Subject: Rom 7:9 What's it mean? |
Bible Note: Let It Rain! [And why not: I've always liked rain.] And I hope to prove worthy enough to be included on your roster of friendly fellow swimmers :-) ..... And now, time for a 'commerical' message.... I happen to be of the Southern Baptist variety of Christians and, being Baptist, perhaps I am supposed to ascend the podium and sing an ode to baptism, but instead I fear that so adamantly have I spoken against baptism as a means of salvation that some may have concluded that I'm against baptism and may have remarked, "Look, here's a Baptist who is against baptism. Why, he isn't living up to his name!" Well, an anti-baptist I'm not; -- nor an Anabaptist either for that matter! -- I just don't exegete the Scriptures as teaching that anything or anyone has the power to save except Christ Jesus alone, and that this salvation is by the grace of God and is accessed through faith in His Son. It is made possible by what Christ accomplished on the cross, by the merit of His shed blood and not by any human merit, or by any human ritual, act, deed or work. Salvation is of God alone; thus, all praise belongs to Him and none to ourselves. Salvation is of God alone; thus, all boasting is boasting about the majesty, mercy and might of the eternal and sovereign God and none about ourselves. Baptism is necessary, yes indeed, and I quite agree with you there, but I part with you on your observation that it is part of the salvation (justification) process. It is not. It is part of the obedience (santification) 'process' that follows as the Christian begins to walk his new walk in Christ Jesus. So, I take baptism, herein understood to mean believer's baptism, very seriously and so does 'my' church, a Southern Baptist Church. So seriously, in fact, that you can't become a Baptist without it! Blessings and smooth cyber sailing on the forum. --Hank |