Subject: need for a bible-anyone |
Bible Note: Hi, mouse2; Further down in this thread, I offered the following objection to the idea that "Scripture makes it rather clear baptism is necessary": It seems to me this idea has two fatal flaws. First, it negates the many instances where the Bible says that all who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved (e.g. Joel 2:32, Acts 2:21, Romans 10:13). This simple, unqualified statement is beautifully illustrated by the thief on the cross. Second, it asserts that Jesus, who came to save the world (John 3:17), is unable or unwilling to save anyone in it without man's help. This is an idea that was dealt with in the Reformation - that a sinner could not enter into a right relationship with God without the help of a human mediator. There are certainly instances in the NT where baptism and salvation are associated within a single story. But there too many counter-examples to claim that the two are invariably linked. What scripture is clear about is that "... 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." No legalisms, no performance, no law, none of our own effort, nor the effort of anyone doing baptisms - only his. Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |