Are you completely Born again????
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As a Roman Catholic, prior to my conversion several years ago, I understood those Bible verses on baptism the same way you understand them now. After my conversion, I now understand them in a whole different light. If you were standing at the gates of heaven right now and Jesus Christ asked you why He should let you into heaven, what would be your exact answer? Would the answer include, "because I was water baptized?" The answer to this question will demonstrate exactly what you have placed your faith in/are trusting in for salvation.
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That wasn't the point and it's a hypothetical question and the answer to that question will demonstrate exactly what you are trusting in for salvation. My answer is, "I am trusting in Jesus Christ alone for salvation." I am not trusting in water baptism or any other works to save me. I am trusting in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ as the ALL-sufficient means of my salvation.
Yet Roman Catholics still trust in water baptism for salvation. I understand that one must repent and believe that Jesus is the Son of God before being water baptized. What about believing in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ? What do YOU believe the gospel IS and what do YOU believe it means to BELIEVE the gospel? (Romans 1:16)
Yet Roman Catholics still trust in water baptism for salvation. I understand that one must repent and believe that Jesus is the Son of God before being water baptized. What about believing in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ? What do YOU believe the gospel IS and what do YOU believe it means to BELIEVE the gospel? (Romans 1:16)
You are not trusting water baptism...
How is that believing in the death and resurrection of Jesus?
Rom 6:3-4 KJV 3 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.
How is that believing in the death and resurrection of Jesus?
Rom 6:3-4 KJV 3 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.
I believe/trust in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ for salvation and not in the symbol of water baptism. As Greek scholar AT Robertson explains: The translation "into" makes Paul say that the union with Christ was brought to pass by means of baptism, which is not his idea, for Paul was not a sacramentarian.....So here "unto his death," "in relation to his death," which relation Paul proceeds to explain by the symbolism of the ordinance.
https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/robertsons-word-pictures/romans/romans-6-3.html
It should be said also that a symbol is not the reality, but the picture of the reality.
https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/robertsons-word-pictures/romans/romans-6-4.html
Before mentioning baptism in chapter 6, Paul had repeatedly emphasized that FAITH, not baptism is the instrumental cause of salvation/justification (Romans 1:16, 3:22-30; 4:4-6, 13; 5:1). That is when the old man was put to death and united in the likeness of His death, which water baptism symbolizes and pictures. Righteousness is "imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised up because of our justification" (Romans 4:24,25).
Believers receive the benefits of Christ’s death and resurrection and through faith, believers are spiritually united to Him (delivered and raised up with Him). If baptism is taken as the instrumental cause, then Paul contradicts what he had established before, namely that justification is by FAITH, not baptism. *Hermeneutics. Paul clearly teaches that what is signified in baptism (buried and raised with Christ) actually occurs "through faith." Christians are "buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead" (Colossians 2:12). Justification on account of union in Christ's death, burial and resurrection is brought about "through faith" and is symbolized by baptizing the new believer.
https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/robertsons-word-pictures/romans/romans-6-3.html
It should be said also that a symbol is not the reality, but the picture of the reality.
https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/robertsons-word-pictures/romans/romans-6-4.html
Before mentioning baptism in chapter 6, Paul had repeatedly emphasized that FAITH, not baptism is the instrumental cause of salvation/justification (Romans 1:16, 3:22-30; 4:4-6, 13; 5:1). That is when the old man was put to death and united in the likeness of His death, which water baptism symbolizes and pictures. Righteousness is "imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised up because of our justification" (Romans 4:24,25).
Believers receive the benefits of Christ’s death and resurrection and through faith, believers are spiritually united to Him (delivered and raised up with Him). If baptism is taken as the instrumental cause, then Paul contradicts what he had established before, namely that justification is by FAITH, not baptism. *Hermeneutics. Paul clearly teaches that what is signified in baptism (buried and raised with Christ) actually occurs "through faith." Christians are "buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead" (Colossians 2:12). Justification on account of union in Christ's death, burial and resurrection is brought about "through faith" and is symbolized by baptizing the new believer.
Obviously Paul is not contradicting himself...
