Results 1 - 5 of 5
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | What does baptism consist? | 1 John 5:6 | Tim Sheasby | 23307 | ||
Unlike most members of this forum, I believe that baptism is an essential part of God's plan of salvation. It does not save in and of itself (As the Roman Catholic church teaches) but at the same time, according to James 2:24 we are not justified by faith alone either. Our actual salvation derives from the redeeming blood of Jesus but water baptism is a symbol of our death to self and sin rather than a symbol of our resurrection and new life (Romans 6). The gospel is the death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We have to go through those same steps spiritually and those steps are belief and repentance (death), baptism in water (burrial) and then we rise to walk in newness of life. Tim Sheasby |
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2 | What does baptism consist? | 1 John 5:6 | charis | 23328 | ||
Dear Tim, Greetings in Jesus' name! Brother, If I were asked how are we saved, I would have to say that we are saved by grace through faith. (Ephesians 2:8) Is anything else 'required' by God? No! But, I am also well aware that God desires so much more of His people! You are correct, the book of James (2:22) very clearly shows that our faith is perfected in our subsequent works! Can any of these works alone commend us to God apart from faith? No, not a one! Can any combination or amount of works apart from faith save us? No! Therefore, we are saved by grace through faith, AND our good works, in faith and by the Holy Spirit, perfect our salvation. In this light, I agree that water baptism, baptism of the Holy Spirit, and the baptism of fire are ALL washings that facilitate our sanctification, which is the perfection of our salvation. I do not see this perfection as being 'automatic' upon confession of (or being apprehended by) Christ. Instead, I consider this perfection to be an ongoing process, as in "...work out your salvation with fear and trembling..." Philippians 2:12. In my humble opinion, God justifies us (sees us as holy) AND desires (and assists us) that we become holy. Some (many?) may say that we must choose one stance or the other, faith or works. I trust that James knew what he was saying when he wrote faith AND works. If I may say so, I think the problem is the word 'essential.' There are those that interpret this as 'required,' and go into conniptions. :-) Indeed, there are some that would say that baptism (and sometimes other things) are 'minimum requirements' for salvation. I strongly disagree with this belief! There is but one 'minimum requirement' for salvation, and that is faith toward God, the faith of Abraham. But, as we all know, Abraham stood up, set his face toward God, and walked the path to God. By the way, I am sorry to have to write like the Amplified Bible. I find it necessary, as some 'lay in wait' for a misquote or undotted 'i' :-) Blessings to you in Sud Afrika! In Christ Jesus, charis |
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3 | What does baptism consist? | 1 John 5:6 | Morant61 | 23330 | ||
Greetings Charis and Tim! May I butt in here? I don't think that the message of James is Faith plus Works equals Salvation. Rather, I think his message is Faith Works! James is not writing that his listeners need to DO something else to be saved. He is writing that they need to DO something because they have Faith. Faith that doesn't work is dead. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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4 | What does baptism consist? | 1 John 5:6 | charis | 23332 | ||
Dear Tim, (IN) Blessings in Jesus' name! Not once did I say, or have I ever said that faith plus works equals salvation. Honestly, that is incindiary and a bit unfair to me, and misrepresents what I said very clearly in my post. (crying 'foul' and rolling on the pitch :-)) I agree with you that this is not what James is speaking to us. But, at the same time, "faith works' does not mean very much to me. At least, not as much as what is clearly written, "faith without works is dead." I any case, I do not see that there is any difference in what you are trying to say, and what I tried to say, except maybe trivial semantics. So, in my (sometimes) humble opinion, we agree! :-) I am not sure, though, if YOU think we agree. (?) To clarify this point, do you believe we are 'perfected' at the moment of confession of/ apprehension by Jesus? Though this is a quaint theory, I have yet to see *observable* evidence of this assertion. Instead, I see abundant evidence that we 'grow in Christ.' (Ephesians 4:15, 2 Peter 3:18) Please carefully note that I truly and completely believe that the only 'minimum requirement' of salvation is faith toward God. Peace and love to you, my friend. In Christ Jesus, charis |
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5 | What does baptism consist? | 1 John 5:6 | Morant61 | 23349 | ||
Greetings Charis! Whoops! Sorry! Pitch high and inside! It slipped! I really wasn't trying to imply that you did think that works were necessary for salvation! :-) I almost did when I first read your statement, but then I looked at the commas a little more closely. I was simply trying to add some further comments to your post and affirm that James isn't speaking about faith being necessary for salvation. This seems to be a point that a lot of people are unclear on. Rather, he is speaking about those who claim to have faith, but do nothing. These people have no evidence to back up their claim bcause faith works. Which is exactly the sequence of the Eph. 2 passage. We are saved by grace, through faith, not of works. But, in v. 10, we are created for good works. Do I believe that I was perfected when I confessed Christ? I hope not, I really was hoping I would improve with age! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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