Subject: Mark 16:16 what does it say? |
Bible Note: Hi, Raven; Just to put my cards on the table, I completely support Tim's statements on this issue. In everything I have ever seen him post these many months, he has consistently proven himself to be thoughtful, knowledgeable, curteous, and wise. In your note, you supposed that Tim "would admit that some scriptures point to the need for baptism" I don't speak for Tim, but I would agree that some scriptures do point in that direction. However, when a particular interpretation of a handful of passages directly contradicts a theme that is stated clearly and unequivocally throughout the Bible, I reject that interpretation as being of men, not of God. I'd like you to answer a question I recently posed to someone on the forum who seems to like rules and regulations - Paul wrote "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast" Grace accessed through faith; no mention of baptism. I would assume that many of the Ephesian believers had been baptised. But according to Paul, it was not baptism that saved them, rather it was God's gracious response to their faith. If Paul was not mistaken, not deceitful, not scribbling words that have no meaming today, how do you deny his simple, straightforward statement? Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |