, check out I Corinithians 15:1-11, and read the whole book of John.
So, if you remember, we were discussing Acts 2:38, and I think the better translation of the Greek word εις is “because of” in this verse due to the greater context of Scripture. Scripture teaches baptism on the basis of repentance, and belief as the requirement for salvation.In addition, this verse presents us with a logic problem. Let me explain. If I were to say, “Eat and put gold under your bed, and you can live,” that would be a true statement. But the part that really allows you to live is the “eat” part. Putting gold under your bed may help you in your finances, but it doesn’t actually cause you to continue living. Eating does! The same logical argument can be used for this verse. Peter says, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Now, we know that if we repent and are baptized, we will be saved, according to this verse. But it doesn’t logically follow that both repentance and baptism are requirements for salvation, following the logic outlined above. And in the larger context of Scripture, we see that baptism is NOT a prerequisite for eternal life.
Another verse used to defend the position that water baptism is necessary for salvation is I Peter 3:21. Here is the verse (in its context).
18)For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, 19)by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20)who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. 21)There is also an antitype which now saves us-baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22)who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.
I Peter 3:18-22 (NKJ)
Granted, this is a very difficult passage, and I make no claim to thoroughly understand it. However, I want to focus in on verses 20 and 21. We see here that Peter is comparing baptism to the time when Noah and his family were saved on the ark. And then Peter tells us that baptism saves us. But he’s quick to point out, in the very next phrase, that this baptism saves us symbolically, not actually. He’s saying that baptism doesn’t cleanse us physically in a literal sense, or if you want to take it metaphorically, it doesn’t cleanse our souls in a literal sense. But what saves us is the “answer (or inquiry) of a good conscience toward God.” This is the baptism which saves us. Peter tells us that baptism saves us, and then he goes on to define baptism as an inquiry of a good conscience toward God, or in other words, an open, honest inquiry and trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It’s not the act of immersion which saves our souls, it’s our trust in Jesus.
Yet another verse that often seems to promote baptism as a requirement for salvation is Mark 16:16. Here it is:
He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
Mark 16:16 (NKJ)
This verse also presents a logical question. It’s the same logic problem discussed above for Acts 2:38. Simply put, this verse in no way says that both belief and baptism are requirements for salvation. In addition, the second portion of this verse makes this quite clear without any external argument. It says, “he who does not believe will be condemned.” It does NOT say, “he who does not believe and is not baptized will be condemned.” It plainly sets forth the “believing” aspect of the statement as the requirement for avoiding condemnation.
In summation, I’d like to make some additional points. First, baptism is never given in Scripture as a COMMAND to Christians except in Acts 2:38 when Peter tells the Jews to “repent and be baptized.” This is the ONLY place where we are commanded to be baptized. So since we are told to, we should be. Yet this should never be construed as a command to all new Christians as a requirement for salvation. The New Testament makes this blatantly clear. What would happen if I were on the battlefield and I accepted Jesus and then was shot through the heart before I was baptized? As Scripture so plainly states, I would be saved, just as the people were in Acts 10 who received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues before they were baptized, and just as the thief on the cross was before he died (he was never baptized).
In addition, why did Paul tell his readers in such certain terms that he wasn’t called to baptize, but to preach? Look at this verse:
I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, lest anone should say that I had baptized in my own name. Yes I also baptized the household of Stephanus. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom and words, lest the cross of Christ be made of no effect.
I Corinthians 1:13-17
Paul tells us that Jesus didn’t call him to baptize (is Paul negating the Great Commission here? I think not!) but to preach. And Paul says he only baptized a few people. And thank goodness for that, he says, because otherwise people might be saying they were baptized in the name of Paul. The Great Commission is in Matthew 28:19,20 records Jesus’ words to his disciples to “go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit . . .” This certainly doesn’t say we need to be baptized to be saved. And why did Paul say he wasn’t called to baptize? It must be because the church as a whole is called to baptize, not us as individuals. How could a wheelchair-bound person baptize someone? Yet we have many Christians who are in wheelchairs. And we have many Christians who are invalids as well. Are they disobeying Jesus’ command to baptize? I don’t think so. Jesus Himself baptized none. And then the kicker . . . why would Paul leave 99% of his converts half-saved, or, according to some, not saved at all? If baptism were a requirement for salvation, then the majority of people Paul preached to never entered the kingdom of heaven, because, as Paul says himself, he only baptized Crispus, Gaius, and the household of Stephanus. Paul, in his zealousnous for preaching the gospel, and in his obsession for detail, would not leave so many people unsaved.
My hope is that this study has given you a glimpse of the truth of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He lives today. Believe in Him, and in His words, and you will receive eternal life. That’s a promise we can all bank on. John 14:6 (it's Jesus, not water baptism)!
***** Amen !
It has been properly pointed out that many of the early church fathers fell into numerous heresies & in some cases damnable heresies because, after all, they were not writers of inspired scripture. It is also a fact that the further in time the early church got away from the original apostolic age the more the apparent declension or deterioration of scriptural truth is to be found in the writings of the early church writers (for documented evidence of this please review the writings of early church historian & scholar William Cunningham at www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=William_Cunningham). In fact, the sixteenth century Reformers looked like university presidents compared to the early church fathers who seemed to be mere school boys by contrast when it came to scriptural apostolic understanding (although Martin Luther did suffer some from his heavy Romanist indoctrination & tradition in some regards). Although the early church fathers can be useful they cannot be put on the same level as the Word of God itself (Psalm 138:2). If the early church fathers say anything that contradicts what the apostolic writers have stated in scripture then any anti scriptural teachings of the early church fathers must be rejected completely (Isaiah 8:20, "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.") & the warning of Peter remembered, 2 Peter 3:15-16, "And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction."
Water Baptism
Under the heading of salvation, it is important at this point to touch on baptism. Although it may seem inconsistent to digress into what may be considered an "ordinance" or "sacrament" of the church after indulging in the metaphysical realities of being "in Christ" and being revealed as a son of God, it is necessary since so many of the early church fathers equated our regeneration with the act of immersion. The actual issue of baptismal regeneration, however, we will only touch on at the end. Instead, we will first investigate the apostolic practice, including what was considered valid and the development of baptismal theology in the early church.
Baptism is perhaps the most universal of all Christian ordinances. It is considered the "portal" into the Christian church by many branches of Christianity. The early church fathers put a tremendous amount of emphasis on baptism, which sparked a significant amount of debate. Other than the controversies regarding the deity of Christ, the debates and controversies that raged over baptism and rebaptism stand out as the most intense theological debates of the third and fourth centuries. Some of the questions that are still asked today are
:
a) Did the early church baptize infants?
b) Does baptism wash away "original sin"?
c) Is an individual regenerated (ie. "born-again") at baptism?
In the beginning of all of the gospels, we find how baptism was the central facet of John the Baptist’s ministry. In Judaism, ritual washing was already a practice, particularly with the Essenes and many ascetic groups, but John’s baptism is distinguished as a "baptism unto repentance" (Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3; Acts 19:4). In this respect John represents the personification of all of the prophets thus far. The highest moral teaching of Judaism can be seen in the prophets in their emphasis of the heart attitude that God seeks, rather than ritual observances (See Amos 5:21-23). Yet even during John’s ministry, there was already a foreshadowing that the pattern of water baptism served as a type for the spiritual baptism that would be introduced by the Messiah. John says in Matthew’s gospel that he baptized with water, but he that comes after me shall "baptize you with fire and the Holy Spirit". For this reason, we should always keep before us the truth that the water has no "magical" properties about it, nor can it be considered an end itself.
Infant Baptism
It is a common practice among orthodox, Roman Catholic, as well as several Protestant bodies (ie. Lutheran, Covenant, etc.) to baptize individuals when they are infants. The practice is frequently justified on the grounds that, under the Mosaic economy of salvation, God's covenant was extended to even infants through circumcision, which was to be performed on the eighth day after birth. The covenant of circumcision is said to be a type or foreshadowing of baptism, which serves a similar function under the New Covenant. This reasoning appears in the church documents Apostolic Constitutions (ca. 4th Century)
"Do not delay to turn to the Lord, for thou knowest not what the day will bring forth." Do you also baptize your infants, and bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. For He says "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not." (VII:457)
as well as Cyprian (V:353)
-For this reason we think that no one should be hindered from obtaining the grace under the law that was already ordained, and that spiritual circumcision ought not be hindered... and nobody is hindered from baptism and grace- how much more should we not hinder an infant, who being lately born, has not sinned, except in being born after the flesh in the nature of Adam.
Furthermore, the waters of baptism were thought by many to have a "medicinal" property, and that the water itself was effectual in affecting a rebirth of the spirit of an individual, and they would be regenerated in the act of baptism itself.
Are we then to expect that this was the apostolic practice, observed by the apostles and their successors in the apostolic churches? Although the previously mentioned texts demonstrate a belief in an objective and effectual power resident in the waters of baptism, there is even more evidence that would denote the contrary. It can be sufficiently shown that the earliest apostolic teaching on baptism did not make provisions for infants. The primary reason is because faith is an integral element of salvation. Whether one believes in baptismal regeneration or not, it is undeniable that personal faith is the active agent in applying the benefits of Calvary to our lives. Baptism is an ordinance that is entered into only when an individual has made the decision to fully believe in Jesus Christ. We see in the Bible when the apostle Philip was to baptize the Ethiopian eunuch whom he had converted, the eunuch asked
"What is to prevent me from being baptized?" Philip answered
"If you believe with your whole heart, it is permissible." (Acts 8:36,37)
It is interesting that the critical part of verse 37, which clearly implies that one must fully believe in Jesus before being baptized, is missing from many contemporary translations, even though it is found in the majority of original Greek manuscripts. The best evidence for the authenticity of the verse lies in the fact that it is quoted by Scripture by Irenaeus ( Against Heresies XI, 8), and Cyprian (Treatise IX, 2, 43), many, many years before the oldest manuscripts which do not include it were ever written. This fact establishes without question the principle that, according to scripture and church tradition, personal faith is a prerequisite to baptism.
Looking through the rest of the New Testament, there are no clear examples of infants being baptized. The inference is that they were not, since such stress in put on repentance, faith and confession of the Lordship of Christ as being intrinsic to the New Birth. Most baptismal texts found in the Patristic church likewise infer that those being baptized are at least old enough to enter into baptism of their own volition. Consider some of the texts from the early church regarding baptism.
Didache (ca. 100 A.D.):
But before the baptism, let the baptizer fast, and also the baptized, and what ever others can; but thou shall order the baptized to fast one or two days before.
Justin Martyr (First Apology; ca 155 A.D.)
As many are persuaded and believe that what we teach and say is true, and undertake to live accordingly, are instructed to entreat God with fasting...then they are brought by us where there is water, and are regenerated in the same manner in which we ourselves were...For Christ also said :"'Unless you be born-again, you cannot see the kingdom of God".
Tertullian (On Baptism)
They who are about to enter baptism ought to pray with repeated prayer, fasts, and bendings of the knee, and vigils all the night through, and with the confession of all bygone sins, that they may express the meaning of the baptism of John.
Virtually every text from the first two hundred years of Christianity that deal with baptism mention the obligation on the part of those being baptized to be spiritually prepared, usually by repentance and faith, and extended periods of prayer and fasting. This would preclude any possibility of baptism being applicable to infants. Any reference to infants being baptized is conspicuously missing. The whole matter is decisively answered by one text from Tertullian.
Tertullian:(On Baptism-III:678)
"Unless a man be reborn of water and spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of heaven" has tied to faith the necessity of baptism. Accordingly, all thereafter who became believers used to be baptized...and so according to the disposition, circumstances and even the age of each individual, the delay of baptism is preferable, principally, in the case of little children....For the Lord does indeed say "Forbid them not to come to me". Let them come, then, while they are growing up. Let them come while they are learning; while they learn whither to come; let them become Christians when they have become able to know Christ. Why does the innocent period in life hasten to the "remission of sins"? ..Let them know how to "ask" for salvation, that it may seem to have given "to him that asketh". .
If this is indeed the unanimous consent of the church, how did it happen that infant baptism became the norm? Although the answer may be somewhat speculative, we need to look to one of the baptismal texts from Irenaeus. Irenaeus, who held to the orthodox position regarding when one should be baptized, wrote a text which supported the common perception that we are born-again when we are baptized. He said in Against Heresies in 180 A.D.
We are lepers in sin, we are made clean by means of the sacred water and invocation of the Lord, from our old transgression; being spiritually regenerate as new born babes, even as the Lord has declared "except a man be born again through water and the Spirit, he shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Years later, we see some Christian writings taking Irenaeus' words and interpreting "spiritually regenerate, as newborn babes" as meaning that we are baptized as new-born babes! In the proper historical and textual context however, this is inconceivable. Thus, sometime in the mid 3rd century and in contradiction to the norm, the practice of baptizing infants started, built largely on a misinterpretation of Irenaeus.
Baptism and Original Sin
One of the most common arguments in favor of the necessity of infant baptism involves the question of original sin. The Roman church today, for example, views baptism as the means that an individual is cleansed from guilt incurred in the original sin of Adam and Eve. It is thought that the effectiveness of the baptism is in no way dependent upon the recipient of the sacrament. Therefore, it was considered expedient to baptize someone as soon as possible, namely, right after their birth.
This is quite different from the biblical teaching, which is that baptism is the symbolic ordinance that typifies our identification with the burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a death to our old life, and the beginning of our new life in Christ. Rather than baptizing immediately after birth, it was actually more common to wait late until the twilight of one's years to be baptized. The rationale for this was that baptism was thought by many to be a one shot deal at forgiveness and pardon, so a late baptism would minimize the opportunity for an individual to accrue any damning sins. Even in the Fourth century this mindset was prevalent, witnessed by the fact that Constantine himself would not be baptized until he was on his deathbed. The earliest archeological evidence we have that a child was baptized comes from an epitaph on a young boys tomb in the Lateran. The quote is from the fourth century and it reads:
Florentius set up this inscription for his well deserving son
Appronianus, who lived one year, nine months and five days.
Since he was truly beloved by his grandmother, and she saw that
he was destined for death, she asked of the church that he might
depart a believer.
Many who have pointed to this as evidence for infant baptism have missed the point of the epitaph altogether. It does not support the idea that infants were baptized. On the contrary. The boy was almost two, not yet baptized, and when it was apparent that he was not going to survive to a mature age, the grandmother made a special request (presumably to baptize him) before his death. This epitaph actually supports the view that infants were not baptized as a normal procedure at that point in church history, and that putting off the practice until later in life was still the most common opinion.
If it is true that infants were not baptized, then what about the understanding of original sin? What did happen to a child or an infant that was not baptized? Were they damned because of Adam’s guilt? Again, looking closer at the earliest documents, we find that the early church had a vastly different perception of Adam's sin and it's effects.
Shepherd of Hermas (ca. 150 A.D)
They are as infant children in whose hearts no evil originates; nor did they know what wickedness is, but always remain as children. Such accordingly without doubt, dwell in the kingdom of God, because they defiled in nothing the commandments of God. ...all infants are honorable before God, and are first in persons with Him.
The Shepherd of Hermas, previously noted, was considered canonical by several fathers of the church. According to him, there is no evil in the heart of an infant, and they dwell in the kingdom of God. Below we have a statement by Justin scolding the Roman dignitaries for allowing their pagan priests to sacrifice children from the womb for the purpose of divination.
Justin Martyr, First Apology XVIII, 155 A.D)
For you let even necromancy, and the divinations, whom you practice on immaculate children, and the invoking of departed human souls.
Notice that he calls the children "immaculate". Tertullian apparently held the same regard for infant children.
Tertullian, Treatise on the Soul, 204 AD
those abodes; if you mean the good why should you judge to be unworthy of such a resting-place the souls of infants and of virgins, and those which, by reason of their condition in life were pure and innocent?
In the previously noted text from Tertullian’s On Baptism, he likewise referred to unbaptized infants as "innocent". In addition to these, we have a frequently cited text from the Apocalypse of Peter from the 2nd century, that is quoted by Clement of Alexandria, Theodotus and others, that states emphatically that aborted children are immediately ushered by a guardian angel into paradise, and share in a "better fate". It is understood by these fathers that Adam’s guilt did not extend to one who had not sinned. If it did, then we would all need to concede that every aborted child, miscarriage, stillborn child, or otherwise unbaptized infant that died was in hell. Such an idea would be abhorrent to the early church.
The issue is understood biblically in Romans 5:12 which states that "sin entered the world through one man (Adam), and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men for all have sinned". Notice that the actual agent of death to each individual is that individual’s personal sin. Likewise the next verse states that sin is not imputed where there is no law, that is, no understanding of right and wrong, which surely would be the case with an infant. It must be noted, however, that it would be equally wrong to propose that the descendants of Adam were unaffected by his actions. Man was qualitatively changed, now having the potential to know good and evil. Apparently his will was crippled and frustrated from being able to "do as he ought". (Romans 7:12-24) God, by his own sovereignty, has decreed that all man are bound over to disobedience (Romans 11:32; Galatians 3:22). The operation of sin in our lives, likened to a conception and gestational period in the book of James, "brings forth death ( James 1:14-15). To summarize the issue, then, we could fairly say that the early church taught that infants are guilt free, yet, the due to the fall we know that no natural mortal, upon being able to distinguish right from wrong, can stay guilt free, but instead is prone to sin.
When Cyprian of Carthage started promoting infant baptism as a cure from Adam’s sin. He immediately had to defend it against the charge of novelty. As shown, it was not the church’s understanding that infants were in need of cleansing from sin. At the time, however, no major theological counter-thesis was offered. It was not until Pelegius started preaching in the early 5th century that the orthodox church was forced to define the doctrine of "Original Sin". Pelegius, who up to this point had been an orthodox bishop and writer, propounded that Adam’s sin had absolutely no effect on his offspring, and that every individual had the potential to live a perfect and holy life. Pelegius asserted that man was by nature good, and could, by his own will and accord, live pleasingly before God. This extreme position, threatened the very necessity for the sacrifice and atonement of Christ. If justification was by the law, then Christ died in vain (Galatians 2:21). St. Augustine, through a number of polemical writings and Councils, refuted and condemned the teaching of Pelegius. Unfortunately, as is with many conflicts of ideas and words throughout history, the rhetoric and polemic overstated the orthodox position. In order to counter the inherent goodness of all, as taught by Pelegius, Augustine championed the inherent depravity of all, including infants. As a result, he held to the position that all infants are in a state of damnation before God, not because of their sin, but Adam’s. According to Augustine, unbaptized infants go to suffer in hell. Some Roman Catholic theologians have attempted to soften this somewhat, hypothesizing a place called "limbo" which is more humane then hell, so as to deflect the obvious charge of injustice that would come with consigning newborn babies to eternal torment. This has never been officially defined by the Roman church, however. The Augustinian concept of Original Sin, then, must be rejected as a departure from the apostolic rule of faith.
Another viewpoint of infant baptism is one which equates the baptismal act with the sign and seal of the New Covenant, akin to circumcision of the Old Covenant. Some of the later texts which support infant baptism suggest that the baptism should be done on the eighth day, as was the circumcision of the Old Covenant. It must be kept in mind, however, that the New Testament frequently mentions circumcision, but never as a type for baptism. Instead, it says "neither circumcision nor uncircumscision means anything, but what counts is a new creation" (Galatians 6:15) which subordinates any "sign or seal" of a covenant to the spiritual reality of being born-again by trust in Christ. Likewise, Paul also points out that even Abraham was justified by believing God, before and independently of the sign of circumcision. (Romans 4:9-11). Consequently, since the New Testament minimizes the alleged typology of circumcision, it is not likely that we would find any apostolic teaching that would equate baptism with the same function of sealing an individual into God’s New Covenant. Instead, we find that both circumcision and baptism both serve as types for the spiritual reality of putting off our flesh and being washed of the impurities of the old nature. The spiritual reality, of course, is most applicable to an adult.
Baptismal Regeneration
The belief in baptismal regeneration was apparently held by the majority of the early church fathers. Although one could debate writer by writer through the first few centuries as to whether this was indeed an apostolic teaching, in brief, the larger question would be as to whether an individual is saved (regenerated) by faith alone or by faith and baptism. The answer to that question is simply found by examining the scriptures to see whether salvation is imputed to those who believe and are baptized, or to those who merely believe. If the baptismal waters are indeed necessary for salvation, as even some writers proposed, then we should not find any cases in scripture where individuals are "saved" apart from baptism. There are, of course several glaring examples. The thief on the cross (Luke 23:40-43), as well as those in the household of Cornelius who believed and were filled with the Holy Spirit before they were baptized with water (Acts 10:43-48) are two clear examples. There are also numerous examples of Paul’s missionary endeavors, where he preaches and many believe, yet there is no reference to water baptism. With this being the case, we must conclude that water baptism cannot be equally an agent to salvation, since there are cases of individuals being saved by faith apart from the waters of baptism. Neither can the act of baptism carry salvific power in and of it’s self, since there are scriptural examples of individuals receiving baptism at the hand of the apostles, yet that individual still declared to be perishing because there heart was not right with God (cf. The Story of Simon Magus, Acts 8:9-24). Why then did so many early church fathers attribute regeneration at the point of water baptism? We could speculate that the hostile anti-Christian culture may have had a role to play. In the early church, baptism was the public profession before all that the individual was joining themselves to the Christian community. They were declaring that they were dead to their old life of idolatry and paganism. For many, it was the act that destined them to a martyr’s fate. Culturally, there was also the de-emphasis of such rites with many of the Gnostics. Those Gnostics that did have a baptismal ritual (Sethians and Valentians) had it so "super-spiritualized" that it would be construed by many to be a polemic against the normal, orthodox baptismal practice. We would consequently expect an increased emphasis on the act of baptism itself, certainly far more than our culture would remit. It could also be that the significance of water baptism is not derived so much from the agency of the water, but from the agency of faith and public profession of the Lordship of Christ. "If you confess me before men, I will confess you before my heavenly Father" (Matthew 10:32). In any respect, I would deduce that the emphasis on the ritual of baptism with respect to regeneration by the fathers was more a product of these cultural forces than actual apostolic teaching.
In summary of the issue, we can see that the post-apostolic church may have had a deeper
awareness of the mechanics of salvation, without the burdens of some of today's debates. This is not to say that everyone in the first three centuries understood the magnitude and glorious liberty of salvation in Christ. On the contrary; salvation by faith was one of, if not, the first foundational tenet to fall prey to the apostasy. Very early in the third century, because of the necessity of bearing up under persecution, we can see references to good works (ie. public profession) being necessary for salvation. By the middle of the third century, the regeneration of the believer was ascribed most commonly to happen at baptism. Ultimately, as the Roman Empire broke apart in the fifth century, and the church assumed the role of maintaining order in that civilization, eternal salvation was joined to the reception of the sacraments. Later in western history, this would give the papacy exceptional control over the princes, barons and kings throughout Europe. If a certain ruler would not side with the demands of the Pope, the Pope could vow to withhold the sacraments from that ruler and his subjects. Although that might not have struck fear into the ruler, the prospect of eternal damnation for an entire duchy or kingdom would create a panic and terror among the masses, and the ruler's hand would be forced to reconcile with the Pope.
Today there is need to renew the original apostolic understanding of salvation. The gospel message, as typified by the Pauline revelation of grace, righteousness and adoption, is forever coupled to the truths borne by the act of baptism, that of self-abandonment and death to the old life, so as to fully serve God in the newness of life. So many have tried to reinterpret the gospels as merely a means to the end of raising one’s self-esteem, or instilling dignity and human worth. For others, it is a "feel good" message, brimming with warm snugglies of how much God loves us. All though there is truth in both views, we cheat ourselves of the fullness of our common salvation when we see it as less than a total redemption, of the total man, to be fully adopted into Gods’ family as a true child of God. Likewise, we cheat God when we respond with anything less than laying down every aspect of our old life and being, in complete service to God, for His glory alone. For more on the issue of water baptism see our videos: "IS WATER BAPTISM NECESSARY TO ESCAPE HELL & BE SAVED & ARE YOU "BORN AGAIN" (JOHN 3:3-8) BY IT?" at ua-cam.com/video/wYJtMV9qrWg/v-deo.html & "THE EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN ROMANCE WITH APOSTATE ROMAN CATHOLICISM (PART 1): WATER BAPTISM SALVATION?" at ua-cam.com/video/XobZCIzK-Zo/v-deo.html. See our website www.BibleQuery.org & the article posted there called "Water Baptism Not Essential for Salvation." See also our newsletter posted there called "Church of Christ." The following link concerning water baptism is very useful at www.gotquestions.org/baptism-salvation.html. 2 Timothy 2:15
Thanks for posting. It has answered a lot of my questions.
This is in response to the many "Church of Christ" Campbellites who keep quoting 1 Peter 3:21 to prove salvation is by water baptism. These Campbellites are deceived & worship a water baptism idol although they would deny it just as Romanists worship Mary while also denying it. See our video IS WATER BAPTISM NECESSARY TO ESCAPE HELL & BE SAVED & ARE YOU "BORN AGAIN" (JOHN 3:3-8) BY IT? at ua-cam.com/video/wYJtMV9qrWg/v-deo.html which will clean up Campbellite 1 Peter 3:21 idolatry. See our playlist "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ" at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html with 72 videos.
What does 1 Peter 3:21 mean? "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." Are infants "born again" (John 3:3-8) & then suddenly become Christians when they are sprinkled with water? Is salvation found in being water baptized? Do you have to be a believer in Christ to be water baptized?
The following is an excerpt from our newsletter "Christian Debater Guide, "Church of Christ," Vol. 2, #1" (found at our website www.BibleQuery.org, click the "Experience" box on the homepage):
"Q:In Acts 2:38, does this mean water baptism is necessary for salvation?
A: No, Jesus is necessary for salvation. Neither repentance nor water baptism merits our salvation. Those are our responding to Jesus' work. Baptism is to be an outward sign of our prior inward faith and repentance. Note that Acts 2:38 was a command not a formula. Some might erroneously conclude that loving God, faith, believing, and trusting God are unnecessary, as they are not mentioned here. All who come to Christ should be baptized, and that is as true today as it was then. However, It is Jesus' blood, not our baptism that saves us.
Q: In Acts 10:45-48, is water baptism essential to be saved?
A: Four points to consider.
1. They spoke in tongues prior to being baptized with water.
2. Speaking in tongues is a sign (but not the only sign, 1 Cor. 12:1-13) of being filled with the Holy Spirit.
3. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is only for those who are born again.
4. Those who are born again are saved.
So, they were born again prior to being baptized with water. See the discussion on Acts 22:16 for a second example of being saved prior to water baptism. See also the next question.
Q: In Acts 10:45-48, since this passage was a very special occurrence, does this negate using this passage to show water baptism is not essential for salvation?
A: No. This passage does describe an important transition for the church, but that does not disqualify us from understanding all of its teaching. Three points to consider.
1. Gentiles could be filled with the Holy Spirit, and thus be saved, prior to baptism at this time. This was not impossible for God to do and still be true to His Word.
2. Thus, it is possible for people to be saved , prior to baptism at other times, without God breaking His Word.
3. If your interpretation of the Bible requires that God cannot be true to His Word if anyone after Christ is saved prior to being baptized, perhaps it would be your interpretation, and not God's Word, that is wrong.
Q: In Acts 22:16, how do people get baptized and wash away their sins?
A: Is it OK to say that people wash away their sins here as long as you remember four points.
1. The power to wash away is with God, not magic in the water.
2. God is not restricted to being "unable" to save people who are not baptized, because the thief on the cross was with Jesus in Paradise.
3. For our part, the pledge of a sincere conscience before God is more important than the water, as in 1 Peter 3:21. However, being baptized with water is a command for every single Christian.
4. The Jews were familiar with ceremonial washings in the Old Testament Law. Thus, Paul's audience understood what he meant and did not mix it up with the errors of "magic water" or "a restricted God".
The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament p. 418 sheds some helpful light on the Greek here. The phrase "calling on His name" is a Greek aorist participle, which "refers either to action which is simultaneous with or before that of the main verb. Here Paul's calling on Christ's name (for salvation) preceded his water baptism. The participle may be translated, "having called on His name."
John Gill's Commentary on 1 Peter 3:21 states the following: "The like figure whereunto [even] baptism doth also now save us. The ark, and deliverance by it, as it was a type of Christ, and salvation by him, so it was a figure of baptism, and baptism was the antitype of that; or there is something in these which correspond, and answer to, and bear a resemblance to each other: as the ark was God's ordinance, and not man's invention, so is baptism, it is of heaven, and not of men; and as the ark, while it was preparing, was the scorn and derision of men, so is this ordinance of the Gospel; it was rejected with disdain by the Scribes and Pharisees, as it still is by many; and as the ark, when Noah and his family were shut up in it by God, represented a burial, and they seemed, as it were, to be buried in it, it was a lively emblem of baptism, which is expressed by a burial, ( Romans 6:4 ) ( Colossians 2:12 ) and as they in the ark had the great deep broke up under them, and the windows of heaven opened over them, pouring out waters upon them, they were, as it were, immersed in, and were covered with water, this fitly figured baptism by immersion; nor were there any but adult persons that entered into the ark, nor should any be baptized but believers; to which may be added, that as the one saved by water, so does the other; for it is water baptism which is here designed, which John practised, Christ gave a commission for, and his disciples administered: it saves not as a cause, for it has no causal influence on, nor is it essential to salvation. Christ only is the cause and author of eternal salvation; and as those only that were in the ark were saved by water, so those only that are in Christ, and that are baptized into Christ, and into his death, are saved by baptism; not everyone that is baptized, but he that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved, ( Mark 16:16 ) , for baptism is not the putting away of the filth of the flesh; the design of it is not to take off the sordid flesh, as circumcision did; or in a ceremonious way, outwardly, to sanctify to the purifying of the flesh, as the Jewish baptisms did; see ( Hebrews 9:10 Hebrews 9:13 ) , or to take away either original or actual sin; this only the blood of Christ can do; and it is not a mere external cleansing of the body: but the answer of a good conscience towards God; the Vulgate Latin renders it, "the interrogation of a good conscience"; referring, it may be, to the interrogations that used to be put to those who desired baptism; as, dost thou renounce Satan? dost thou believe in Christ? see ( Acts 8:36 Acts 8:37 ) , others render it, "the stipulation of a good conscience"; alluding also to the ancient custom of obliging those that were baptized to covenant and agree to live an holy life and conversation, to renounce the devil and all his works, and the pomps and vanities of this world; and baptism does certainly lay an obligation on men to walk in newness of life; see ( Romans 6:4 Romans 6:5 ) , the Ethiopic version renders it, "confession of God"; and to this the Syriac version agrees, rendering it, "confessing God with a pure conscience"; for, to baptism, profession of faith in Christ, and of the doctrine of Christ in a pure conscience, is requisite; and in baptism persons make a public confession of God, and openly put on Christ before men: the sense seems plainly this; that then is baptism rightly performed, and its end answered, when a person, conscious to himself of its being an ordinance of Christ, and of his duty to submit to it, does do so upon profession of his faith in Christ, in obedience to his command, and "with" a view to his glory; in doing which he discharges a good conscience towards God: and being thus performed, it saves, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ; being a means of leading the faith of the baptized person, as to the blood of Christ, for pardon and cleansing, so to the resurrection of Christ, to justification; see ( Acts 2:38 ) ( 22:16 ) ( Romans 4:25 ) , moreover, the sense of the passage may be this, that baptism is a like figure as the ark of Noah was; that as the entrance of Noah and his family into the ark was an emblem of a burial, so their coming out of it was a figure of the resurrection; and just such a figure is baptism, performed by immersion, both of the resurrection of Christ from the dead, and of the resurrection of saints to walk in newness of life. The Arabic version renders the whole verse thus; "of which thing baptism is now a type saving us, not by removing the filth of the flesh only, but by exhilarating a good conscience towards God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ."
For more see our website www.BibleQuery.org & once on the homepage click on the "Experience" box to the left & scroll down to the article "Water Baptism Not Essential for Salvation" & click on it. After that scroll a little further down to our newsletter section & click on the newsletter "Church of Christ" & wait for it to download.
Larry Wessels, director of Christian Answers of Austin, Texas/ Christian Debater (UA-cam channel: CANSWERSTV at ua-cam.com/users/CAnswersTV, websites: www.BIBLEQUERY.ORG, www.HISTORYCART.COM & www.MUSLIMHOPE.COM) has attended Dayspring Fellowship in Austin, Texas (website: www.DSF.org; 5500 Avenue G, Austin, TX 78751) from1981 to the present & Jackson Boyett has been the pastor there the entire time until his death in 2011. Pastor Boyett has an earned degree from the University of Texas & a Master of Divinity degree from seminary. To hear & see other messages by Pastor Boyett type "JACKSON BOYETT" in the UA-cam search box (which will include his rendition of Jonathan Edward's famous sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God"). Greg Van Court is now the teaching elder at Dayspring Fellowship (hear his sermons at www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=Greg_Van_Court).
1 Corinthians 1:14-17, " I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect."
Did Christ die for the Eskimos who lived 500 years before Jesus lived? How about the Eskimos that lived 500 years after Jesus lived yet no one ever came & told them the gospel during that time? Did Jesus die for Esau in Romans 9:13? Did Jesus die for Pharoah who opposed Moses in Romans 9:16-23? Jesus told parables so people would not understand so they would be condemned by God instead (Mark 4:11-12; see our video "Did Jesus Die for Everybody Who Ever Lived or Not? Debate #4: WHY DOES JESUS SPEAK IN PARABLES?" at ua-cam.com/video/fPHCMHCqubg/v-deo.html). Jesus does not even pray for the "world" (John 17:9 cf 1 John 2:15).
Turning now to John 3:16, it should be evident from the passages just quoted that this verse will not bear the construction usually put upon it. ‘God so loved the world.’ Many suppose that this means, The entire human race. But ‘the entire human race’ includes all mankind from Adam till the close of earth’s history: it reaches backward as well as forward! Consider, then, the history of mankind before Christ was born. Unnumbered millions lived and died before the Savior came to the earth, lived here ‘having no hope and without God in the world,’ and therefore passed out into eternity of woe. If God ‘loved’ them, where is the slightest proof thereof? Scripture declares ‘Who (God) in times past (from the tower of Babel till after Pentecost) suffered all nations to walk in their own ways’ (Acts 14:16). Scripture declares that ‘And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient’ (Rom. 1:28). To Israel God said, ‘You only have I known of all the families of the earth’ (Amos 3:2). In view of these plain passages who will be so foolish as to insist that God in the past loved all mankind! The same applies with equal force to the future . . . But the objector comes back to John 3:16 and says, ‘World means world. ‘True, but we have shown that ‘the world’ does not mean the whole human family. The fact is that ‘the world’ is used in a general way.. . Now the first thing to note in connection with John 3:16 is that our Lord was there speaking to Nicodemus, a man who believed that God’s mercies were confined to his own nation. Christ there announced that God’s love in giving His Son had a larger object in view, that it flowed beyond the boundary of Palestine, reaching out to ‘regions beyond.’ In other words, this was Christ’s announcement that God had a purpose of grace toward Gentiles as well as Jews. ‘God so loved the world,’ then, signifies, God’s love is international in its scope. But does this mean that God loves every individual among the Gentiles? Not necessarily, for as we have seen the term ‘world’ is general rather than specific, relative rather than absolute. . . the ‘world’ in John 3:16 must, in the final analysis refer to the world of God’s people. Must we say, for there is no other alternative solution. It cannot mean the whole human race, for one half of the race was already in hell when Christ came to earth. It is unfair to insist that it means every human being now living, for every other passage in the New Testament where God’s love is mentioned limits it to His own people - search and see! The objects of God’s love in John 3:16 are precisely the same as the objects of Christ’s love in John 13:1: ‘Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His time was come, that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end.’ We may admit that our interpretation of John 3:16 is no novel one invented by us, but one almost uniformly given by the Reformers and Puritans, and many others since them. See our video "DEBATE: John 3:16, Does "World" Always Mean Everybody Who Ever Lived or Not?" at ua-cam.com/video/E6duguuzfho/v-deo.html. Romans 9:15-18
Water Baptism is not a savior (Christ alone is) or is it the true gospel (Galatians 1:6-9). Water Baptism - Is it Necessary for Salvation? Definitely NOT! See our video "IS WATER BAPTISM NECESSARY TO ESCAPE HELL & BE SAVED & ARE YOU "BORN AGAIN" (JOHN 3:3-8) BY IT?" at ua-cam.com/video/wYJtMV9qrWg/v-deo.html. Let’s show how Scripture differentiates between the baptism of John and the baptism of Jesus. We’ll look at Acts 19:3-5. Here are these verses:
And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 19:3-5 (NKJ)
If John’s baptism was the same as Jesus’ baptism, then why did these people need to be re-baptized? The answer is obvious. John’s baptism was not the same as Jesus’ baptism.
Now, let’s talk about some Scriptures that people might use to defend their position that water baptism is indeed necessary for salvation and respond to those verses. Let’s look at Mark 1:4. It says:
John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
Mark 1:4 (NKJ)
This verse seems to say that the baptism of repentance was for the remission of sins. Who am I to argue with Scripture? But as we’ve discussed already, John’s baptism IS NOT THE SAME as the baptism of Jesus. So we can discount the baptism of John for our purposes, because we are baptized in the name of Jesus, not in the name of John. It is Jesus’ baptism that is for us today, not John’s. If we’re supposed to be baptized into John’s baptism, then why were the people in Acts 19:3-5 re-baptized? The answer is plain. Because once Jesus had come on the scene, it was HIS baptism that is relevant. So for us to decide what we need to do, in this present age, we need to focus on the baptism of Jesus.
Here’s a set of verses that people use to defend the idea that water baptism is necessary for salvation. They are John 3:1-8. Let’s look at these verses.
1)There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2)This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” 3)Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4)Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5)Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter 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)Do not marvel that I said to you, “You must be born again.’ 8)The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
John 3:1-8 (NKJ)
People taking the stance that baptism is necessary for salvation will say, “See, look here! This verse says that ‘unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.'” And I must agree that is does say that. But what does “born of water” mean? It this phrase referring to water baptism? Upon first glance, it may seem so, but let’s take a closer look at the surrounding context. Read the entire passage again, starting from verse 1. Nicodemus is asking Jesus how he can possibly enter his mother’s womb again and be re-born. So he’s talking about physical birth. He can’t understand the concept of physically being re-born. Obviously that’s an impossibility. But Jesus isn’t talking about physical rebirth, He’s talking about spiritual rebirth. Look at what He says in verses 5 and 6. I’ll repeat it.
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
John 3:5,6 (NKJ)
You see? So “born of water” in this context looks to mean “physically born” not “baptized.” Let me re-phrase it. “I’m telling you that unless you’re physically born and then spiritually reborn, you can’t enter into heaven. If you’re physically born, you’re just a lost human. If you’re spiritually reborn, you’ve entered into a relationship with Jesus Christ.” (Eric’s version)
Let’s look at yet another common verse used to defend the idea that the salvation of our souls requires water baptism. Here it is:
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38 (NKJ)
Obviously, the controversial phrase here is after the word “repent.” We all agree that repentance is necessary for salvation. Let’s look at the Greek word εις translated “for.” In the original Greek, in the New Testament, this word has several different meanings. One is “aim or purpose.” An example of εις being used in this manner is I Corinthians 2:7, which says
No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for (the aim or purpose of) our glory before time began.
I Corinthians 2:7 (NKJ)
In another usage, the Greek word εις means “at,” or “because of” as in Matthew 12:41. Let’s look at it:
The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.
Matthew 12:41 (NKJ)
Both of these uses are good Greek, and so the next logical question would be “what drives your choice of translation?” For me, it is the larger context of Scripture. For instance, in Acts 10, we see that people had already been saved before being baptized. Let’s look:
46)For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, 47)”Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48)And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.
Acts 10:46-48 (NKJ)
These people were speaking in tongues and had received the Holy Spirit yet they had not been baptized. Another example is the thief on the cross who went to Paradise without baptism. Let’s read about that.
39)Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” 40)But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41)And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42)Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” 43)And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Luke 23:39-42 (NKJ)
Clearly this man was never baptized. Yet he was saved because he believed. What did Paul tell the Philippian jailor? Let’s find out.
25)But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26)Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. 27)And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 28)But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” 29)Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30)And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31)So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Acts 16:25-31 (NKJ)
Although the jailor’s family was baptized, they were saved when they believed. Paul plainly set forth only belief as a prerequisite for salvation.Further, in establishing the greater context of Scripture, we can look at numerous other passages where belief is the only requirement for salvation.
Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
Luke 8:12 (NKJ)
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.
John 1:12 (NKJ)
15). . .that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16)For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17)For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18)”He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
John 3:15-18 (NKJ)
He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
John 3:36 (NKJ)
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.”
John 5:24 (NKJ)
And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.”
John 6:35 (NKJ)
. . . “And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
John 6:40 (NKJ)
”Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.”
John 6:47 (NKJ)
”Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
John 8:24 (NKJ)
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25,26 (NKJ)
Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”
John 11:40 (NKJ)
. . . but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
John 20:31 (NKJ)
”To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”
Acts 10:43 (NKJ)
This is Peter speaking. After he spoke these words, many people believed and they were baptized with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in tongues. After that, they were then baptized. This shows that the belief saved the people (would unsaved people have the Holy Spirit and be speaking in tongues?) and then afterward, they were baptized.
. . .and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Acts 13:39 (NKJ)
Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.
Acts 13:48 (NKJ)
”But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”
Acts 15:11 (NKJ)
So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Acts 16:31 (NKJ)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
Romans 1:16 (NKJ)
9) . . .that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10)For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11)For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12)For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13)For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”
Romans 10:9-13 (NKJ)
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
I Corinthians 1:21 (NKJ)
. . . knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
Galatians 2:16 (NKJ)
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.
Ephesians 2:8 (NKJ)
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
I Thessalonians 4:14 (NKJ)
. . . that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
II Thessalonians 2:12 (NKJ)
However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.
I Timothy 1:16 (NKJ)
For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: “So I swore in My wrath, “They shall not enter My rest,”‘ although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
Hebrews 4:3 (NKJ)
But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.
Hebrews 10:39 (NKJ)
Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”
I Peter 2:6 (NKJ)
Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.
I John 5:1 (NKJ)
These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
I John 5:13 (NKJ)
These verses would be grossly misleading if baptism were a prerequisite for salvation! I’ve just listed a plethora of verses that tell us that we are saved if we believe, and are condemned if we don’t. This should help the questioner get a better idea of the context of Scripture regarding baptism, and, for that matter, what one needs to do for salvation (hint: believe). For more on this subject, check out I Corinithians 15:1-11, and read the whole book of John.
So, if you remember, we were discussing Acts 2:38, and I think the better translation of the Greek word εις is “because of” in this verse due to the greater context of Scripture. Scripture teaches baptism on the basis of repentance, and belief as the requirement for salvation.In addition, this verse presents us with a logic problem. Let me explain. If I were to say, “Eat and put gold under your bed, and you can live,” that would be a true statement. But the part that really allows you to live is the “eat” part. Putting gold under your bed may help you in your finances, but it doesn’t actually cause you to continue living. Eating does! The same logical argument can be used for this verse. Peter says, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Now, we know that if we repent and are baptized, we will be saved, according to this verse. But it doesn’t logically follow that both repentance and baptism are requirements for salvation, following the logic outlined above. And in the larger context of Scripture, we see that baptism is NOT a prerequisite for eternal life.
Another verse used to defend the position that water baptism is necessary for salvation is I Peter 3:21. Here is the verse (in its context).
18)For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, 19)by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20)who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. 21)There is also an antitype which now saves us-baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22)who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.
I Peter 3:18-22 (NKJ)
Granted, this is a very difficult passage, and I make no claim to thoroughly understand it. However, I want to focus in on verses 20 and 21. We see here that Peter is comparing baptism to the time when Noah and his family were saved on the ark. And then Peter tells us that baptism saves us. But he’s quick to point out, in the very next phrase, that this baptism saves us symbolically, not actually. He’s saying that baptism doesn’t cleanse us physically in a literal sense, or if you want to take it metaphorically, it doesn’t cleanse our souls in a literal sense. But what saves us is the “answer (or inquiry) of a good conscience toward God.” This is the baptism which saves us. Peter tells us that baptism saves us, and then he goes on to define baptism as an inquiry of a good conscience toward God, or in other words, an open, honest inquiry and trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It’s not the act of immersion which saves our souls, it’s our trust in Jesus.
Yet another verse that often seems to promote baptism as a requirement for salvation is Mark 16:16. Here it is:
He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
Mark 16:16 (NKJ)
This verse also presents a logical question. It’s the same logic problem discussed above for Acts 2:38. Simply put, this verse in no way says that both belief and baptism are requirements for salvation. In addition, the second portion of this verse makes this quite clear without any external argument. It says, “he who does not believe will be condemned.” It does NOT say, “he who does not believe and is not baptized will be condemned.” It plainly sets forth the “believing” aspect of the statement as the requirement for avoiding condemnation.
In summation, I’d like to make some additional points. First, baptism is never given in Scripture as a COMMAND to Christians except in Acts 2:38 when Peter tells the Jews to “repent and be baptized.” This is the ONLY place where we are commanded to be baptized. So since we are told to, we should be. Yet this should never be construed as a command to all new Christians as a requirement for salvation. The New Testament makes this blatantly clear. What would happen if I were on the battlefield and I accepted Jesus and then was shot through the heart before I was baptized? As Scripture so plainly states, I would be saved, just as the people were in Acts 10 who received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues before they were baptized, and just as the thief on the cross was before he died (he was never baptized).
In addition, why did Paul tell his readers in such certain terms that he wasn’t called to baptize, but to preach? Look at this verse:
I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, lest anone should say that I had baptized in my own name. Yes I also baptized the household of Stephanus. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom and words, lest the cross of Christ be made of no effect.
I Corinthians 1:13-17
Paul tells us that Jesus didn’t call him to baptize (is Paul negating the Great Commission here? I think not!) but to preach. And Paul says he only baptized a few people. And thank goodness for that, he says, because otherwise people might be saying they were baptized in the name of Paul. The Great Commission is in Matthew 28:19,20 records Jesus’ words to his disciples to “go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit . . .” This certainly doesn’t say we need to be baptized to be saved. And why did Paul say he wasn’t called to baptize? It must be because the church as a whole is called to baptize, not us as individuals. How could a wheelchair-bound person baptize someone? Yet we have many Christians who are in wheelchairs. And we have many Christians who are invalids as well. Are they disobeying Jesus’ command to baptize? I don’t think so. Jesus Himself baptized none. And then the kicker . . . why would Paul leave 99% of his converts half-saved, or, according to some, not saved at all? If baptism were a requirement for salvation, then the majority of people Paul preached to never entered the kingdom of heaven, because, as Paul says himself, he only baptized Crispus, Gaius, and the household of Stephanus. Paul, in his zealousnous for preaching the gospel, and in his obsession for detail, would not leave so many people unsaved.
My hope is that this study has given you a glimpse of the truth of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He lives today. Believe in Him, and in His words, and you will receive eternal life. That’s a promise we can all bank on. John 14:6 (it's Jesus, not water baptism)!
@kac0404 I answered your question. Can't you read? I said "the sons of God" (John 1:12-13) were established there", get it? Now you can answer some of my questions: 1. According to "Church of Christ" history (see our video "Rise of the Cults: Where Did All These Strange American Cults Come From?" for reference) do you believe Alexander Campbell & his friends "restored" the "Ancient Gospel" which had been lost for 2000 years? 2. Do you believe getting water baptized by a Baptist will save you?
@kac0404 By asking this question are you implying a Campbellite church of the "Ancient Gospel"? Are you saying that Campbellites were there with Peter in Acts chapter 2? The Oneness Pentecostals would argue that it wasn't the Campbellites there with Peter but their predecessors who "spoke in tongues" & were baptized according to Acts 2:38 "in Jesus name" only & not by a Trinitarian formula (Matt. 28:19), get it? You're both wrong. Some of the "sons of God" (John 1:12-13) were established there.
Death can come suddenly & unexpectedly. Don't depend on a last second deathbed conversion to save you from the wrath of a holy God. Hear terrifying deathbed testimonies of the damned (Atheists, Apostates, Hypocrites, Religiously Deceived & Reprobates) during their last days, hours & moments before going into eternity: Horrifying & Terrifying Death Bed Scenes Of Atheists, Apostates & Reprobates (1/3) at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?sid=731131047310, Horrifying & Terrifying Death Bed Scenes Of Atheists, Apostates & Reprobates (2/3) at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?sid=731131111372, Horrifying & Terrifying Death Bed Scenes Of Atheists, Apostates & Reprobates (3/3) at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?sid=731131132150, Death-Bed of a Free-Thinker, Exemplified in the Last Hours of Hon. Francis Newport at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?sid=72913130359, Death-Bed Scenes, Death-Bed Repentance Rarely Occurs, As Men Live, So Do Men Die #1 at
www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?sid=927131122460, Death-Bed Scenes, Death-Bed Repentance Rarely Occurs, As Men Live, So Do Men Die #2 at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?sid=927131158132;
Dying Testimonies Of The Unsaved, The Awful Death Of An Infidel Son Who Hated Jesus at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?sid=104131120148, & although this next recording is not an actual deathbed testimonial it is highly informative concerning Judas & other reprobates, "The Repentance of Judas, or, the Lamentable Effects of a Startled Conscience" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?sid=310141542316. Listeners will notice numerous similar patterns among the final words & actions of the damned. Many seem to sense the flames of hell & the presence of demonic entities before death overtakes them. An excellent Biblical analysis of hell is given by the outstanding theologian Jonathan Edwards - "The Torments of Hell Are Exceeding Great, A Rich Man Went to Hell and Was Tormented" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=51513154140.
Come to the Biblical Jesus Christ today for salvation in repentance & faith (2 Corinthians 6:2, "behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation; Acts 16:31, "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved;" Mark 1:15, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel;" 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, "Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you-unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures," Luke 6:46, Jesus said, "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?", Revelation 1:8, Jesus is the "Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.", Revelation 1:18, Jesus says "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." Becoming a true Christian is not easy therefore count the cost. Becoming a true Christian is not saying a quick prayer & thinking you're okay. You must be supernaturally "born again" by a sovereign act of God through the power of the Holy Spirit (John 1:12-13, 3:3-8; Titus 3:5-7; John 6:37, 39, 44, 63, 65; Ephesians 3:16-21; Romans 8:1-17; 1 Corinthians 2:10-16; 2 Timothy 2:24-26; Luke 14:26-35, "Luke 14:26-35, 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it- 29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.34 “Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? 35 It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” Becoming a true Christian will change your life forever in this life & the next (2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."). Beg God to save you since you cannot do it by your own righteousness & good works (Ephesians 2:8-10, "8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."). Keep begging God for salvation through Jesus Christ until the day comes that He grants your request (Acts 13:48, "Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed." & 2 Timothy 2:25-26, "24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will."). John 14:6, "Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." See our video "IS JESUS GOD ALMIGHTY IN THE FLESH MEANING THE SECOND PERSON OF THE TRINITY OR IS HE SOMETHING ELSE?" at ua-cam.com/video/_BlPm7M7uv8/v-deo.html.
@JTknem09 Ephesians 4:4-6 says, "There is one body, & one Spirit, even as we are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God & Father of all, who is above all, & through all, & in you all." None of it is a lie. Now who is Paul talking about here? Is he talking about the Campbellite "Church of Christ" cult or is he talking about all Spirit-filled true Christians throughout the world? Obviously the later since God decides who is in His body of believers (Rom 9).
The Only True Church - Hear the following: "Is the Pope in the True Church?" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=820752920, "The One True Church" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=81212170178, "Papacy's Claim to have the Authority of the Apostle Peter, Roman Catholicism, Pope" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=121312161512, "Institutes of the Christian Religion #42 The Ancient Form of Goverment Utterly Corrupted by the Tyranny of the Papacy/Antichrist" at www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=21308121690 & see our playlist "Dealing with Roman Catholicism, Idolatry & the Virgin Mary" at ua-cam.com/play/PLFFA8D69D1B914715.html.
Just about everyone who has started a movement has declared themselves the only true church on earth. In this they claim one must join their exclusive group or organization to be saved and to be a Christian. Many believe there has been a complete apostasy already, so there is need of a full restoration. While God does have a true Church on earth, he has already stated how one enters to be part of this Church. First lets go through the many familiar and some not so familiar groups that claim to be the ONE TRUE CHURCH. Then we will look at how one enters the true church.
Mormonism LDS- 13th LDS President Ezra Taft Benson, “This is not just another Church. This is not just one of a family of Christian churches. This is the Church and kingdom of God, the only true Church upon the face of the earth...” (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p.164-165). This church is the only true and living church on the face of the whole earth (D and C 1:30) “There is no salvation outside the church of Jesus Christ of Latter -day Saints (Mormon Doctrine, p.670)
“Behold there are save two churches only; the one is the Church of the Lamb of God and the other is the church of the devil; wherefore who so belongeth not to the church of the lamb of God belongeth to that great church; which is the mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the earth.” (The Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 14:10)
on April 8, 1973, LDS Apostle Mark E. Petersen proclaimed that salvation “comes only through the Church itself as the Lord established it... Therefore it was made clearly manifest that salvation is in the Church, and of the Church, and is obtained only through the Church.”
“The Roman Catholic, Greek, and Protestant church, is the great corrupt, ecclesiastical power, represented by great Babylon....” (Orson Pratt, Writings of an Apostle, “Divine Authenticity,” no.6, p.84).
the LDS church is, “the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased ...” Brigham Young (Mormonism's Second President)
“Our message is so imperative, when you stop to think that the salvation, the eternal salvation of the world, rests upon the shoulders of this Church. When all is said and done, if the world is going to be saved, we have to do it “ (“Church Is Really Doing Well,” Church News (a bi-weekly publication by the Mormon church), July 3 1999, 3)
Jehovah’s Witnesses- The Gospel of the Kingdom ceased to be proclaimed shortly after the death of the apostles. It was not preached again until after 1918.(WT, 12/1/1928, pp. 363-64)
We acknowledge as the visible organization of Jehovah on earth the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, and recognize the Society as the Channel or instrument through which Jehovah and Christ Jesus give instruction and meat in due season to the household of faith. (Watchtower, April 15, 1939 p. 125)
“ The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society the one and only channel which the Lord has used in dispensing his truth continually since the beginning of the harvest period?” (WT 4/1/1919, p. 6414)
“The world is full of Bibles…why then do the people not know which was to go? Because, they do not also have the teaching or law of the mother, which is light.”(WT 5/1/1957, p.274)
“Outside the true Christian congregation what alternative organization is there? Only Satan’s organization…”(Watchtower 3/1/1979 p.24)
“Consider too, the fact that Jehovah's organization alone in all the earth is directed by God's holy spirit or active force.” (Watchtower, July 1, 1973, page 402)
Iglesia ni Cristo- “the complete disappearance of the first-century Church of Christ and the emergence of the Catholic Church” (Pasugo, July-Aug. 1979, p. 8).
Thus, outside the Church of Christ no one can be considered a true believer.'' (PASUGO, September/October 1981, p.9)
“Each member ... should submit himself to the Administration of the Church in order to be saved.”(PASUGO, January 1976, p. 9)
''People who embraced the true church will be saved not because of the good deeds they have done, but through God's merciful act of commissioning messengers entrusted with words of reconciliation.'' (PASUGO September/October 1986, p. 20)
International Church of Christ - “There is one church! There is one God. There is one kingdom of God and this is it! (The Great Commission, audio tape, Weger/Rock, Hodge/Hamann/Fulcher/Fields)
“you are in the only family that exists on the face of the earth.”( Phil Lamb, We Are Family, audio tape 1990 West Coast Conf.)
“We're the last hope the world has. Nobody else is going to do what we're doing. Nobody else has the right message. Nobody else has the right commitment.”( Gordon Ferguson, Radical Men, Radical Times Hosea Radical Love of God, Manila World Leadership Conf., Aug. 1994 )
“your salvation is hanging in the balance. .... When you walk away from the movement of God, there is no where to walk. Walking out of the light into the darkness. There is nobody else There is nobody else in this country that That has the true gospel -- that is, trying to make disciples of Jesus. There is nobody else in this entire world. This is the movement of God! There is no place to go.” (Nick Young. Tulsa Reconstruction meeting, August, 1992, audio one, side two)
“When you preached who is really saved: that you gotta have faith, you gotta repent, you gotta become a true disciple of Jesus, and then you gotta be water immersed for the forgiveness of sins received through the Holy Spirit, that excludes all other denominations…everybody else out there.”( Kip McKean. “Preach the Word.” Johannesburg World Missions Leadership Conference. Aug. 1995, audiotape #10091, side 2)
True Jesus Church- On 5. on the web they emphatically state “The True Jesus Church is the true church restored by God through the Holy Spirit of the latter rain. She is the revival of the apostolic church in the end times.” on the web “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6). Therefore, one can receive eternal life only through the true church.”
The Philadelphia church- Mr. Flurry “The “household” is God's Family or true church. It's the family that God rules. This is God's inner circle--His very elect. One servant, one leader or one man is made ruler over God's church. Only this church (The PCG) gives meat in due season. Only this church is doing God's work!” (The Philadelphia Trumpet, p.1 May 1995)
“Some in the world try to label the PCG a cult. Actually, we are God's only true representative on this earth!...”( The Philadelphia Trumpet, p. 19 March, 1994)
“...that truth is in only one church today, God's church. Only God's Philadelphia Church has retained God's Law in this end time” (The Philadelphia Trumpet , p.5 March 1994).
Roman Catholic Church-”But by divine institution it is the exclusive task of these pastors alone, the successors of Peter and the other Apostles, to teach the faithful authentically, that is with the authority of Christ ....” (Vatican Council II Vol. 2, p. 430, 1984)
“If anyone says that in the Roman Church, which is the mother and mistress of all churches, there is not the true doctrine concerning the sacrament of baptism, let him be anathema.” (The Canons And Decrees Of The Council Of Trent, p. 53 -- Seventh Session, Sacrament Of Baptism, Canon 3)
“This loyal submission of the will and intellect must be given, in a special way, to the authentic teaching authority of the Roman Pontiff, even when he does not speak ex cathedra in such wise, indeed, that his supreme teaching authority be acknowledged with respect, and that one sincerely adhere to decisions made by him, conformably with his manifest mind and intention ....” (Vatican Council II ,Vol. 1, p. 379)
The Second Vatican Council’s Decree on Ecumenism explains: “For it is through Christ’s Catholic Church ALONE, which is the universal help toward salvation, that the fullness of the means of salvation can be obtained.”
Pope Boniface VIII declared: “There is one holy Catholic and apostolic church, outside of which there Is NO SALVATION ... it is altogether NECESSARY FOR SALVATION for every creature to be subject to the Roman Pontiff.' (“infallible papal bull, Unam Sanctam) Vatican II declared: ... this holy Council teaches ... that the church .. Is NECESSARY FOR SALVATION.” (VATICAN COUNCIL II, Costello Publishing, Austin Flannery, O.P., General Editor, Vol 1, pp. 364-365)
All Christians will be gathered in a common celebration of the Eucharist, into the unity of the one and only Church, ... The unity, we believe subsists in the Catholic Church as something she can never lose. (Vatican II, Decree on Ecumenism, chap. 1, 4, p. 416).
The local Church (Witness Lee)- When we were in the denominations, we were blind. I do not believe that any dear Christians who have really received sight from the Lord could still remain in the denominations. Everyone who sees must leave the fold and enter the pasture, under the sunshine, in the fresh air, in liberty. Where are you now? Are you in the fold, or are you now in the pasture? Allow me to say this: if anyone is still in the fold, he is blind. Of course, a blind person requires the fold to keep him. But when he receives his sight, he will swiftly leave the fold for the pasture, for the sunshine, for the fresh air.” (Witness Lee, Christ Versus Religion LSM, 197,1 p.109-110)
The only way to follow the Lord absolutely is to go the way of the local church. (Witness Lee, The Practical Expression...p.94)
If you leave the church (the Local Church), you miss the mark of the Lord's testimony. You must be in the testimony of Jesus. Only the golden lampstands, the local churches, are the testimony of Jesus....if you are not in the local churches you are not the testimony of Jesus.”( Witness Lee, The Stream magazine Nov. 1976, p.7)
House of Yahweh-”With all the Churches and Religious Organizations in these Last Days preaching what they call Salvation, why would Yahweh need to establish another organization in order to get his way--the True Way of Salvation--taught?
“The One Body of Messiah IS The House of Yahweh! “...IF we 'separate' from the One Body of Messiah: The House of Yahweh, then we succumb to Satan, then at that very moment we become worshipers of Satan...of if one LEAVES The Body - The only Prophesied, Established Work that Yahweh Himself has chosen, then that one does NOT partake, or is NO LONGER a partaker, with the rest of The body of Messiah - The House of Yahweh” (What Yahweh's Feasts Mean to You, pp. 78, 87).
“ The churches in the world today do not even pretend to keep Yahweh’s Laws. How could they pretend such a thing anyway, they all blatantly rebel against every one of them.... It should be very obvious why Yahweh had to establish His House in these Last Days--the Christian Churches are not The House of Yahweh. They do not stand in Yahweh’s counsel. They are not the Pillar and Ground of the Truth. They do not teach Yahweh’s Laws, therefore, they do not turn the people away from sin--breaking Yahweh’s Laws.”
“I urge you to obtain the books … and start learning the true way to Salvation. This way is not taught in the world by any organization, other than the one established by Yahweh--The House of Yahweh.”
Hawaii fellowship of the Universal World Church “a voice thundered and uttered these words “This is my daughter in whom I am well pleased. As Jesus, my son, paid the price through his faithfulness upon the cross.. my anointed daughter, Miss Velma, has paid the price through her faithfulness at the golden altar. Therefore, all who will believe in her, will receive my gift of eternal youth which is new revelation Mamre.” (The mighty Miracle of the new Revelation of Mamre p.49-50) The new Revelation of Mamre is the greatest gift ever given to a people by almighty God. “(The mighty Miracle of the new Revelation of Mamre p.7)
“Miss Velma has paid the price! She has become the sacrificial offering required by God that all of mankind may reap one of god's greatest rewards, new revelation Mamre”( ibid.p.51)
7th day Adventists-”I saw that God has honest children among the nominal Adventists and the fallen churches, and before the plagues shall be poured out, MINISTERS AND PEOPLE WILL BE CALLED OUT FROM THESE CHURCHES and will gladly receive the truth....But the light will shine, and ALL WHO ARE HONEST WILL LEAVE THE FALLEN CHURCHES, and take their stand with the remnant” (Early Writings, p. 261 )
We can see the common thread of these churches. They are separatists and deny anyone else can have the right message. That one must come to their CHURCH to be saved. That is the common deviation from Scripture and what makes them a cult. 1 Jn.2:19 “they went out from us but they were not of us, if they had been of us , they would have continued with us, but they went out that they might be made known that none of them were of us.” This was already occurring in the early church.
Now that we have read through just a few churches that claim exclusivity to being the only representatives of Christ and God on earth. We need to go to the Bible to see what it states on this matter. It is possible that one of these groups that claim this can be right. But it is impossible for all of them to be right since they all claim exclusivity. Who would know? Jesus who is the head of the Church would know, and the Apostles he appointed to write down his teachings are the ones we need to go to, to find the truth.
What is the Church?
The first time we find the word Church is in Mt.16:18 where Jesus said he will build his church upon the revelation the Father gave Peter when he openly confessed that Christ is “ the Son of the living God.” “Upon this rock I will build my church.” So this must be the Churches confession of faith, if not, then it is not the Church. What this meant in the Judaic culture is that Christ is equal to God, having the same nature as his Father.
The Scripture is clear only God is to be worshipped Ex.34:14: “For thou shall worship no other God for the Lord (Yahweh), whose name is jealous, is a jealous God.” The Church worships God and also worships Christ. The Father in Heb.1:6 tells all the angels to worship the Son. Both the Father and the Son are worshipped in heaven (Rev.4-5) and on earth. The Bible teaches that Jesus is not only worshipped, but also called God by Thomas in Jn.20:28 “My Lord, my God.” (Greek- The Lord of me, the God of me). We find the wise men worshipped Jesus as a child. Mt.2:11.The leper worshipped Jesus Mt.8. The ruler bowed and worshipped Mt.9:18 .The believer who was blind worshipped him Jn.9:38. The women worshipped him Mt. 15:25, Mary Magdalene worshipped him Mt.28:9, the disciples worshipped him Mt.28:17.Jesus was worshipped just as the Father was worshipped.
It is called the Church of God which he had purchased with his own blood (Acts 20:28). After Christ raised from the dead and ascended he sent the Holy Spirit to birth a new entity, the church. The Greek word is ekklesia (which is used 114 times in the New Testament) which means a called out assembly (Ek = out of, Kaleo= to call). It is never used of a building or of the kingdom of God. The Church is not the kingdom, but included in it. The Church is a invisible living spiritual organism, composed of all the believers world wide, from the time of its inception on Pentecost, until the taking away of the Church at the rapture. Its origin is found in God as the Holy Spirit gave it its birth in Acts 2:1-4 with the disciples and the Jews at Pentecost in v.33. And we become part of this same Church today the same way they did, by spirit baptism, being born again of the Spirit. No one joins the Church unless they are first joined to Christ. This is why Jesus said you must be born again, (by the Spirit Jn.3:5) not join the Church! The Church began in Jerusalem, not Rome. Any Church that does not trace its start to Jerusalem on Pentecost is not His church. Those who claim the Church needed to be restored from an apostasy are not part of the original Church. Jesus said the gates of hell would not prevail against the Church, she would never be overcome, no matter how many were killed, it would never result in a complete apostasy. So any church claiming theirs as a restoration can't be traced back to the original.
Jesus told Peter: “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” (Matt. 16:18). Meaning it would not remove it nor hinder it's growth, work or people. If his Church had apostatized then the gates of hell would have prevailed against it, which makes Christ a liar, that is uncomfortable even for the cult's to say. Christ will not abandon his bride, he said he would always be with. How could Christ be with his Church always if his Church ceased to exist for over 1800 years? The Church is already made and continues to grow through history. No devil or man can stop or hinder it because Jesus is the architect, not man. While it is valid to claim that there needs to be repentance or reformation throughout the church's history, to get back to the bible when we drift. To restore a church from apostasy has quite a different meaning.
The true Church is built upon what Peter said Christ is- The Son of the living God- the eternal one. We can only have this by revelation the same way Peter did, from heaven. It is not man revealing this truth but God himself.
Christ teaches In Matthew 28:20 he said, “I am with you always even until the end of the world.” And in John 14:16, 18 he said, “And I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you forever. . . . I will not leave you desolate.” Christ promised that nothing would prevail against his Church, that he would be with it always, that the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, the third person of the Holy Trinity would be with her always. Christ will not abandon his bride. How could Christ be with his Church always if his Church ceased to exist for 1800 years?
We are the Church
We (the people) are the Church, which is likened to the temple 1 Pet. 2:5 “you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” We are bricks cemented together our spiritual sacrifice is ourselves, our lives. As Rom.12:2 tells to present ourselves as living sacrifices. We no longer sacrifice animals for a sin offering but present ourselves, our lives to God continually each day to be used by Him.
1 Cor.3:16 teaches that each of us as individuals are the temple of God because “the Spirit of God dwells in you.” You are not Christ's possession or part of his Church unless you have the proof by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. (by the way this does not mean one must speak in tongues or have another spiritual manifestation).
We are called Col. 1:24: “His body, which is the church” 2 Cor. 6:16 that “we are the temple of the living God.” As God has said: “I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”
2 Cor.3:7 The church will be God's dwelling place. together we are the temple (the church) the dwelling of God. Christ “In You” is the hope of glory.
Eph. 2:20-22: “Having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone, in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” Jesus is the cornerstone and the apostles the foundation stones. Paul explains further in Eph. 4:15-16: “but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head-- Christ-- from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” The Church is a living temple made up of bricks whom are the people. We are all interdependent on one another. Just as a house is not made with one brick but all are cemented together.
Each brick has a different gifting and talents and all are to be used so that the body can be healthy. Just as Paul's example of the outside of the body we are all different and the least is to be honored as much as the greatest. Certainly the pancreas adrenal glands on the inside of the body if they were not functioning would affect the rest of its health.
Heb 3:1-6: “For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God. And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.”
How Does one Join the Church?
1 Cor. 12:27: “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.” Notice collectively and individually. This means one does not have to belong to a certain denomination or group but to Christ.
No one is told to join the Church by the apostles because it is an automatic placing of one in the body of which Christ is the head. 2 Cor.5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” We are put in Christ to become a new creature, not in a Church. Becoming part of a Church is the natural outcome of the new birth.
Jn.1:12-13 “ But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” To be born of God is to have the Holy Spirit regenerate the dead spirit in man back to a relationship with God. This comes through Christ alone, no Church or minister can give you this.
1 Cor.12:12-13 “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body-- whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free-- and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.” This is how one enters the Church by the Spirit who comes inside us and unites us with the rest of the body which is invisible and visible. Paul writes in Rom.3:24: “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” This is one of Paul's favorite technical terms. Paul points to our spiritual life coming from being connected to the Son. It is Christ that uses examples to show us that He is the gate, the door, the way. We enter the Church (become part of the church) by a person and his work for us. As we come to Christ He puts each one in his spiritual body the Church. You don’t join a church but are born into a family that is the Church. And it is not limited to a local body but a worldwide family of faith.
When Paul was persecuting the church, Jesus said he was persecuting him, because he was the owner of it, we are his body and his Spirit indwells those who he killed. By killing Christians he was fighting against Christ himself. The Church is Christ's invisible body on earth. The Church is called “the Church of God” Eph.5:23-24: “also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.” 24... “the Church is subject to Christ.” The Church is ruled by God, just as our body takes instructions from its head. Col.1:18: “And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.” If we want to obey the truth we receive our sustenance and instructions from Christ alone, collectively and individually!
Jesus referred to those who were part of his body/ Church as “my sheep”. In John 10:16, Jesus spoke of other sheep which were not of this fold, them also I must bring and they will hear my voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. What he meant is that the Gentiles outside the nation of Israel were to be grafted into the covenant and have him as their shepherd. You are the branches “I am the vine.” All these relate to our connection to the Son who brings us to the Father, and is the source of our eternal life. We cannot produce fruit apart from him Jn.17. Mark 6:34 “So He began to teach them many things.” Listening to Christ is the first step to having him be your shepherd, you then become a disciple by following his teachings. The leaders or shepherds are to train the sheep to hear the chief shepherds voice.
The word “Church of Christ” is not singular but plural in the Scriptures, which is a problem for those that call themselves the exclusive Church of Christ.1 Cor.1:2, 1 Cor.10:32, also Rom.16:16 calls them the Churches of Christ. Rev.1:20 says Christ holds the seven golden lamp stand's, the seven stars and the messengers (angels) of the seven churches in his hand showing his control. This becomes a problem for numerous groups that claim the name “Church of Christ”, since it is plural not single. Likewise for the Jehovah’s Witnesses, since they are Jehovah’s “organization” and not a Church nor Christ’s. Not because of name only, but because they do not look to Christ as the head. Actually if one asks the question to these groups who is the head of your Church? You can various answers from a prophet, apostle, a revelator, to a Pope. Even those who claim Christ can have a different Jesus from the Scriptures. (2 Cor.11:4) So we must examine who Jesus is to them and their relationship to him.
Rev 2:23 “and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.” Only God is able to search the heart and give rewards.
The Church's Purpose
The true Church teaches the bible alone, and promotes evangelism to fulfill the commission Christ gave in Mt.28:18-19. Our purpose Eph. 3:9-10: “... to make all men see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things; that through the Church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.” This is done by teaching the Scriptures equipping the body for our growth first then for the work of ministry Eph.4. So the message can go out to there communities. We are to gather to be taught, equipped for ministry so we can evangelize to bring others to the Lord. The church is a spiritual hospital for sinners so they can be healed from sin. The church is not a building to meet in to come to the Church, instead we should be going out being the church. We have a mission. To make disciples and grow in their relationship with God. We have them join in the body, whether its our particular local body or another that is part of the church universal. Everyone needs to be involved in a local body of believers, an assembly to help bring health to themselves and the body.
Different churches have different focuses and different ways of doing ministry. Within the main framework of evangelism there is other ministries, this does not mean any one way is the only way as a long as it is all biblical. Each church may have a specific way to minister to its own communities needs and essentially have different focuses. It is from this variety God is able to meet the needs of individuals and their personalities.
The One TRUE Church
The true Church holds to the core beliefs of Christianity without subtracting or adding to them. Christ is the eternal God come in the flesh, there is one God and 3 distinct identities (persons) who exist simultaneously as the One God. The virgin conception, the sinfulness of man and the need of a savior, the new birth, the Gospel which is the death burial and physical resurrection, the 2nd coming, baptism, eternal mediator and priesthood of Christ, the priesthood of all believers, the infallibility and inerrancy of Scripture, judgment and rewards to the believers. These are the essentials that are clarified in the Scriptures.
If the Church one attends does not hold to these essential beliefs, they are not Christ's Church no matter what name they have on their outside or on paper. This is not my opinion, but the Bibles explanation what the apostles taught through the Gospels, the book of Acts, and in the Epistles.
In conclusion there is one true Church, but it is not found in a certain denomination or group by itself. Those who claim you must join their group or Church to be right with God, only prove they do not understand what the word Church or body of Christ means. It is not exclusive but inclusive, as it is found in the heart of all those who have accepted the true Jesus, and have come to God the way He has provided (through His son on the cross), and hold to the essentials of the faith. Whether one is Lutheran, Anglican, Baptist, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Charismatic, or Pentecostal, etc. The Church transcends denominational barriers, it exists within denominations, as well as outside of them. This is the Universal Church that has continued from the beginning of Pentecost. While denominations may have differences on peripheral issues, they do hold to the core beliefs that make them all part of the body of Christ, the Church.
Two items that come in handy in knowing about when Romanists argue that anything said against the Roman "church" is not the truth is to tell them about the following two items: 1. The following website is by self proclaimed Roman Catholics following the so-called "true church" (in other words their Roman church is their true savior not the Biblical Jesus Christ) at www.mostholyfamilymonastery.com/. These Romanists destroy the new Romanists since the invention of Vatican 2 in 1965. They present great information proving modern Romanism & their popes (they call them anti-popes) to be a false & apostate religion. It doesn't get much better than this when one group of apostate Romanists attack another brand of apostate Romanists in order to prove to the world they are false! 2. Our video "The Homosexual Pope, Priests, Universalists, Evolutionists & Disunited Roman Catholic Apologists" at ua-cam.com/video/hThonwrX6QU/v-deo.html proves from Roman Catholic sources themselves that one of their popes was a practicing homosexual, that almost 50% of Roman Catholic priests are homosexuals (for more on this see our video "FORMER ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST SAYS CHURCH OF ROME HAS A FALSE GOSPEL & WIDESPREAD HOMOSEXUALITY" at ua-cam.com/video/0y4C-nBQ3mE/v-deo.html), that the Roman church buys the theory of evolution which denies the first eleven chapters of Genesis in the Bible, that Pope John Paul II kissed the Muslim Qur'an & said Islam has the same god as Roman Catholics have (see the videos "Top Ten Reasons Muhammad Is Not a Prophet" at ua-cam.com/video/MO8sZ1JyP1A/v-deo.html, "Ten MORE Reasons Muhammad Is Not a Prophet" at ua-cam.com/video/T4p7HuuhF8k/v-deo.html, "50 Reasons Muhammad Was Not a Prophet (in Under Five Minutes)" at ua-cam.com/video/4Q3f15NXrLI/v-deo.html, "David Wood: Five Reasons the Quran Is Not the Word of God" at ua-cam.com/video/NvlzlBov9zc/v-deo.html, "Who Killed Muhammad?" at ua-cam.com/video/6st_tFj6ouM/v-deo.html, "Why Did Muhammad Wear Women's Clothing?" at ua-cam.com/video/-50CraaniT0/v-deo.html; also see www.AnsweringMuslims.com & www.MuslimHope.com) & how Roman Catholic apologists are at each others' throats because of the vast differences within Romanism itself. Besides all that see the following websites for detailed information on Romanism & how it is a counterfeit religion at www.BereanBeacon.org, www.CWRC-RZ.org & www.mtc.org/.
Remember Titus 1:9-16,
"9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.
12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, the Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate."
www.BibleQuery.org www.historycart.com/ www.muslimhope.com/
John 14:6
is a bit off topic but what was Walter Martin view on calvinist?? was he in that view as well?? just asking I am heading more to that view myself
Hello Eric, please see our videos "Walter Martin Inspired Our Christian Answers Apologetics & Evangelism Ministry - 1 Peter 3:15" at ua-cam.com/video/V2j6ICz22fM/v-deo.html & "Walter Martin's Cults Reference Bible - A Perfect Street Witnessing Tool for Christian Evangelists" at ua-cam.com/video/Jc0GMN-h0RM/v-deo.html. We we are big Walter Martin fans at this ministry but we are also 5 point Reformed Baptists (Calvinists). Unfortunately brother Walter was a "4 point Calvinist" (another way of saying "inconsistent Arminian") while he was alive but I'm sure he's a pure 5-pointer now. Since brother Walter's passing we believe the best Christian apologist living on the planet right now is Dr James White (www.AOMin.org) who has participated in over 150 moderated debates against heretics of all stripes. Dr White is a 5-point Calvinist & an elder at the Phoenix Reformed Baptist Church. Blessing to you in Christ. 1 Peter 3:15
Thank you for this great eye opening info that needs to be heard I'm from the Coc background but I don't agree with there methods but you don't realize this until you get older and learn every religion is a movement of some sort and thanks for clearing up cults..
"Evangelical" Christianity (see our video "ECUMENICAL CHAOS: Going to Bed With Roman Catholic False Prophets & Idolaters" at ua-cam.com/video/S76Nvi6p0lw/v-deo.html) is awash in bad theology (via Wesley & Finney), bad leadership (like Billy Graham & TBN), & Biblical ignorance (87% don't know the Gospel or what justificaton is) thus it seems to accept anyone who claims to be a Christian (like Romanists, Mormons, Seventh-day Adventists or whoever). For proof of this see the following: "Methodist Founder & Self Proclaimed Heathen John Wesley Said He Never Believed In or Loved God" (short version) at ua-cam.com/video/L_bz2RyShFI/v-deo.html & "JOHN WESLEY, FOUNDER OF METHODISM & AN ARMINIAN, SAID HE DID NOT LOVE GOD & WAS "AN HONEST HEATHEN" (long version) at ua-cam.com/video/6Vo3ljr7ccs/v-deo.html; BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS: CHARLES GRANDISON FINNEY - PHONY REVIVALIST & ARCH-HERETIC at ua-cam.com/video/0rUbi8AJRw4/v-deo.html, "Exclusive Interview with Dave Hunt about the Gospel-less Mother Teresa & Compromiser Billy Graham" at ua-cam.com/video/8YtX1DirDI4/v-deo.html, Our playlist "Dealing with Phony TV Preachers (TBN) & King James Onlyites" at ua-cam.com/play/PL2CDA855486B09128.html & "SAD STATE OF THE CHURCH: 87% OF EVANGELICAL "CHRISTIANS" DON'T KNOW WHAT GOSPEL JUSTIFICATION IS" at ua-cam.com/video/im4ozy_EiR4/v-deo.html. See our playlist "Dealing with Roman Catholicism, Idolatry & the Virgin Mary" with 119 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PLFFA8D69D1B914715.html, our playlist "Dealing with Mormonism, the Religion of Mitt Romney & Utah" with 20 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PL11CD0EE613306BB5.html & our playlist "Dealing with Seventh-day Adventism & Their "Prophetess" at ua-cam.com/play/PL5316CC6F66F24283.html with 23 videos. Billy Graham's false views on universal salvation & hell distort the Gospel message & is another reason he is so popular with the world (Galatians 1:6-10, see our playlist "Dealing with Hell, Lake of Fire, Unpopular Bible Doctrines" with 30 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PLE04A1D0DFE95B95E.html). Please reference the websites: www.BereanBeacon.org & www.CWRC-RZ.org. The simple Biblical fact is that few are going to be saved from the wrath of God & hell (Luke 13:23-30, Matthew 7:13-29, etc.); see our video on this: "Unpopular Bible Doctrines #2: Many "Christians" Are Not Real; God Loves Judgment; No Forgiveness" at ua-cam.com/video/iJIlReP9SFw/v-deo.html. All the ecumenical "love" & "harmony" in the world is not going to change the fact that God still hates false religions (Deuteronomy 28:64, 32:17, 21, Leviticus 17:7, Psalm 106:37, Jeremiah 44:3, 1 Corinthians 10:20, see also biblehub.com/deuteronomy/32-17.htm) & false doctrine (Revelation 2:6,14-15, 2 Peter 2:15, etc.). Thus following the Bible alone is the only safe path to travel (2 Timothy 3:15-17, 4:2-5, 1 Timothy 1:3-11, 6:3-5, etc.; see our video "WITHOUT "SOLA SCRIPTURA" (THE BIBLE ALONE), WHO IS TELLING THE TRUTH?" at ua-cam.com/video/dcMnF6tgya0/v-deo.html). 2 Timothy 2:15
"Church of Christ" Campbellites are water baptism idolaters. This is in response to the many "Church of Christ" Campbellites who keep quoting 1 Peter 3:21 to prove salvation is by water baptism. These Campbellites are deceived & worship a water baptism idol although they would deny it just as Romanists worship Mary while also denying it. See our video IS WATER BAPTISM NECESSARY TO ESCAPE HELL & BE SAVED & ARE YOU "BORN AGAIN" (JOHN 3:3-8) BY IT? at ua-cam.com/video/wYJtMV9qrWg/v-deo.html which will clean up Campbellite 1 Peter 3:21 idolatry. See our playlist "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ" at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html with 72 videos.
What does 1 Peter 3:21 mean? "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." Are infants "born again" (John 3:3-8) & then suddenly become Christians when they are sprinkled with water? Is salvation found in being water baptized? Do you have to be a believer in Christ to be water baptized?
The following is an excerpt from our newsletter "Christian Debater Guide, "Church of Christ," Vol. 2, #1" (found at our website www.BibleQuery.org, click the "Experience" box on the homepage):
"Q:In Acts 2:38, does this mean water baptism is necessary for salvation?
A: No, Jesus is necessary for salvation. Neither repentance nor water baptism merits our salvation. Those are our responding to Jesus' work. Baptism is to be an outward sign of our prior inward faith and repentance. Note that Acts 2:38 was a command not a formula. Some might erroneously conclude that loving God, faith, believing, and trusting God are unnecessary, as they are not mentioned here. All who come to Christ should be baptized, and that is as true today as it was then. However, It is Jesus' blood, not our baptism that saves us.
Q: In Acts 10:45-48, is water baptism essential to be saved?
A: Four points to consider.
1. They spoke in tongues prior to being baptized with water.
2. Speaking in tongues is a sign (but not the only sign, 1 Cor. 12:1-13) of being filled with the Holy Spirit.
3. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is only for those who are born again.
4. Those who are born again are saved.
So, they were born again prior to being baptized with water. See the discussion on Acts 22:16 for a second example of being saved prior to water baptism. See also the next question.
Q: In Acts 10:45-48, since this passage was a very special occurrence, does this negate using this passage to show water baptism is not essential for salvation?
A: No. This passage does describe an important transition for the church, but that does not disqualify us from understanding all of its teaching. Three points to consider.
1. Gentiles could be filled with the Holy Spirit, and thus be saved, prior to baptism at this time. This was not impossible for God to do and still be true to His Word.
2. Thus, it is possible for people to be saved , prior to baptism at other times, without God breaking His Word.
3. If your interpretation of the Bible requires that God cannot be true to His Word if anyone after Christ is saved prior to being baptized, perhaps it would be your interpretation, and not God's Word, that is wrong.
Q: In Acts 22:16, how do people get baptized and wash away their sins?
A: Is it OK to say that people wash away their sins here as long as you remember four points.
1. The power to wash away is with God, not magic in the water.
2. God is not restricted to being "unable" to save people who are not baptized, because the thief on the cross was with Jesus in Paradise.
3. For our part, the pledge of a sincere conscience before God is more important than the water, as in 1 Peter 3:21. However, being baptized with water is a command for every single Christian.
4. The Jews were familiar with ceremonial washings in the Old Testament Law. Thus, Paul's audience understood what he meant and did not mix it up with the errors of "magic water" or "a restricted God".
The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament p. 418 sheds some helpful light on the Greek here. The phrase "calling on His name" is a Greek aorist participle, which "refers either to action which is simultaneous with or before that of the main verb. Here Paul's calling on Christ's name (for salvation) preceded his water baptism. The participle may be translated, "having called on His name."
John Gill's Commentary on 1 Peter 3:21 states the following: "The like figure whereunto [even] baptism doth also now save us. The ark, and deliverance by it, as it was a type of Christ, and salvation by him, so it was a figure of baptism, and baptism was the antitype of that; or there is something in these which correspond, and answer to, and bear a resemblance to each other: as the ark was God's ordinance, and not man's invention, so is baptism, it is of heaven, and not of men; and as the ark, while it was preparing, was the scorn and derision of men, so is this ordinance of the Gospel; it was rejected with disdain by the Scribes and Pharisees, as it still is by many; and as the ark, when Noah and his family were shut up in it by God, represented a burial, and they seemed, as it were, to be buried in it, it was a lively emblem of baptism, which is expressed by a burial, ( Romans 6:4 ) ( Colossians 2:12 ) and as they in the ark had the great deep broke up under them, and the windows of heaven opened over them, pouring out waters upon them, they were, as it were, immersed in, and were covered with water, this fitly figured baptism by immersion; nor were there any but adult persons that entered into the ark, nor should any be baptized but believers; to which may be added, that as the one saved by water, so does the other; for it is water baptism which is here designed, which John practised, Christ gave a commission for, and his disciples administered: it saves not as a cause, for it has no causal influence on, nor is it essential to salvation. Christ only is the cause and author of eternal salvation; and as those only that were in the ark were saved by water, so those only that are in Christ, and that are baptized into Christ, and into his death, are saved by baptism; not everyone that is baptized, but he that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved, ( Mark 16:16 ) , for baptism is not the putting away of the filth of the flesh; the design of it is not to take off the sordid flesh, as circumcision did; or in a ceremonious way, outwardly, to sanctify to the purifying of the flesh, as the Jewish baptisms did; see ( Hebrews 9:10 Hebrews 9:13 ) , or to take away either original or actual sin; this only the blood of Christ can do; and it is not a mere external cleansing of the body: but the answer of a good conscience towards God; the Vulgate Latin renders it, "the interrogation of a good conscience"; referring, it may be, to the interrogations that used to be put to those who desired baptism; as, dost thou renounce Satan? dost thou believe in Christ? see ( Acts 8:36 Acts 8:37 ) , others render it, "the stipulation of a good conscience"; alluding also to the ancient custom of obliging those that were baptized to covenant and agree to live an holy life and conversation, to renounce the devil and all his works, and the pomps and vanities of this world; and baptism does certainly lay an obligation on men to walk in newness of life; see ( Romans 6:4 Romans 6:5 ) , the Ethiopic version renders it, "confession of God"; and to this the Syriac version agrees, rendering it, "confessing God with a pure conscience"; for, to baptism, profession of faith in Christ, and of the doctrine of Christ in a pure conscience, is requisite; and in baptism persons make a public confession of God, and openly put on Christ before men: the sense seems plainly this; that then is baptism rightly performed, and its end answered, when a person, conscious to himself of its being an ordinance of Christ, and of his duty to submit to it, does do so upon profession of his faith in Christ, in obedience to his command, and "with" a view to his glory; in doing which he discharges a good conscience towards God: and being thus performed, it saves, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ; being a means of leading the faith of the baptized person, as to the blood of Christ, for pardon and cleansing, so to the resurrection of Christ, to justification; see ( Acts 2:38 ) ( 22:16 ) ( Romans 4:25 ) , moreover, the sense of the passage may be this, that baptism is a like figure as the ark of Noah was; that as the entrance of Noah and his family into the ark was an emblem of a burial, so their coming out of it was a figure of the resurrection; and just such a figure is baptism, performed by immersion, both of the resurrection of Christ from the dead, and of the resurrection of saints to walk in newness of life. The Arabic version renders the whole verse thus; "of which thing baptism is now a type saving us, not by removing the filth of the flesh only, but by exhilarating a good conscience towards God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ."
For more see our website www.BibleQuery.org & once on the homepage click on the "Experience" box to the left & scroll down to the article "Water Baptism Not Essential for Salvation" & click on it. After that scroll a little further down to our newsletter section & click on the newsletter "Church of Christ" & wait for it to download.
1 Corinthians 1:14-17, " I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect."
A COC woman (when I lived in Austin) shared the gospel with me in 1971 and the Holy Spirit THROUGH HER drew me to Him and I was radically saved a few days later when I cried out to God. Then a few years later a COC woman told me I was going to hell b/c, well, I was never totally sure of why she thought I was going to hell. All I know is, it made me furious. I later realized that it was what I came to call a 'religious spirit' speaking through her.
This is in response to a Campbellite "Church of Christ" supporter who commented on our video then deleted his comment after getting caught - The only one to "FAIL" is you buddy. I'm glad your ignorant comment is here for all to see since I will now demonstrate how stupid your uninformed comment really is. You say "I can tell that that guy did not debate any CoC minister" referring to Bob L. Ross who is in this video. Apparently you did not realize that Bob L. Ross has written several books on the Campbellite "Church of Christ" (see his website pilgrimpublications.auctivacommerce.com/Campbellism-alias-Church-of-Christ-by-Bob-Ross-C313624.aspx?sid=33136) & has debated Campbellite "Church of Christ" debaters for decades (see his many debates with "Church of Christ" preachers on our playlist "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ" with 75 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html which includes his week long debate with well known Campbellite minister Bill Jackson - "Church of Christ Week Long Debate #1: TV "Memory Lane" Review" at ua-cam.com/video/MZHY2p29WKQ/v-deo.html begins the 22 part series. The Campbellite "Church of Christ" is the mother of cults (see our video "RISE OF THE CULTS: WHERE DID ALL THESE STRANGE AMERICAN RELIGIOUS SECTS COME FROM?" at ua-cam.com/video/HfVTXbFrvh8/v-deo.html) & deserves to be exposed for what it is. The Bible tells us to expose error (Ephesians 5:11, "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them."). And to expose error we must make righteous judgments. Christians must judge in order to: 1. Try the spirits to see if they are from God, for many false prophets are in the world. (1 John 4:1). 2. Mark & avoid false teachers, slaves of their own bellies, deceiving many with their smooth & flattering speech (Romans 16:17-18). 3. Rebuke false teachers, rebellious men, & deceivers who subvert whole families with their false doctrine. (Titus 1:9-16) 4. Have no fellowship with immoral, impure, or covetous men. (Ephesians 5:5-7) 5. Receive not deceivers who do not abide in the teaching of Christ into our homes, nor giving them any greeting. (2 John 7-11) 6. Be wary of those who preach another gospel. (2 Corinthians 11:4, Galatians 1:6-9) Even David, who feared touching one of God's anointed, did not hesitate to judge & expose Saul's sin before the world. "Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness." (1 Samuel 24:10, 12-13) Thus, shouldn't true Christians, following the Biblical standards laid down, judge & expose the sins of false teachers, prophets & immoral brothers in the church; all those who would pollute the truth with perverted doctrines or watered-down teachings which tickle the ear? (2 Timothy 4:2-5, "preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with [a]great patience and instruction. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. 5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."). Our ministry, Christian Answers of Austin, Texas / Christian Debater, has attempted to do just that in order to protect the sheep of God from the many ravenous wolves that exist at every turn. UA-cam Channel : ua-cam.com/users/CAnswersTV. Titus 1:9-16
The word "cult" can be defined in many different ways. Depending on how you define the word "cult" will clarify the context to which the term can be used. Thus your comment can certainly be considered correct as long as your definition matches the understanding of your readers within a cultural & historical framework. My favorite definition of "cult" has always been "organized heresy" which fits the "Church of Christ" perfectly. See our video "RISE OF THE CULTS: WHERE DID ALL THESE STRANGE."
@JPLaff The "Church of Christ" is actually a religious cult founded by cultic leaders Alexander & Thomas Campbell, Barton Stone (who denied the deity of Christ just like the Jehovah's Witnesses) & Walter Scott. All of these men were said to have "restored the Ancient Gospel" by claiming that water baptism is how sins are remitted (Scott making the first claim to this on Nov 18, 1827). See our UA-cam video, "Rise of the Cults. Are You in One?" (type LARRY WESSELS RISE CULTS in search box).
True, but as your guest said, while we identify groups whose doctrine are in err, there are individuals in every denomination that have sincere faith in Christ. I will forever be thankful for the COC woman who shared Christ with me.
But I thank God for people such as yourself who educate us on sound doctrine. I came to discover your videos Saturday after I had a SDA come to my door. Fortunately, I was partly prepared for him since I have spent the last 3 years studying sound doctrine.
Jesus is NOT going to ask us about the salvation of someone else. HE knows HIS sheep. AND HIS sheep knows HIM. I grew up CoC and left at the age of 40. The Gospel is about a MAN ( Jesus the SON of GOD) and NOT a plan. Grace alone, Jesus alone, Faith alone!
Does te Church of Christ also not beleive in music, but only singing? I heard from Perry Stone of Mannfest Ministries say that the Church of Christ was growing in Alabama & many were coming from various Pentecostal churches! Iam a Christian mucisian & cannot just beleive that music is bad & evil!
"Circumpunk" -
This is in response to your comments on our video. I looked at your UA-cam channel & there doesn't seem to be anything "Christian" about you so why are you talking about "Christian" things. Stick to your music videos. The modern day "Church of Christ" movement was began back in the early 1800s by Thomas & Alexander Campbell, Barton W. Stone & Walter Scott. See our video at RISE OF THE CULTS: WHERE DID ALL THESE STRANGE AMERICAN RELIGIOUS SECTS COME FROM?. Walter Scott "arranges" the "ancient gospel" & makes "experiments" with it; baptizes William Amend on November 18, 1827 & claims to have "restored the gospel" (see "Life of Elder Walter Scott" by Baxter, Chapter VI; "Memoirs of Alexander Campbell, Vol. 2, pp. 208-220) thus the name "The Restoration Movement." Water baptism becomes the savior & gospel of this group. However, did Christianity really need these four men to "restore the ancient gospel" in 1827? Was there no Christianity before 1827? Is water baptism then essential & necessary in order to be saved from hell & go to heaven instead?
Why Water Baptism Is Not Essential to Salvation
By Steve Morrison www.BibleQuery.org
Points We Should Agree On
Salvation was purchased neither by water nor by faith. Our salvation is by grace through the shed blood of Jesus on the cross. The issue is whether we choose to receive that salvation through
a) faith
(most Bible-believing Christians, including some
Church of Christ)
b) Faith plus one work: baptism
(some Church of Christ)
c) Faith plus works in general
(Catholic, Orthodox, some Church of Christ)
d) Being a nice guy (Jesus’ blood was unnecessary)
(many liberal Protestants and Catholics)
Why This is Important
A person can believe the wrong one of the first two and still be saved. But to me this is still important and unscriptural:
1. Says God sometimes breaks His promise
2. Salvation: God plus our response plus a 3rd party
3. Is there a corner in Hell for some obedient believers?
On the other hand, many Church of Christ people say that if a person was martyred for their faith, and even if they were first baptized by immersion, if it was not specifically for remission of sins, there was no point for them to die for their faith, because they are in Hell.
What if a Church of Christ person believed, but was killed in a car wreck on the way to being baptized?
Thesis
Nowhere does the Bible say the words "Cannot be saved without water baptism"
Granted that some Bible truths are implied, not directly stated.
But allegedly implied truths that contradict Biblically stated truths are untruths.
Outline: Five Points
Through Faith (Jn 3:16,18,36; Jn 5:24; 6:29,35,40 Rom 10:9-13, 1 Cor 1:14,17a etc.)
Response of a Believer (Mk 16:16; Jn 3:3-6; Acts 2:38; 22:16, 1 Pet 3:20-21 etc.)
Understanding Salvation (Eph 2:8-10)
Thief on the Cross (Luke 23:40-43)
Holy Spirit & Cornelius (Acts 10:43-48)
Through Faith We Are Saved
Some verses teach belief/faith for salvation, no mention of baptism. Others explicitly give the Promise of All who believe / have faith … are saved (John 3:16,18, etc.)
We should all believe God’s promises.
But what is genuine belief / saving faith?
Genuine Belief / Saving Faith
Saving Faith is not belief about but believing on
Even the devils believe - and shudder (Jms 2:19)
"Cheap grace", mere belief about facts, but not leading to a transformed life, is dead (Jms 2:20-24)
True belief means trusting our lives to God
OT: Ps 4:5; 9:10; 13:5; 20:7; 22:4,9; 25:2; Pr 3:5; Isa 8:17
NT: Rom 4:5; 9:33; 10:11; 1 Pet 2:6
Heb 2:13 (quotes 2 Sam 22:3)
Blondin & tightrope over Niagara Falls illustration
Old Testament believers, with the knowledge they had, were saved trusting forward to the same Savior we have, while we with the knowledge we have trust backwards at the finished work of Christ.
When Blondin was about to walk over Niagara Falls on a tightrope pushing a wheelbarrow, a man told him that he believed that he could do it. Blondin asked if he really believed. When the man said yes, Blondin told him to get in the wheelbarrow. Genuine faith is not standing on the side saying "I believe", but saving faith in Christ is being willing to get in the wheelbarrow.
Genuine Belief in Jesus as Lord
Genuine belief in Jesus as Lord implies a repentance, calling on God, and commitment to obedience, including I might add, practicing the Lord’s supper and baptism.
But let’s say a person was unable to fulfill baptism or another act of obedience, God understands out intentions.
Role of Works in Salvation
Both Ephesians 2:8-9 and James 2 show that works have an important role in our salvation: they are an output, not an input. Works are like a beating heart. You can make a dead person’s heart beat with electrodes, but that does not mean they are alive. But if you say a person is alive but their heart is not beating, then I have my doubts.
Baptism is a work of a saved believer, not a lost person.
But if someone says works have a role in us getting saved, then they deny Ephesians 2:8.
Twice as many verses emphasize belief without baptism
Verses showing water baptism
Jn 3:16,18,36 (whosoever)
Jn 1:11-12 (received him)
Mk 16:16 (believe and is baptized)
Jn 5:24
Jn 2:11b, 23b (belief only)
Jn 3:4-6 (born of water & spirit)
Acts 10:43-48
Jn 6:29,35,40,47
Acts 2:37-38 (for remission of sins)
Rom 4:1-6; 5:1
Jn 7:38,39;
Acts 22:16 (wash away thy sins)
Rom 9:33 (belief only)
Jn 8:30-32
Rom 6:3-5 (bapt.…into His death)
Rom 10:9-13
Jn 11:25-26 (believes)
1 Cor 6:11 (washed... by the spirit)
Joel 2:32a+Acts 2:21+Rom 10:13
Jn 12:46 (believe)
Gal 3:26-27 (baptized…clothed)
1 Cor 1:14,17
Jn 16:9 (not believe)
Eph 5:26,Tt 3:5 (washing)
Eph 2:8-10
Jn 17:20 (believe only)
Col 2:11-13; Heb 10:22
Gal 3:22b (belief only)
Rom 10:9-10 (if a man…)
1 Pet 3:20b-21
Heb 4:2 (faith only)
1 Jn 5:1,10-13
1 Cor 1:12-13 (Paul and divisions)
Other verses mentioning belief but not baptism: Jn 4:39a,41; 9:35; 10:42; 11:25,45,48; 12:11, 31,42,44; 14:1,12; 20:31 Acts 14:23; 20:21; Rom 15:13; Php 1:29; Tt 3:8
Other verses mentioning baptism: Mt 28:19; Acts 1:22; 2:41; 8:13,16, 37-39; 1 Cor 10:2
John 3:16,18
Jn 3:16 "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. (KJV)
Note it is not that this verse simply mentions belief without baptism. It says that whosoever believes is saved, without baptism.
John 3:18
Jn 3:18 He that believeth in Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (KJV)
When you believed in Christ, were you condemned or not condemned at that exact in time?
John 3:36 "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." (KJV)
John 5:24 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." (KJV)
Acts 10:43 (KJV) "To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name, whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins."
This was said to Cornelius prior to baptism.
Rom 10:9-13 (also Joel 2:32a; Acts 2:21) (KJV)
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (11) For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (12) For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
1 Cor 1:14; 17a (KJV)
1 Cor 1:14 "I [Paul] thank God that I baptized none of you but Cris’pus and Ga’i-us"
1 Cor 1:17a "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel:"
Jn 6:28-29,35,40 (KJV)
Jn 6:28-29 "Then said they unto him, What shall we do that we might work the works of God? (29) Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."
Jn 6:35 "And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst."
Jn 6:40 "And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day."
Twice as many verses emphasize belief without baptism
Verses showing water baptism
Jn 3:16,18,36 (whosoever)
Jn 1:11-12 (received him)
Mk 16:16 (believe and is baptized)
Jn 5:24
Jn 2:11b, 23b (belief only)
Jn 3:4-6 (born of water & spirit)
Acts 10:43-48
Jn 6:29,35,40,47
Acts 2:37-38 (for remission of sins)
Rom 4:1-6; 5:1
Jn 7:38,39;
Acts 22:16 (wash away thy sins)
Rom 9:33 (belief only)
Jn 8:30-32
Rom 6:3-5 (bapt.…into His death)
Rom 10:9-13
Jn 11:25-26 (believes)
1 Cor 6:11 (washed... by the spirit)
Joel 2:32a+Acts 2:21+Rom 10:13
Jn 12:46 (believe)
Gal 3:26-27 (baptized…clothed)
1 Cor 1:14,17
Jn 16:9 (not believe)
Eph 5:26,Tt 3:5 (washing)
Eph 2:8-10
Jn 17:20 (believe only)
Col 2:11-13; Heb 10:22
Gal 3:22b (belief only)
Rom 10:9-10 (if a man…)
1 Pet 3:20b-21
Heb 4:2 (faith only)
1 Jn 5:1,10-13
1 Cor 1:12-13 (Paul and divisions)
Other verses mentioning belief but not baptism: Jn 4:39a,41; 9:35; 10:42; 11:25,45,48; 12:11, 31,42,44; 14:1,12; 20:31 Acts 14:23; 20:21; Rom 15:13; Php 1:29; Tt 3:8
Other verses mentioning baptism: Mt 28:19; Acts 1:22; 2:41; 8:13,16, 37-39; 1 Cor 10:2
Summary of the First Section
While some verses simply mention belief without baptism, many other verses say that all who believe, regardless of baptism will be saved.
We will call these the "whosoever" verses.
Saving faith is a living faith, that is willing to repent, confess God, and obey. Of course getting baptized with water is part of obeying. But if a person dies before they are able to be baptized, God looks at our heart.
Response of a Believer
Water baptism verses
Summary of Response
Mk 16:16 yet Jn 3:36
Faith leads to baptism, only unbelief condemned
Jn 3:4-6 yet Jn 3:16,18
Spoken to Nicodemus before the resurrection
Acts 2:37-38 yet 10:43
Eis can mean result of or in, as in Acts 10:43
Acts 22:16 yet 22:13
Never said "Brother" Saul was not saved first
Rom 6:3-5 yet 10:9-11
No mention of the pious unbaptized like the thief
1 Cor 6:11 yet Rom 8:11; Eph 1:13-14a
Washed by the Spirit here, not water. If the Spirit is in a NT believer, Spirit’s seal guarantees.
Gal 3:26-27 yet
2 Cor 5:4-5
A soldier’s uniform is an emblem of his identity.
All with the Spirit guaranteed future clothing.
Eph 5:26,Tt 3:5
Baptism of the Holy Spirit as in Acts 1:5 + 2:4
Col 2:11-13 yet Rom 2:29; Acts 15:1-21
Symbol of buried with Christ. Bible never said cannot be saved without water baptism
Heb 10:22
yet 1 Pet 3:21
The washed body is a visible emblem, but 1 Pet 3:21a says does not save.
1 Pet 3:20b-21 yet 2:6b
Noah and Abraham obedient saints beforehand.
1 Cor 1:12-13 yet 1:14-17
Baptism not vital since Paul NOT sent to baptize.
Others: Mt 28:19; Acts 1:22; 2:41; 8:13,16, 37-39 - not say for salvation
Response of a Believer
Belief in the Lord Jesus implies a pledge of obedience. But this does NOT imply God sends an obedient believer, who in unable to do something, to Hell!
While no other way except Christ (Jn 14:6b, Acts 4:12) the Bible never says condemned without baptism.
While these show baptism is an important response of believers, no verse reneges on God’s promise to all who believe!
Mk 16:16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned."
Yet John 3:36 "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (NKJV)
Mark 16:16 does not specifically say all who believe but are unbaptized go to Hell. It if did, it would contradict John 3:36 and the other whosoever verses.
Here is a "Change for a dollar and a water bottle illustration".
If my daughter in the kitchen asks me for change for a dollar, and I tell her, give me a dollar and a water bottle and I will give you change. If my daughter gives me both I give her the change. If my daughter does not give me a dollar, then no change. But what if my daughter gives me a dollar but not a water bottle. Then it depends. If she says, I looked but I was unable to find a water bottle, then I will still give her change. But if she says something disrespectful, and refuses to give me a water bottle that she can get, then no change.
A Church of Christ counter example was given as: "if you eat and digest your food you will live, if you do not eat, you will die." Digesting your food is implied. However, applying to Mark 16:16 this example of an involuntary bodily action to a command of God we are to voluntarily obey contradicts the Word of God, that promises salvation to all who truly believe in the following places: John 3:16,18,36; John 5:24; 6:47; 11:25-26; Acts 10:43-48; Romans 9:33; Joel 2:32a + Acts 2:21 + Romans 10:9-10; 10:13; 1 John 5:1,10-13
John 3:4-6 "‘Nic-o-de’mus saith unto Him, ‘How can a man be born when is old? Can he enter a 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 the kingdom of God. (6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." (KJV)
Jn 3:16 "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." (KJV)
Jn 3:18a "He that believeth on him is not condemned" (KJV)
One reason John 3:4-6 does not mean all who are not baptized go to Hell is that it would contradict John 3:16; 18a and the other whosoever verses. A second reason is that Jesus said John 3:4-6 before the resurrection.
Jn 3:46 said before the resurrection
a) If baptism essential before resurrection: Thief on the cross problem in Lk 23:43
b) If baptism not-essential, then since Jesus told Nicodemus prior to His resurrection, John 3:5 cannot teach no unbaptized person can be saved.
But if b), note that believers were to be baptized in Jn 4:2
Water baptism: Not practiced in the OT, a command in the New, but never was it simply a suggestion!
Acts 2:37-38 yet Acts 10:43
Acts 2:37-38 "When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ (38) Peter replied, ‘[ya’ll] Repent and [he/she] be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for [eis] the forgiveness / remission [aphesin] of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (NIV/NKJV)
Yet Acts 10:43 "To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission / forgiveness of sins." (NKJV/NIV)
Yet Acts 2:21 (Joel 2:32a; Rom 10:13)
"And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved" (NKJV)
So right before Acts 2:36, Peter told us the criteria for receiving salvation: Acts 2:21.
A second reason Acts 2:37-38 does not teach all who are not baptized go to Hell is that it would contradict the other whosoever verses.
Forgiveness/Remission [Aphesin] are the Same word in Greek
The word forgiveness/remission is the same Greek: aphesin (Strong’s 859)
The same Greek word is used as:
Remission (KJV/NKJV) Mt 26:28; Mk 1:4; Lk 1:77; 3:3; 24:47; Heb 9:22; 10:18
Forgiveness (KJV/NKJV), Mk 3:29; Acts 5:31; 13:38; 26:18; Eph 1:7; Col 1:14
NIV has forgiveness/forgiven in all these verses
Many Meanings of Eis (Strong’s 1519)
Eis mean in order to cause (looking forward)
Lk 5:14 Jesus told the cleansed leper to show himself to the priests as Moses commanded eis a testimony to them.
Eis means "because of" (looking backward)
Mt 3:11 "John baptized eis repentance. If eis could only mean to cause remission of sins in Acts 2:38, then eis would have to baptize to cause repentance in Mt 3:11
Mt 12:41 [Ninevites] "repented eis the preaching of Jonah"
Eis means "to"
Jn 4:5 "He [Jesus] comes eis a city of Samaria"
Jn 11:31 "She goes eis the tomb"
Isa 13:14 (Septuagint) "a man shall turn back to his own people" This means "[return] to", but it is looking backward, not forward. They did not just become his people, they were already his people.
Eis means "about" or "in reference to"
Acts 2:25 David speaks eis him
Cause and Effect and Eis
If eis could only mean "caused"
The Ninevites "caused" the preaching of Jonah? Mt 12:31
Mary goes to "cause" the tomb"? Jn 11:31
Through one man sin "caused" the world"? Rom 5:12)
John the Baptist had a baptism for repentance to cause forgiveness of sins too. (Then what about the thief on the cross?) (Lk 3:3)
You cannot base a doctrine on a grammatical ambiguity!
Looking Backward with eis
Church of Christ people claim eis never looks backward. However, besides Mt 3:11 and 12:41; it looks backward (as well as forward) in the Old Testament Septuagint. It looks backward in
Mal 2:2 Did not One God (eis) create you?
Mal 2:11 [Judah] has gone (eis) after other gods.
Acts 22:16 yet Acts 22:13a
Acts 22:16 [Ananias told Paul] "And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name." (NIV)
Acts 22:13a "He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’…" (NIV)
Saul/Paul was already a fellow believer in Acts 22:13. 1) This does not say baptism saved, and 2) if it was the water that washed sins away that would be against 1 Peter 3:21.
One reason Acts 22:16 does not refer to unbaptized believers going to Hell is that it would contradict the whosoever verses.
More on Brother
Now brethren meant fellow Jews in Rom 9:3; Acts 3:17; 13:26; 22:1,2; 23:1,5. However:
We have no proof that Ananias was Jewish
Ananias and Paul had a bond that was closer than being Jewish: even prior to Paul’s baptism, both were genuine believers.
All genuine believers are our brothers. Baptism is only something a brother and sister believer does. The key issue here, is, can a genuine "brother", like the thief on the cross, or Cornelius before he was baptized, be in Hell if He dies before he does the "work" of water baptism?
Alexander Campbell Christian Messenger, 1831 p.19,21
"My opinion is that immersion is the only baptism. But shall I therefore make my opinion a term of Christian fellowship? If in this case I thus act, where shall I cease from making my opinions terms of fellowship? I confess I see no end. . . . Let us still acknowledge all to be brethren, who believe in the Lord Jesus, and humbly and honestly obey him, as far as they know his will, and their duty."
Rom 6:3-5 yet Rom 10:9-13
Rom 6:3-5 "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? (4) 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. (5) For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:" (KJV)
While Rom 6 refers to water baptism, not just Spirit baptism, this never says cannot be saved if not baptized. Rather, it gives the meaning of baptism (our identification with Christ’s death and resurrection.
Yet Rom 10:9-13
Rom 10:9-13 "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (10) For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (11) For Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame. (12) For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. (13) For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (NKJV)
1 Cor 6:11 yet Rom 8:11; Eph 1:13-14a
1 Cor 6:11 "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God." (NIV)
Washed by the Spirit here, not water.
Baptism of the Holy Spirit is in Mt 3:11b; Mk 1:8; Lk 3:16b; Acts 1:5+2:4; 8:16-17; 19:2-7; 1 Cor 12:13
Yet Rom 8:11; Eph 1:13-14a
Rom 8:11 "But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." (NKJV)
Eph 1:13-14a "In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, (14) who is the guarantee of our inheritance…" (NKJV)
Gal 3:26-27 yet 2 Cor 5:4-5
Gal 3:26-27 "For you are all sons of God though faith in Christ Jesus, (27) For all of you who were baptized in Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." (uNASB)
The Greek word enduo "clothed/put on" (Strong’s 1746) "in the sense of sinking into a garment); to invest with clothing (lit. or fit.): array, cloths (with), endue, have (put) on."
As a soldier has a uniform, being clothed with Christ is an external emblem or an inward change and new identity.
Yet 2 Cor 5:4-5
Yet 2 Cor 5:4-5 "For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now He who have prepared for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee." (NKJV)
Even we are not fully clothed while in this life, but in the New Testament those who have the Spirit are guaranteed they will be fully clothed.
Eph 5:26 & Titus 3:5 yet Acts 1:5+2:4
Eph 5:26 "To make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word," (NIV)
Titus 3:5 "he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior" (NIV)
This is baptism (washing) of the Holy Spirit, which is mentioned in Acts 1:5 and fulfilled in Acts 2:4
Alexander Campbell Design by Baptism p.262 (1st part)
"In this sense we are to understand what is said by Paul, that Christ sanctifieth and cleanseth the church ‘with washing of water by the word.’ Eph 5:26, and in another place, that ‘according to His mercy he saved us, but the washing of regeneration, and of renewing of the Holy Ghost’ Titus 3:5, and by Peter that ‘baptism doeth save us’ 1 Pet. 3:21, For it is not the intention of Paul to signify that our ablution and salvation are completed by water, or that water contains in itself the virtue to purify, regenerate, and renew; nor did Peter mean that it was the cause of salvation, but only the knowledge and assurance of it is received in this sacrament: what is sufficiently evident from the words they have used."
Alexander Campbell Design by Baptism p.262 (2nd part)
"For Paul connects together the ‘word of life’ and ‘the baptism of water;’ as if he had said, our ablution and sanctification are announced to us by the Gospel, and by baptism this message is confirmed. And Peter after having said the baptism doth save us, immediately adds, that it is ‘not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God’ which proceeds from faith. But on the contrary, baptism promises us no other purification than by the sprinkling of the blood of Christ; which is emblematically represented by water, on account of its resemblance to washing and cleansing."
Col 2:11-13 yet Rom 2:29; Acts 15:1-21
Col 2:11-13 "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." (KJV)
Yet Rom 2:29
Rom 2:25-28 said that circumcision had value if you obeyed the law, but not for lawbreakers. Even those who kept the law but were uncircumised will be regarded as circumcised.
Rom 2:29 "But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God." (KJV)
Yet Acts 15:1-12
Some men [falsely] taught that unless you are circumcised you cannot be saved. The apostles COULD have said, "Not circumcision anymore but baptism." But instead Peter said, "No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."
So they told Gentile believers to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, sexual immorality, blood, but "missed their chance" to say that baptism is required.
Heb 10:22 yet 1 Pet 3:21
Heb 10:22 "let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." (NIV)
Yet 1 Pet 3:21a (NIV) "and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God…"
1 Pet 3:21a (KJV) "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.)"
The body washed with pure water is a visible emblem of our changed hearts. 1 Peter 3:21 says that it is not the water that saves us but the pledge of a good conscience towards God.
1 Pet 3:20b-21 yet 1 Pet 2:6b
Pet 3:20b-21 "days of Noah, while the ark was preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. (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:" (KJV)
Note: KJV’s "by water" is incorrect; the Greek is "through water (di udatos)" per (NKJV, NIV, uNASB, Green’s literal translation, NRSV)
Yet 1 Pet 2:6b "he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame." (NKJV)
Response to 1 Pet 3:20b-21
Both Noah and Abraham were obedient servants of God prior to the flood and testing with Isaac.
1 Peter 3:21 says it is NOT the water, but the pledge of a good conscience before God.
It does not refer to people who made a pledge but were not able to get baptized.
The Bible also uses word save in the fourth tense (of working out our salvation. So baptism only saves in the on-going sense that we can turn others from sin (James 5:20) we can save ourselves (Acts 2:40), we can save others (1 Cor 7:16, 9:22; 1 Tim 4:16)
Alexander Campbell Millennial Harbinger, 1837 p.411-412 (1st part)
"But who is a Christian? I answer, every one that believes in his heart that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, the Son of God; repents of his sins, and obeys him in all things according to his measure of knowledge of his will. . . . I cannot make any one duty the standard of Christian state or character, not even immersion into the name of Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and [cannot] in my heart regard all that have been sprinkled in infancy without their own knowledge and consent, as aliens from Christ and the well-grounded hope of heaven."
Alexander Campbell Millennial Harbinger, 1837 p.411-412 (2nd part)
"Should I find a Pedobaptist [one baptized as an infant] more intelligent in the Christian Scriptures, more spiritually-minded and more devoted to the Lord than a Baptist, or one immersed on a profession of the ancient faith, I could not hesitate a moment in giving the preference of my heart to him that loveth most. Did I act otherwise, I would be a pure sectarian, a Pharisee among Christians."
It if False to Claim Church of Christ Always Taught This
This, it is wrong for Church of Christ literature to claim Churches of Christ always believed a person not immersed for sins is going to Hell.
One of the founders, Alexander Campbell, said a pedobaptist could be saved
Alexander Campbell was never immersed for remission of sins
Nobody in the church prior to this time said that belief without baptism would send someone to Hell
However, Ambrose, Augustine, and others did teach that baptized babies go to Heaven, and unbaptized babies go to Hell.
Understanding Salvation in Eph 2:8-10
Eph 2:8-10 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, (9) not of works, lest anyone should boast. (10) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (NKJV)
Counter-argument1: Naaman the Syrian
In 2 Ki 5:10-15, Naaman was not cleansed of leprosy until he washed in the Jordan.
a) This act of faith was for cleansing from leprosy, not salvation.
b) It does not matter what river, or baptism water you use. But here it had to specifically be the Jordan River to make a point to Naaman.
c) There was no water baptism in the Old Testament.
d) Finally, if someone tried to make it relate to baptism, then Naaman did not know for sure there was only one God except the God of Israel until AFTER he washed in the Jordan in 2 Kings 5:15.
Counter-argument 2: Walls of Jericho
God by His grace gave Jericho to the Israelites without them working for it (Josh 6:2)
But they still had to march around the city for seven days, 13 times, before it fell.
Counter-argument 2 Answer
Their marching did not cause the walls to fall; God supernaturally did. Obediently doing works DOES give us blessings, but this was not for their salvation, but to their conquering strongholds in their life as believers. It would be a false caricature of our position to say that we are against works, or that works have nothing to do with a saved person’s life. Works are an output of salvation, not an input.
Thief on the Cross in Luke 23:40-43
Baptism was a much "for" remission of sins before Jesus’ resurrection as after. (Mk 1:4; Lk 1:77; Lk 3:3b same wording as Acts 2:38)
Rejecting John’s baptism was rejecting God’s will for them (Lk 7:30)
The disciples baptized too (Jn 3:26; 4:2)
Jesus had high regard for at least one near-death conversion!
No opportunity for water baptism, but did not reject.
One answer: God is understanding
Martyrs Potamiaena and the soldier Basilides
About 202 A.D., as the Christian lady Potamiaena was being lead to her martyr’s death in the arena, the soldier Basilides kindly kept the rabble from bothering her. She said she would tell God of his kindness, and he would receive a reward. Three days after her death, he had a dream about her. Afterwards, when he was asked to swear something, he said he could not, as he was a Christian. First they thought he was joking, then they put him in prison; he was martyred too. Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History (323-326 A.D.) book 6 ch.5 p.253)
So would someone like that go to Hell, who truly trusted in Christ and was martyred for Him?
More on Basilides
In fairness to the other side, I must mention something else too. Brothers of the church met with Basilides in prison, and after talking with him gave him "the seal of the Lord". It is unclear that this is baptism, but it probably was. However, the pagan jailers would not have let a prisoner leave the prison to get baptized. So how could he get baptized?
Early Church: Immersion when Practical
Didache (c.125 A.D.) ch.7 p.379 "baptize into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in living water. But if thou have not living water, baptize into other water; and if thou canst not in cold, in warm. But if thou have not either, pour out water thrice upon the head into the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit."
Early Church Errors
But the early church made mistakes too.
Around 210 A.D. the early Church got the idea that before baptism you needed to go through a long, two year class for catechumens. What if someone came to Christ and was martyred before completing their lengthy class?
So according to this Church of Christ doctrine, all the Christian martyrs, including Basilides, who were killed before getting immersed in water, will be in Hell, I supposed studying Greek forever. Maybe they will have the thief on the cross as their instructor though.
Holy Spirit and Cornelius in Acts 10:43-48
They had the Holy Spirit prior to water baptism
So do we (John 14:16-17,23)
In the New Testament, all who have the Holy Spirit are in Christ. (1 John 4:13; Rom 8:9-11,14,16a)
Rom 8:14 "For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." (uNASB)
Rom 8:16-17a "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, (17) and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ." (uNASB)
Cornelius according to 1 John 4:13
1 Jn 4:13 "By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit." (KJV, NKJV, uNASB)
Cornelius According to Rom 8:9-11
Rom 8:9-11 "But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you, Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. (10) And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is life because of righteousness. (11) But if the Spirit of him that raised Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by [through] His Spirit that dwelleth in you." (KJV)
(Greek dia is "through" as NKJV, NIV, uNASB, Green’s)
Summary
Through Faith (Jn 3:16,18,36, Jn 5:24; 6:29,35,40 Rom 10:9-13; 1 Cor 1:14,17a etc.)
Response of a Believer (Mk 16:16; Jn 3:3-6; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet 3:20-21 etc.)
Understanding Salvation (Eph 2:8-10)
Thief on the Cross (Luke 23:40-43)
Holy Spirit & Cornelius (Acts 10:43-48)
Conclusion
Water baptism is what a believer should do. Even all Church of Christ people will agree, but they try to differentiate between a genuine believer and a saved person.
Water baptism by immersion is only as essential for salvation as it was for the thief on the cross, Cornelius, Basilides and other early martyrs
Quote on Potamiaena and the soldier Basilides
Basilides may be counted the seventh of these. He led to martyrdom the celebrate Potamiaena, whose is still famous among the people of the country for the many things which she endured for the preservation of her chastity and virginity. For she was blooming in the perfection of her mind and her physical graces. Having suffered much for the faith of Christ, finally after tortures dreadful and terrible to speak of, she with her mother, Marcella, was put to death by fire. They say that the judge, Aquilla by name, having inflicted severe tortures upon her entire body, at last threatened to hand her over to the gladiators for bodily abuse. After a little consideration, being asked for her decision, she made a reply which was regarded as impious. Thereupon she received sentence immediately, and Basilides, one of the officers of the army, led her to death. But as the people attempted to annoy and insult her with abusive words, he drove back her insulters, showing her much pity and kindness. And perceiving the man’s sympathy for her, she exhorted him to be of good courage, for she would supplicate her Lord for him after her departure, and he would soon receive a reward for the kindness he had shown her. Having said this, she nobly sustained the issue, burning pitch being poured little by little, over various parts of her body, from the sole of her feet to the crown of her head. Such was the conflict endured by this famous maiden.
Not long after this Basilides, being asked by his fellow-soldiers to swear for a certain reason, declared that it was not lawful for him to swear at all, for he was a Christian, and he confessed this openly. At first they thought that he was jesting, but when he continued to affirm it, he was led to the judge, and, acknowledging his conviction before him he was imprisoned. But the brethren in God coming to him and inquiring the reason of this sudden and remarkable resolution, he is reported to have said the Potamiaena, for three days after her martyrdom, stood beside him by night and placed a crown on his head, and said that she had besought the Lord for him and had obtained what she asked, and that soon she would take him with her. Thereupon the brethren gave him the seal(4) of the Lord; and on the next day, after giving glorious testimony for the Lord, he was beheaded."
Footnote 4 says, "The word aphragis, ‘seal,’ was very commonly used by the Fathers to signify baptism (see Suicer’s Thesaurus)."
The Early Church on Cornelius
Anonymous Treatise on Re-baptism (254-257 A.D.) ch.5 p.669-670 On speaking of Cornelius said, "And there will be no doubt that men may be baptized with the Holy Ghost without water, - as thou observest that these were baptized before they were baptized with water; that the announcements of both John and of our Lord Himself were satisfied, - forasmuch as they received the grace of the promise both without the imposition of the apostle’s hands and without the [baptismal] laver, which they attained afterwards. And their hearts being purified, God bestowed upon them at the same time, in virtue of their faith, remission of sins; so that the subsequent baptism conferred upon them this benefit alone, that they received also the invocation of the name of Jesus Christ, that nothing might appear to be wanting to the integrity of their service and faith."
Cyprian (246-258 A.D.) Letter 71 p.378 strongly emphasized baptism (even of infants), and one can see the doctrine of baptismal regeneration in his writings. Yet in discussing Cornelius he even said, "For we find also, in the Acts of the Apostles, that this is maintained by the apostles, and kept in the truth of the saving faith, so that when, in the house of Cornelius the centurion, the Holy Ghost had descended upon the Gentiles who were there, fervent in the warmth of their faith, and believing in the Lord with the whole heart; and when, filled with the Spirit, they blessed God in divers tongues, still none the less the blessed Apostle Peter, mindful of the divine precept and the Gospel, commanded that those same men should be baptized who had already been filled with the Holy Spirit, that nothing might seem to be neglected to the observance by the apostolic instruction in all things of the law of the divine precept and Gospel."
We cannot find a single person in history who held to both believer’s baptism plus all who are lost who are not immersed for remission of sins. In other words, according to the doctrine of many Churches of Christ, outside of the New Testament we cannot find in history a single person who had any possibility of going to heaven, until after the restoration movement started, and even Alexander Campbell was never baptized for remission of sins.
Note that Acts 2:38 says "ya’ll (second person plural) repent and each of you (third person singular) be baptized. So forgiveness/remission of sins does not modify repent.
Other Notes
Two Classes of Verses
1. Mention of belief/faith for salvation, no mention of baptism
2. The Promise of All who believe/ have faith … are saved (John 3:16,18, etc.)
Verses Showing Salvation Can Come Before or Without Water Baptism
Thief on the cross (Luke 23:40-43). The thief was not permitted to get down, get baptized, and then get back up on the cross again.
If God is understanding of the situation of the thief, then that proves water baptism is not essential for salvation.
Even though the thief died before Christ’s resurrection, water baptism was still practiced by Jesus and his disciples (Jon 3:26; 4:2), and water baptism was for repentance for remission of sins by John the Baptist (Mk 1:4; Lk 1:77; 3:3b).
Jesus was said to have baptized (John 3:26), though actually Jesus had His disciples do the baptizing (John 4:2)
In Lk 3:3b John the Baptist was "preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins" (NKJV) and the words for remissions/forgiveness are the same in Acts 2:38 and Lk 3:3 in Greek as they are in English. (See also Mk 1:4; Lk 1:77)
Cornelius (Acts 10:43-48)
Note that they had the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:45b) prior to water baptism.
In New Testament times, Romans 8:9,11,14,16-17 says that those who have the spirit in them, their spirit is alive, are sons of God, (17b) "heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."
Jn 3:16,18 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (18) He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he was not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (36) He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (NKJV)
Jesus was said to have baptized (John 3:26), though actually Jesus had His disciples do the baptizing (John 4:2)
In Lk 3:3b John the Baptist was "preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins" (NKJV) and the words for remissions/forgiveness are the same in Acts 2:38 and Lk 3:3 in Greek as they are in English. (See also Mk 1:4; Lk 1:77)
Jn 5:24 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life." (NKJV)
Rom 4:1-6 "What than shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he as something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 4) Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, (6) just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:" (NKJV)
Acts 10:43 "To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins." (NKJV)
Rom 5:1 "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, though whom we also have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (NKJV)
Rom 10:9-13 "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (10) For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (11) For Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame. (12) For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. (13) For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (NKJV)
Joel 2:32a and Acts 2:21 and Rom 10:13 "And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved" (NKJV)
1 Cor 1:17a "For Christ did not send me [Paul] to baptize, but to preach the gospel," (NKJV)
Eph 2:8-10 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (NKJV)
1 Cor 10:2 (indirectly) "all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea." (NKJV) Yet Moses, Joshua, Caleb, and other godly Israelites followed God before the crossed the Red Sea.
Gal 3:22b (indirectly) "that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe." (NKJV)
Heb 4:2 (indirectly) "For indeed the gospel was reached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it." They had to have faith for it to profit them. It does not say faith and baptism.
Jn 1:11-12 (indirectly) "He [Jesus] cam into His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe His name;" Says have to believe to become children of God; does not specify whether other steps or not.
Jn 2:11b, 23b (belief only) ""…and His disciples believed in Him. (23b) many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did."
Jn 6:29,35,40 "Jesus answered and said to them [the crowds], ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent." (35) And Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." (40) "And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day." (NKJV)
Jn 7:38,39 "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. (39) But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified." (NKJV)
Jn 8:30-32 "As He spoke these words, many believed in Him. Then Jesus aid to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed, And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’" (NKJV)
Jn 11:25-26 ""Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me; though he may die, shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (NKJV)
Jn 12:46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness." (NKJV)
Jn 16:9 [The Holy Spirit will convict the world] "of sin, because they do not believe in Me;" No mention of conviction for not being baptized.
Jn 17:20 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one,…"
Php 1:29 "For it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake" (not mention of baptism)
1 Jn 5:1 "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him." (NKJV)
1 Jn 5:10-13 "He who believes in the Son of God has the witness of himself; and he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son." (11) And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life; and this life is in His Son. (12) He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. (13) These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God." (NKJV)
Other verses mentioning belief but not baptism: Jn 4:39a; 4:41; 9:35; 10:42; 11:45,48; 12:11,42,44; 14:1,12
Mark 16:16 "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." (NIV)
Yet: John 3:36 "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (NKJV)
Q: Does Mark 16:16 prove that a person must be baptized in order to be saved?
A: No, it does not specify. It says that a person who believes and is baptized will be saved, and a person who does not believe is condemned. It is silent about people who believe but are not baptized. Let me give you a simple illustration. If my daughter’s in the kitchen and she asks me for four quarters for a dollar, I could tell her to bring me a dollar, and also a water bottle. Now if she brings me a dollar and a water bottle I will give her change. If she does not bring me the dollar I do not give her change. But if she brings the dollar but no water bottle, I did not specify what I would do. If she refuses, perhaps making a disrespectful remark, I would not make change for her. On the other hand, if she tries to bring me a water bottle but cannot find one, should I still refuse her? - of course not. Matthew 7:7-8 says that "everyone who asks receives" Likewise Mark 16:16 does not specify about those who believe and are not baptized, and probably for similar reason. Is it because a person was not able to be baptized, or a person rejected obeying God.
Scripture that says salvation comes at the point of faith in Jesus include Acts 16:31; Jn 1:12; 3:14-18; 3:36; 6:47; 30:31.
Proverbs 30:6 and 1 Corinthians 4:6 are strict warnings not to add to God’s word. If you say that Mark 16:16 states what happens to those who believe and are not baptized, when that verse is silent on that, you are adding to God’s word.
While some people, called ultra-dispensationalists, say we are not to be baptized today, that is wrong. Baptism, along with other works, are in fact involved in salvation; they are an output, not an input. Baptism and other works are the obedient response of a saved person, not the work of a lost person.
John 3:4-6 "’How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit." (NIV)
Q: Does John 3:5 imply a person must be baptized in water to be saved?
A: No, Jesus blood saves. Water would not save Nicodemus any more than it would save the thief on the cross. First five reasons why did does not teach that, and then what it does teach.
Why it does not teach that: On the surface, this might sound like one of the strongest verses supporting that you must be baptized to be saved. However, four points completely eliminate that teaching from this verse.
1. Thief on the cross: If John 3:5 taught that no unbaptized person can be saved, then the thief on the cross could not be saved, contradicting Luke 23:43.
2. Said before the resurrection too: If someone notices that the thief on the cross was before the resurrection, this command was before the resurrection too.
3. Jesus’ disciples baptized before the crucifixion: Do not forget that believers WERE to be baptized before the resurrection; otherwise why were Jesus’ disciples baptizing in John 4:2?
4. Contradicts believe only passages: Saying water baptism were essential for salvation, whether before or after the resurrection, John 3:16 "whoever believes in him", Romans 10:9-10, and other verses that say our point of contact with salvation is our belief or faith. There is no work, of any category, involved, as Ephesians 2:8-10 teaches.
5. God is understanding: Even one Church of Christ pastor told me that God is understanding of believers who are not baptized but did not reject water baptism. He and I agree on this. But if God can be "understanding" then getting baptized is still an important command to be followed, but no longer "ties the hands of God Almighty" if a person dies before being baptized. In contrast to this, I heard of a Church of Christ boy who was killed in a car accident on his way to being baptized. Would you teach that he is in Hell now, despite his intent?
What it does teach: Christians see at least two truths Jesus is teaching here.
1. Do-over: We were born as sinners, with a sinful nature and we need to be born again. "…born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit". A lost person reforming themselves into salvation does not work; we must be born again, and have the Holy Spirit living inside of us (Romans 8:10,11,15).
2. Baptism visibly joins us to the kingdom of God now: Genuine believers will go to heaven eventually, but we are a part of the kingdom of God now. Believing intellectual facts is not enough (James 2:19), saving faith includes trusting Jesus as our Lord. We pledge our life to God, our Master, and one of the acts of an obedient believer is to be baptized. Baptism is not just a bath, but an outward sign of an inward pledge.
Acts 2:37-38 "When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ Peter replied, ‘[ya’ll] Repent and [he/she] be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ eis the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (NIV) [remission of sins in the NKJV, aphesin (Strong’s 859, from 863]
Yet Acts 10:43: "To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission/forgiveness of sins." (NKJV) (forgiveness in NIV)
Q: Does Acts 2:37-38 prove a person must be baptized in water to be saved?
A: No, you cannot base a major doctrine solely on
1. Contradicts Acts 10:43
2. A grammatical error: Repent is second person plural [ya’ll] and baptized is third person singular, so the forgiveness of sins here only modifies the second part: baptized, not the forgiveness of sins too.
3. An ambiguous use of a single word. The Greek word here, eis (Strong’s 1519), like the English word "for" can mean many things, and it can mean "because of [the past]" as well as "to cause [the future]"
4. Choosing the ambiguous use that contradicts scriptural meaning. In Mk 1:4; Lk 1:77; 3:3b John the Baptist was "preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins" (NKJV) and the words for remission / forgiveness are the same in Acts 2:38 and Lk 3:3 in Greek, as they are in English. Do you believe that baptism was essential for salvation prior to Jesus; ministry with John the Baptist? (Most Christians would say no.) Of course the thief on the cross was not allowed to get down and get baptized before Jesus said he would be with Him in paradise.
As for details, here are some examples of different meanings of eis.
Eis mean in order to cause
Lk 5:14 Jesus told the cleansed leper to show himself to the priests as Moses commanded eis a testimony to them.
Eis means "in [the]"
Mt 10:41 "receives a prophet eis name of the prophet" … "receives a just one eis name of the just one"
Eis means "because of"
Mt 3:11 "John baptized eis repentance. If eis could only mean "to cause" in Acts 2:38, then eis would have to baptize to cause repentance in Mt 3:11
Mt 12:41 [Ninevites] "repented eis the preaching of Jonah"
Eis means "into"
Rom 5:12 "sin eis the world entered"
Rom 6:3 "all who were baptized into Christ Jesus, eis the death of Him were baptized."
Lk 14:23 "Go eis the ways and hedges"
Acts 22:10 "Bring [Paul] eis the fortress
Eis means "in"
Acts 10:43 "through the name of Him [Jesus everyone believing eis Him.
Mk 1:9 Jesus was baptized of John eis Jordan.
Acts 19:3 Ephesians baptized eis John’s baptism
Eis means "about" or "in reference to"
Acts 2:25 David speaks eis him
Eis means "towards"
Rom 5:8 "of Himself love eis us God,"
Eis means "to"
Jn 4:5 "He [Jesus] comes eis a city of Samaria"
Jn 11:31 "She goes eis the tomb"
Green’s literal translation says, "…baptized each of you on the name of Jesus Christ to forgiveness of sins." Wuest’s Expanded Translation says "and let each one of you be baptized upon the ground of your confession of belief in the sum total of all that Jesus Christ is in His glorious Person, this baptismal testimony being in relation to the fact that your sins have been put away,"
The Greek word eis, is a less precise word that English. Thayer’s A Greek English Lexicon of the New Testament 20th printing 1979 (Zondervan) spends almost six pages discussing the Greek word eis. On p.183 he writes, "[Preposition] governing the Accusative, and denoting entrance into, or direction and limit: into, to, towards, for, among" It has a variety of uses, but Thayer classifies Rom 5:12 as Properly of Place. He says, "4. of the limit to which ; with acc. of place, as far as, even to : ... Lk 14:23 ; with [accusative plural] or pers. to, unto; Acts 23:15 ... Ro. v.12; xvi.10; 2 Co ix. 5 ... x.14." Just prior to this he writes "3. of motion (not into a place itself, but) in a vicinity of a place; where it may be rendered to, near, towards..." Examples include Mk 3:7, Jn 4:5;11:31,38;20:1,3. In Rom 5:8 (eis) means unto, towards or one [Thayer p.184]. In Rom 5:12 and 15 (eis) is equivalent to the Latin in and ad [Thayer p.186].
In conclusion, for verses 16 and 18, one can see why most major English translations (NKJV, NASB, NIV, and Wuest) render this as "resulting" or "bringing". This more precisely conveys the meaning than simply translating "to" as the KJV does.
Acts 22:16 [Ananias told Paul] "And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name." (NIV)
Yet Acts 22:13a "He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive our sight!’…" (NIV)
Q: Does Acts 22:16 prove a person must be baptized in water to be saved?
A: No. Saul/Paul was already saved by then, for Ananias called him "brother Saul" in Acts 22:13. Baptism is an emblem of washing our sins away. But even if someone that this was literally washing their sins away, they would probably still agree with three things.
1) If it was the liquid water that literally took away the sins, then future sins would not be taken way unless a person was baptized again and again.
2) It is not the water that is special, but rather the water is an identification with the blood of Christ.
3) It does not say people can have sins washed away without baptism. God is not incapable of taking ways the sins of the thief on the cross, and early Christians who were martyred before they had the opportunity to be baptized.
So it is not the drops of water that take away anything. Rather it is the pledge of a good conscience before God that connects us with Christ’s blood, and baptism is an acknowledgement, and emblem, of that.
Rom 6:3-4 "Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized in to Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just a Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." (NIV)
Q: Does Rom 6:3-4, prove a person must be baptized in water to be saved?
A: No this verse uses a spiritual illustration from the normal experience of baptism that Christians normally have, but it does not mention the people who were not baptized or any power in the water. Rather it shows that our baptism visibly signified our decision to identify with Christ’s death, and likewise with His resurrection. Paul’s teaching here has similarities to Colossians 2:11-14. We have been "circumcised", not in the Old Testament way, but in the New Testament way. Colossians 2:12 says, "having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead."
1 Cor 6:11 "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God." (NIV)
Q: Does 1 Cor 6:11 show that believers must be immersed to be baptized?
A: We are cleansed or washed in Christ. But the Greek word here, apeloussathe, (Strong’s 628) is not related to baptism. I do not know that Church of Christ people do not try to appeal to this verse very often, but occasionally they might grasp at it.
Gal 3:26-27 "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, (27) for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." (NIV)
Q: Does Gal 3:26-27 prove a person must be baptized in water to be saved?
A: No, this verse does not mention salvation, but it shows some of the importance of baptism after salvation. Baptism is an outward, external sign; we agree that the water is not magic; its soaking into our skin does not do anything. Nevertheless baptism is an external clothing with Christ symbolic of both an external and internal change.
External: We need to be externally clothed with Christ as a sign to the world and a visible sign of our joining God’s kingdom and a pledge of ourselves toward God. As a soldier puts on a uniform we put on baptism. The uniform does not make a soldier; it is what a soldier is commanded to put on. Water does not make a Christian, baptism is what a Christian is commanded to do.
Symbol of internal change: Baptism is an outward symbol of an inward change: believers are baptized with the Holy Spirit; who now lives in us. (1 John 4:13; Rom 8:9-11)
Eph 5:26 "To make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word," (NIV)
Titus 3:5 "he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior" (NIV)
Q: Do Eph 5:26 and Tt 3:5 prove that a person must be baptized in water to be saved?
A: No, Titus 3:5 refers to the baptism of the Holy Spirit, On Ephesians 5:25, rather than answer myself, I will let Alexander Campbell, one of the founders of the Restoration Movement speak. He taught various things at various time, but here is what he wrote in Design by Baptism by Alexander Campbell p.262.
"In this sense we are to understand what is said by Paul, that Christ sanctifieth and cleanseth the church ‘with washing of water by the word.’ Eph 5:26, and in another place, that ‘according to His mercy he saved us, but he washing of regeneration, and of renewing of the Holy Ghost’ Titus 3:5, and by Peter that ‘baptism doeth save us’ 1 Pet. 3:21, For it is not the intention of Paul to signify that our ablution and salvation are completed by water, or that water contains in itself the virtue to purify, regenerate, and renew; nor did Peter mean that it was the cause of salvation, but only the knowledge and assurance of it is received in this sacrament: what is sufficiently evident from the words they have used. For Paul connects together the ‘word of life’ and ‘the baptism of water;’ as if he had said, our ablution and sanctification are announced to us by the Gospel, and by baptism this message is confirmed. And Peter after having said the baptism doth save us, immediately adds, that it is ‘not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God’ which proceeds from faith. But on the contrary, baptism promises us no other purification than by the sprinkling of the blood of Christ; which is emblematically represented by water, on account of its resemblance to washing and cleansing."
Col 2:11-12 "In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, (12) having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through you faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead." (NIV)
Q: Does Col 2:11-12 show that believers must be immersed to be baptized?
A: This only says that we are buried with Christ in baptism. Colossians 2:11-12 discusses circumcision in the Old Testament and baptism in the New Testament. No one in the Old Testament was declared righteous by circumcision, especially since only half of infants were circumcised.
Heb 10:22 "let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." (NIV)
Q: Does Heb 10:22 show that believers must be immersed to be baptized?
A: In Hebrews 10:22 "having been washed with water" does nothing to save us. In fact, the washing itself does NOT save us according to 1 Peter 3:21. Rather believers’ bodies are washed with water in baptism as an emblem of their pledge of accepting Christ as their Lord and Savior.
As a side note, the Greek words here are having been sprinkled (errantismenoi, Strong’s 4472), having been washed is leloumemoi Strong’s 3068), neither of which, of course is baptism.
1 Pet 3:20b-21 "days of Noah wile the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body but he pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ," (NIV)
Q: Does 1 Pet 3:20b-21 prove a person must be baptized in water to be saved?
A: No. Baptism is the normal response of a follower of Christ, but it is neither essential to salvation nor prior to salvation for five reasons.
1. Both Noah and Abraham were obedient servants of God prior to the flood and testing with Isaac
2. 1 Peter 3:21 says it is NOT the water, but the pledge of a good conscience before God.
3. It does not refer to people who made a pledge but were not able to get baptized.
4. The water does not take the place of the cross. 5. Neither water nor faith are a way to heaven. There is no other way to Heaven except through Christ (Acts 4:12; John 14:6),
5. The Bible also uses word save in the fourth tense (of working out our salvation. So baptism only saves in the on-going sense that we can turn others from sin (James 5:20) we can save ourselves (Acts 2:40), we can save others (1 Cor 7:16, 9:22; 1 Tim 4:16)
However, as 1 Peter 3:20b-21 shows, baptism is the normal way we show our acceptance and faith in what Christ did for us. A person is to show their pledge of a good conscience towards God by water baptism, but if they cannot, this verse does not say there is no other way to show acceptance.
Around 202 A.D. the martyrs Potoiaemina and the soldier Basilides. Other Christian martyrs, and the 2-year catechetical school. Patrick’s baptismal candidates
Q: In Mt 4:17; 10:17; Mk 1:15; Lk 8:10; Jn 3:5 are the kingdom of God and Kingdom of heaven identical, or is there a slight difference between the two?
A: Many have seen them as identical; you will not be a part of one if you are not a part of the other. Matthew uses both terms, and Mark, Luke, and John use only the kingdom of God. Jesus uses both terms in adjacent verses in Matthew 19:23-24. Others see a slight difference; the kingdom of heaven is where all believers go when we die, and the kingdom of God is what we belong to now when we are saved.
Regardless of the individual words, we can all agree that our salvation has both a "now" aspect on earth and a future aspect in heaven (1 Cor 13:12; Php 1:21-24) that will not be realized until we reach heaven. In John 3:5 some think water refers to amniotic fluid when a baby is born, but others think it refers to baptism. It cannot mean Jesus told Nicodemus that a person cannot be saved unless they are baptized, unless the thief on the cross was not saved! But it can mean that a person is not a visible part of God’s kingdom on earth until they are baptized. Similar to this, many churches do not want someone to take the Lord’s Supper until they are baptized.
See the Wycliffe Bible Dictionary p.991 for more info.
Nevertheless, as Jesus spoke foreshadowing his death and communion in John 6:51-56, Jesus spoke not only foreshadowing Christian baptism, but they were already very familiar with baptism for repentance, thanks to John.
This view is advocated by:
John Chrysostom (392-407 A.D.) Homilies of St. John Homily 25
Gregory Nanzianzus (330-391 A.D.) Oration on Holy Baptism ch.8
F.F. Bruce in Hard Sayings of the Bible p.495-496
Jamieson, Fausset, Brown
Harper’s Bible Commentary.
3a. The water stands for baptismal regeneration.
The early church fathers held this view.
However, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : New Testament p.281 mentions that this interpretation contradicts being saved by faith alone, as Ephesians 2:8-9 and John 3:16 show.
This view is advocated by
Justin Martyr (wrote about 138-165 A.D.) First Apology chapter 61
Irenaeus (182-188 A.D.) in fragment 34
Tertullian (200-220 A.D.) in On Baptism ch. 12
Cyprian (wrote 248-258 A.D.) in Epistle 71.
Gregory Nanzianzus (330-391 A.D.) Oration on Holy Baptism chapter 8.
Basil of Cappadocia (357-379 A.D.) On the Spirit 15:35
John of Damascus Exposition of the Orthodox Faith chapter 9
Ambrose of Milan (340-397 A.D.) Of the Holy Spirit 3.10.63-64
Constitutions of the Holy Apostles (c.80-190 A.D.) 6.3.15 (This was a spurious work, which had an early date. Among other things, it also supports infant Baptism.)
However, interpreting John 3:5 this way sounds close to making baptism (whether John’s baptism or Christian baptism) a requirement for salvation.
Nevertheless, John’s baptism was looking for salvation, not something that brought salvation. In Acts 2:38, Peter said the people had to repent and baptized and they would receive the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 4:2 said some were not saved because they did not share the faith (or combine it with faith.) Things such as repentance, faith, and obedience, including obedience in water baptism are evidence of us receiving salvation, not that which saves us.
This view is advocated by:
The Applied New Testament Commentary p.368
Matthew Henry’s Commentary says that "it is probably that Christ had an eye to the ordinance of baptism."
4. Water stands for conversion.
Converts to Judaism went through a baptism ceremony. Jesus was implying that one had to convert to experience the new birth. Thus Jesus was saying "by conversion and by the spirit". This view does not preclude believing other views, too.
However, while Jewish converts were washed, a more common scene was Jews washing for ritual purification. This viewpoint is perhaps not so much false, as too narrow a view of 3.
This view is advocated by:
The IVP Bible Commentary : New Testament (1993) p.270.
5. Water stands for the baptizing ministry of John the Baptist, and the Spirit for Jesus’ ministry.
No one at that time could think of "baptism" and "new things" in the same sentence without thinking of John the Baptist’s ministry.
This view is advocated by F.B. Meyer in The Gospel of John p.64. The Bible Knowledge Commentary : New Testament p.281 gives five views, but commends only this view as having "the merit of historical propriety as well as theological acceptability." The Life Application Bible gives various views, one of which is the repentance that John the Baptist’s ministry signified.
6. Water is an image for the pouring out of the Spirit in Old Testament times.
Jesus said in John 7:38, "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified." (NKJV). The New Geneva Study Bible p.1676 says that while this is not an exact quote of any Old Testament Scripture, it can be a general reference to both Isaiah 44:3 and Ezekiel 36:25-27. Titus 3:5 has very similar phrasing to John 3:5, saying "washing of rebirth and renewal of/by the Holy Spirit" While Acts showed some special cases, the norm was for Christians to be baptized with literal water and the Holy Spirit.
However, water is used for ritual washings, not the pouring of the Spirit in the Torah. Also, the Believer’s Bible Commentary p.1478 points out that if the water represented nothing more than the ministry of the Spirit, then the verse would seem to say "unless one is born of the Spirit and the Spirit", which would be redundant.
1 John 5:8 speaks of the water, spirit, and blood. Since the spirit and blood are different, the water is different, too.
This view is advocated by the New Geneva Study Bible p.1665.
The Companion Bible says it is "spiritual water" as opposed to literal water. The IVP Bible Commentary : New Testament says that the Greek can either be translated "water and the spirit, or water, that is, the spirit."
MY CONCLUSION:
1. is not particularly compelling. It only makes sense if you downplay the precision of the Greek, and think Jesus was telling Nicodemus one had to be physically born.
2. relies on Jesus chiding Nicodemus for understanding scripture that was not written yet. For some, this view is necessitated by the opinion that if "baptism" has to mean the error of baptismal regeneration, it cannot be baptism.
3a. is unbiblical, as Acts 10 shows that people could be saved and receive the Holy Spirit prior to water baptism.
3b, 4, and 5. can all be tied together. This view has the merit of the plain meaning, as well as the universal understanding of the Greek-speaking early church.
6. has no merit, except as a secondary implication of 3b, 4, and 5.
Perhaps we should focus less on "what this would mean to me" and observe "what this would mean to Nicodemus and early Christians". The most likely answer is a combination of 3b, 4, and 5. While views 2 and 6 are implied symbolism, they would not be recognized by Nicodemus as its main meaning, and were not recognized by any known Greek-speaking Christians.
When Critics Ask p.406 also discusses some of the views, without committing to a particular one.
Q: In Jn 3:5, is "baptismal regeneration" true, the belief that water baptism is necessary for salvation?
A: No. The Gentiles who were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues in Acts 10:44-48, prior to being baptized with water, probably did not think so. Jesus apparently did not think so either when He spoke to the thief on his right. One could try to argue that the thief on the cross was prior to Jesus’ resurrection, but then Jesus’ words to Nicodemus were spoken, and were true, prior to Jesus’ resurrection, too. Of course all of this was prior to the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and there being Christian baptism; John’s baptism and Old Testament washings were all they knew.
However, if an interpretation of a verse makes part of the verse without any meaning whatsoever, then that interpretation undoubtedly is incorrect. So what is the meaning of Jesus’ words here?
The answer is implied in Luke 7:29-30, where it was said the Pharisees and experts in the Law had rejected God’s purpose for themselves. The reason given is that they had not been baptized by John. Water baptism is neither a meaningless ritual nor merely an optional thing, like choir practice, to show special love to God. If a person with full knowledge rejects water baptism, and the truth it represents, they have rejected God. Unless they turn around, they are not going to Heaven.
See also 1001 Bible Questions Answered p.118-119, When Critics Ask p.406, When Cultists Ask p.165-166, and the Complete Book of Bible Answers p.210-211 for more info. For more see our playlist, "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ"" with 71 videos & 63 hours of teaching material at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html. See also IS WATER BAPTISM NECESSARY TO ESCAPE HELL & BE SAVED & ARE YOU "BORN AGAIN" (JOHN 3:3-8) BY IT?; THE EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN ROMANCE WITH APOSTATE ROMAN CATHOLICISM (PART 1): WATER BAPTISM SALVATION?; & Uncomfortable Questions for Catholics #2: Is Water Baptism Essential & Does Mass Bread Become God?. Also see our newsletter on the "Church of Christ" on our website www.BibleQuery.org (once on our homepage click on the "Experience" box to the left & scroll down to the newsletter section & click on "Church of Christ" & particularly notice the article, "Questions to Consider Concerning Baptism." 1 Corinthians 1:14-17, "14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect."
Any music that is not praise and adoration of the lord is not the music God will anoint for his praises, and his house. it prepares the hearts of sinners for the sermon, and then alter call.
Are "Church of Christ" churches which originated with Alexander & Thomas Campbell, Barton W. Stone & Walter Scott (the "restorers" of the "ancient gospel" back in 1827 according to them) good Bible based churches? No! Church of Christ churches, such as these are religious cult organizations in their preferences, practices, and doctrines. Many American based cults such as Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christadelphians, Seventh-day Adventists & others spawned out of the "Church of Christ" restoration movement of the Campbells, Stone & Scott (see our video "RISE OF THE CULTS: WHERE DID ALL THESE STRANGE AMERICAN RELIGIOUS SECTS COME FROM?" at ua-cam.com/video/HfVTXbFrvh8/v-deo.html).
"Churches of Christ" major in "minor" doctrines in order to make it appear that they are righteous while everyone else is wrong.
One “minor” issue is the Church of Christ policy of not allowing musical instruments in their church services. The problem is that many within the Church of Christ are fanatically against musical instruments. Some are fanatical to the point of declaring any church that uses musical instruments as not being a true, biblical, or godly church. Such dogmatism on a clearly non-essential issue is the mark of a cult, not the mark of a good biblical church.
A second issue is the fact that some in the Church of Christ claim to be “the one true church,” outside of which there is no salvation. By no means do all Church of Christ members believe this, but it is prevalent enough to warrant concern. Some go so far as to argue that since the name is “Church of Christ,” that indicates that the church / denomination is the one and only true Church of the Lord Jesus. This is completely unbiblical. There is no one church or denomination that encompasses the entire Body of Christ. The “one true church of Christ” is comprised of all those who have, by grace through faith, personally received Jesus Christ as Savior. The Church is composed of true believers everywhere, no matter the local church or denominational affiliation. The claim of exclusive access to salvation is another common identification of a cult, not the teaching of a good biblical church.
A third and very important issue is the Church of Christ’s emphasis on baptism as being necessary for salvation. Church of Christ advocates point to Scriptures such as Acts 2:38, John 3:5, Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21, and Acts 22:16 as biblical evidence that baptism is required for salvation. There is no denying that baptism is very important. Baptism is intended to be an initial act of obedience to Christ, an illustration of Christ’s death and resurrection, a public declaration of faith in Christ, a step of identification with Him, and a proclamation of desire to follow Him. In the minds of the apostles and early Christians, baptism was so inextricably linked with salvation that the two were viewed as inseparable. The idea that a person could receive Christ as Savior and not be baptized was completely foreign to the early church.
With that said, however, baptism is not required for salvation. There are biblically plausible and contextually valid interpretations of each of the above Scriptures that do not indicate baptism as being necessary for salvation. There are many Scriptures that declare salvation to be received by faith / believing, with no mention of baptism or any other requirement (John 3:16; Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:8-9). If baptism is necessary for salvation, these Scriptures are in error and the Bible is contradictory.
A person who has genuinely received salvation will produce good fruit. Good works are the inevitable result of salvation (Ephesians 2:10). What differentiates a “living faith” from a “dead faith” in James 2:14-26 is the presence of good works. Church of Christ advocates are right to denounce churches that teach intellectual assent to the facts of the Gospel as sufficient for salvation. The Church of Christ is right to reject the idea that a dead faith, a faith that produces no good works, is what saves a person. Faith / trust in Christ as the Savior is what saves a person, but this faith is a living faith that always results in and produces good works. To say that good works must be present BEFORE a person is saved is to make salvation dependent on our obedience, which is works-salvation, not salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. As Titus 3:5 declares, “He saved us - not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” Churches of Christ are made up of religious heretics believing they are saved by their good works & water baptism (see our playlist "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ"" with 75 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html). Thus the Campbellite "Church of Christ" cult has an extreme over-emphasis on the absence of musical instruments, with a claim of exclusive access to salvation, and with a doctrine of salvation that is works-based, therefore they should be avoided & definitely not be attended or participated in. This group is the mother of cults. Matthew 7:15
sounds like you need a definitive definition of the term cult...
Philip Buckley - A cult is a religious group (but do not have to be religious - footnote 1) that follows a particular theological system. From the view of Christianity, a cult distorts the doctrines that affect salvation sufficiently to cause it to be unattainable. For example, it is an essential doctrine of Christianity that there is only one God (Isaiah 43:10; 44:6; 44:8; 45:5) and that believing in a false God brings judgment (Exodus 20:1-6). If a group were to affirm that there is more than one God (i.e., Mormonism), then it would violate an essential doctrine and be outside the Christian faith. Another essential would be that Jesus is God in flesh (John 1:1,14; Col. 2:9) and that to deny it means a person will die in his sins, John 8:24. The Jehovah's Witnesses deny Christ's deity and are, therefore, not Christian.
A few examples of cults are Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science, Christadelphians, Unity, Religious Science, The Way International, Campbellism, The Nation of Islam, and the Moonies. See also our playlist called "Dealing with AntiChrist Cults, "New Age" & World Religions" with 65 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PL69A3047B3497590A.html.
Apostasy (falling away from the truth) is different than being a non-Christian cult. Roman Catholicism, for example, is not a cult but is apostate. It has fallen away from the true Christian faith by violating the teaching of salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone which is something that all cults also do.
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1. UFO cults are those groups that are dedicated to the advancement, study, and promotion of aliens, perceived alien communications, and or beliefs therein.
CAnswersTV how is it that the Church of Christ is called to be a cult...
Philip Buckley - The Campbellite "Church of Christ" which was started by Thomas & Alexander Campbell, Barton W. Stone & Walter Scott by "discovering" the "Ancient Gospel" which was water baptism for the "remission of sins" & works of righteousness to keep from losing your salvation - this a false gospel (Galatians 1:6-9) started by a bunch of "know-it-all" false prophets thus classifying their phony religion as a "cult" by our stated definition. Satan's as well as the Campbellite "Church of Christ's" favorite Bible verse is Acts 2:38.
The problem is that Acts 2:38 isn't the only verse in the Bible which deals with salvation. While many claim to "speak where the scriptures speak and remain silent where the scriptures are silent," they practically ignore most of the New Testament teaching on salvation. The only verses that such false teachers quote and reference are the ones they feel they can use to promote their "water gospel." The fact is that most of what the New Testament says about salvation doesn't include baptism at all! (John 5:24, John 11:25-26, John 14:6, Romans 4:5, Romans 10:9-13, Eph. 2:8-9, etc.), and the few places that do mention water baptism do not include it as part of one's salvation. Water baptism follows salvation as one of the first steps of obedience for the new believer.
In spite of this obvious truth, the cultists remain steadfast in their heresy, insisting that Acts 2:38 sets forth water baptism as a requirement for salvation. Thus, this verse of scripture has become Satan's favorite Bible verse. In fact, many are trusting water baptism alone for the salvation of their souls! Indeed, Satan has deceived multitudes by his perversion of Acts 2:38.
Rather than ignore Acts 2:38 by quoting "our favorite verses" instead, it is more appropriate to face this popular verse of scripture and see if the cultists are right in what they claim it teaches.
