If we're saved by faith

[Joseppi]

why does the Bible say we have to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. Acts 2:38

What is it we believe?
We believe Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ said, Repent or perish.
And Jesus said, He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned.

So, the question you have may be, Why?
The answer is that baptism signifies burial with Christ into his death that we shall then be raised to new life by the Spirit of God.
It turns out that we can't be born again unless we die to sin and the flesh, that is, We must deny ourselves daily, pick up our cross and follow Jesus.
The cross we pick up daily, after having denied ourselves, is the instrument of our death daily.
I point this out because the same faith by which we repent and submit to baptism in Jesus name, is the same faith we need to walj by daily. And it is good to keep in mind that faith requires many things of us because the works God would have us do in Jesus' name, daily, are diverse and often suprising.

Keep in mind that it is grace that saves us, but we can't stand in the grace of God without faith.

 

[MarcR]

There is absolutely NOTHING that a person can do to contribute ANYTHING toward his/her Salvation.

Jesus has done everything necessary to restore us to right relationship with the Father.

He wants and is worthy of ALL the credit; and our only task is to praise and serve Him (not to gain; but because we have ) Salvation.

 

[Studyman]

You tried to Compare two people. One who was in prison and one who was not.. Not sure what other context you could be referring to if it was nbot that,

I was comparing Peter who was chosen by Jesus to be the head of His Church, and the Thief and other people who are turned to Jesus for forgiveness. Moses was Chosen for a specific Job as was Peter and Pharaoh. Caleb turned to God in Faith as did Rehab and the Samaritan woman.

I believe there is a difference between these people as to how they came under Grace.

 

[BillG]

What is it we believe?
We believe Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ said, Repent or perish.
And Jesus said, He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned.

So, the question you have may be, Why?
The answer is that baptism signifies burial with Christ into his death that we shall then be raised to new life by the Spirit of God.
It turns out that we can't be born again unless we die to sin and the flesh, that is, We must deny ourselves daily, pick up our cross and follow Jesus.
The cross we pick up daily, after having denied ourselves, is the instrument of our death daily.
I point this out because the same faith by which we repent and submit to baptism in Jesus name, is the same faith we need to walj by daily. And it is good to keep in mind that faith requires many things of us because the works God would have us do in Jesus' name, daily, are diverse and often suprising.

Keep in mind that it is grace that saves us, but we can't stand in the grace of God without faith.

Baptism saves?

 

[Studyman]

Stop focusing on works, and focus on faith, Not of works lest any man should boast. Don’t boast of works. But look to God in faith.

I am not focusing on works, rather, I am focusing on God's Word and the instructions of my Savior as opposed to the words of men who may not have by best interest at heart.

"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness." There is only one safe place where we can find the "Righteousness of God".

 

[BillG]

I was comparing Peter who was chosen by Jesus to be the head of His Church, and the Thief and other people who are turned to Jesus for forgiveness. Moses was Chosen for a specific Job as was Peter and Pharaoh. Caleb turned to God in Faith as did Rehab and the Samaritan woman.

I believe there is a difference between these people as to how they came under Grace.

Hi Studyman,

How does one come under grace?

You mention the thief. Is that the thief on the cross?

You mention Pharaoh.
Can I ask why?

 

[Nehemiah6]

I was comparing Peter who was chosen by Jesus to be the head of His Church, and the Thief and other people who are turned to Jesus for forgiveness. Moses was Chosen for a specific Job as was Peter and Pharaoh. Caleb turned to God in Faith as did Rehab and the Samaritan woman.

It does not help to have a mishmash of names such as this, especially since Peter was simply chosen to be the apostle to the Jews (not "the head of His Church" as claimed by the RCC). But Pharaoh chose Hell for himself by opposing God at every opportunity.

I believe there is a difference between these people as to how they came under Grace.

There is absolutely no difference in how people were saved by grace then and now. Those who believed God were deemed to be righteous. Study Hebrews 11, which mentions Rahab.

 

[Sagart]

An appeal is like a ceremonial law as that seen used as a shadow.It does not make perfect. It was like the appeal from Aaron's two son before they were ceremonial baptized by water before the entered the priesthood of believers .They has good intention yet brought unauthorized oral tradition of men and were destroyed.

Appeals do not make ones conscience perfect.

