Is Baptism necessary for Salvation?
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As you say faith does come by hearing and hearing by the word of God. What does the word of God say? It says we must believe and obey the God-given commands relative to the rebirth in order to be saved. In so doing, faith is made perfect. (James 2:22-24) Also it says Jesus is the author of eternal salvation unto those who obey Him. (Heb. 5:9) Scripture never contradicts itself when taken in context.
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John wrote, "For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 No mention of baptism.
And Paul wrote, "For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9 No mention of baptism.
If baptism saves people, then how come everyone baptized by John the Baptizer wasn't saved?
Mark 1:4, "And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." So they were saved and didn't need Jesus, correct?
Clearly, remission/forgiveness of sins does not mean people are saved. There is remission/forgiveness of sins from the first animal sacrifice in the Old Testament, but those people were not saved.
Regarding Paul, he was saved directly by Jesus on His way to Damascus. His baptism was a ritual, symbolically burying the "old man". That is the case for everyone who is baptized.
Romans 6:4-8, "Therefore we have been buried with him through baptism into death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too may live a new life.
For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will certainly also be united in the likeness of his resurrection. We know that our old man was crucified with him so that the body of sin would no longer dominate us, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For someone who has died has been freed from sin.)
Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him."
Scripture clearly and unmistakably says that baptism -- immersion in water -- is a symbolic ritual expressing the death of the old, sinful person. It cannot save anyone!
In my own case, I was saved and healed by Jesus in the hospital. I received the Holy Spirit and two days later received my prayer language, a.k.a., began speaking in tongues. Two weeks later, I was baptized by a pastor in a local lake. I was already saved!!!
This was similar to Paul's experience. We were both Jews to whom Jesus miraculously revealed Himself, and we were baptized at a later date.
You can believe what you want; it's irrelevant to me. I know the truth!
And Paul wrote, "For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9 No mention of baptism.
If baptism saves people, then how come everyone baptized by John the Baptizer wasn't saved?
Mark 1:4, "And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." So they were saved and didn't need Jesus, correct?
Clearly, remission/forgiveness of sins does not mean people are saved. There is remission/forgiveness of sins from the first animal sacrifice in the Old Testament, but those people were not saved.
Regarding Paul, he was saved directly by Jesus on His way to Damascus. His baptism was a ritual, symbolically burying the "old man". That is the case for everyone who is baptized.
Romans 6:4-8, "Therefore we have been buried with him through baptism into death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too may live a new life.
For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will certainly also be united in the likeness of his resurrection. We know that our old man was crucified with him so that the body of sin would no longer dominate us, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For someone who has died has been freed from sin.)
Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him."
Scripture clearly and unmistakably says that baptism -- immersion in water -- is a symbolic ritual expressing the death of the old, sinful person. It cannot save anyone!
In my own case, I was saved and healed by Jesus in the hospital. I received the Holy Spirit and two days later received my prayer language, a.k.a., began speaking in tongues. Two weeks later, I was baptized by a pastor in a local lake. I was already saved!!!
This was similar to Paul's experience. We were both Jews to whom Jesus miraculously revealed Himself, and we were baptized at a later date.
You can believe what you want; it's irrelevant to me. I know the truth!
Baptism in the name of Jesus Christ is NOT WATER BAPTISM as evidenced by the disciples of John the Baptist in Acts 19: 1-6 where they were baptized with water but not in the name of the Son and in the name of the Holy Spirit. It was when Jesus was preached to them and they believed that they were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and then in the name of the Holy Spirit.
John, himself, explains that he was sent by God to baptize with water so that he would be able to identify the one that was going to baptize with the Holy Spirit. In John 5 : 30-47, Jesus lists the different witnesses that He came from God as John the Baptist, His miracles, the Father, and Scripture.
John, himself, explains that he was sent by God to baptize with water so that he would be able to identify the one that was going to baptize with the Holy Spirit. In John 5 : 30-47, Jesus lists the different witnesses that He came from God as John the Baptist, His miracles, the Father, and Scripture.
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Agreed.
Again...
John wrote, "For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 No mention of baptism.
And Paul wrote, "For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9 No mention of baptism.
If baptism saves people, then how come everyone baptized by John the Baptizer wasn't saved?
Mark 1:4, "And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." So they were saved and didn't need Jesus, correct?
All Scripture!!!
Clearly, remission/forgiveness of sins does not mean people are saved. There is remission/forgiveness of sins from the first animal sacrifice in the Old Testament, but those people were not saved.
Again...
John wrote, "For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 No mention of baptism.
And Paul wrote, "For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9 No mention of baptism.
If baptism saves people, then how come everyone baptized by John the Baptizer wasn't saved?
Mark 1:4, "And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." So they were saved and didn't need Jesus, correct?
All Scripture!!!
Clearly, remission/forgiveness of sins does not mean people are saved. There is remission/forgiveness of sins from the first animal sacrifice in the Old Testament, but those people were not saved.
Another confirming scripture as to the truth that belief and obedience to water baptism is when one's sins are washed away is Acts 22:16. Ananias told Paul to be baptized and wash away his sins calling on the name of the Lord. Scriptures mean what they say. And as you are aware Jesus said he who believes and is baptized shall be saved.
By grace you are saved. How? Through faith. As Paul stated the gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one who believes, and therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith. (Romans 1:16-17) This means salvation is the result of believing and obeying everything associated with the gospel message. The gospel message includes steps of faith that make salvation possible.
Man takes steps of faith by believing in Jesus' death, burial and resurrection and the God-given commands associated. Steps of faith are seen in one's belief and obedience of repentance, and being baptized in water in the name of the Lord Jesus. Upon obedience to the command to be baptized, God brings about the reality of an individual's sins being remitted. Another step of faith is to believe God and be filled with His Holy Spirit as promised in His word. The above is faith in action. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God as those scriptures attest.
