Baptism Essential to Salvation
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I've never heard of someone getting water baptized "in order to obtain" repentance. Repentance precedes water baptism. You don't baptize unrepentant unbelievers in order to make them repentant believers but because they are repentant believers (Acts 3:19; 10:43-47; 11:17,18). The word for "eis" doesn't always mean in order to obtain. It can mean "in reference to, in regards to, on the basis of" as well. That makes much more sense in Matthew 3:11.
Here is your confusion: In the Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, the Greek word for justified "dikaioo" #1344 is:
1. to render righteous or such he ought to be
2. to show, exhibit, evince, one to be righteous, such as he is and wishes himself to be considered
3. to declare, pronounce, one to be just, righteous, or such as he ought to be
In the Bible the word "justified" is often used in the "legal" (judicial) sense. Paul often uses the word "justified" in this "legal" sense (Romans 3:24,28; 5:1; 5:9; 8:30 etc..). The word justified is also used in a "declarative sense." James has this aspect of justification in mind. As we have seen, his concern is to show the reality of the faith professed by the individual (James 2:18) and demonstrate that the faith claimed (James 2:14) by the individual is genuine. This is why James says I will SHOW you my faith by my works.
In Luke 7:29, God is said to have been justified by those who were baptized by John the Baptist. This act pronounced or declared God to be righteous. It did not make him righteous. The basis or ground for the pronouncement was the fact that God IS righteous. Notice that the NIV reads, "acknowledged that God's way was right." The ESV reads, "they declared God just. This is the sense in which God was justified, "shown to be righteous" not accounted as righteous.
Matthew 11:19 - "The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax-gatherers and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified/vindicated/shown to be right by her deeds."
In James 2:21, notice closely that James does not say that Abraham's work of offering up Isaac resulted in God accounting Abraham as righteous. No! The accounting of Abraham's faith as righteousness was made in Genesis 15:6, many years before his work of offering up Isaac recorded in Genesis 22.The work of Abraham did not have some kind of intrinsic merit to save him, but it proved or manifested the genuineness of his faith. This is the sense in which Abraham was justified by works, "shown to be righteous." Works bear out the justification that comes by faith.
Compare Romans 4:2 - "For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God." (NOT JUSTIFIED BY WORKS) 3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it (faith, not works) was accounted to him for righteousness" with James 2:21, "Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac on the alter?" Paul and James do not contradict each other. They are just explaining saving faith from two different perspectives. The harmony of Romans 4:2-3 and James 2:21 is seen in the differing ways that Paul and James use the term "justified." Paul, when he uses the term, refers to the legal (judicial) act of God by which He accounts the sinner as righteous. James, however is using the term to describe those who would prove or show the genuineness of their faith by the works that they do. *Perfect Harmony*
This is what we are saved FOR (Ephesians 2:10).
If we have not placed our faith exclusively in Christ for salvation and we are trusting in our works to save us, then we still need to get saved. Claims to have faith but has no works is the point that James made (James 2:14). Without faith it's impossible to please God so without faith we are not saved no matter how many so called good works that we attempt to conjure up through the flesh.
The idea of practice is to perform repeatedly or habitually and thus describes repetition or continuous action. It is the lifestyle, or pattern of this behavior being exibited in one's life.
If we don't trust Christ, we don't do good. We don't do good to trust Christ, but because we trust Christ.
Thus saith the Lord.
1. to render righteous or such he ought to be
2. to show, exhibit, evince, one to be righteous, such as he is and wishes himself to be considered
3. to declare, pronounce, one to be just, righteous, or such as he ought to be
In the Bible the word "justified" is often used in the "legal" (judicial) sense. Paul often uses the word "justified" in this "legal" sense (Romans 3:24,28; 5:1; 5:9; 8:30 etc..). The word justified is also used in a "declarative sense." James has this aspect of justification in mind. As we have seen, his concern is to show the reality of the faith professed by the individual (James 2:18) and demonstrate that the faith claimed (James 2:14) by the individual is genuine. This is why James says I will SHOW you my faith by my works.
In Luke 7:29, God is said to have been justified by those who were baptized by John the Baptist. This act pronounced or declared God to be righteous. It did not make him righteous. The basis or ground for the pronouncement was the fact that God IS righteous. Notice that the NIV reads, "acknowledged that God's way was right." The ESV reads, "they declared God just. This is the sense in which God was justified, "shown to be righteous" not accounted as righteous.
Matthew 11:19 - "The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax-gatherers and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified/vindicated/shown to be right by her deeds."
