Subject: Raven and John Reformed, Baptism? |
Bible Note: Why do you say that Jesus had the authority to forgive sins only while He was on earth? The passage you cite is totally unrelated to the thief on the cross, in any case. Jesus told him that he would be with Him in paradise by means of his profession of faith in the King on the Cross, not in spite of his lack of baptism. Now don't misunderstand me: baptism is a commandment to be obeyed. It is not just a "nice extra." We also have to doubt the salvation of those who absolutely refuse to be baptised. Profession of faith and baptism are certainly linked together, and the immediacy of baptism in most cases is quite apparent. However, to say that it is the baptism that completes regeneration is not supported by the weight of biblical evidence to the contrary. --Joe! |