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NASB | Matthew 7:14 "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 7:14 "But small is the gate and narrow and difficult to travel is the path that leads the way to [everlasting] life, and there are few who find it. [Deut 30:19; Jer 21:8] |
Bible Question:
Dear Terrib, sorry for the dealy I have been travelling and each time I write a response the system tells me I have missed something and makes me write the whole thing again. You say that the only thing Jesus is asking us to do is believe in Him and the action of believing gets us through the gate. However in Mark 16:16 Jesus appears to be saying (sorry dont know how to paste text from NASB) that we must believe and be baptized in order to be saved. So if believing gets us through the gate does baptism ensure we reach the end of the way? Thank you for your ongoing help |
Bible Answer: Dear BDE, No, baptizism is not the assurance that gets us to the end. The assurance (promise) is higher than that. The assurance (promise) is: (Joh 6:37 KJV) All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. As to baptism: this subject is well documented on this forum, type the word baptism in the box titled "Quick Search". But, I will offer this at this time: As indicated in the general articles on BAPTISM and SACRAMENTS, the doctrine ordinarily held by Presbyterians, Congregationalists, Baptists, Methodists, and also by Low-Church Episcopalians, differs from that of the Roman and Greek churches, and of High-Church Anglicans, in its rejection of the idea that baptism is the instrumental cause of regeneration, and that the grace of regeneration is effectually conveyed through the administration of that rite wherever duly performed. The teaching of Scripture on this subject is held to be that salvation is immediately dependent on faith, which, as a fruit of the operation of the Spirit of God in the soul, already, in its reception of Christ, implies the regenerating action of that Spirit, and is itself one evidence of it. To faith in Christ is attached the promise of forgiveness, and of all other blessings. Baptism is administered to those who already possess (at least profess) this faith, and symbolizes the dying to sin and rising to righteousness implicit in the act of faith (Rom 6). It is the symbol of a cleansing from sin and renewal by God's Spirit, but not the agency effecting that renewal, even instrumentally. Baptism is not, indeed, to be regarded as a bare symbol. It may be expected that its believing reception will be accompanied by fresh measures of grace, strengthening and fitting for the new life. This, however, as the life is already there, has nothing to do with the idea of baptism as an opus operatum, working a spiritual change in virtue of its mere administration. In Scripture the agency with which regeneration is specially connected is the Divine “word” (compare 1Pe 1:23). Without living faith, in those capable of its exercise, the outward rite can avail nothing. The supposed “regeneration” may be received - in multitudes of instances is received - without the least apparent change in heart or life. Many might argue the point, my only response would be, and not to attack or malign, but to read the Scriptures in context and ask The Father to open the mind. (Read all the Scriptures and do not make a doctrine upon one verse.) terrib |