In James 2:21, notice closely that James does not say that Abraham's work of offering up Isaac resulted in God accounting Abraham as righteous. No! The accounting of Abraham's faith as righteousness was made in Genesis 15:6, many years before his work of offering up Isaac recorded in Genesis 22.The work of Abraham did not have some kind of intrinsic merit to save him, but it proved or manifested the genuineness of his faith. This is the sense in which Abraham was justified by works, "shown to be righteous." Works bear out the justification that comes by faith.
Compare Romans 4:2 - "For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God." (NOT JUSTIFIED BY WORKS) 3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it (faith, not works) was accounted to him for righteousness" with James 2:21, "Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac on the alter?" Paul and James do not contradict each other. They are just explaining saving faith from two different perspectives. The harmony of Romans 4:2-3 and James 2:21 is seen in the differing ways that Paul and James use the term "justified." Paul, when he uses the term, refers to the legal (judicial) act of God by which He accounts the sinner as righteous. James, however is using the term to describe those who would prove or show the genuineness of their faith by the works that they do. *Perfect Harmony*
This is what we are saved FOR (Ephesians 2:10).
If we have not placed our faith exclusively in Christ for salvation and we are trusting in our works to save us, then we still need to get saved. Claims to have faith but has no works is the point that James made (James 2:14). Without faith it's impossible to please God so without faith we are not saved no matter how many so called good works that we attempt to conjure up through the flesh.
The idea of practice is to perform repeatedly or habitually and thus describes repetition or continuous action. It is the lifestyle, or pattern of this behavior being exibited in one's life.
If we don't trust Christ, we don't do good. We don't do good to trust Christ, but because we trust Christ.
Thus saith the Lord.
[SUP]21 [/SUP]Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Was it not a work of faith?
all this for what ? it does not show faith without works is not dead... Faith without works is still dead show me your faith without works ...if you are that good go on show it.. I will show you my faith by my works....
[SUP]12 [/SUP]Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, [SUP]13 [/SUP]because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
[SUP]14 [/SUP]What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? [SUP]15 [/SUP]Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. [SUP]16 [/SUP]If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? [SUP]17 [/SUP]In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
[SUP]18 [/SUP]But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. [SUP]19 [/SUP]You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
[SUP]20 [/SUP]You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[SUP][d][/SUP]? [SUP]21 [/SUP]Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? [SUP]22 [/SUP]You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. [SUP]23 [/SUP]And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,
Whoever told you They don't trust Christ? You are assuming people do good to trust Christ. Of course we have faith in Christ and we know that because of our actions. (good works)
Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
Was it not a work of faith?
all this for what ? it does not show faith without works is not dead... Faith without works is still dead show me your faith without works ...if you are that good go on show it.. I will show you my faith by my works....
[SUP]12 [/SUP]Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, [SUP]13 [/SUP]because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
[SUP]14 [/SUP]What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? [SUP]15 [/SUP]Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. [SUP]16 [/SUP]If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? [SUP]17 [/SUP]In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
[SUP]18 [/SUP]But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. [SUP]19 [/SUP]You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
[SUP]20 [/SUP]You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[SUP][d][/SUP]? [SUP]21 [/SUP]Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? [SUP]22 [/SUP]You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. [SUP]23 [/SUP]And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,
Whoever told you They don't trust Christ? You are assuming people do good to trust Christ. Of course we have faith in Christ and we know that because of our actions. (good works)
Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
Christ did what had to be done on the cross....then he said go dunk some heads...did you get dunk?
Matthew 28:19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Matthew 28:19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
A
Not so fast. Acts 9:18 says Saul was baptized. Now I know what your going to pull. Your going to do what all people do who do not think baptism is a part of God's plan of salvation do. All those who despise water and would like nothing better than to remove all references to water baptism will try and claim this is Spirit baptism without a shred of evidence to support it.
The verse is crystal clear unless you decide to change it....two for the price of one
[SUP]19 [/SUP]Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [SUP]20 [/SUP]and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
[SUP]19 [/SUP]Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [SUP]20 [/SUP]and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
K
Is water baptism essential to salvation? YES- 1Peter 3:21 tells us baptism saves us, and Romans 6:3 tells us that is how we get into Christ.
Does it matter how you are baptized? YES- According to Romans 6:3,4 baptism is a death (death to our old sinful self). Have you ever been to a funeral where they sprinkled just a little dirt on the body? I haven't. A dead body needs full immersion into the ground. Besides, since it symbolizes getting rid of our sins, sprinkling would symbolize getting rid of them only a little bit.
Does it matter what is said when they baptize you? YES- Jesus (Who has ALL authority according to Matthew 28:18) commanded that we baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. (Matthew 28:19)
Does it matter how you are baptized? YES- According to Romans 6:3,4 baptism is a death (death to our old sinful self). Have you ever been to a funeral where they sprinkled just a little dirt on the body? I haven't. A dead body needs full immersion into the ground. Besides, since it symbolizes getting rid of our sins, sprinkling would symbolize getting rid of them only a little bit.
Does it matter what is said when they baptize you? YES- Jesus (Who has ALL authority according to Matthew 28:18) commanded that we baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. (Matthew 28:19)
[SUP]
Abraham was before the law of Moses. Romans 4:3 - What does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it (faith, not works) was accounted to him as righteousness. So what works did Paul mention here along with faith, which are not of the law, that were accounted to Abraham as righteousness?
[/SUP]
5 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. This is not limited to specific works of the law, but all works. If it was not all works, then Paul would have listed these works along with faith, but he never said works are accounted for righteousness, or saved through faith and works (Ephesians 2:8,9). Paul also said that we are not saved by works of righteousness which we have done (Titus 3:5) and He saved us and called us not according to our works (2 Timothy 1:9). ALL works. Saved through faith, NOT WORKS. Crystal clear. [SUP]
[/SUP]In James 2:15-16, the example of a "work" that James gives is: "If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?" To give a brother or sister these things needed for the body would certainly be a "good work/work of righteousness" yet to neglect such a brother or sister and not give them the things needed for the body is to break the second great commandment "love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39) as found written in the law of Moses (Leviticus 19:18).
In Matthew 22:37-40, we read: Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang ALL the Law and the Prophets. Please tell me, which good works could a Christian accomplish that are completely detached from these two great commandments which are found in the law of Moses? (Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18). Are there any genuine good works that Christians do which fall outside of loving God and our neighbor as ourself? The works of the law (Paul) vs. good works not of the law (James) argument is bogus.
James is not talking about those who actually have faith but refuse to do good works. In James 2:14, James did not say what good is it if a man actually has faith, but he refuses to do good works. NO! James said, what good is it if a man SAYS or CLAIMS he has faith, but he has no works. Can that faith save you? Where is the evidence that he really has faith? James does not teach that we are saved "by" works. His concern is to SHOW the reality of the faith professed by the individual (James 2:18) and demonstrate that the faith claimed (James 2:14) by the individual is genuine. I will SHOW you my faith by my works. SHOW, not establish. Big difference! Faith is the root and works are the fruit of salvation. No fruit demonstrates no root. A phrase that James could have coined is the absence of evidence could be construed as evidence of absence.
It was a demonstration of his faith which proved or manifested the genuineness of his faith. Read the context from James 2:14. James is not using the word "justified" to mean that Abraham was finally accounted as righteous based on his works in Genesis 22, but was shown to be righteous. James is discussing the proof of faith (I will show you my faith by my works), not the initial act of being accounted as righteous with God (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:2,3).
Again, James does not teach that we are saved "by" works and neither does Paul. James' concern is to SHOW the reality of the faith professed by the individual (James 2:18) and demonstrate that the faith claimed (James 2:14) by the individual is genuine. I will show you my faith by my works. SHOW, not establish. Big difference!
Titus 3:5 - not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. See John 3:5; 4:10,14; 7:37-39.
Notice the word CLAIMS to have faith but has no deeds. Also, can SUCH faith save them? What kind of faith is that? Dead faith that cannot save. What kind of faith saves us? Living faith that has been made alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:5-10) and results in producing good works, demonstrating or showing that it's not a dead faith, but a living faith. Faith "by itself" (produces no good works) is not genuine living, saving, faith but an empty profession of faith (James 2:14).
SHOW, not establish. Big difference!
They believe "mental assent" that "there is one God" but they do not believe/entrust their spiritual well being to Christ.
Notice that the NIV says Abraham was considered righteous for what what he did. There is a difference between Abraham being ACCOUNTED as righteous based on his faith (Romans 4:2-3) and being CONSIDERED righteous many years later based on his works (James 2:21).
Made "complete" by what he did means bring to maturity, carry to the end, to complete like love in 1 John 4:18. It doesn't mean that Abraham was finally accounted as righteous based on his works. When Abraham performed the good work in Genesis 22; he fulfilled the expectations created by the pronouncement of his faith in Genesis 15:6. The Scripture was fulfilled in vindicating or demonstrating that Abraham believed God and was accounted as righteous. Abraham's faith was accounted for righteousness (Genesis 15:6) long before he offered up Isaac on the alter (Genesis 22).
Genuine good works demonstrate the genuineness of our faith, but if we are trusting in works to save us, then we are not trusting exclusively in Christ to save us. Works without faith are just as dead as faith without works. Without faith, it's impossible to please God. Faith in works is not faith in Christ.