The English word ‘appeal’ is a translation of the Greek word ἐπερώτημα meaning an appeal or request. Therefore, Peter is saying that water baptism, when it is an appeal to God requesting from Him a good conscience, “saves” the recipients of the baptism, and that this is made possible “through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

1 Peter 3:21 And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you—not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, (NRSV)

It saves their flesh as a parable in respect to that seen, the temporal, not the unseen, eternal . But literal water cannot save ones soul.

The parable was historically true they did not drown but it does also give us the spiritual understanding, hid from those who have not the Spirit of Christ and therefore no spiritual understanding which the Holy Ghost teaches; comparing spiritual things not seen (the faith principle) with same spiritual not seen.

If we are to walk by faith and not by sight . I would think the prescription used in parables must be applied or men will begin thinking the things seen do have some redeeming value other than idol images.

Genesis 6-8 is NOT a parable, and no parables are included in those three chapters! Moreover, Peter is NOT referring to the salvation of anyone’s flesh, but his or her soul—as is seen by his reference to the conscience, which is a part of a man’s soul rather than his flesh!

 

[BillG]

It does not help to have a mishmash of names such as this, especially since Peter was simply chosen to be the apostle to the Jews (not "the head of His Church as claimed by the RCC). But Pharaoh chose Hell for himself by opposing God at every opportunity.

There is absolutely no difference in how people were saved by grace then and now. Those who believed God were deemed to be righteous. Study Hebrews 11, which mentions Rahab.

Although it's interesting. If my thoughts are correct, did not God harden Pharos heart?

 

[Nehemiah6]

Although it's interesting. If my thoughts are correct, did not God harden Pharos heart?

Yes He did. But only after Pharaoh himself had hardened his heart toward God and the Israelites (at the very beginning). God gives every evildoer many opportunities to repent, but a time comes when there is no remedy whatsoever. That is when God hardens the heart. In the meantime God urges sinners to NOT harden their hearts (Heb 3:7-19).

7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,
8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.
10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.
11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)
12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.
17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?
18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

 

[Bladerunner]

why does the Bible say we have to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. Acts 2:38

"in the NAME of Jesus Christ" is what you get Baptized in.... All of it comes through Faith.....But you already knew that........

Why did you not Quote 'Eph 2:8-9', It tells you everything you need to know.... I suspect you are one of those that want to muddle the pot for the true believers.....Keep trying it is not working.

 

[Studyman]

Hi Studyman,

How does one come under grace?

You mention the thief. Is that the thief on the cross?

You mention Pharaoh.
Can I ask why?

It's a Biblical thing, It's about what the Scriptures actually say. For instance:

Ex. 9:12 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken unto Moses.13 And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
14 For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth.
15 For now I will stretch out my hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth.
16 And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.

1 Cor. 10:5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Matt. 4:18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

Matt 16:18
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

2 Chron. 24:18 And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass.
19 Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the LORD; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear.

It is my understanding the Jesus had the Old Testament written for our admonition. He "raised up" Examples to show us how to act and the consequences of our actions. Some were created for a certain purpose as God said He raised Pharaoh for. And some are examples of people who made the conscious choice to turn to God as did Abel and Noah and Abraham and Rehab, Caleb, Alisha, the Samaritan woman, etc.

Rom. 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

John the Baptist played a role different than the man who said "I believe, help me in my disbelief", and so on.

Jesus didn't turn to the thief on the cross like he did Peter and say "follow Me". The Thief turned to Jesus and said "remember me".

That was the point of my post.

 

[Studyman]

It does not help to have a mishmash of names such as this, especially since Peter was simply chosen to be the apostle to the Jews (not "the head of His Church" as claimed by the RCC). But Pharaoh chose Hell for himself by opposing God at every opportunity.

There is absolutely no difference in how people were saved by grace then and now. Those who believed God were deemed to be righteous. Study Hebrews 11, which mentions Rahab.

Matt 16:18
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

The Catholics twist and omit a lot of scriptures this is true. But shall their unbelief made the Word of God Void? God forbid.

Ex. 9:12 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken unto Moses.

16 And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.

The old Testament was written for us as examples. Pharaoh didn't have a choice. The Samaritan woman and the Thief did.

Peter and Paul and John the Baptist didn't. In my opinion.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

I am not focusing on works, rather, I am focusing on God's Word and the instructions of my Savior as opposed to the words of men who may not have by best interest at heart.

