Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | 1 Peter 3:21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you--not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience--through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Peter 3:21 Corresponding to that [rescue through the flood], baptism [which is an expression of a believer's new life in Christ] now saves you, not by removing dirt from the body, but by an appeal to God for a good (clear) conscience, [demonstrating what you believe to be yours] through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, |
Subject: Answering Baptismal Regenerationalist |
Bible Note: I'm sorry but I must differ with you on this subject. We are certainly not saved by faith alone. James makes this very clear in Chapter 2. One must read the whole Bible, "rightly dividing God's Word." Tell me...based on your statement, "by faith alone that we are saved," you seem to leave out other important steps of salvation such as repentance and confession. Are you actually trying to say that or did you leave them out by oversight? Anyway, I'd have to disagree with you regardless of your answer. We MUST see ourselves as in need of obeying ALL of God's commands so as to qualify for the Holy Spirit's gift of salvation. I keep on saying these kind of statements but no one can show me in God's Word where a person is actually saved or is actually pronounced a christian after showing his faith only. I've issued this challenge once before and would like to reiterate it to you: Can you cite a single verse in the Bible where it specifically says the words "faith only" or where a person is described saved or is pronounced a christian after showing his "faith only" without baptism or any other act of obedience to God? I've mentioned this comparison before. When does a couple get to enjoy the full legal status of marriage? AFTER the ceremony is performed or the documents are signed and processed by the court appointed official of the respective state in which the marriage takes place. As we all know, there is some small variances from state to state. My point is: the legal recognition of that marriage is very important in a court of law. If one partner of that couple dies before that legal point of marriage is consemated, there is no marriage, no transferance of property, no other benefits derived from the marriage attempted. In our world of sinful short sightedness, we recognize the importance of such relationships and the point of time of that legal recognition. Don't you think it's going to matter to the God of our universe when we "put on Christ?" When we recognize the tremendous cost and give up total control of our lives to our God, all people agree this is a major watershed in one's life. Every christian I know remembers vividly when and where they were baptized. They remember the circumstances or at least most of them. It's the point in your life when you know you've obeyed every one of God's commands and can approach God both in prayer and on Judgment Day with every confidence that you've complied with His Son's whole Last Will and Testament. Before that point, everything is academic and worthy of discussion. When someone hesitates or puts a significant amount of time before being baptized, they are taking a chance they might not live another minute or maybe even face the Lord's second coming. Now, you're going to say "What about the thief on the cross?" or "What about the person that dies of a heart attack just before being baptized?" Those kind of questions are basically left up for God. We can speculate and we can discuss those issues as long as you like but the bottom line is, we don't have an authoritative answer. This I know, we must obey God to be found pleasing in His sight. I'm still interested in your response, especially to the challenge. I pray God blesses you in your study. |