The Truth about Acts 2:38
First, please notice that verse 38 isn't the only verse in Acts 2. In Peter's message, a great deal was said before verse 38 came out of his mouth. In fact, he even told his listeners how to be saved before verse 38! In Acts 2:21, Peter quotes from Joel 2 and says, "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." His words preceding verse 38 were so convicting that his listeners were "pricked in their heart" in verse 37. So, to use verse 38 out of its context causes a misrepresentation of God's word. The verse does not stand alone, and, in fact, a totally different meaning is conveyed when one makes it stand alone.
Another error that many make with Acts 2:38 is the error of assumption. It is assumed that the word "for" must mean "in order to get." That is, being baptized "for" the remission of sins supposedly means to be baptized "in order to get" remission of sins. However, a closer look at the scriptures will reveal that this isn't the case at all.
Notice Luke 5:12-14: "And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him. And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them." Jesus made this man clean in verse 13, yet in the next verse, verse 14, Jesus tells him to go offer a sacrifice "for thy cleansing" as a "testimony." Here the word "for" cannot mean "in order to get" because he had already gotten his cleansing in verse 13! It obviously meant "because of" his cleansing. If a man goes to jail "for stealing," then he goes there "because of" the stealing that he's already done, not "in order to get" a chance to steal again.
Some like to argue that the Greek word "eis" means "in order to," but this isn't always the case. Jesus said in Matthew 12:41, "The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at (eis) the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here." The Greek word for "at" is "eis." Does this mean that the men of Nineveh repented "in order to get" the preaching of Jonah? No, they repented "because of" the preaching of Jonah. So, even "the Greek" doesn't demand the popular interpretation of Acts 2:38. The word "for" can be used different ways, not just one, so it is wrong to assume that it must mean "in order to get" in Acts 2:38.
Another factor which is commonly ignored is the JEWISH factor. Every person in Acts 2 is a Mosaic law observing Old Testament Jew. In fact, they are all gathered together to observe a JEWISH FEAST called Pentecost (verse 1). A fair reading of the whole chapter (especially verses 4, 14, and 36) will clearly reveal that no Gentiles (non Jews) are present. Since this involves Jews, it involves a NATION (verse 36!!), not individuals. No one asked, "What must I do to be saved?" The question asked concerned the NATION of Israel: "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" (verse 37) Not, "What shall I do," but rather, "What shall WE do?" Acts 2 presents a NATION of people who come to realize that they have murdered their blessed Messiah and they're asking what THEY must do. It's a question concerning NATIONAL salvation. Isaiah 66:8 says, ". . . shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children." The "nation" is Israel! Romans 11:26 says, "And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob." Acts 2:38 is dealing with NATIONAL salvation. The Messianic Kingdom is still available to the Jews (until Acts 7:60 when they kill Stephen), so national salvation remains an issue until then.
This is clear from what follows Acts 7. In Acts 8, an individual from Africa is saved (before baptism). In Acts 9, an individual from Asia is saved (before baptism). In Acts 10, an individual from Europe is saved (before baptism). Why didn't these individual conversions occur before Acts 7? Because the first seven chapter of Acts deal with Israel (1:6-8; 2:36; 3:12; 4:8-10; 5:31; 6:7-14; 7:1-60). The question of INDIVIDUAL salvation is asked and answered in Acts 16:30-31: ". . . Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Those who fail to make this distinction are guilty of violating II Timothy 2:15 where we are told to RIGHTLY DIVIDE the word of truth.
The Bible says the gospel is to go to the Jew FIRST (Rom. 1:16), so they are the FIRST to receive the gospel in the book of Acts (chapter 2), but they are not the last to receive it. Acts doesn't end with chapter 2, so we should be cautious of anyone who develops their doctrine in Acts 2 while practically ignoring the next 26 chapters! If God didn't stop in Acts 2, then why does anyone else? Could it be that the later chapters in Acts contain information which the cultists want hidden from us? Could it be that there are other scriptures in Acts which do not agree with the wording of Acts 2:38? Could it be that Peter himself, the one preaching in Acts 2:38, says something different when speaking to individual Gentiles like you and me? One only has to read Acts chapter 10 to get the answer. Peter is preaching again in Acts 10, except only to individual Gentiles, and something very interesting occurs. In Acts 2:38, the Holy Ghost was promised to be given to the converts AFTER they were baptized, yet in Acts 10:44 the Holy Ghost falls upon the Gentiles BEFORE they are baptized! Now, Paul tells us in Romans 8:9, " . . .if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." Having God's Spirit is synonymous with belonging to God or being saved (John 3:6-8), so the Gentiles in Acts 10 were saved BEFORE they were baptized in water. Why don't the Acts 2:38 cultists ever point this out? Answer: It destroys their perverted doctrine that water baptism is essential for salvation.
The fact is that Acts 2:38 is NOT the "model" plan of salvation, nor are any of the other "water verses" which the cultists use. Only by taking such verses out of their context can one teach such heresy. All of the Bible is true, not just the favorite "proof texts" of the cults. Baptism saves no one. It only serves as a testimonial picture of the death, the burial, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ AFTER one has believed on Christ (Acts 8:36-38). Paul said in I Corinthians 1:17 that ". . . Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect." This "gospel" is defined by Paul in I Corinthians 15:1-4, and it does NOT include water baptism. The dying thief was not baptized, yet Jesus saved him (Luke 23:42-43), and John wrote that we are washed in the BLOOD of Christ (Rev. 1:5), not in the water. In fact, the saints in Heaven claim to have gotten there by the blood of Jesus (Rev. 5:9), not by water. By faith in the blood of Jesus Christ one is saved (Rom. 3:25). Water baptism only follows this faith as an outward step of obedience.
Friend, if you have fallen for the water gospel, why not repent of your sin and trust Jesus Christ alone? Acts 10:43 says, "To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." Why not believe on Christ 100% right now and quit trusting something you DO for salvation? "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Rom. 5:1) Ephesians 2:8-9, "...Not of works, lest any man should boast." For more see our playlist "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ"" with 80 videos at at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html. Titus 1:9-16
@@CAnswersTV when did campbell born?
when did romans16:16 wrote?
@@bedmangoodman145 - Alexander Campbell was born 12 September 1788 near Ballymena, in the parish of Broughshane, County Antrim, Ireland. His parents were Thomas Campbell and Jane Corneigle Campbell, who were of Scots descent. Like his father, he was educated at the University of Glasgow, where he was greatly influenced by Scottish Enlightenment philosophy. He was also influenced by the English philosopher John Locke. In 1809 at the age of 21, Alexander emigrated to the United States with his mother and siblings from Scotland, to join his father Thomas, who had emigrated there in 1807. They sailed from Scotland on the Latonia on 3 August 1809 and landed in New York City on 29 September, then traveled overland to Philadelphia. They continued to western Pennsylvania, where the senior Campbell was serving as a minister in Washington County on the frontier. Alexander was ordained by his father's Brush Run Church on 1 January 1812.
After years of theological "experimenting" Alexander Campbell & his associates decided they had "discovered" the lost & ancient gospel by baptizing a Baptist. Alexander Campbell writes, "Walter Scott “arranges” the “ancient gospel” and makes “experiments” with it; baptizes William Amend on November 18, 1827 and claims to have restored the gospel. (see Life of Elder Walter Scott by Baxter, Chapter VI; Memoirs of Alexander Campbell, Vol. 2, pp. 208-220). Thus to Campbell, Scott & others in their little religious group were the first Christians around since the early first Christians mentioned in Romans 16:16 so they simply assumed that they were the same as the ones in Romans 16:16 which is a very bad assumption to say the least. To learn more about the cultic Campbellite "Church of Christ" movement also known as the "Restoration Movement" see our playlist called "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ" with 104 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html . Matthew 7:15, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's. clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."
Romans 16:16 - "All the churches of Christ send greetings. I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the "teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites."
I was raised in the COC and so was my wife. We attended together after we married, for a few years, but began to sense something wasn't right, namely, we were taught that we were the only correct church. When we finally did leave, my mother treated us like second class citizens and she would never "come together to reason in the scriptures". She believed I was hell bound for attending a church with musical instruments. I, ironically, ended up playing drums in a praise band.
WOW!! Wonderful breakdown of this mess....I grew up in COC and 20 years later was saved in prison. I smelled a rat,but couldn't put my finger on it...you put both feet down on it! Thank you for this ministry!
Heretics who believe they & even unbelieving newborn infants will be saved by water baptism go to no limits in perverting scripture in order to justify themselves that their water baptism is what has saved them (making them water baptism idolaters of the worse sort who replace faith alone in Jesus Christ alone by grace alone with a man made "work" of performing a human ritual of water baptism thus promoting "another gospel" which is cursed in Galatians 1:6-9 by the apostle Paul; see also Ephesians 2:8-10). See our video "IS WATER BAPTISM NECESSARY TO ESCAPE HELL & BE SAVED & ARE YOU "BORN AGAIN" (JOHN 3:3-8) BY IT?" at ua-cam.com/video/wYJtMV9qrWg/v-deo.html. Heretics even turn to Old Testament verses to argue for their water baptism savior. The following are some of the arguments made by them for water baptism salvation in the Old Testament: "Old Testament references to Holy Baptism with water - As with the other sacraments, references to Holy Baptism with water can be found in the Old Testament. The deliverance of Noah and his family in the ark is regarded in 1 Peter 3: 20-21 as an "antitype of baptism" and a reference to future salvation. In Christian tradition, the Israelites' passage through the Red Sea-their deliverance from Egyptian captivity-is also understood as a reference to the deliverance that occurs through baptism with water. The Mosaic Law strictly distinguishes between "clean" and "unclean". Water is one of the means used to bring about ritual purity. Persons who were unclean in a religious sense had to subject to a bath of purification (Leviticus 13-15). Ezekiel 16: 9 mentions a washing with water and an anointing with oil, through which Jerusalem was received into a covenant of salvation. This can also be understood as a reference to Holy Baptism with water and Holy Sealing. Likewise, the situation of the Aramaic commander Naaman can be related to baptism: at the instruction of the prophet Elisha, the leper washed himself by dipping his body seven times into the Jordan, and the disease abated (2 Kings 5: 1-14). This can be understood as a symbol for the washing away of original sin through baptism." Weak arguments for water baptism salvation such as these are easily refuted by a proper New Testament understanding of Biblical salvation. 101 Reasons Why Water Baptism is Not Necessary to be Saved Thesis: We are saved by the grace (gift) of God through a living faith, via the agency (baptism) of the Holy Spirit because of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Water baptism is a most important part of the Christian life. Since the earliest days, baptism has been consistently practiced by Christians to confirm their faith and relationship with the Father, Son, And Holy Spirit. Certainly a person with a sincere saving faith will be baptized (or if they were baptized as an infant will acknowledge and cherish that fact). Water baptism is a physical act that testifies to a spiritual event. But does the actual act of being baptized get one to heaven? Christians sometimes assume that whenever they see the term baptism, that it is referring to water baptism. This is not always a correct understanding. The New Testament uses the term baptism in four different ways: baptism by water, by the Holy Spirit, and by fire (Matthew 3:11, etc.). It also uses it as a metaphor for the association believers have in Christ's death (Romans 6:4, etc.). Items 1 through 41 are concerned with how we are saved, that is how we get to heaven. Many verses emphasize salvation by grace through faith without mentioning water baptism: 1. John 1:12 2. John 3:14-18, 36 (whoever) 3. John 5:24 4. John 6:29-40, 47, 69 (whoever, everyone) 5. John 11:25-26 (whoever) 6. John 12:46-50 (whoever) 7. John 16:7-9 (not believe) 8. John 17:20-22 9. John 20:31 10. Acts 2:21,33 (everyone) 11. Acts 10:43-48 (whoever, water baptism follows belief and Holy Spirit’s work of salvation) 12. Acts 13:38-39, 48 (everyone) 13. Acts 15:8-11 14. Acts 16:30-31 (answer to a direct question: What must I do to be saved?) 15. Acts 26:18 16. Romans 1:16 (everyone) 17. Romans 3:20-31 (all who believe) 18. Romans 4:1-11 19. Romans 4:23-25 20. Romans 5:1-21 21. Romans 9:30-33 (whoever) 22. Romans 10:4-13 (everyone, whoever) 23. Galatians 2:15-21, Galatians 3:1-28 (whoever, baptism secondary to faith) 24. Galatians 5:5-6 25. Ephesians 2:8-10 26. Philippians 3:4-14 27. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 28. Hebrews 4:2-3 29. 1 Peter 2:6 30. 1 John 1:5-10 31. 1 John 4:15 (God abides in whoever confesses Christ) 32. 1 John 5:1, 10-13 (whoever) 33. Other verses mention belief without water baptism: Luke 7:50; John 2:11, 23; John 4:39, 41; John 7:38-39; John 8:30-32; John 9:35-36; John 10:42; John 11:45, 48; John 12:11, 42-44; John 14:1, 12; John 20:31; Acts 14:23; Acts 20:21; Romans 15:13; Philippians 1:29; Titus 3:8. There nine instances of conversion in the book of Acts without reference to baptism: Acts 3:1-4:4, Acts 5:1-14, Acts 9:32-35, Acts 11:19-24, Acts 13:6-12, Acts 13:42-52, Acts 14:1, Acts 17:10-12, Acts 17:22-34. Did the authors miss the opportunity to mention baptism in these many passages if it is so important? 34. Many of the above verses use the language “whosoever” (King James) or “whoever” or “everyone” who believes. This language is all-encompassing. That is, by the language of the text nothing else is required for salvation except faith. Thus, in addition to not mentioning water baptism, the all-encompassing language of whoever precludes other requirements. SO HERE WE HAVE THE THESIS OF SALVATION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH DEMONSTRATED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE. 35. Further, many verses specifically preclude works as a way to salvation: Acts 13:39; Romans 3:20, 28; Galatians 2:15-17; Ephesians 2:9; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:5; Philippians 3:8-9 (“everything”), etc. Others say that we cannot boast before God-a similar concept (Romans 3:27; 1 Corinthians 1:29). Note: some of these passages could be construed to mean we are not saved by the Law of Moses-the Old Testament law- leaving open that other works (“laws of Christ”) are necessary for salvation. However, other passages clarify that “works” are any works. See Romans 3:20-27 (clearly speaking of moral law thus broader than ceremonial law of Moses); Galatians 2:21 (“nothing”), Galatians 3:21-22 (“if a law”); Galatians 3:25 (no longer a guardian law); Titus 3:5. And please consider Romans 13:10 in Young's Literal Translation: "Love therefore is the fulness of law." Note that in the Greek there is no "the" in front of "law," making law a general term and not a reference to Old Testament law. So Paul is making a general case that we are not saved by works of any kind. Jesus himself explains in John 6:27-29 that the “work” we must do is to believe. Thus we are not saved by what we do; we cannot get to heaven by what we do. HERE WE HAVE THE THESIS OF GRACE THROUGH FAITH DEMONSTRATED IN THE NEGATIVE. 36. Baptism in the Bible typically follows one’s saving faith as an act of obedience after being saved. 37. We listed numerous passages that say that forgiveness of sins comes with faith. There are also passages that indicate that forgiveness of sins is associated with repentance (without mention of water baptism), for example Mark 1:15; Luke 24:47; Acts 3:19; Acts 5:31; Acts 19:4; Acts 20:21; 2 Corinthians 7:10. 38. Faith and repentance are closely associated. They are like two sides of the same coin. You cannot turn toward Christ without turning away from sin. So the command to non-Christians is to repent and believe. All other commands to obedience in the New Testament, including water baptism, are to people who are already Christians. 39. Having pointed out the above, we must clarify that the type of faith that saves is one that is obedient. Ephesians 2:8-10 confirms that we are saved by grace through faith and not of our own doing, but through a faith that results in good works. James 2 confirms that we cannot be saved by a “dead” faith. Thus we are saved by a living faith. Someone who has a genuine faith will seek to conform their life to the will of God. Ephesians 2 confirms that even faith itself is a gift of God. Yet a living faith is still faith. Faith expressed is still faith. We would question whether a person who refused water baptism has a genuine (living) faith. A person who had received a saving faith would want to be obedient, thus would be baptized, not for salvation but because of it. 40. Yes, “works” are indeed necessary for salvation-Christ’s work (Romans 5:19)! For us humans, works are an output rather than an input. In terms of a formula: (a) Correct Formula: GRACE THROUGH FAITH = SALVATION + WORKS (b) Incorrect Formula: GRACE THROUGH FAITH + WORKS = SALVATION Formula (b) is biblically incorrect as well as logically incorrect. The first law of logic says that 2 contradictory things cannot both be true at the same time and in the same relationship. The definition of grace is unmerited favor (www.carm.org/christianity/dictionary-theology/gehenna-hypostatic-union#_1_75) and is a free gift (Romans 5:15, 5:16, 6:23). So it would be merited favor if works are required for salvation. Something cannot both be unmerited and merited at the same time. This is precisely what Paul is arguing in Romans 11:6 (“But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.”) and in Galatians 2:9 (“I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died needlessly.”) 41. Nowhere does the Bible say the words, “cannot be saved without water baptism,” or “an unbaptized believer is not saved.” Items 42 through 59 pertain to Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21, and Acts 22:16-passages which are often used to show that water baptism saves. 42. Acts 2:38 in most translations says, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins….” But there are valid reasons why for in Acts 2:38 does not necessarily mean “in order to achieve” forgiveness of sins. The Greek word eis (“for”) can have a variety of translations or meanings. Possible meanings include "in," "into," "unto," "to,"towards," "at," or even “because of,” “as a result of,” or “in light of.” There are many passages in the New Testament that show these various nuances in meaning: Matthew 3:11, 10:41, 12:41, 28:19; Mark 1:9; Luke 5:14, 14:23; John 4:5, 11:31; Acts 2:25, 10:43, 19:3, 22:10; Romans 4:20, 5:8, 5:12, 6:3; 1 Corinthians 10:2. Thus, whatever follows eis (for) may even be something that has already been accomplished. Here is an online Bible that the reader can look up each of these passages: www.biblegateway.com/. Also see Got Questions, a site that has the most extensive list of Bible answers on the Internet. Robert Morey cites many Bible translations that render eis in Acts 2:38 as “because of” or “as a result of” or “in light of.” Also helpful is an essay by Lanny Tanton, a former Church of Christ preacher that changed his mind on this: Change of Mind. Eis also “looks backward” in the Old Testament Septuagint (Malachi 2:2, 2:11). 43. The English dictionary gives about a dozen ways that the word “for” is used. For example, consider the statement, “John was beheaded for his faithfulness.” Isn't it accurate to say that “for” does not mean “in order to obtain” in this sentence? Similarly, the statement "Take two aspirin for a headache" does not mean "Take two aspirin in order to get a headache." 44. Further regarding Acts 2:38, The Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible (page 1357) says this, “The main verb in this verse is metanoesate (3340), meaning 'repent.' This refers to that initial repentance of a sinner unto salvation. The verb translated ‘be baptized’ is in the indirect passive imperative of baptizo (907) which means that it does not have the same force as the direct command of ‘repent.’ The preposition ‘for’ in the phrase ‘for the remission of sins’ in Greek is eis (1519), ‘unto.’ Literally it means ‘for the purpose of identifying you with the remission of sins.’ This same preposition is used in 1 Corinthians 10:2 in the phrase ‘and were all baptized unto [eis] Moses.’ These people were identifying themselves with the work and ministry of Moses. Repentance is something that concerns an individual and God, while baptism is intended to be a testimony to other people. That is why baptistheto, ‘to be baptized,’ is in the passive voice indicating that one does not baptize himself, but he is baptized by another usually in the presence of others.” 45. Thayer’s A Greek English Lexicon of the New Testament confirms many alternative meanings to the Greek word eis. 46. People are saved after (1) hearing God’s word (Acts 2:22-37). They then (2) received God’s word (Acts 2:41) and (3) believed in Jesus (Acts 10:43, Romans 10:9-13) for salvation. Peter’s audience “gladly received his word”-and by necessary inference believed in their hearts and put their trust in Jesus-before they were water baptized (Acts 2:41). Salvation thus comes at the point of receiving God’s word and taking it to heart. 47. Those who believed Peter’s message clearly received the Holy Spirit before they were baptized. Peter said, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” (Acts 10:47) Peter’s first emphasis is on having received the Holy Spirit (just as we have); baptism comes later as a follow-up. 48. Scripture must be interpreted so that it harmonizes. Language is often not straight forward or literal, and interpretation is required. There are passages that may seem to be saying, on the surface, that we must do something to be saved (water baptism)-such as Acts 2:38 or Mark 16:16. But if they actually meant that, Scripture would be contradictory. Any concept or statement that is contradictory cannot be true. Note for example, that Mark 16:16 does not specifically say that all who believe but are not baptized go to hell. If it did, it would contradict the “whoever” passages such as John 3:16 or Acts 10:43 (whoever believes shall be saved) and would also contradict the numerous passages that say we are not saved by works (Romans 3, Ephesians 2, Galatians 3, Titus 3, etc.). Similarly, Acts 2:38 cannot mean that water baptism is necessary for salvation because Acts 2:21 says that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” The way to harmonize these concepts is to understand that works such as water baptism are things that a true saved believer will do to be obedient. But (in the case of an adult convert) such works follow salvation. Thus we are saved by a living faith (James 2). But faith expressed is still faith-and it is faith that saves us-not the works. 49. To emphasize, if eis has the meaning of “in order to be saved” in Acts 2:38, it suggests that salvation is based on works-an idea that runs counter to the theology of Acts, namely: (a) repentance-and sins blotted out-often precedes baptism (cf. Acts 3:19, 26:20), and (b) salvation is entirely a gift of God, not procured via water baptism (Acts 10:43 [cf. v. 47]; Acts 13:38-39, 48; Acts 15:11; Acts 16:30-31; Acts 20:21; Acts 26:18). 50. Acts 2:44 speaks of “all who believed” as constituting the early church, not necessarily all who were baptized. 51. According to theologians Geisler and Howe (book When Critics Ask), in view of the many factors, “It seems best to understand Peter’s statement in Acts 2:38 like this: ‘Repent and be baptized with a view to the forgiveness of sins’ (or ‘because of forgiveness of sins’). Believing (or repenting) and being baptized are placed together, since baptism should follow belief. But nowhere does it say, ‘He who is not baptized will be condemned’ (Mark 16:16). Yet Jesus said emphatically that ‘he who does not believe is condemned already’ (John 3:18). So neither Peter nor the rest of Scripture makes water baptism a condition of salvation.” 52. Mark 16:16, which is often used to support water baptismal regeneration does not appear in the oldest and most reliable manuscripts. So many scholars question whether it should even be considered part of Scripture. See Got Questions on Mark. 53. Does Mark 16:16 prove that a person must be baptized in order to be saved? No, it does not specify. It says that a person who believes and is baptized will be saved, and a person who does not believe is condemned. Proverbs 30:6 and 1 Corinthians 4:6 are strict warnings not to add to God’s word. If you say that Mark 16:16 states what happens to those who believe and are not baptized, when that verse is silent on that, you are adding to God’s word. 54. The Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible (page 1260) says about Mark 16:16, “The word ‘believeth’ is pisteuo [4100], an aortist participle referring to one who has believed at some time in the past. Also, baptistheis (907), translated ‘is baptized,’ is an aorist participle but in the passive voice. This form refers to an act of outward obedience, in this case, baptism. Therefore, the correct translation here should be stated, 'He who believed and who was baptized shall be saved.' However, the Lord adds, ' …but he that believeth not shall be damned.’ It should be noted that this negative statement does not include a reference to baptism, making it clear that what saves a person is living faith in Jesus Christ. This is made clear in Ephesians 2:8, ‘For by grace are ye saved through faith….’ The word ‘saved’ is translated from the Greek word sesosmenoi, which is a perfect passive participle. It means that this salvation took place at some point in the past and is continuing on in the present, being accomplished by Jesus Christ Himself. If baptism were necessary for salvation, Ephesians 2:8 and many other verses should have been translated ‘ye are saved through faith and baptism.’…Baptism is a distinct act of obedience apart from salvation. This is clarified by the order in which the words ‘believe’ and ‘baptize’ occur in the text…” 55. 1 Pet 3:21 (NIV): “and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also-not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God…” 1 Pet 3:21 (KJV): “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.)” The body washed with pure water is a visible emblem of our changed hearts. The key word in the Greek in this sentence is antitypos, which means “a thing resembling another” (Blue Letter Bible). So the NIV rendering “symbolizes” is correct. 1 Peter 3:21 says that it is not the water that saves us but the pledge of a good conscience towards God, which is symbolized by baptism. See Got Questions on Peter. 56. Regarding 1 Peter 3:21, the notes in the The Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible (pages 1539-1540) explains, “The expression ‘baptism doth now save’ should be understood in light of verse twenty: ‘eight souls were saved by water.’ Noah and his family, being in the ark, were able to pass safely ‘through’ the waters….In the same way, the term ‘baptism’ should be understood as the visible representation of deliverance through Christ, just as the ark represented deliverance from the waters of the flood. When a person accepts Christ, he is saved; when the believer is baptized, he is identified with the One who has delivered him (i.e. Jesus Christ).” 57. KJV’s “by water” is incorrect; the Greek is “through water (di udatos)” per (NKJV, NIV, NASB, Green’s Literal Translation, NRSV, Young's Literal Translation). Wasn’t Noah saved before the flood (Genesis 6:8)? So aren’t believers saved before baptism in the same way, baptism being a symbol of a saving faith? It also seems significant that Peter here (1 Peter 3:21) explains his own statement by stating that baptism is "an appeal to God for a good conscience through the resurrection of Christ." 58. Further regarding 1 Peter 3:21, is referring not the the dirt on the surface of the body, but most likely to our sinful nature. The Greek word is sarx (Blue Letter Bible). So Peter is saying specifically that water batpism does not remove our sinful nature. See Filth of the Flesh. 59. Acts 22:16 says, “Now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.” According to the John MacArthur study Bible, “Grammatically the phrase, ‘calling on His name,’ precedes ‘Get up and be baptized.’ Salvation comes from calling on the name of the Lord (Romans 10:9, 10, 13), not from being baptized.” Items 60 through 76 are concerned with baptism of the Holy Spirit Here's a helpful article: Got Questions on Baptism of the Holy Spirit 60. In Acts 10:43-48 those who believed Peter’s message clearly received the Holy Spirit before they were baptized. Before receiving water baptism, they believed, praised God and spoke in tongues, so they had already become children of God before receiving water baptism. Then Peter said, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So water baptism followed their salvation. The Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible (page 1372) says, “This is similar to the circumstances at Jerusalem and Samaria in that each time, many believers were baptized in the Holy Spirit at the same time (cf. Acts 2:1-4, 8:14-17). It is interesting to note that apostles were present in each instance. The special manifestation of the Holy Spirit here, which allowed these Gentiles to speak in tongues, proved that God gave the Gentiles the same ‘gift’ (v. 45) as the Jews. Notice that the baptism of the Holy Spirit [normally] took place prior to water baptism. ‘Spiritual’ baptism is what actually places believers into the body of Christ while water baptism only demonstrates to others that a person is in the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13)….” 1 Corinthians 12:13 specifically confirms that baptism by the Holy Spirit is what places us in the body of Christ. Peter in Acts 10:43 makes it clear that it is faith that produces remission of sins, and that water baptism comes later as a symbol of one’s new life in Christ. Also, we note that in Acts 11, where Peter explains what happened in Acts 10, he makes no mention of water baptism, and in Acts 11:16 indicates that Holy Spirit baptism superceded water baptism of John the Baptist. 61. The situation in Acts 8:14-17 is somewhat different from the ones in Acts 2 and Acts 10 however. The Samaritans received the laying on of hands and the Holy Spirit after water baptism. So it is obvious from this story that it is possible to be regenerated and not to have received the Spirit’s empowering presence yet. Even today, it is certainly true that we receive certain aspects of the Holy Spirit’s work at the point of regeneration and some afterward. The Holy Spirit is working in our lives before, during, and after water baptism. See www.faithfacts.org/bible-101/christian-cram-course#holyspirit. Certainly we should not put God in a box about how he works in a person’s life. There are some logical reasons why this situation occurred as it did. Apparently the apostles were not present when the original conversions took place. This was a group of Samaritans, who were not fully Jewish and there was a lot of hostility that existed between the Samaritans and Jews. It would have been desirable in this early ministry to receive apostolic approval to prove that this new church was “kosher.” This passage does not in any way indicate that water baptism saves. 62. Romans 8:14: “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” Similarly, Romans 8:16-17: “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs-heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” Who would be “sons” or “children?” In modern figurative language, children would have the DNA of the father-having been “born again” (John 3). 63. Romans 15:13. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Thus, our hope is in the power of the Holy Spirit through faith (not our power to obey or whatever legalistic requirement). 64. Included in the many things the Holy Spirit does is that he is active in the salvation of a person. He regenerates us, this being made quite clear in Titus 3:5. He transforms us (2 Corinthians 3:18). He sanctifies us (Galatians 5:16-23; 2 Thessalonians 2:13). Remembering that we are saved by a transformation of the heart-the Holy Spirit pours out God’s love in the heart (Romans 5:5), He seals God’s promises in believers’ hearts (Ephesians 1:13-14), and He strengthens the inner being (Ephesians 3:16). It is by his power that we have hope (Romans 15:13). Further, he shapes the individual’s community life to Christ’s (Romans 8:1-17), etc, etc. See also Who Is the Holy Spirit. 65. Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Acts 1:5; Acts 2:4; 1 Cor 6:11 shows that we are baptized, washed, justified, and sanctified by the Spirit of God. (We are washed by the Holy Spirit-not by water.) The Holy Spirit is everywhere in the Scriptures from beginning to end doing his work in the world and in people. 66. The Holy Spirit is the seal of the believer’s salvation (Ephesians 4:30; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Romans 8:9), not water baptism. Indeed, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit when we believed (Ephesians 1:11-14), and even before at the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:3-12). Note: Certainly, predestination is a difficult concept, but we believe it because God says it. 67. Titus 3:3-8 shows that it is the Holy Spirit that regenerates a person, not water baptism or any other work. Notice also that it is by the work of God that we are saved, and specifically not because of any righteousness things we have done. This is baptism (washing) of the Holy Spirit, which is mentioned in Acts 1:5 and fulfilled in Acts 2:4. 68. 2 Tim 1:9-14 shows that it is the power of the Trinity-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit- that saves us, not because of our works. 69. Many verses show that the Holy Spirit dwells in a person or is the helpmate of God’s or Jesus’ indwelling (John 14:17; Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 3:16-19; 2 Timothy 1:14; 1 John 4:13-17). The Holy Spirit’s indwelling is the means whereby “Christ is in you.” Paul views this relationship as so close that he can even say “the Lord is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:17, Galatians 4:6, etc.) Elsewhere, in Galatians 2:20 Paul says, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” Paul teaches that the Holy Spirit and Christ work together in applying the resurrected life of Christ to the believer. Indeed, the Spirit’s presence now is a guarantee, if you will, of the future bodily resurrection of the believer (Romans 8:11). 70. In further context, those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God (Romans 8:14). What does it mean to be a son of God? We should think that in some sense in modern language it means that we have his DNA. He also intercedes for the Saints (8:27)-which is mentioned in the context of predestination (8:29). All this is to say that it is the Holy Spirit who is working salvation in the person. Just as our physical birth is not something we earn or have any control over, spiritual birth is something the God gives rather than something we earn or have any control over (1 Peter 1:3-5). 71. John 3 is an interesting passage. Here Jesus tells Nicodemus that unless one is born again of water and the Spirit, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Some might say that water here refers to the water being released when one is born physically by a woman. Others would say that water here means water baptism. But this latter interpretation seems quite unlikely, since Christian baptism had not been instituted yet and would have been meaningless to Nicodemus. (Others find reference to John’s baptism in this statement, but Jesus nowhere makes John’s baptism a requirement for salvation.) Remembering who Jesus is speaking to-a leading Jew-he is most certainly referring to Old Testament passages the Nicodemus would have been familiar with: Isaiah 32:15, Isaiah 44:3, and Ezekiel 36:25-27. According the notes in The Reformation Study Bible, linguistic considerations point to understanding “water” and the “Spirit” as referring to a single spiritual birth. In these OT passages, the concept expressed is the pouring out of God’s Spirit in the end times. The presence of such rich Old Testament imagery accounts for Jesus’ reproof of Nicodemus (John 3:10) as a “teacher of Israel,” which he should have understood. The Reformation Study Bible, of note, also says that the passage emphasizes the priority and sovereignty of God in salvation, though it does not exclude the reality of human response in repentance and faith. So the message is that salvation is through baptism of the Holy Spirit, not water baptism. 