"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness." There is only one safe place where we can find the "Righteousness of God".

Yep. And that is not in works, It is in faith.
And yes, you are focused on works, if you were focused on faith and loving others as God commanded, you would bot even be talking about works. You would be talking about loving and serving other people in faith.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

I was comparing Peter who was chosen by Jesus to be the head of His Church, and the Thief and other people who are turned to Jesus for forgiveness. Moses was Chosen for a specific Job as was Peter and Pharaoh. Caleb turned to God in Faith as did Rehab and the Samaritan woman.

I believe there is a difference between these people as to how they came under Grace.

How about Mathew the tax collector?

 

[Joseppi]

Baptism saves?

1 Peter3:20-21 ...eight souls were saved by water The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us......by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

So by analogy...

The water of Noah's flood buried the old world but the ark arose to save all who were in the ark.
The water of Jesus' baptism buried the old man but Jesus arose to save all who are in Jesus.

 

[miknik5]

why does the Bible say we have to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. Acts 2:38

If we have faith in JESUS as the one who saves?

Then we will do what HE said to do

 

[Studyman]

Yep. And that is not in works, It is in faith.
And yes, you are focused on works, if you were focused on faith and loving others as God commanded, you would bot even be talking about works. You would be talking about loving and serving other people in faith.

We just have different beliefs EG. I believe one way Jesus Loved people was by showing them the truth about the Mainstream Preachers "works" of His time and their doctrines which HE said were "commandments of men" and NOT GOD. He spent a great deal of time exposing the mainstream preachers of His Time.

Your preaching on this forum are your "works" EG. You boast plenty about your works as did the Mainstream Preachers of Christ's time.

We all have works EG.

Jesus said those who "Come to the Light" do so in order to make known their works, if they are from God or man. While those who stay in darkness do so in order for their works, and the origin thereof, to stay hidden.

You, Decon, and "many" others who come in Christ's Name, preach Jesus rejected the Pharisees because they were trying to earn salvation by following God's Laws. To defend this preaching you must hide from ALL the Light of Christ's own Words regarding the Pharisees, Paul's Words in Rom. 1, all of the Old Testament prophesies and much more etc.. Jesus light exposes your "works" as from ancient religious tradition created by man, and not by God. This is not my fault.

You have "works" EG, and you administer them every day on this forum. As a Brother I simply want to show you "His Love" by showing that you are preaching ancient religious traditions which are contrary to the very Word's of the Jesus of the Bible..

I have "Faith" that His Word doesn't return Void, someone will hear and consider even if your refuse.

 

[DJ2]

If you can not find proof either way, This should give you pause, It means you may not be right, so you have to use other resources to come to your conclusion (ie the rest of scripture would help)

What exactly am I not right about?

I am not the one who says he was baptized and I am not the one who says he is not. I am the one who says it is an assumption either way.

Now which of the three positions are you taking.

1. He was not baptized.
2. He was baptized.
3. The Bible does not say.

 

[mailmandan]

Baptism saves?

1 Peter 3:21 tells us that baptism now saves you, yet when Peter uses this phrase he continues in the same sentence to explain exactly what he means by it. He says that baptism now saves you-not the removal of dirt from the flesh (that is, not as an outward, physical act which washes dirt from the body--that is not what saves you), "but an appeal to God for a good conscience" (that is, as an inward, spiritual transaction between God and the individual, a transaction that is symbolized by the outward ceremony of water baptism).

Baptism is a pledge to God made from a good conscience. We could paraphrase Peter's statement by saying, "Baptism now saves you--not the outward physical ceremony of baptism but the inward spiritual reality which baptism represents." By saying, "not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience - through the resurrection of Jesus Christ," Peter guards against saving power to the physical ceremony itself.

So in 1 Peter 3:21; it's not the water itself that saves us, but the "appeal-to-God-for-good-conscience". Just as the eight people in the ark were "saved THROUGH water" as they were IN THE ARK. They were not literally saved "by" the water. Hebrews 11:7 is clear on this point (..built an ARK for the SAVING of his household). NOTE: The context reveals that ONLY the righteous (Noah and his family) were DRY and therefore SAFE. In contrast, ONLY THE WICKED IN NOAH'S DAY CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE WATER AND THEY ALL PERISHED.