Requirements of Salvation
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The point I was trying to convey was that obedience to water baptism was required in all the referenced cases. If water baptism played no part in the NT salvation plan why were the people commanded to submit to it?
Why command Cornelius and others to submit to it even after they received the Holy Ghost?
And, if water baptism was not necessary, why did Paul bother to re-baptize the Ephesus disciples into the name of the Lord Jesus?
It seems to point to the fact that John the Baptist's initial message that everyone must submit to baptism for repentance was to introduce the concept. After Jesus' death, burial and resurrection water baptism took on spiritual significance when done in His name.
Why command Cornelius and others to submit to it even after they received the Holy Ghost?
And, if water baptism was not necessary, why did Paul bother to re-baptize the Ephesus disciples into the name of the Lord Jesus?
It seems to point to the fact that John the Baptist's initial message that everyone must submit to baptism for repentance was to introduce the concept. After Jesus' death, burial and resurrection water baptism took on spiritual significance when done in His name.
You are right. Sin is not something that can be washed off the outside of a body by water.
According to the bible, water baptism holds spiritual significance. It is a part of the new birth experience designed by God. Everyone is commanded to obey and submit to it.
Think of it this way: a natural baby is born when they come forth out of the water of their mother's womb. A spiritual re-birth entails coming out of the waters of baptism. This would be consistent with scripture that states that one can see spiritual truths by what God created in our world.
According to the bible, water baptism holds spiritual significance. It is a part of the new birth experience designed by God. Everyone is commanded to obey and submit to it.
Think of it this way: a natural baby is born when they come forth out of the water of their mother's womb. A spiritual re-birth entails coming out of the waters of baptism. This would be consistent with scripture that states that one can see spiritual truths by what God created in our world.
Let me just say that when I started studying Acts 10:47-48 in Greek I was fascinated by what I found In Thayer’s Lexicon.
Acts 10:47-48 ESV
”Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.
The Greek word for withhold is kolysai it comes from koluo (Strong’s #2967). It means to hinder. If I can withhold something then I have complete control of it. If the meaning is to hinder, that implies that my ability to affect it is limited. As I dug into Thayer’s lexicon under koluo I found the first part of Acts 10:47 rendered this way.
Can anyone hinder the water (which offers itself), that these should not be baptized?
Thayer’s version indicates that the water is not H2O for immersing someone in, but a metaphor for the Holy Spirit itself.
In addition to this, the word commanded in Acts 10:48 also means to place at.
Now when I read Acts 10:48 the picture I see is Peter saying to the Household of Cornelius “You have been immersed in the onomati/name/cause of Jesus Christ.”
Acts 10:47-48 ESV
”Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.
The Greek word for withhold is kolysai it comes from koluo (Strong’s #2967). It means to hinder. If I can withhold something then I have complete control of it. If the meaning is to hinder, that implies that my ability to affect it is limited. As I dug into Thayer’s lexicon under koluo I found the first part of Acts 10:47 rendered this way.
Can anyone hinder the water (which offers itself), that these should not be baptized?
Thayer’s version indicates that the water is not H2O for immersing someone in, but a metaphor for the Holy Spirit itself.
In addition to this, the word commanded in Acts 10:48 also means to place at.
Now when I read Acts 10:48 the picture I see is Peter saying to the Household of Cornelius “You have been immersed in the onomati/name/cause of Jesus Christ.”
If it was that easy to be saved from hell then we wouldn't have scriptures such as Matthew 7:13-14 that warn us that few people will be saved.
James 2:19 KJB
"Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. "
James 2:13-26 KJB
"13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
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.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."
Matthew 7:13-14 KJB
"13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
James 2:19 KJB
"Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. "
James 2:13-26 KJB
"13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
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.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."
Matthew 7:13-14 KJB
"13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
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Corrupted Bibles and doctrines of salvation are two different subjects. You can have a KJB reader preaching doctrines of demons.
We are saved through faith. Faith means to have trust/confidence in God. To have trust in God you must have a good conscience toward God (1 Peter 3:21). To have a good conscience towards God you must obey Him (His commandments & precepts taught in the Holy Bible).
"he that doeth the will of God abideth forever" - 1 John 2:17
We are saved through faith. Faith means to have trust/confidence in God. To have trust in God you must have a good conscience toward God (1 Peter 3:21). To have a good conscience towards God you must obey Him (His commandments & precepts taught in the Holy Bible).
"he that doeth the will of God abideth forever" - 1 John 2:17
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Excuse me. Let's try some logic if that's what floats your boat.
The demons believe that God is one, but that is not sufficient.
It is not sufficient because, Jesus did not become an angel and die for the sins of angels.
Therefore they have no promise of eternal life as mankind has. Jesus did become man and died for our sins and rose from the dead obtaining salvation as a free gift for us. To those who look to Him for salvation alone, He robes with the garments of His righteousness.
No wonder the devils tremble.
You will tremble too when you come up before Judgment and try to offer your works as an atonement for your sins thus trodding underfoot the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (Joh 6:28-29)
The demons believe that God is one, but that is not sufficient.
It is not sufficient because, Jesus did not become an angel and die for the sins of angels.
Therefore they have no promise of eternal life as mankind has. Jesus did become man and died for our sins and rose from the dead obtaining salvation as a free gift for us. To those who look to Him for salvation alone, He robes with the garments of His righteousness.
No wonder the devils tremble.
You will tremble too when you come up before Judgment and try to offer your works as an atonement for your sins thus trodding underfoot the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (Joh 6:28-29)
But we still must obey Him, it is choice to do those works of obedience or not. Without them your faith is dead. Just as scripture tells us in James chapter 2. He will cast off unprofitable servants (Matthew 25:30). Thats why the lukewarm church in Revelation was warned they would be spewed out.
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