72. Can the word water as used in John 3:5 mean water baptism? Why didn't Christ say what he meant to say? If he really meant baptism-when he said water-by the same reasoning he evidently meant baptism in the next Chapter (John 4:7-15). Read again the story of the Woman at the Well and substitute the word baptism for water everywhere it is found in the story exactly as you substitute the word baptism for water in John 3:5, and see what a story you make. False doctrines always lead to muddy water. 73. Jesus baptizes via the Holy Spirit (Mat 3:11 and Mark 1:8) and never personally baptized with water as far we know. If water baptism is so important, why didn’t Jesus do so? 74. There is a close relationship between how we are saved and the gospel. Romans 1:16 says that the gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. Understanding clearly from this passage that it is the power of God that saves (and not the power of a person), at the very least to deny that God the Holy Spirit is active in the believer is, we think, a gross distortion of the gospel, which we further demonstrate at www.faithfacts.org/world-religions-and-theology/church-of-christ#gospel. 75. The Holy Spirit is most certainly active today. Denying the work of the Holy Spirit, especially as regards to salvation, is very close to being the unforgivable sin that the Bible speaks of in Matthew 12:31-32 and Mark 3:22-30. 76. 1 Corinthians 12:13 plainly states that "we were all baptized by one Spirit...." See Baptism by the Holy Spirit. The conclusion must be, it seems to us, that indeed we are saved by the spiritual baptism of the Holy Spirit creating an inner change in the heart rather than water on the skin. The Bible makes a distinction between spiritual baptism and water baptism (Matthew 3:11). But we would not put God in a box, and so this would not preclude the Holy Spirit working through water baptism as a means of God’s grace- as the Holy Spirit works before, during, and after one is saved. But it does preclude the legalistic view that water baptism is a work of the individual that one must do to be saved. Items 77 through 95 pertain to other Scripture passages and concepts on baptism 77. There is no record of the apostles ever receiving water baptism. Though they probably did, it would be a glaring omission for the writers of the New Testament to omit this if it is so important. 78. Paul separates baptism from the Gospel, saying, “Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the Gospel” (1 Corinthians 1:17). But it is the Gospel which saves us (Romans 1:16, 1 Corinthians 15:1-8). Therefore, water baptism is not part of what saves us. See “What is the Gospel”: www.faithfacts.org/bible-101/what-is-the-gospel. 79. Jesus implied in Matthew 3:13-16 that water baptism is a work of righteousness. But Titus 3:5 teaches that it is “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.” 80. Not once in the entire Gospel of John, written explicitly so that people could believe and be saved (John 20:31), does it give water baptism as part of the condition of salvation. It simply says over and over that people should believe and be saved (cf. John 3:16, 18, 36). 81. While a legalist may say, “Our salvation depends on a proper baptism.”-there is no terminology or concept of a “proper” baptism in the New Testament. This is simply a term that identifies the speaker as a legalist. 82. The thief on the cross was saved without water baptism. Some claim that water baptism was not necessary because the thief died under the Old Covenant. But because Jesus died BEFORE the thief, it follows that the thief was saved without water baptism AFTER the atonement. Another problem with the Old Covenant claim as to the thief on the cross comes from Romans 2:12: "and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law." Was the thief on the cross judged by the law or by grace through faith alone? Of course, it was by faith alone. Finally, some claim that he must have been baptized previously. This assumption is not probable and seems suspect to fit a pre-conceived doctrine. 83. In addition to the thief on the cross, there are other instances in the Bible where a sinner was saved without baptism: the paralytic man in Matthew 9:2; the penitent woman in Luke 7:37-50; the publican in Luke 18:13-14. See also: Acts 15:9; Acts 26:18; Ephesians 1:11-13; 1 Jn 5:4; etc. 84. The apostle Paul (Acts 9:6-9, 22:6-16, 26:12-23) obeyed before he received water baptism. Was he saved before he was baptized? Yes! Ananias called him “brother Saul” in Acts 22:13. He became a child of God-a true Christian-when he called on the name of the Lord (and obeyed Jesus) before being baptized. He had a living faith, not a “dead faith” when he called on the name of the Lord and was obedient prior to water baptism. Baptism was another-though certainly important-event of obedience after he was saved. In Acts 26:20, Paul makes the statement “...and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.”(ESV) In the NIV, it is translated “...that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.” This confirms Paul’s understanding of his own conversion, as well as others, that salvation occurred before water baptism. Just before that he quotes Jesus as saying that people are “sanctified by faith in me [Jesus],” (Acts 26:18)-further proving that salvation comes with faith. In Acts 3:19 we see Paul making a similar statement: “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out.” So it is faith and repentance that save, without regard to water baptism. 85. In Romans 4:9-11, Abraham was saved before the obedience of circumcision, which is the Old Testament correlation to New Testament baptism. 86. Acts 15:1-12. Some men (falsely) taught that unless you are circumcised you cannot be saved. The apostles COULD have said, “Not circumcision anymore but baptism.” But instead Peter said, “No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” So they told Gentile believers to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, sexual immorality, blood, but “missed their chance” to say that baptism is required. 87. Water baptism is a sacrament, like the Lord’s Supper. Both are symbols of the reality of our salvation in Christ. Just as we do not literally eat Christ’s body in the Lord’s Supper, we are not literally saved by water trickling over our skin. 88. Water baptism is like the ring in a wedding. We use the term “with this ring I thee wed.” The language indicates that we are literally married by the ring. But it is not the ring that marries a couple. It is the commitment under God. Similarly, water baptism is to a Christian what a uniform is to a soldier. The soldier puts on the uniform because he is ordered to. It identifies him outwardly as what he is in his person. 89. Water baptism is like physical birth, while our salvation is like conception prior to physical birth. See www.freedomsring.org/ftc/chap27.html. Life began at conception, not at birth. Baptism does not initiate life, it was initiated earlier at the point of faith, that is, at the point of the work of the Holy Spirit. 90. Steve Morrison (www.biblequery.com) argues that “baptism is an emblem of washing our sins away. But even if someone says that this was literally washing their sins away, they should probably still agree with these things: a. If it was the liquid water that literally took away the sins, then future sins would not be taken away unless a person was baptized again and again. b. It is not the water that is special, but rather the water as the identification with the blood of Christ. c. The Bible does not say people cannot have sins washed away without baptism. God is capable of taking away the sins of the thief on the cross, as well as early Christians who were martyred before they had the opportunity to be baptized. d. So, it is not the drops of water that take away anything. Rather, it is the pledge of a good conscience before God that connects us with Christ’s blood, and baptism is an acknowledgment-an emblem, of that.” 91. Ephesians 2:1-10 explains that regeneration actually precedes faith, and the faith itself is a gift of God! See www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/sproul01.html. 92. Did Christ personally, at any time or place tell a sinner to be baptized FOR or IN ORDER to the Remission of Sin? If so, where and when? Why didn’t Jesus regularly practice water baptism if it is so important? 93. “Washing” in 1 Cor 6:11 may not necessarily mean water baptism. Revelation 1:5 and Revelation 7:14 make it clear that we are washed by the blood of Christ! 94. The healing of Naaman in the Jordan River (2 Kings 5) does not mean that water baptism saves. The healing of leprosy is not evidence of salvation. Naaman did not even believe in God when he was healed. 95. What if a person met all the requirements to be saved, but was killed in a car wreck on his way to being baptized. Would he not be in heaven? Items 92 through 101 pertain to historical interpretations 96. Alexander Campbell in Design by Baptism p.262 said: “In this sense we are to understand what is said by Paul, that Christ sanctifieth and cleanseth the church ‘with washing of water by the word.’ Ephesians 5:26, and in another place, that ‘according to His mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and of renewing of the Holy Ghost’ Titus 3:5, and by Peter that ‘baptism doeth save us’ 1 Peter 3:21. For it is not the intention of Paul to signify that our ablution and salvation are completed by water, or that water contains in itself the virtue to purify, regenerate, and renew; nor did Peter mean that it was the cause of salvation, but only the knowledge and assurance of it is received in this sacrament: what is sufficiently evident from the words they have used. For Paul connects together the ‘word of life’ and ‘the baptism of water;’ as if he had said, our ablution and sanctification are announced to us by the Gospel, and by baptism this message is confirmed. And Peter after having said the baptism doth save us, immediately adds, that it is ‘not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God’ which proceeds from faith. But on the contrary, baptism promises us no other purification than by the sprinkling of the blood of Christ; which is emblematically represented by water, on account of its resemblance to washing and cleansing.” 97. Alexander Campbell in Millennial Harbinger, 1837, p.411-412 said: “But who is a Christian? I answer, every one that believes in his heart that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, the Son of God; repents of his sins, and obeys him in all things according to his measure of knowledge of his will. . . . I cannot make any one duty the standard of Christian state or character, not even immersion into the name of Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and [cannot] in my heart regard all that have been sprinkled in infancy without their own knowledge and consent, as aliens from Christ and the well-grounded hope of heaven. Should I find a Pedobaptist [one baptized as an infant] more intelligent in the Christian Scriptures, more spiritually-minded and more devoted to the Lord than a Baptist, or one immersed on a profession of the ancient faith, I could not hesitate a moment in giving the preference of my heart to him that loveth most. Did I act otherwise, I would be a pure sectarian, a Pharisee among Christians.” 98. The early church document the Didache (c.125 A.D.) ch.7 p.379 said: “baptize into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in living water. But if thou have not living water, baptize into other water; and if thou canst not in cold, in warm. But if thou have not either, pour out water thrice upon the head into the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” 99. In another early church document, Anonymous Treatise on Re-baptism (254-257 A.D.) ch.5 p.669-670: On speaking of Cornelius said, “And there will be no doubt that men may be baptized with the Holy Ghost without water, as thou observest that these were baptized before they were baptized with water; that the announcements of both John and of our Lord Himself were satisfied, forasmuch as they received the grace of the promise both without the imposition of the apostle’s hands and without the laver [baptismal font], which they attained afterwards. And their hearts being purified, God bestowed upon them at the same time, in virtue of their faith, remission of sins; so that the subsequent baptism conferred upon them this benefit alone, that they received also the invocation of the name of Jesus Christ, that nothing might appear to be wanting to the integrity of their service and faith.” 100. In an extensive study of what the early church fathers said about baptism, Steve Morrison (www.biblequery.org/) says, “We cannot find a single person in history who held to both believer’s baptism plus all are lost who are not immersed for remission of sins. In other words, according to the doctrine of many Churches of Christ, outside of the New Testament we cannot find in history a single person who had any possibility of going to heaven, until after the restoration movement started, and even Alexander Campbell was never baptized for remission of sins.” 101. And finally, for the record, the word baptism does not necessarily always mean immersion. For example, in 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 the Israelites were baptized by only getting their feet wet, while it was the Egyptians who got immersed. Luke 11:38 is a reference to the washing of hands, not of total body immersion. In Mark 7:4 baptism is described as washing of vessels, which is not necessarily immersion but could be pouring or scrubbing. Hebrews 9:10 speaks of “various ceremonial washings.” The word here is baptismos. The ceremonial washing, or baptisms, that follow are rites of purification in the Old Testament (cf. Hebrews 9:13-31). In all of these ceremonial washings, the method of application was sprinkling. In fact, all Old Testament purifications or washings were by sprinkling (Numbers 8:7, 19:19, Leviticus 14:7, etc). Doesn't it stand to reason that New Testament Jewish Christians would have appreciated that method of baptism? Conclusion: (a) We get to heaven by God’s grace through a genuine living faith in Jesus. The view that water touching skin is what saves us is a superficial view of the doctrine of salvation. (b) Requirements of a “proper” baptism are not bibilical and are a mark of legalism-especially when combined with other works requirements. (c) However, anyone who refuses to be baptized probably does not have a genuine faith. “Christian baptism, which has the form of a ceremonial washing (like John’s pre-Christian baptism), is a sign from God that signifies inward cleansing and remission of sins (Acts 22:16; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Ephesians 5:25-27), Spirit-wrought regeneration and new life (Titus 3:5), and the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit as God’s seal testifying and guaranteeing that one will be kept safe in Christ forever (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:13-14). Fundamentally, Baptism signifies union with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-7; Colossians 2:11-12), and this union with Christ is the source of every element in our salvation (1 John 5:11-12). Receiving the sign of baptism in faith assures those baptized that God’s gift of new life in Christ is freely given to them. At the same time, it commits them to live in a new way as disciples of Jesus.” (The Reformation Study Bible, page 1623.) See also other articles: Christian Cram Course at www.faithfacts.org/bible-101/christian-cram-course What is the Gospel? at www.faithfacts.org/bible-101/what-is-the-gospel Bible Questions for the Church of Christ at www.faithfacts.org/world-religions-and-theology/church-of-christ Other links: CRI Baptism for the Forgiveness of Sins Part 1 at www.equip.org/PDF/DB055-1.pdf CRI Baptism for the Forgiveness of Sins Part 2 at www.equip.org/PDF/DB055-2.pdf Baptismal Regeneration at www.ovrlnd.com/FalseDoctrine/Refuting_baptismal_Regen.html Grace to You at www.gty.org/resources/questions/qa79 Titus 3 at www.zianet.com/maxey/reflx609.htm "Baptism Now Saves You"?"All the fountains of the great deep burst open and the floodgates of the sky were opened... after Noah and his family of seven had entered the ark. It rained for forty days and forty nights, the waters rose above the mountains, and the ark floated on the surface of the water... All flesh that moved on the earth perished... and only Noah was left, together with those that were with him in the ark" (Gen. 7:11,18,21,23)."...the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you - not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience - through the resurrection of Jesus Christ . . . " (I Peter 3:21) What was the baptism that was saving the first-century saints? We have two basic choices: It was either a ritual baptism or a spiritual (or non-ritual) baptism.If we say that the New-Testament saving baptism to which the Noahic experience corresponded was a ritual baptism, one of many problems immediately presents itself: It is Biblically incongruous that an old-testament event prefigured a ritual. It is on the other hand an established hermeneutical principle that old-testament rituals prefigured New-Testament events / experiences / realities. And since old-testament rituals (such as sacrifices) symbolized New-Testament non-rituals (such as the death of Christ/the believer’s sacrifice of praise), it seems even more likely that the non-ritual Noahic salvation foreshadowed a New-Testament non-ritual baptism.But ignoring this obstacle for now, let us examine how I Peter 3:21 might be understood to teach that the salvation of Noah and his family in the ark could have somehow typified a ritual-baptism: Perhaps Peter might have been speaking of one of the ritual baptisms mentioned in Heb. 9:10,13,19-22 ("various washings" in 9:10 is literally "various baptisms"). The problem with this proposal is that those baptisms were only to be "imposed until a time of reformation" (Heb. 9:10), that is, until the consummation of the old covenant. It is hardly believable that ritual-baptisms which could not perfect one's conscience (Heb. 9:9), and which were destined to be done away in the disappearance of the old covenant (Heb. 8:13; 9:10) were "saving" the Christians in the apostolic era. But perhaps Peter was talking about the ritual-baptism which was being administered to converts to Christianity. If we are going to say this, we must presuppose that Christian ritual-baptism was not included in the "various baptisms" of Heb. 9:10 that were only to be imposed until A.D. 70. If Christian ritual-baptism came out of the old covenant, and was thus to be no longer "imposed" after A.D. 70, then it would be axiomatic that Christian ritual-baptism was not the saving baptism of I Peter 3:21. (We will save a discussion on the cessation or continuation of Christian ritual-baptism for another place.) There is another problem though with the idea of the saving baptism in I Peter 3:21 being a ritual, and that is the tense of the verb "saves." The verb is present tense, active voice, and the phrase literally reads, "baptism is now saving you." The meaning seems to be that just as Noah and his family were in process of being saved by a baptism in the ark, so were the first-century believers in process of being saved by baptism. This should further lead us to consider the saving baptism as being spiritual. Thus far, general hermeneutical principles of typology, the weakness and temporary nature of the old-covenant rituals and the tense of the verb "saves" ("saving") direct us toward the idea that the baptism of I Peter 3:21 might be a non-ritual, spiritual baptism. But what kind of a non-ritual baptism could have been in process of saving the first-century Christians? Spiritual BaptismThe first New-Testament reference to a non-ritual baptism is found in Matt. 3:11 (and Mk. 1:8; Lk. 3:16; cf. Acts 1:5), where John the Baptizer said, "As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He Who is Coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." {1}The old covenant could offer only typical and temporary ritual-baptisms such as the one John was offering. {2} But Christ was coming to administer the true, spiritual, New-Testament Baptism to the people of Israel, which baptism was first experienced on the day of Pentecost when the Scripture was fulfilled: "I will pour forth of My Spirit upon all mankind" (Acts 2:17,18; Joel 2:28,29). That baptism was later accompanied by signs a second time in Acts 10:44-46; 11:15,17 when the first Gentiles were converted to Christ. As Peter said concerning that time, "the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon the Gentiles also" and, "the Holy Spirit fell upon them." (Acts 10:45; 11:15) {3} Subsequently, the Lord baptized all believers with the Holy Spirit: "For with one Spirit (cf. Eph. 4:5) we were all baptized into one Body." (I Cor. 12:13)In this spiritual light we should understand Gal. 3:27, "All of you who were baptized into Christ {4} have clothed yourselves with Christ"; and Col. 2:11,12, "In Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, . . . having been buried with [Christ] in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God . . . "; and Rom. 6:3,4, "All of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death. Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life."Spiritual baptism coincides with receiving the Spirit of God (Acts 2:17,18; 10:45; 11:15), with being spiritually clothed with Christ (Gal. 3:27) and with being circumcised with the circumcision made without hands (Col. 2:11,12). And as we shall see, the ongoing spiritual baptism for the believer is equivalent with being daily and experientially unified / identified (Ps. 133:1,2; Rom. 6:5; Eph. 4:3-13) with Christ's death, burial and resurrection (Rom. 6:1-11).Union / identity with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection is the essence of spiritual baptism. In I Peter, it is the "suffering" or "fiery" aspect of spiritual baptism for Christians that is the running theme. Peter wrote his epistle to the persecuted, scattered Jewish believers who were living as aliens and strangers (1:1; 2:11). Many of them were being distressed by various trials (1:6), being slandered, reviled and maligned (2:12; 3:16; 4:4,14); their faith was being tested by fire (1:7). This same baptism was predicted by Jesus in Matt. 20:22,23 (AV); Mk. 10:38,39 (cf. Lk. 12:50), where Jesus asked James and John, "Are you able to . . . be baptized with the baptism which I am baptized?" And they answered, "We are able." And Jesus said, ". . . You shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized." Christ was prophesying to His disciples that they were going to become sharers of His sufferings, i.e., they were going to be experientially / spiritually unified and identified with Him in His sufferings, death and burial. They were going to be "crucified with Him" (Rom. 6:6; Gal. 2:20; 5:24) through persecution, but were also going to endure unto victory through the power of Christ’s resurrection.Union with Christ in His sufferings was further borne out in I Peter when Peter told his readers that it was their calling to patiently endure their persecutions, just as Christ when He suffered, kept entrusting Himself to God. (2:23) "Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose" (4:1), and, "you share the sufferings of Christ" (4:12,13). It was this spiritual baptism that was saving the first-century Christians. Just as a small remnant, eight souls (I Peter 3:20), had been brought safely through the flood waters in Noah’s day (I Peter 3:20), so was a small remnant (Rom. 9:27,29) being brought safely through the fire of God's Last-Days wrath. (Matt. 24:38,39; Lk. 17:26,27; II Peter 2:5-9) {5} Their saving baptism was a refining, purifying baptism, as they were being sovereignly preserved by God through their persecutions until the end of the age. As Paul said in II Cor. 4:17, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." (Cf. Acts 14:22) Not the Cleansing of the Flesh, but a Good ConscienceWhat did Peter mean when he said that the saving baptism was "not the removal of the filth of the flesh?" Heb. 9:8-10 helps us to understand this: "[At] the present time, . . . both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, since they relate only to . . . various baptisms, regulations for the flesh imposed until a time of reformation."Ritual baptisms removed the filth of the flesh, or as Heb. 9:13 reiterates it, they only "sanctified for the cleansing of the flesh." That was their purpose. They could not make the worshipers perfect in conscience. Only spiritual baptism could effect that result. In saying then, "not the removal of dirt from the flesh," Peter was explaining to his readers that the baptism that saves is not ritual ("not the removal of dirt from the flesh") but spiritual.This spiritual saving baptism of suffering was for Peter's brothers "an appeal to God for a good conscience." As I Peter 2:19 says: "For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a man bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly," and in I Peter 3:16,17, "Keep a good conscience . . . For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right . . . "Paul wrote similarly in II Cor. 1:12 of the intense sufferings of the apostles: "For our proud confidence is this, the testimony of our consciences, that in holiness and godly sincerity, . . .we have conducted ourselves in the world . . . "The writer of Hebrews also, in writing to his persecuted brothers, promised a clean conscience through spiritual baptism, in Heb. 9:14, ". . . the blood of Christ . . .[will] cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God."Without the cleansing baptism from God above, the Church was not, and could not, be ultimately saved, for it was only that divine baptism of Spirit-power that could keep the Church faithful and spotless through the fiery judgment of God unto the end. {6} Conclusion As Noah and his family endured patiently in the ark, so were the first-century Christians patiently enduring a spiritual and fiery baptism, sharing the sufferings of Christ. Old-Covenant baptisms were a fading and ceremonial removal of the filth of the flesh, but New-Covenant, spiritual baptism in Christ was the appeal of a good conscience toward God. (Heb. 10:2) By means of it, believers remained faithful through the power of God in Christ, and retained a clean conscience. (I Peter 3:16) And as Christ was exalted after He patiently endured, so to was His Church-Body called and chosen through His resurrection-power to soon be exalted with Him in the end of the old-covenant age. Footnotes:1. The predicted baptizing with the Holy Spirit here is a future-active baptizing, which corresponds with the present-active saving work of the baptism in I Peter 3:21, indicating that I Peter 3:21 is a record of the fulfillment of John's prediction of the coming spiritual baptism.2. The fact that John was administering an old-testament ritual is borne out in Jn. 1:25 where the Pharisees asked him, "Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ?" We should infer from this question that the Scriptures teach that Messiah was to come baptizing as John was doing, and that John was thus working in accordance with the Law. 3. Note that the mode of spiritual baptism in these passages was pouring. It is not unlikely then that John's baptism, which was a symbol / foreshadow of spiritual baptism, was administered by pouring (or sprinkling), the water coming from above as the Spirit from heaven. The references below demonstrate that spiritual baptism was not an immersion but a pouring / sprinkling:Isa. 44:3, "For I will pour out water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring, and My blessing on your descendants." Zech. 12:10, "And I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced...." (See also, Prov. 1:23, Isa. 32:15;45:8; Eze. 39:29). Isa. 52:15, "He will sprinkle many nations." Eze.36:25, "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols."4. Christian ritual-baptism was administered by men with water, and was a baptism "into the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" in Matt. 28:19; "into the Name of the Lord Jesus" in Acts 8:16; 19:5; "in the Name of the Lord" in Acts 10:48 (Some manuscripts have for Acts 10:48, "in the name of Jesus Christ"); and "on the name of Jesus Christ" in Acts 2:38. (Cf. I Cor. 1:13,15). In contrast, spiritual baptism is administered by God with His Spirit, and is a baptism not into the "name" of, but into Jesus Christ in I Cor. 12:13; Rom. 6:3; and Gal. 3:27 (Cf. I Cor. 10:2). The difference between being baptized into the name of someone and being baptized into someone is the difference between ritual and non-ritual baptism. The one is a sign and the other is what the sign signified.5. It was a fiery baptism (I Peter 4:12) of which Peter spoke as being the antitype to the experience of Noah and his family "through waters," even as Peter made the same water / fire parallel in his second epistle:"...The world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. But the present heavens and earth by His word are being reserved for fire..." (II Peter 3:6,7).6. Note that the mode of the various baptisms that could not make the worshipers perfect in conscience in Heb. 9:9,10 was explained to be that of "sprinkling" in Heb. 9:13,19,21. Note also (below) that the mode of spiritual baptism in the context of keeping a good conscience is spoken of as "sprinkling." That baptism was the sprinkling of the redeeming blood of Christ on the hearts of believers:Heb. 10:22 (cf. 12:24), "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, our hearts having been sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our body having been washed in pure water [of the Word]." (Cf. Eph. 5:26). I Peter 1:2, "...unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ."It is also helpful to note here that Christ's "one baptism" of the Church with the Holy Spirit was a triune baptism:1. a pouring out of His "Spirit" upon the Church (uniting the church with Christ), 2. a spiritual sprinkling of His "blood" on the heart of the Church (creating a clean heart and conscience), and 3. a spiritual washing of the Church body with pure spiritual "water" in the Word (making the body and works of the Church acceptable to God).This reveals the meaning of I Jn. 5:8: "There are three who bear witness on the earth: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three agree in one." See our playlist "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ"" with 73 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html. See also our website www.BibleQuery.org. Titus 1:9-16
exactly.
+CAnswersTV ever heard of a PARAGRAPH? Geez
+Jeff Estep You have made a very excellent point. This article was originally written with paragraphs & spacing but for some reason when I copied & pasted the article material from my email account to this comments section for this video UA-cam condensed the entire article into one mass blob as you have pointed out. As I started to notice this trend on our over 600 videos I at first tried to go back in on the UA-cam edit mode to restore the paragraphs & spacing. After spending all the time necessary to edit the written material back to its original form unfortunately when I hit the UA-cam button to save it the UA-cam program would never the less return the material to an unparagraphed blob. Since this was happening I just gave up trying to correct it since something there was better than nothing at all. Sorry about that. The good news is more recently some of my long written comments on some of our videos in the comments section have actually been saved with paragraphs & spacing so perhaps UA-cam is improving their software. 1 Peter 3:15
Baptism is an act of obedience after one is saved by the grace of God; but it has nothing to do with salvation itself, you are saved by The Holy Spirit after you are called, convicted of your confessed sins, and baptism may be anytime thereafter, and in the Father, Son, Holy Spirit, just like Jesus said in Matthew 28:19, cults use Acts 2:38 as a doctrine to add to your salvation, making it mandatory for water baptism, it is the shed blood of Jesus, not water that cleanses from your sins.
Susie; be born again, you need a clean heart and mouth. Amen ?
StJohns River66 With your language, you do not know Jesus, who are you to correct anyone ? No wonder you are confused.
The Church of Christ is perfect for high achievers
or type "A" personalities' these kinds of people do really
well in this kind of legalistic Church environment and are commonly
the "leaders" Any other kind of personality will be the "followers"
This is not a bad thing necessarily because *you do need leaders*
and most people are *naturally followers* so that is not the problem.
You just have to figure out which one *you* are and either thrive in
the COC with people who are like minded, or resolve to be a follower
and support them. Don't cause division if you do not like them...just leave
(like I did) These rules and regulations are apart of their whole structure and
have been since Kip started the whole thing. This will never change, so you either accept that or don't associate with them at all.
Hmmmmm.....
So we decide what fits our needs according to our personality type?
Read slowly what you wrote and see if anything strikes you as odd.
@twicks696 Is that the best you can come up with? Give us a break! Do you know what logic is? If not, do a web search online of the word "logic" & learn more then try to make a rational statement. Here you make several logical fallacies: (look these up to find out what they mean) FALSE ANALOGY, NON SEQUITUR, APPEAL TO IGNORANCE, & BEGGING THE QUESTION. It takes a truly irrational mind to come up with this many fallacies in 2 sentences. Where in the Bible is a certain church name commanded?
The "Church of Christ" is a cultic system with a false gospel (see our playlist "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ" with 71 videos posted on our UA-cam channel page CANSWERSTV). The Campbellite COC spawned all these other cults like Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-Day Adventism, etc (see our video "RISE OF THE CULTS: WHERE DID ALL THESE STRANGE AMERICAN RELIGIOUS SECTS COME FROM?"). All cultists are sincere in their faith but God saved you, not the COC woman.
I'm arguing with one of them now. One of the CoC cult members told me that in order to Stay saved, I have to spread the gospel AND baptize people.... It's sad how lost and how persistent this cult is.
Bees Sting am I saved by faith or water?
rorschach162 So according to you, Jesus is not the only way. Are you a fan of Joel Olsteen?
BlackFox0911 "The thief on the cross? Jesus hadn't died yet"
That is a demonic lie straight out of the Church of Christ temple.
John 19
30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
32 Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.
33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:
Did you catch that in Verse 32? They came to break the legs of the two thief's who were on the side of them so that they would die before the Sabbath, but when they came to Jesus, he was already dead.
The Thief on the cross died AFTER Jesus.
BlackFox0911 I called you out on your first lie, let me call you out on the second lie.
Hebrews 9:16-17
16 For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it. 17 For a covenant is valid only when men are dead, for it is never in force while the one who made it lives.
The new covenant started at the death of Christ. The thief died AFTER the death of Christ.
Repent from your false Christ and your false religion and believe the gospel!
BlackFox0911 when did the new coVenant begin according to Christ?
Repent and believe.
All of this false extraneous doctrine comes from pride.It's either the pride or self regard of the founder of the group or pride of those following.Making yourself humble before God is the best thing you can do to put yourself on the right path.
im working on leaving the CoC
@fitnessfreak498 - If you would like free literature sent to you regarding the "Church of Christ" started by the Campbellite "Restorers" in the early 1800s please email us at cdebater@aol.com. Please also see our playlist "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ" with 112 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html . To see how many American cults came out of the Campbellite "Church of Christ" please see our video "RISE OF THE CULTS: WHERE DID ALL THESE STRANGE AMERICAN RELIGIOUS SECTS COME FROM?" at ua-cam.com/video/HfVTXbFrvh8/v-deo.html .
2 Timothy 2:15 - "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."
You're like the Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons or Seventh-Day Adventists, they don't know their own history either. See our video entitled, "RISE OF THE CULTS: WHERE DID ALL THESE STRANGE AMERICAN RELIGIOUS SECTS COME FROM?" (copy & paste title into the UA-cam search box to bring it up). After that go to our UA-cam channel page CANSWERSTV with 19 playlists with one of them entitled, "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ" which has 69 videos exposing your religious outfit.
Asi said before when there is no one to refute your point it is very easy to make one. Most churches today act out of ignorance or tradition. Sticking strictly to the Bible is the only way for me. I am saved through repentance and the cleansing blood of Jesus through Baptism as were the new testament Biblical Christians!
I found this interesting. I am and have grown up CofC and attended dozens of them in TX, OK, and CO. I have never heard of 90% of the point's made by these gentlemen taught or printed in these churches; the role of baptism being the exception. I can easily see this being apart of our history however, as well as our most senior members having such an exclusive view erroneously (depending on where you fall on the baptism issue and CofC doesnt have exclusive rights to performing baptisms). I wonder how prevalent these views are in 2018. Perhaps this is a regional thing (I grew up in Houston)? I notice the sword publication is from TN. The point he made about the hymnal and singing from it needing to be saved was ridiculous. I'd rebuke anyone that testifies to almost everything they say here in this video. I do acknowledge he said not all CofCs are hard liners but because my experience is so uniformly different, it makes me ask the question if this dated video accurately represents us today. Yes CofC does still hold to accapella worship.