Man takes steps of faith by believing in Jesus' death, burial and resurrection and the God-given commands associated. Steps of faith are seen in one's belief and obedience of repentance, and being baptized in water in the name of the Lord Jesus. Upon obedience to the command to be baptized, God brings about the reality of an individual's sins being remitted. Another step of faith is to believe God and be filled with His Holy Spirit as promised in His word. The above is faith in action. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God as those scriptures attest.
i fully agree
Since faith comes by hearing then it can never be generated of and by ourselves.
Therefore Saving Faith is a Gift from God and is not of ourselves lest any man should boast.
"Jesus therefore answered and said to them(and to us), “Do not murmur among yourselves.
44No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.
45It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me."
John ch6
Since faith comes by hearing then it can never be generated of and by ourselves.
Therefore Saving Faith is a Gift from God and is not of ourselves lest any man should boast.
"Jesus therefore answered and said to them(and to us), “Do not murmur among yourselves.
44No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.
45It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me."
John ch6
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Water baptism does wash one's sins away, as John showed the world when he baptized people in the Jordan. As I said earlier, animal sacrifices also "washed" one's sins away. And of course the ultimate removal of sins occurred when Jesus was sacrificed on the cross.
However, as you said correctly in your last sentence, belief is what removes your sins: the acceptance that Christ's sacrifice removed your sins and everyone else for all time.
Baptism does not save anyone! If that was true, then Jesus' sacrifice was pointless! All anyone had to do was go to John, have him dunk you in the river, and volia, you're saved. Scriptures mean what they say!
However, as you said correctly in your last sentence, belief is what removes your sins: the acceptance that Christ's sacrifice removed your sins and everyone else for all time.
Baptism does not save anyone! If that was true, then Jesus' sacrifice was pointless! All anyone had to do was go to John, have him dunk you in the river, and volia, you're saved. Scriptures mean what they say!
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I agree it is. Yet, isn't that a product of the natural man? Ego, Pride, Self-absorbed.
I think that's what is at work when the Tevilah, Mikvah, is altered into a works action that mandates the Tevilah, Mikvah, saves.
I think it's either the fallen human nature at work, or it's the enemy.
Everyone in scripture who was baptized, the Tevilah,Mikvah, were already in God's Salvation.
They weren't baptized first, and then gained faith and Salvation.
Jesus was a practicing Jew sent to bring the good news to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Does this sound similiar to Baptism?
''Telivah - Tevilah is the Biblical act of immersing oneself in a natural living water source for ritual cleansing of sin and symbolizing death to the self-centered ego and rebirth to a new spiritual life of selfless love in harmony with the principles of God’s law of love –'' Source and IMO worth the short time it takes to read the article: https://www.calledoutbelievers.org/tevilah-and-mikvah/
The natural consciousness will balk at that. It isn't for them to understand.
Just as they don't understand the Mikveh, Tevilah does not seal Salvation.
I think that's what is at work when the Tevilah, Mikvah, is altered into a works action that mandates the Tevilah, Mikvah, saves.
I think it's either the fallen human nature at work, or it's the enemy.
Everyone in scripture who was baptized, the Tevilah,Mikvah, were already in God's Salvation.
They weren't baptized first, and then gained faith and Salvation.
Jesus was a practicing Jew sent to bring the good news to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Does this sound similiar to Baptism?
''Telivah - Tevilah is the Biblical act of immersing oneself in a natural living water source for ritual cleansing of sin and symbolizing death to the self-centered ego and rebirth to a new spiritual life of selfless love in harmony with the principles of God’s law of love –'' Source and IMO worth the short time it takes to read the article: https://www.calledoutbelievers.org/tevilah-and-mikvah/
The natural consciousness will balk at that. It isn't for them to understand.
Just as they don't understand the Mikveh, Tevilah does not seal Salvation.
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Yes. How does someone take that verse and add, someone must be baptized in liquid water before they're saved?
John 1:1.In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
...14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son[d] from the Father, full of grace and truth.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1&version=ESV
John 1:1.In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
...14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son[d] from the Father, full of grace and truth.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1&version=ESV
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We are guided by God's commandments.
Baptism is Required
Peter 3: 21.... whereunto even baptism doth also now save us...
John 3:5 .......Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
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 22;16... And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
Galations 3:26...... For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
KJV Marrk 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
KJV Matthew 3:14... But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15. Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now, for thus it becometh us to fulfil all rightesousness. Then He suffered Him.
KJV Matthew 28:19..... Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:.
Acts 10;47-48...
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Acts 8:12-18: But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.
Acts 19:4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.”
John 3; 22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
Quote from Billy Graham that is note worthy;
....Also, to clarify I did not say remission of sin takes place at repentance. Scripture makes it clear that it occurs upon obedience to water baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus. Each is a step of faith, along with receiving the Holy Ghost, in the process of one's spiritual rebirth
.."Paul explains the doctrinal significance of what occurs when one is baptized.His explanation is found in his letter to those who had already been obedient to the command.
Paul tells the Roman Christians what actually occurred when they were/are baptized; they were baptized into His death. Being buried with Jesus into His death resulted in their sin being destroyed.
Even though Paul explains this concept, the NEW AGE RELIGION TEACHING is......... that water baptism is nothing other than a mere public display.......... And that is so far removed from the truth.
Keep in mind that Satan knows if he can continue to perpetuate that lie ...... he can keep people from entering the kingdom of God. Thus He has proven scripture which says ...in the end times there will be ...great delusions.....they are here.
Conclusion....teaching that baptism is not necessary is violation of Rev. 22;19.... And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. 20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Also two other books of the Bible).