'Reductionist' versus 'Complete' view of the Gospel
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"Baptized" in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Not water. When the church was born on Pentecost, all 3000 of them received the Holy Spirit first, and Peter baptized them later after his sermon. All of the disciples were baptized, John the Baptist baptized lots of people every day, but none of them was saved until they received the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. The truth is, we're all born of water in the womb, but to be born again, it takes the Holy Spirit and ONLY the Holy Spirit.
You sure are angry. I hope you won’t be angry seeing people in Heaven who didn’t agree with you. If only you rejoiced for people who have faith in Jesus Christ. That would be a beautiful display of love and righteousness.
So when people are baptized by sprinkling, their profession of faith is not valid because of the baptism method and they are not filled with the Holy Spirit and ultimately they don’t have salvation?
When did Billy Graham say or write this? Do you have the source? I've probably heard a few Billy Graham sermons over the years, but I do not recall his urging people to be baptized after repeating the confessional prayer thing he had them do, which is often known as 'the sinner's prayer.'
From what I have been able to ascertain, the practice of confessing faith by means of a prayer like this became widespread after Billy Graham started doing it in his crusades. Other evangelists did something similar.
Over time, the parts about being a sinner, the cross, and the resurrection of Christ were dropped from some of the prayers and the preaching the preceded it in some churches. And a little speech about religion v. relationship was added, and other things like that.
The eunuch did not say, "I have hear a bottle with a drop of water in it. What is to prevent me from being baptized?"
I presented how water baptisms took place in the biblical record. Sadly many of today's church doctrines, including baptism by sprinkling, are no more than manmade tradition. God indicates that partial obedience to His commandments are done in vain. (Mark 7:7-13) Jesus is the author of eternal salvation for all those who obey Him. (Heb. 5:9)
God's NT mandate was instituted for all mankind after the Holy Ghost was poured out on the Day of Pentecost. The entire gospel message concerning Jesus' death, burial and resurrection, and the obedience required in association with it is recorded in Acts 2:38 and later to the Gentiles in Acts 10:43-48.
God looks at one’s heart, not the volume of water or the manner in which its distributed.
Just take water baptism as a testimony before men. That is the rite of passage into a new life, it's like the oath of office or the wedding vow.
The Word says faith without works is dead, and it is by works that faith is made perfect. (James 2:20-24)
I'm not a huge fan of a "reductionist" gospel. I think it's to whom much is given, much is required. If you believe in Jesus, you'll get baptized (or do any other thing he wants you to do), or get chastised until you finally do that thing he wants you to do, or you'll eventually turn away from him. It's probably better to just get baptized, than wait until God sends a whale to eat you or something.