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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Do you have to be baptized to be saved? | Rom 6:3 | Country Girl | 128894 | ||
It seems we're being just a little hasty to conclude this topic when the Bible has so much more to say about the matter. Among them: 1 Pet 3:18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand--with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. I agree with you in that some verses in the Bible SEEM to give support to your conclusion but when one does a thorough and complete search for every verse on this subject, it appears the Bible is in conflict but we all know that can't be. So rather than take a chance or gamble on those verses that seem vague in contrast to all the others that clearly state baptism is required like that above, I would recommend an attitude of "erring on the side of caution." What does that phrase mean? When we get to Heaven after being baptized into God's family, we can then ask God and if He says "No, there was no need for you to be baptized to be a christian, that's just a confirmation after the fact." as you've stated in your post. But on the other hand, IF it is correct like I'm saying that Christ does expect us to humble ourselves and get ourselves baptized in total submission to His Last Will and Testament, then all those who approach Judgment Day without that qualification are undone and unprepared. God just might say something like "I warned you that you would be judged by My Son's Words and He told you to repent and be baptized." Given these two scenarios, emphasizing it's Judgment Day and no turning back, which side would you want to make an error? Please be assured there is a tremendous multitude of folks throughout the world who believe just this way. Blessings to you. Country Girl |
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2 | Do you have to be baptized to be saved? | Rom 6:3 | Morant61 | 128930 | ||
Greetings Country Girl! If I am afraid and must 'do' something in hopes that I will be saved at judgement, would not that 'something' I 'do' be a 'work'? Note also that 1 Peter 3:21 also makes a key statement that is usually ignored in this debate. It says, "and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God..." Baptism does nothing to 'clean' us up! Rather, v. 21 describes it as 'pledge of a good conscience toward God'. There is some uncertainty about the word 'pledge'. But, most understand it as some sort of response to what God had already done for us. This is exactly what the previous poster wrote. We are saved by faith, then we are commanded to be baptised, not to get saved, but because we are saved. The debate is not whether or not we should be baptized. The debate is whether or not baptism plays a saving role or not. We don't have to be in doubt about this issue. Let's not look at a passage like 1 Peter 3 where there is a lot of doubt about the meaning to begin with. Rather, let's look at an example where the specific topic of what someone must do to be saved is the question. Acts 16:29 says, "The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?' 31 They replied, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.' 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family." Note the question! "What must I do to be saved?" Paul answers his question under the insipration of the Holy Spirit, and it is codified in Holy Writ. If the answer is less then complete, then the answer is wrong and a lie. What was Paul's answer? Verse 31 gives us the answer, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." Notice that there is no mention of baptism, no mention of trying to live a good life, and no mention of any doubt. This is not to say that we should not live a good life. This is also not to say that we should not be baptized. But, Scripture, in direct response to a question concerning the requirements of salvation, lists only faith in Christ. Scripture commands us to do many things after we are saved, baptism being one of them. However, none of these things that we are commanded to do contribute in any way to our salvation. The are the RESULT of salvation, not the CAUSE of salvation. The reason I am concerned about this topic is because I have seen over the years I have been involved in ministry, and over the years I have been on this forum, that many people simply do not understand that salvation is by grace through faith. Too many live in doubt about their salvation! If I am good enough, I will be saved. If I obey all the commands perfectly, I will be saved. If I do not die with unconfessed sin, I will be saved. The problem is that Scripture says we 'have been' saved! Christ did it all upon the cross for us. He offers salvation to us as a gift. We have only to accept His precious gift and WE ARE SAVED. There is no 'effort' on our part required or needed. Eph. 2:8-10 makes this relationship quite clear. We are saved, and then we produce good works. It is not the case that we do good things and then we are saved. Let there be doubt in your mind my friend! If you have believed in Christ, you are saved. Then, you should go ahead and do the things that Christ commands of Christians. However, doing them or not will not make you any more or any less saved. Not doing them though, will make you ineffective and inmature as a believer. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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