Chase Scott - Like any religious group that had a beginning the original religious group starts to fracture & splinter over time. For the Campbellite "Church of Christ" it was started by Thomas & Alexander Campbell, Barton W. Stone & Walter Scott back in the 1820s in the United States. On November 18, 1827 Walter Scott "restored" the "ancient gospel" as he claimed & the "Church of Christ" of the 1820s was off & running. For more documentation about this see our Christian Answers newsletter Vol. 2 #1 called "Is Restorationism ("Church of Christ," Campbellism) a Cult? at our website www.BibleQuery.org. Once there click on the menu icon to the upper left hand corner of the homepage & then click on "newsletters." From there click on the second newsletter listed called "Church of Christ pdf". Not only did this new Campbellite sect begin to fracture & splinter over time but it became the genesis & mother of several major American cults (see our video called "RISE OF THE CULTS: WHERE DID ALL THESE STRANGE AMERICAN RELIGIOUS SECTS COME FROM?" at ua-cam.com/video/HfVTXbFrvh8/v-deo.html).
As our newsletter on the "Church of Christ" points out in a second article on page 5 called "Changes in Campbellism; here's a short excerpt from that article by Bob L. Ross - " - I received several of the most prominent Restoration Movement (alias “Church of Christ”) publications over the years, and if one can believe what they say, the movement spawned by Thomas and Alexander Campbell, Barton W. Stone, and Walter Scott in the early 1800’s has become one of the most splintered, fractured, and floundering of the professing “non-denominational” sects. The “Ancient Order” ship launched in the last century is springing leaks all along its hull.
No longer must the Church of Christ segment of the movement be concerned about old and continuing “issues” such as the missionary society, use of mechanical instruments of music, millennial controversies, anti-institutionalism, and some of the lesser and familiar controversies of former days, it is also now being threatened by the foreboding “demons” of the Crossroads/Boston Movement [now called the International Church of Christ], the “New Hermeneutic” advocates, “Ketchersidism,” some Charismatic inroads, the “Wineskinites,” Calvinistic inroads, the A.D. 70 “Kingites,” the divorce-remarriage controversy, not to mention the “normal” theological liberalism which inevitably creeps into the colleges and universities.
Perry B. Cothan warned, “The Church is in danger of another digression... the future of the Church is at the turning point,” and he made a direct “prediction” of evil things to come (Firm Foundation, 8/92, p. 28).
In addition to the foregoing, The Spiritual Sword magazine complained about the need for “a kinder and gentler brotherhood,” with editor Alan Highers proclaiming, “never have I seen a time when there was more suspicion, fragmentation, and criticism among the brethren than now,” and that “we can scarcely think about trying to baptize alien sinners because we are too busy picking at one another” (1/90, p. 1).
Highers’ brotherhood, at their October 1993 annual lectureship had as a theme, “The Restoration: THE WINDS OF CHANGE,” and the meeting focused upon some of the major departures from past views and practices.
The headline article of the February 1993 issue of Christian Worker magazine proclaimed “Brethren, We Are Drifting,” and the article said “the tragedy of all this is that it is so widespread” (p. 7)." As you can see from this article excerpt from over 25 years ago with the changes going on then there is no doubt that things have changed even more since then just to answer your question about 2018. Virtually any wind of doctrine or change is now possible inside these Campbellite religions depending on who is running the show at individual "Church of Christ" meeting houses whether hard line or not. The water baptism for salvation gospel still seems to be a major part of Campbellite "Church of Christ" doctrine despite their many differences on other topics though.
For further information about the 1820s religion founded by the so-called "Restorers" please see our playlist called "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ" at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html with 90 videos. To obtain books about Campbellism & its history go to www.pilgrimpublications.com.
Titus 1:9-16
So are you saying that there was no one calling themselves churches of Christ before the early 1800s?
It's interesting you raise that question. Your very question was dealt with in a 22 hour debate we had with the "Church of Christ." If you're interested in hearing how the "Church of Christ" representative in that debate tried to prove that there was a "Church of Christ" before the 1800s that believed & taught like they do since the 1800s then please see the evidence he presented & how laughable it is. To find this debate please go to our playlist "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ"" with 72 videos at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html & look for the debate series entitled "Church of Christ Week Long Debate." Judge the evidence the Campbellite preacher presents for yourself & draw your own conclusions. 1 Corinthians 2:15
+Terry Thacker "Church of Christ" Campbellites are water baptism idolaters. This is in response to the many "Church of Christ" Campbellites who keep quoting 1 Peter 3:21 to prove salvation is by water baptism. These Campbellites are deceived & worship a water baptism idol although they would deny it just as Romanists worship Mary while also denying it. See our video IS WATER BAPTISM NECESSARY TO ESCAPE HELL & BE SAVED & ARE YOU "BORN AGAIN" (JOHN 3:3-8) BY IT? at ua-cam.com/video/wYJtMV9qrWg/v-deo.html which will clean up Campbellite 1 Peter 3:21 idolatry. See our playlist "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ" at ua-cam.com/play/PLBD55090718DA6D3D.html with 72 videos.
What does 1 Peter 3:21 mean? "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." Are infants "born again" (John 3:3-8) & then suddenly become Christians when they are sprinkled with water? Is salvation found in being water baptized? Do you have to be a believer in Christ to be water baptized?
The following is an excerpt from our newsletter "Christian Debater Guide, "Church of Christ," Vol. 2, #1" (found at our website www.BibleQuery.org, click the "Experience" box on the homepage):
"Q:In Acts 2:38, does this mean water baptism is necessary for salvation?
A: No, Jesus is necessary for salvation. Neither repentance nor water baptism merits our salvation. Those are our responding to Jesus' work. Baptism is to be an outward sign of our prior inward faith and repentance. Note that Acts 2:38 was a command not a formula. Some might erroneously conclude that loving God, faith, believing, and trusting God are unnecessary, as they are not mentioned here. All who come to Christ should be baptized, and that is as true today as it was then. However, It is Jesus' blood, not our baptism that saves us.
Q: In Acts 10:45-48, is water baptism essential to be saved?
A: Four points to consider.
1. They spoke in tongues prior to being baptized with water.
2. Speaking in tongues is a sign (but not the only sign, 1 Cor. 12:1-13) of being filled with the Holy Spirit.
3. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is only for those who are born again.
4. Those who are born again are saved.
So, they were born again prior to being baptized with water. See the discussion on Acts 22:16 for a second example of being saved prior to water baptism. See also the next question.
Q: In Acts 10:45-48, since this passage was a very special occurrence, does this negate using this passage to show water baptism is not essential for salvation?
A: No. This passage does describe an important transition for the church, but that does not disqualify us from understanding all of its teaching. Three points to consider.
1. Gentiles could be filled with the Holy Spirit, and thus be saved, prior to baptism at this time. This was not impossible for God to do and still be true to His Word.
2. Thus, it is possible for people to be saved , prior to baptism at other times, without God breaking His Word.
3. If your interpretation of the Bible requires that God cannot be true to His Word if anyone after Christ is saved prior to being baptized, perhaps it would be your interpretation, and not God's Word, that is wrong.
Q: In Acts 22:16, how do people get baptized and wash away their sins?
A: Is it OK to say that people wash away their sins here as long as you remember four points.
1. The power to wash away is with God, not magic in the water.
2. God is not restricted to being "unable" to save people who are not baptized, because the thief on the cross was with Jesus in Paradise.
3. For our part, the pledge of a sincere conscience before God is more important than the water, as in 1 Peter 3:21. However, being baptized with water is a command for every single Christian.
4. The Jews were familiar with ceremonial washings in the Old Testament Law. Thus, Paul's audience understood what he meant and did not mix it up with the errors of "magic water" or "a restricted God".
The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament p. 418 sheds some helpful light on the Greek here. The phrase "calling on His name" is a Greek aorist participle, which "refers either to action which is simultaneous with or before that of the main verb. Here Paul's calling on Christ's name (for salvation) preceded his water baptism. The participle may be translated, "having called on His name."
John Gill's Commentary on 1 Peter 3:21 states the following: "The like figure whereunto [even] baptism doth also now save us. The ark, and deliverance by it, as it was a type of Christ, and salvation by him, so it was a figure of baptism, and baptism was the antitype of that; or there is something in these which correspond, and answer to, and bear a resemblance to each other: as the ark was God's ordinance, and not man's invention, so is baptism, it is of heaven, and not of men; and as the ark, while it was preparing, was the scorn and derision of men, so is this ordinance of the Gospel; it was rejected with disdain by the Scribes and Pharisees, as it still is by many; and as the ark, when Noah and his family were shut up in it by God, represented a burial, and they seemed, as it were, to be buried in it, it was a lively emblem of baptism, which is expressed by a burial, ( Romans 6:4 ) ( Colossians 2:12 ) and as they in the ark had the great deep broke up under them, and the windows of heaven opened over them, pouring out waters upon them, they were, as it were, immersed in, and were covered with water, this fitly figured baptism by immersion; nor were there any but adult persons that entered into the ark, nor should any be baptized but believers; to which may be added, that as the one saved by water, so does the other; for it is water baptism which is here designed, which John practised, Christ gave a commission for, and his disciples administered: it saves not as a cause, for it has no causal influence on, nor is it essential to salvation. Christ only is the cause and author of eternal salvation; and as those only that were in the ark were saved by water, so those only that are in Christ, and that are baptized into Christ, and into his death, are saved by baptism; not everyone that is baptized, but he that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved, ( Mark 16:16 ) , for baptism is not the putting away of the filth of the flesh; the design of it is not to take off the sordid flesh, as circumcision did; or in a ceremonious way, outwardly, to sanctify to the purifying of the flesh, as the Jewish baptisms did; see ( Hebrews 9:10 Hebrews 9:13 ) , or to take away either original or actual sin; this only the blood of Christ can do; and it is not a mere external cleansing of the body: but the answer of a good conscience towards God; the Vulgate Latin renders it, "the interrogation of a good conscience"; referring, it may be, to the interrogations that used to be put to those who desired baptism; as, dost thou renounce Satan? dost thou believe in Christ? see ( Acts 8:36 Acts 8:37 ) , others render it, "the stipulation of a good conscience"; alluding also to the ancient custom of obliging those that were baptized to covenant and agree to live an holy life and conversation, to renounce the devil and all his works, and the pomps and vanities of this world; and baptism does certainly lay an obligation on men to walk in newness of life; see ( Romans 6:4 Romans 6:5 ) , the Ethiopic version renders it, "confession of God"; and to this the Syriac version agrees, rendering it, "confessing God with a pure conscience"; for, to baptism, profession of faith in Christ, and of the doctrine of Christ in a pure conscience, is requisite; and in baptism persons make a public confession of God, and openly put on Christ before men: the sense seems plainly this; that then is baptism rightly performed, and its end answered, when a person, conscious to himself of its being an ordinance of Christ, and of his duty to submit to it, does do so upon profession of his faith in Christ, in obedience to his command, and "with" a view to his glory; in doing which he discharges a good conscience towards God: and being thus performed, it saves, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ; being a means of leading the faith of the baptized person, as to the blood of Christ, for pardon and cleansing, so to the resurrection of Christ, to justification; see ( Acts 2:38 ) ( 22:16 ) ( Romans 4:25 ) , moreover, the sense of the passage may be this, that baptism is a like figure as the ark of Noah was; that as the entrance of Noah and his family into the ark was an emblem of a burial, so their coming out of it was a figure of the resurrection; and just such a figure is baptism, performed by immersion, both of the resurrection of Christ from the dead, and of the resurrection of saints to walk in newness of life. The Arabic version renders the whole verse thus; "of which thing baptism is now a type saving us, not by removing the filth of the flesh only, but by exhilarating a good conscience towards God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ."
For more see our website www.BibleQuery.org & once on the homepage click on the "Experience" box to the left & scroll down to the article "Water Baptism Not Essential for Salvation" & click on it. After that scroll a little further down to our newsletter section & click on the newsletter "Church of Christ" & wait for it to download.
1 Corinthians 1:14-17, " I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect."
They cannot trace their church back to Christ.
To some Jesus would be considered a cult in the past. He brought something opposite of the norm. You got to be ready to grow and think outside the box. People make it so confusing. Follow the steps of Christ is what we are admonished to do. He showed love to people and was a preacher of righteousness. His purpose was to save save save humans not get involved with the political system and go to war. The only religion that does that are Jehovah's witnesses
panda bear - If your going to join any religion it's always a good idea to find out if it is true or not first. The "flickering" flashlight of the so-called "new light" of the Jehovah's Witnesses. The Watchtower Society emphasizes that they are a progressive organization, blessed with spiritual insights from God. They call these insights "new truths." Members are encouraged to keep abreast of "present truth" and to adjust their thinking when "old truth" changes. They are then encouraged to embrace "new light" or "new truths," called "enhanced understanding," "progressive understanding," "progressive truth" or "progressive knowledge." Whichever way you slice it, members are expected to believe the new truth and teach it, even if it contradicts former truth or is a reversal to a previously held viewpoint (very similar to the Muslim doctrine of abrogation in Islam - see "The Quran and the Problem of Abrogation" at ua-cam.com/video/fkRCpQ8LA4Y/v-deo.html). The Society likens their changes in viewpoint to a boat that tacks, moving side-to-side but always moving forward. Most of us have traveled in a boat that, pushed about by the waves, didn't always move forward in a straight line. But tossed about or not, if the boat had something to propel it, we eventually got to where we were going. Using the Society's own tacking rationale, let's see if their teachings about the men of Sodom have truly moved forward progressively, helping members to an enhanced understanding. As you read the quoted statements below, ask yourself which is the actual scenario: tacking or reversal to a previously held viewpoint?
Sodomites Will-Will Not be Resurrected
Watchtower 7/1879 p. 8 “the Sodomites will be resurrected.”
Watchtower 6/1/1952 p.338 “The men of Sodom will not be resurrected.”
So, years (approximately 73) pass and they change their viewpoint--but this is fine because in this case, it truly could be said to be a progressive understanding, because it has changed. Except that ...
Watchtower 8/1/1965 p. 479 “The men of Sodom will be resurrected.”
Hmm ... no side-to-side tacking here but a complete return to a viewpoint held 85-86 years earlier. so, at this juncture, it cannot be said to be progressive, rather regressive. But, did they finally have it right?
Watchtower 6/1/1988 p.31 “men of Sodom will not be resurrected.”
Twenty-three years pass and ... nope. Two complete reversals spanning over 100 years, and they still haven't gained or presented any additional insights to members.
"Insight" publication Vol. 2, 1988 p. 985 “men of Sodom will be resurrected.”
"Revelation Book," 1988 p. 273 “men of Sodom will not be resurrected.”
You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth (Book published by the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society in 1982)
The men of Sodom WILL be resurrected.
You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth (Secondary Edition, published by the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society in 1989)
The men of Sodom WILL NOT be resurrected.
Wow! Lightening-fast reversals but no progressive "the light is getting brighter" truth, merely a replay of "will, will not."
Recycled Information is Not Progressive Truth
When the Society claims that a teaching that reverts to a previous viewpoint is in actuality "new light" or a "new spiritual truth," this is incorrect. While it may be "new" to a new generation of members, it is old, recycled information. Returning to a previous point of view is not the same thing as adopting a truly new understanding, nor does this indicate that God gave any type of progressive understanding to the Governing Body regarding the men of Sodom. If the Governing Body came up with a completely different understanding, one that didn't mirror previous teachings, this could be said to be an actual new understanding and could reasonably be said to be progressive (even if not necessarily from God).
True Humility: Not Passing Off Human Teachings as God's Truths
When old ideas are readopted, it would be more accurate to dub these, "a changed understanding."
Far better still, religious organizations should refrain from stating that something comes from God and from presenting the information as "God's truth." A truly humble approach would be to say that this is a present understanding but that it is merely an understanding and not new light flashing forth from the Most High.
For more information on the Watchtower see our playlist ""Dealing with Jehovah's Witnesses, Watchtower Society" with 48 videos & over 30 hours of teaching material at ua-cam.com/play/PLCF0ADB29C0EB8C40.html. Matthew 7:15
You're quoting a typical Campbellite proof text (misinterpreted by Campbellites) to say water baptism is necessary for salvation. If you bothered to look at our other 68 videos on Campbellism you'd know that we've answered that lame argument dozens of times. See our video "IS WATER BAPTISM NECESSARY TO ESCAPE HELL & BE SAVED & ARE YOU "BORN AGAIN" (JOHN 3:3-8) BY IT?" - it deals specifically with 1 Peter 3:21. A "clear conscience toward God" saves not water baptism which is used metaphorically.
What you're experiencing is typical of many people who have come out of false religious systems. It's a difficult time & one thing I would recommend is reading of the Psalms in the Old Testament on a continual basis. The Psalms have brought great comfort to many in times of spiritual & emotional depression. I'd also recommend finding good Bible preachers to listen to such as John MacArthur, Paul Washer, RC Sproul or sermons of my home church Dayspring Fellowship (website: DAYSPRINGCHAPEL COM).
You can claim that the so-called "church of Christ" founded by Thomas & Alexander Campbell, Walter Scott, & Barton Stone back in the early 1800s is "undenominational" but it's really just a religious cult founded by these 4 heretics. It has nothing to do with the true, original Christian church founded in the first century. For more documentation on this see our playlist with 71 videos "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ" posted on our main UA-cam channel CANSWERSTV.
Yes
@kac0404 By your answer you just condemned to hell Thomas & Alexander Campbell who were 2 of the 4 "restorers" (Barton W. Stone & Walter Scott were the other 2 "restorers") of the "ancient Gospel" of water baptism to earn salvation & possibly make it to heaven if you do enough good works after you're water baptized. The Campbells founded the "Church of Christ" denomination & now you say they went to hell, wow! The only water baptism the Campbells ever had was by a Baptist preacher named Luce.
@kac0404 Wake up please! The Gospel of John applies to the Christian church whether you like it or not, get it? I see you don't want to answer my first question for obvious reasons. The very thing you say about "churches of Christ in this country before the Alexanders" is completely bogus. We've already studied it & documented it (see our 22 hour video debate series "CHURCH OF CHRIST WEEK LONG DEBATE" which gets into this very issue about Campbellite history. See Bob Ross' book, "Campbellism."
Good point. Spoken from personal experience with this cultic organization.
@wasupsquare This is a fatal eternal mistake. You think your water baptism is going to save you? You think doing all the Campbellite religious duties is going to save you? You think "sticking strictly" to the Campellite interpretation of "the Bible is the only way" for salvation? You're another un-"born again" by the Holy Spirit person, devoid of the Spirit (1 Cor 2:14) thinking your Campbellite works & water baptism is going to save you. God must save you not your baptism & works (Eph 2:8-10).
AMEN!!
@37:00 this is absolutely true! I appreciate you sharing this information! 12 years ago I was recruited into the church, as a college student. I left right after graduation and never looked back. They argued that the COC is the one true church and other Christian denominations are preaching false doctrine and therefore not saved. It never sat well with me. I was constantly uneasy and lived in fear. I was young, naive, and vulnerable at that time (you live and you learn)
I have attended ICOC for over 2 decades, I have been away now for 11 months, I have suffered with insecurity by feeling I was not living up to God's standards set by ICOC. I am still suffering from frequent depression, guilt and extreme anxiety. I feel I will never really get over what has happened in my life spiritually and emotionally.
K robinson sorry to hear. Hope you are at peace and recovered from that trauma
Any church that says that "they are the only ones going to heaven is a cult"i was raised catholic,but got involved in church of christ(part of the crossroads movement).Yes,i got born-again,but it was definitely a cult,at first i thought it was good,but,as a catholic,i didn't know the bible well,and i was easy money for them,but as we know,all you have to do is call on the name of the Lord and be saved....not hurry and go get baptized before you die.
It's pure evil I grew up in one. Nothing but a cult.
Thankyou for sharing. I left the CoC a long time ago. Jesus is the only one that saves us . Not a denomination. Do we need the right fellowship? YES! However again like the CoC does, anyone claiming they are the only true church is a liar. Glad I left that denomination.
@athiker87 The so-called "Church of Christ" founded by the Campbells along with Scott & Stone said they had "restored" the "Ancient Gospel" & all the other churches were apostate. A "denomination" doesn't claim an exclusive right to "restoring" the Gospel while saying everyone else is apostate & have a false gospel. Did you even bother to watch this video? Campbellism is the mother of cults; see our UA-cam video, RISE OF THE CULTS: WHERE DID ALL THESE STRANGE AMERICAN RELIGIOUS SECTS COME FROM?
The Holy Spirit of the Triune & living God can even use antiChrists & fake preachers to preach the Gospel that people might be saved. Caiaphas, the high priest, condemned Jesus to die yet the Holy Spirit spoke through him (John 11:49-52). Fake & greedy preachers can preach the Gospel for all the wrong reasons yet the sovereignty of God can use them to get the message out (Philippians 1:15-18). God can even have a jackass to speak the truth, i.e. Balaam's ass (Numbers 22:22-35). Acts 13:48.
cult
@wasupsquare The only garbage is being spoken by you. You speak the "trash" you're saying because you're ignorant of the circumstances. Please type "LARRY WESSELS CAMPBELLISM" in the UA-cam search box & you'll find almost 50 videos we have produced on "Church of Christ" Campbellism. Included in this is a 22 hour debate with Campbellites on "Church of Christ" history & their water baptism gospel, a 13 hour debate on whether a Christian needs the Holy Spirit, 8 hour debate on musical instruments.
Water Baptism is not a savior (Christ alone is) or is it the true gospel (Galatians 1:6-9). Water Baptism - Is it Necessary for Salvation? Definitely NOT! See our video "IS WATER BAPTISM NECESSARY TO ESCAPE HELL & BE SAVED & ARE YOU "BORN AGAIN" (JOHN 3:3-8) BY IT?" at ua-cam.com/video/wYJtMV9qrWg/v-deo.html. Let’s show how Scripture differentiates between the baptism of John and the baptism of Jesus. We’ll look at Acts 19:3-5. Here are these verses:
And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 19:3-5 (NKJ)
If John’s baptism was the same as Jesus’ baptism, then why did these people need to be re-baptized? The answer is obvious. John’s baptism was not the same as Jesus’ baptism.
Now, let’s talk about some Scriptures that people might use to defend their position that water baptism is indeed necessary for salvation and respond to those verses. Let’s look at Mark 1:4. It says:
John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
Mark 1:4 (NKJ)
This verse seems to say that the baptism of repentance was for the remission of sins. Who am I to argue with Scripture? But as we’ve discussed already, John’s baptism IS NOT THE SAME as the baptism of Jesus. So we can discount the baptism of John for our purposes, because we are baptized in the name of Jesus, not in the name of John. It is Jesus’ baptism that is for us today, not John’s. If we’re supposed to be baptized into John’s baptism, then why were the people in Acts 19:3-5 re-baptized? The answer is plain. Because once Jesus had come on the scene, it was HIS baptism that is relevant. So for us to decide what we need to do, in this present age, we need to focus on the baptism of Jesus.
Here’s a set of verses that people use to defend the idea that water baptism is necessary for salvation. They are John 3:1-8. Let’s look at these verses.
1)There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2)This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” 3)Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4)Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5)Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter 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)Do not marvel that I said to you, “You must be born again.’ 8)The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
John 3:1-8 (NKJ)
People taking the stance that baptism is necessary for salvation will say, “See, look here! This verse says that ‘unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.'” And I must agree that is does say that. But what does “born of water” mean? It this phrase referring to water baptism? Upon first glance, it may seem so, but let’s take a closer look at the surrounding context. Read the entire passage again, starting from verse 1. Nicodemus is asking Jesus how he can possibly enter his mother’s womb again and be re-born. So he’s talking about physical birth. He can’t understand the concept of physically being re-born. Obviously that’s an impossibility. But Jesus isn’t talking about physical rebirth, He’s talking about spiritual rebirth. Look at what He says in verses 5 and 6. I’ll repeat it.
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
John 3:5,6 (NKJ)
You see? So “born of water” in this context looks to mean “physically born” not “baptized.” Let me re-phrase it. “I’m telling you that unless you’re physically born and then spiritually reborn, you can’t enter into heaven. If you’re physically born, you’re just a lost human. If you’re spiritually reborn, you’ve entered into a relationship with Jesus Christ.” (Eric’s version)
Let’s look at yet another common verse used to defend the idea that the salvation of our souls requires water baptism. Here it is:
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38 (NKJ)
Obviously, the controversial phrase here is after the word “repent.” We all agree that repentance is necessary for salvation. Let’s look at the Greek word εις translated “for.” In the original Greek, in the New Testament, this word has several different meanings. One is “aim or purpose.” An example of εις being used in this manner is I Corinthians 2:7, which says
No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for (the aim or purpose of) our glory before time began.
I Corinthians 2:7 (NKJ)
In another usage, the Greek word εις means “at,” or “because of” as in Matthew 12:41. Let’s look at it:
The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.
Matthew 12:41 (NKJ)
Both of these uses are good Greek, and so the next logical question would be “what drives your choice of translation?” For me, it is the larger context of Scripture. For instance, in Acts 10, we see that people had already been saved before being baptized. Let’s look:
46)For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, 47)”Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48)And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.
Acts 10:46-48 (NKJ)
These people were speaking in tongues and had received the Holy Spirit yet they had not been baptized. Another example is the thief on the cross who went to Paradise without baptism. Let’s read about that.
39)Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” 40)But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41)And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42)Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” 43)And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Luke 23:39-42 (NKJ)
Clearly this man was never baptized. Yet he was saved because he believed. What did Paul tell the Philippian jailor? Let’s find out.
25)But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26)Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. 27)And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 28)But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” 29)Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30)And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31)So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Acts 16:25-31 (NKJ)
Although the jailor’s family was baptized, they were saved when they believed. Paul plainly set forth only belief as a prerequisite for salvation.Further, in establishing the greater context of Scripture, we can look at numerous other passages where belief is the only requirement for salvation.
Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
Luke 8:12 (NKJ)
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.
John 1:12 (NKJ)
15). . .that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16)For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17)For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18)”He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
John 3:15-18 (NKJ)
He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
John 3:36 (NKJ)
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.”
John 5:24 (NKJ)
And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.”
John 6:35 (NKJ)
. . . “And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
John 6:40 (NKJ)
”Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.”
John 6:47 (NKJ)
”Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
John 8:24 (NKJ)
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25,26 (NKJ)
Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”
John 11:40 (NKJ)
. . . but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
John 20:31 (NKJ)
”To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”
Acts 10:43 (NKJ)
This is Peter speaking. After he spoke these words, many people believed and they were baptized with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in tongues. After that, they were then baptized. This shows that the belief saved the people (would unsaved people have the Holy Spirit and be speaking in tongues?) and then afterward, they were baptized.
. . .and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Acts 13:39 (NKJ)
Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.
Acts 13:48 (NKJ)
”But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”
Acts 15:11 (NKJ)
So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Acts 16:31 (NKJ)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
Romans 1:16 (NKJ)
9) . . .that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10)For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11)For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12)For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13)For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”
Romans 10:9-13 (NKJ)
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
I Corinthians 1:21 (NKJ)
. . . knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
Galatians 2:16 (NKJ)
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.
Ephesians 2:8 (NKJ)
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
I Thessalonians 4:14 (NKJ)
. . . that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
II Thessalonians 2:12 (NKJ)
However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.
I Timothy 1:16 (NKJ)
For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: “So I swore in My wrath, “They shall not enter My rest,”‘ although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
Hebrews 4:3 (NKJ)
But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.
Hebrews 10:39 (NKJ)
Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”
I Peter 2:6 (NKJ)
Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.
I John 5:1 (NKJ)
These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
I John 5:13 (NKJ)
These verses would be grossly misleading if baptism were a prerequisite for salvation! I’ve just listed a plethora of verses that tell us that we are saved if we believe, and are condemned if we don’t. This should help the questioner get a better idea of the context of Scripture regarding baptism, and, for that matter, what one needs to do for salvation (hint: believe). For more on this subject, check out I Corinithians 15:1-11, and read the whole book of John.
So, if you remember, we were discussing Acts 2:38, and I think the better translation of the Greek word εις is “because of” in this verse due to the greater context of Scripture. Scripture teaches baptism on the basis of repentance, and belief as the requirement for salvation.In addition, this verse presents us with a logic problem. Let me explain. If I were to say, “Eat and put gold under your bed, and you can live,” that would be a true statement. But the part that really allows you to live is the “eat” part. Putting gold under your bed may help you in your finances, but it doesn’t actually cause you to continue living. Eating does! The same logical argument can be used for this verse. Peter says, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Now, we know that if we repent and are baptized, we will be saved, according to this verse. But it doesn’t logically follow that both repentance and baptism are requirements for salvation, following the logic outlined above. And in the larger context of Scripture, we see that baptism is NOT a prerequisite for eternal life.
Another verse used to defend the position that water baptism is necessary for salvation is I Peter 3:21. Here is the verse (in its context).
18)For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, 19)by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20)who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. 21)There is also an antitype which now saves us-baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22)who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.
I Peter 3:18-22 (NKJ)
Granted, this is a very difficult passage, and I make no claim to thoroughly understand it. However, I want to focus in on verses 20 and 21. We see here that Peter is comparing baptism to the time when Noah and his family were saved on the ark. And then Peter tells us that baptism saves us. But he’s quick to point out, in the very next phrase, that this baptism saves us symbolically, not actually. He’s saying that baptism doesn’t cleanse us physically in a literal sense, or if you want to take it metaphorically, it doesn’t cleanse our souls in a literal sense. But what saves us is the “answer (or inquiry) of a good conscience toward God.” This is the baptism which saves us. Peter tells us that baptism saves us, and then he goes on to define baptism as an inquiry of a good conscience toward God, or in other words, an open, honest inquiry and trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It’s not the act of immersion which saves our souls, it’s our trust in Jesus.
Yet another verse that often seems to promote baptism as a requirement for salvation is Mark 16:16. Here it is:
He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
Mark 16:16 (NKJ)
This verse also presents a logical question. It’s the same logic problem discussed above for Acts 2:38. Simply put, this verse in no way says that both belief and baptism are requirements for salvation. In addition, the second portion of this verse makes this quite clear without any external argument. It says, “he who does not believe will be condemned.” It does NOT say, “he who does not believe and is not baptized will be condemned.” It plainly sets forth the “believing” aspect of the statement as the requirement for avoiding condemnation.
In summation, I’d like to make some additional points. First, baptism is never given in Scripture as a COMMAND to Christians except in Acts 2:38 when Peter tells the Jews to “repent and be baptized.” This is the ONLY place where we are commanded to be baptized. So since we are told to, we should be. Yet this should never be construed as a command to all new Christians as a requirement for salvation. The New Testament makes this blatantly clear. What would happen if I were on the battlefield and I accepted Jesus and then was shot through the heart before I was baptized? As Scripture so plainly states, I would be saved, just as the people were in Acts 10 who received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues before they were baptized, and just as the thief on the cross was before he died (he was never baptized).
In addition, why did Paul tell his readers in such certain terms that he wasn’t called to baptize, but to preach? Look at this verse:
I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, lest anone should say that I had baptized in my own name. Yes I also baptized the household of Stephanus. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom and words, lest the cross of Christ be made of no effect.
I Corinthians 1:13-17
Paul tells us that Jesus didn’t call him to baptize (is Paul negating the Great Commission here? I think not!) but to preach. And Paul says he only baptized a few people. And thank goodness for that, he says, because otherwise people might be saying they were baptized in the name of Paul. The Great Commission is in Matthew 28:19,20 records Jesus’ words to his disciples to “go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit . . .” This certainly doesn’t say we need to be baptized to be saved. And why did Paul say he wasn’t called to baptize? It must be because the church as a whole is called to baptize, not us as individuals. How could a wheelchair-bound person baptize someone? Yet we have many Christians who are in wheelchairs. And we have many Christians who are invalids as well. Are they disobeying Jesus’ command to baptize? I don’t think so. Jesus Himself baptized none. And then the kicker . . . why would Paul leave 99% of his converts half-saved, or, according to some, not saved at all? If baptism were a requirement for salvation, then the majority of people Paul preached to never entered the kingdom of heaven, because, as Paul says himself, he only baptized Crispus, Gaius, and the household of Stephanus. Paul, in his zealousnous for preaching the gospel, and in his obsession for detail, would not leave so many people unsaved.
My hope is that this study has given you a glimpse of the truth of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He lives today. Believe in Him, and in His words, and you will receive eternal life. That’s a promise we can all bank on. John 14:6 (it's Jesus, not water baptism)!