Paul himself say Rom 4:3 KJV For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
And how the scriptures said abraham believed?
Jas 2:21-23 KJV 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Paul himself say Rom 4:3 KJV For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
And how the scriptures said abraham believed?
Jas 2:21-23 KJV 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
How are you putting your trust in Christ when you do not believed what he said..
He who believed and baptize shall be saved...
How is that trusting the Lord.
When he said..
Teach all nations and baptize them?
Or maybe you put more trust in the scholars?
I asked...what are your church requirement to be a member of your church?
He who believed and baptize shall be saved...
How is that trusting the Lord.
When he said..
Teach all nations and baptize them?
Or maybe you put more trust in the scholars?
I asked...what are your church requirement to be a member of your church?
I see that you basically define believing as works. Roman Catholics do as well in a similar fashion. It's appearing more and more obvious that you subscribe to salvation by works. 
In James 2:21, notice closely that James does not say that Abraham's work of offering up Isaac resulted in God's accounting Abraham as righteous. 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 showed or manifested the genuineness of his faith. This is the "sense" in which Abraham was "justified by works." He was shown to be righteous.
In James 2:22, faith made perfect or complete by works means bring to maturity, carry to the end, to complete like love in 1 John 4:18. It does not mean that Abraham was finally saved based on merits of his works after he offered up Isaac on the altar in Genesis 22. When Abraham performed the good work in Genesis 22; he fulfilled the expectations created by the pronouncement of his faith in Genesis 15:6.
In James 2:23, the scripture was fulfilled in vindicating or demonstrating that Abraham believed God and was accounted as righteous. Abraham was accounted as righteous based on his faith (Genesis 15:6) not his works (Romans 4:2-3) long before he offered up Isaac on the altar in Genesis 22.
James is discussing the evidence of faith (says-claims to have faith but has no works/I will show you my faith by my works - James 2:14-18) and not the initial act of being accounted as righteous with God (Romans 4:2-3).
In James 2:21, notice closely that James does not say that Abraham's work of offering up Isaac resulted in God's accounting Abraham as righteous. 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 showed or manifested the genuineness of his faith. This is the "sense" in which Abraham was "justified by works." He was shown to be righteous.
In James 2:22, faith made perfect or complete by works means bring to maturity, carry to the end, to complete like love in 1 John 4:18. It does not mean that Abraham was finally saved based on merits of his works after he offered up Isaac on the altar in Genesis 22. When Abraham performed the good work in Genesis 22; he fulfilled the expectations created by the pronouncement of his faith in Genesis 15:6.
In James 2:23, the scripture was fulfilled in vindicating or demonstrating that Abraham believed God and was accounted as righteous. Abraham was accounted as righteous based on his faith (Genesis 15:6) not his works (Romans 4:2-3) long before he offered up Isaac on the altar in Genesis 22.
James is discussing the evidence of faith (says-claims to have faith but has no works/I will show you my faith by my works - James 2:14-18) and not the initial act of being accounted as righteous with God (Romans 4:2-3).
I see that you basically define believing as works. Roman Catholics do as well in a similar fashion. It's appearing more and more obvious that you subscribe to salvation by works.
In James 2:21, notice closely that James does not say that Abraham's work of offering up Isaac resulted in God's accounting Abraham as righteous. 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 showed or manifested the genuineness of his faith. This is the "sense" in which Abraham was "justified by works." He was shown to be righteous.
In James 2:22, faith made perfect or complete by works means bring to maturity, carry to the end, to complete like love in 1 John 4:18. It does not mean that Abraham was finally saved based on merits of his works after he offered up Isaac on the altar in Genesis 22. When Abraham performed the good work in Genesis 22; he fulfilled the expectations created by the pronouncement of his faith in Genesis 15:6.
In James 2:23, the scripture was fulfilled in vindicating or demonstrating that Abraham believed God and was accounted as righteous. Abraham was accounted as righteous based on his faith (Genesis 15:6) not his works (Romans 4:2-3) long before he offered up Isaac on the altar in Genesis 22.
James is discussing the evidence of faith (says-claims to have faith but has no works/I will show you my faith by my works - James 2:14-18) and not the initial act of being accounted as righteous with God (Romans 4:2-3).
