Subject: Teacher, when were the 11 rebaptized? |
Bible Note: Greetings One! Actually, not 'figure out for your self', but more 'live out' your salvation. Concerning Naaman, this is a trick question! :-) The story does not deal with salvation, nor the means of salvation, but rather with an account of healing. The question should be: "Was Naaman healed by God or by the water?" So, let's examine the question of baptism again: No one questions that we are commanded to be baptized. The question is, does baptism save us or is it an act done in response to salvation? If I say to you (since you work with stocks), "In order for me to buy funds for you, you must sign an authorization form and give me 2,000 dollars." Both items are necessary to achieve the desired result. In the same way, if we say that one must believe and be baptized, then we are saying that both must occur to be saved. Here is the problem with that position: 1) There are literally hundreds of Scriptures which never once mention baptism as a requirement for salvation. Did God forget to mention it all of those times? Was Paul's response to the Jailer complete if it left out a necessary element in Acts 16? 2) Secondly, by definition, baptism is an action or a work. Eph. 2:3-9, Rom. 4, Gal. 2, ect..., all proclaim that works do not save us. Where is the verse which clearly says, "You must be baptized to be saved?" I know of several which are misinterpreted to say that, but I know of none which plainly say it! Well, I have to get to bed my friend. I work nights and I have been up all night. So, I'll chat with you later! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |