It seems the major points in scripture is waning in some's minds......so here is help;
Let us consider other scripture messages requiring baptism;
Baptism is Required
Let us consider other scripture messages requiring baptism;
Baptism is Required
Peter 3: 21.... whereunto even baptism doth also now save us.....
and this water (literal water, from v.20 and the flood, which DIDN'T save anyone, but rather drowned the entire population) symbolizes baptism (of the Holy Spirit) that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
So, the verse clearly says that literal water symbolizes the baptism (Holy Spirit) that now saves you.
iow, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is what saves, not getting dunked in literal water.
Just ask the entire population of Noah's day how their full immersion in water worked out for them.
Or ask the entire Egyptian army how their full immersion in water worked out for them. Yet, Paul equates the israelites with being "baptized in Moses in the cloud and in the sea". 1 Cor 10:1,2
This proves that dry baptisms are real; iow the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
It is the wet baptisms that are ritual; symbolic of an identification.
Actually, both wet and dry baptisms are symbolic of something. But dry baptisms, like 1 Cor 10:1,2 speak of, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, are real identifications, while wet baptisms use ritual to symbolize an identification.
So, water baptism is commanded for believers as an identification of being with Christ.
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.
"born of the Spirit" refers to spiritual birth, when the Holy Spirit indwells the believer. This is the baptism of the Holy Spirit that saves us.
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.
v.37 -
37 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, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The red words demonstrate that the crowd were convicted by what they heard, and realized that they HAD assisted in the crucifixion of Jesus. So they asked Peter what they should to. iow, how could they fix their mess.
So, by this time, they had already changed their minds (repented) about Jesus Christ and were saved. So Peter wasn't telling them how to be saved. He was telling them what they should NOW do.
Acts 22;16... And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
Roman 6;3.... Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
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.
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Mark16;16.... He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.....
Also Acts 2;38..Repent and be baptized....
Many others
1 Cor 1-
14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius,
15 so no one can say that you were baptized in my name.
16 (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.)
17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
Quite a remarkable statement from arguably the most prolific evangelist ever. He distanced himself from water baptism.
If Paul thought that water baptism was required for salvation, we would be reading that in every one of his epistles, but we don't.
Instead, Paul was glad that he didn't baptize very many.
As for your "many more" comment, here are the verses that mention people geting saved, coming to faith and there is NO mention of water baptism:
Acts 2:47, 3:16, 19, 4:4, 12, 5:42, 6:7, 8:36, 9:17, 18, 31, 35, 42, 10:44, 47, 11:16, 21, 24, 13:12, 38,39,48, 17:34, 18:8, 19:18, 20:21, 24, Rom 1:16.
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