Do you acknowledge what the scripture says?: Ananias told Paul how to wash away his sins. "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." Acts 22:16
Also, the following Hebrews scripture indicates that salvation is available to those who obey Jesus, the author of our salvation. Jesus' actions as seen in His own baptism gave mankind an example to follow.
"And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;" Heb 5:8
The following addresses what a Christian's foundation is to consist of, and indicates it is required one time; faith toward God in repentance, baptisms, laying on of hands (receiving Holy Ghost), resurrection and eternal judgment. Pursuit of a life dedicated to our Lord should continue after the foundation is set.
"Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment." Heb 6:1-2
Also, the following Hebrews scripture indicates that salvation is available to those who obey Jesus, the author of our salvation. Jesus' actions as seen in His own baptism gave mankind an example to follow.
"And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;" Heb 5:8
The following addresses what a Christian's foundation is to consist of, and indicates it is required one time; faith toward God in repentance, baptisms, laying on of hands (receiving Holy Ghost), resurrection and eternal judgment. Pursuit of a life dedicated to our Lord should continue after the foundation is set.
"Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment." Heb 6:1-2
The word "baptisms" is actually talking about washings under Judaism, not water baptism.
Secondly, I believe baptism is a command that should be honored. However it doesn't convey grace like you are suggesting. This view is called baptismal regeneration, and it is a heresy.
Thirdly, I believe in obedience to all commandments that are relevant to the believer.
By the way, does your group (whatever it is) observe laying on of hands? One interesting dilemma that Campbellites have is that they don't lay hands on believers after baptism, because they don't believe that there are any apostles today that can do this. However, they are sticklers about the water baptism thing.
Here's some notes from MacArthur's study bible on Heb 6:1-2:
Hebrews 6:1-2 Heb. 6:1 leave. This “leave” does not mean to despise or abandon the basic doctrines. They are the place to start, not stop. They are the gate of entrance on the road to salvation in Christ. elementary doctrine of Christ. As “the oracles of God” in 5:12 refers to the OT, so does this phrase. The writer is referring to basic OT teaching that prepared the way for Messiah—the beginning teaching about Christ. This OT “doctrine” includes the six features listed in 6:1–2. go on to maturity. Salvation by faith in Messiah Jesus. See note on 5:14. The verb is passive, so as to indicate “let us be carried to salvation.” That is not a matter of learners being carried by teachers, but both being carried forward by God. The writer warns his Jewish readers that there is no value in stopping with the OT basics and repeating (“laying again”) what was only intended to be foundational. repentance from dead works. This OT form of repentance is the turning away from evil deeds that bring death (cf. Ezek. 18:4; Rom. 6:23) and turning to God. Too often the Jew only turned to God in a superficial fashion—fulfilling the letter of the law as evidence of his repentance. The inner man was still dead (Matt. 23:25–28; Rom. 2:28–29). Such repentance was not the kind that brought salvation (Heb. 6:6 12:17; cf. Acts 11:18; 2 Cor. 7:10). Under the New Covenant, however, “repentance toward God” is coupled with “faith in our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21). Christ’s atoning sacrifice saves from “dead works” (Heb. 9:14; cf. John 14:6). faith toward God. Faith directed only toward the Father is unacceptable without faith in his Son, Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12; cf. James 2:14–20).
Heb. 6:2 washings. In the OT Levitical system, there were many ceremonial cleansings, which were outward signs of heart cleansing (cf. Ex. 30:18–21; Lev. 16:4 24 26 28; Mark 7:4 8). The New Covenant called for an inner washing (Titus 3:5) that regenerated the soul. laying on of hands. Under the Old Covenant, the person who brought a sacrifice placed his hands on it to symbolize his identification with it as a substitute sacrifice for sin (Lev. 1:4 3:8 13 16:21). There could also be a reference here to solemn priestly blessings (cf. Matt. 19:13). resurrection . . . and eternal judgment. The Pharisees believed in the resurrection from the dead (Acts 23:8) but were still spiritually dead (Matt. 23:27). They also believed in the judgment of God and were headed for it. It is significant that all of the doctrines listed in Heb. 6:1–2 can be associated with the Pharisees, who were attracted to and sometimes associated with Jesus (Luke 7:36–50 13:31 14:1; John 3:1). Paul was a Pharisee before his conversion (Phil. 3:5). The Pharisees were products of the pursuit of righteousness by works of the law rather than by faith (Rom. 9:30–32 10:1–3). A portion of the Hebrews to whom this epistle was written may have been Pharisees.
(MacArthur Study Notes (ESV))
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