In James 2:21, notice closely that James does not say that Abraham's work of offering up Isaac resulted in God's accounting Abraham as righteous. 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 showed or manifested the genuineness of his faith. This is the "sense" in which Abraham was "justified by works." He was shown to be righteous.
In James 2:22, faith made perfect or complete by works means bring to maturity, carry to the end, to complete like love in 1 John 4:18. It does not mean that Abraham was finally saved based on merits of his works after he offered up Isaac on the altar in Genesis 22. When Abraham performed the good work in Genesis 22; he fulfilled the expectations created by the pronouncement of his faith in Genesis 15:6.
In James 2:23, the scripture was fulfilled in vindicating or demonstrating that Abraham believed God and was accounted as righteous. Abraham was accounted as righteous based on his faith (Genesis 15:6) not his works (Romans 4:2-3) long before he offered up Isaac on the altar in Genesis 22.
James is discussing the evidence of faith (says-claims to have faith but has no works/I will show you my faith by my works - James 2:14-18) and not the initial act of being accounted as righteous with God (Romans 4:2-3).
You think believing is just by mind...
A hypo question.
When asked by God to offered Isaac, and let say abraham believed God (obviously not only he talked to God he heard him) but did not offer Isaac...
Let me think...
Ah..what do you think?
Also you did not response to the question
What are the basic requirement to be a member of your church?
I believe what Jesus said. Mark 16:16 - He who believes and is baptized will be saved (general cases without making a qualification for the unusual case of someone who believes but is not baptized) but he who does not believe will be condemned. I also believe what Jesus said in (3:15,16,18; 5:24; 6:29,40,47; 11:25,26) and water baptism was excluded. You need to properly harmonize scripture with scripture before reaching your conclusion on doctrine.
John 3:18 - He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who (is not water baptized? - NO) does not believe is condemned already, because he has not (been water baptized? - NO) because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
In Matthew 28:18, we have here a command by Jesus to go and make disciples of all nations, and baptize them. However, it does not say here that water baptism is absolutely necessary for salvation.
I put my trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. I trust in the Savior God and not the water god. Christian scholars also trust in Jesus Christ and not water baptism for salvation. Maybe you are trusting in false teachers at your house church. My church requirement to be a member is to be a believer.
John 3:18 - He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who (is not water baptized? - NO) does not believe is condemned already, because he has not (been water baptized? - NO) because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
In Matthew 28:18, we have here a command by Jesus to go and make disciples of all nations, and baptize them. However, it does not say here that water baptism is absolutely necessary for salvation.
I put my trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. I trust in the Savior God and not the water god. Christian scholars also trust in Jesus Christ and not water baptism for salvation. Maybe you are trusting in false teachers at your house church. My church requirement to be a member is to be a believer.
If he who believes will be saved (John 3:15,16,18; 5:24; 6:29,40,47; 11:25,26) then he who believes and is baptized will be saved as well. Who did Jesus say would be condemned in Mark 16:16? He who is not baptized? NO He who does not believe..
You still have not answered my question: What do YOU believe the gospel IS and what do YOU believe it means to BELIEVE the gospel? (Romans 1:16)
You still have not answered my question: What do YOU believe the gospel IS and what do YOU believe it means to BELIEVE the gospel? (Romans 1:16)
I did answer that..
I believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
1. Jesus from Israel
2. Preaching peace
3. It is him who preached by John that we should believe
4. He was anointed by God and power of Holy Spirit.
5. He did good and healing
6. He was hang on a tree and rise from the dead on the third day.
7. He is the judge of the quick and the dead..
8. He is the one that saves.
And trust the words he said..
Where he said he who believed and baptized shall be saved..
I believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
1. Jesus from Israel
2. Preaching peace
3. It is him who preached by John that we should believe
4. He was anointed by God and power of Holy Spirit.
5. He did good and healing
6. He was hang on a tree and rise from the dead on the third day.
7. He is the judge of the quick and the dead..
8. He is the one that saves.
And trust the words he said..
Where he said he who believed and baptized shall be saved..