The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; the one who practices sin is of the devil.. Do believers practice righteousness in order to become righteous or because they are righteous? Do unbelievers practice sin in order to become of the devil or because they are of the devil? What is the cause and what is the effect? Luke 6:45 - A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Abraham was before the law of Moses. Romans 4:3 - What does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it (faith, not works) was accounted to him as righteousness. So what works did Paul mention here along with faith, which are not of the law, that were accounted to Abraham as righteousness?
[/SUP]
5 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. This is not limited to specific works of the law, but all works. If it was not all works, then Paul would have listed these works along with faith, but he never said works are accounted for righteousness, or saved through faith and works (Ephesians 2:8,9). Paul also said that we are not saved by works of righteousness which we have done (Titus 3:5) and He saved us and called us not according to our works (2 Timothy 1:9). ALL works. Saved through faith, NOT WORKS. Crystal clear. [SUP]
[/SUP]In James 2:15-16, the example of a "work" that James gives is: "If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?" To give a brother or sister these things needed for the body would certainly be a "good work/work of righteousness" yet to neglect such a brother or sister and not give them the things needed for the body is to break the second great commandment "love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39) as found written in the law of Moses (Leviticus 19:18).
In Matthew 22:37-40, we read: Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang ALL the Law and the Prophets. Please tell me, which good works could a Christian accomplish that are completely detached from these two great commandments which are found in the law of Moses? (Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18). Are there any genuine good works that Christians do which fall outside of loving God and our neighbor as ourself? The works of the law (Paul) vs. good works not of the law (James) argument is bogus.
James is not talking about those who actually have faith but refuse to do good works. In James 2:14, James did not say what good is it if a man actually has faith, but he refuses to do good works. NO! James said, what good is it if a man SAYS or CLAIMS he has faith, but he has no works. Can that faith save you? Where is the evidence that he really has faith? James does not teach that we are saved "by" works. His concern is to SHOW the reality of the faith professed by the individual (James 2:18) and demonstrate that the faith claimed (James 2:14) by the individual is genuine. I will SHOW you my faith by my works. SHOW, not establish. Big difference! Faith is the root and works are the fruit of salvation. No fruit demonstrates no root. A phrase that James could have coined is the absence of evidence could be construed as evidence of absence.
It was a demonstration of his faith which proved or manifested the genuineness of his faith. Read the context from James 2:14. James is not using the word "justified" to mean that Abraham was finally accounted as righteous based on his works in Genesis 22, but was shown to be righteous. James is discussing the proof of faith (I will show you my faith by my works), not the initial act of being accounted as righteous with God (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:2,3).
Again, James does not teach that we are saved "by" works and neither does Paul. James' concern is to SHOW the reality of the faith professed by the individual (James 2:18) and demonstrate that the faith claimed (James 2:14) by the individual is genuine. I will show you my faith by my works. SHOW, not establish. Big difference!
Titus 3:5 - not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. See John 3:5; 4:10,14; 7:37-39.
Notice the word CLAIMS to have faith but has no deeds. Also, can SUCH faith save them? What kind of faith is that? Dead faith that cannot save. What kind of faith saves us? Living faith that has been made alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:5-10) and results in producing good works, demonstrating or showing that it's not a dead faith, but a living faith. Faith "by itself" (produces no good works) is not genuine living, saving, faith but an empty profession of faith (James 2:14).
SHOW, not establish. Big difference!
They believe "mental assent" that "there is one God" but they do not believe/entrust their spiritual well being to Christ.
Notice that the NIV says Abraham was considered righteous for what what he did. There is a difference between Abraham being ACCOUNTED as righteous based on his faith (Romans 4:2-3) and being CONSIDERED righteous many years later based on his works (James 2:21).
Made "complete" by what he did means bring to maturity, carry to the end, to complete like love in 1 John 4:18. It doesn't mean that Abraham was finally accounted as righteous based on his works. When Abraham performed the good work in Genesis 22; he fulfilled the expectations created by the pronouncement of his faith in Genesis 15:6. The Scripture was fulfilled in vindicating or demonstrating that Abraham believed God and was accounted as righteous. Abraham's faith was accounted for righteousness (Genesis 15:6) long before he offered up Isaac on the alter (Genesis 22).
Genuine good works demonstrate the genuineness of our faith, but if we are trusting in works to save us, then we are not trusting exclusively in Christ to save us. Works without faith are just as dead as faith without works. Without faith, it's impossible to please God. Faith in works is not faith in Christ.
The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; the one who practices sin is of the devil.. Do believers practice righteousness in order to become righteous or because they are righteous? Do unbelievers practice sin in order to become of the devil or because they are of the devil? What is the cause and what is the effect? Luke 6:45 - A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
