FreeGrace2 said:
I believe what Jesus clearly taught settles EVERYTHING.
This response appears to be an attempt to pit Jesus against "the rest of the Bible" and "James". Good grief.
It's clear enough for anyone to understand.
Uh, no, neither does.
John 3-
4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.
This is about being born again, not being baptized.
Mark 16:16 - Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
First, Mark 16:9-20 is NOT in the "earliest and most reliable transcripts", not that none of it is true, but it isn't inspired writings.
And here, it should be obvious, when compared with the rest of Scripture, that "baptism" here refers to the "baptism of the Holy Spirit", which isn't water baptism. It refers to the indwelling Holy Spirit. Read Acts 10 and 11 regarding Cornelius and you'll see.
16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
Those who read the rest of the discussion know that Jesus wasn't giving him the gospel, but setting him up for the most important issue. The man claimed to have kept the whole law from his youth. Yet, Jesus pointed out to him his love of his wealth, which he didn't want to give up, which demonstrated that he failed at the very first commandment!
This man wasn't ready for the gospel. He needed to know that he couldn't keep the law.
James 2:10 - For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
I sure hope you aren't taking this literally!! Jesus used metaphors to make a point. To "eat" and "drink" is symbolic of faith in His work on the cross, and is the basis for our taking communion (the Lord's Table) by drinking and eating.
Do you find anywhere in John 6 about being saved by literal eating/drinking?
But, you do find these verses:
6:29 - Jesus answered, “The work of God is this:
to believe in the one he has sent.”
6:40 - For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and
believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”
Please point out the exact words that I've supposedly "reduced to a metaphor". I haven't.
I'm not "boxed in". It's your theology that is unbiblical that has boxed you in so far that it has blinded you to the actual truth of Scripture.