Bible Question: is baptism necessary for salvation? |
Bible Answer: Hi corbo2, I encourage you to enter into the thread that you have started. I often wonder if we get the questions answered (and this one won't be answered to everyone's satisfaction on this forum). My thoughts on the question have not changed through the lifetime of the forum. I think that it is a waste of time and that we should move on to other things. See Hebrews 6:1-8. This discussion to me yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and its end is for burning. I believe that there is one baptism. I believe that Jesus baptized in the holy spirit. Believers have been enlightened and have tasted of this heavenly gift. They have been partakers of the holy spirit and have tasted the good word of God. These things should lead us to a blessing from God rather than thorns and thistles. We have been given the word of God and so are heirs of the promised gift of holy spirit. 1 Peter 3:3:18-4:6 tells me that we should live according to the Spirit. We have been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the Spirit/. Colossians 2:13, "And when you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him/, having forgiven us all our transgressions." I believe that this is a spiritual circumcision and baptism. Ephesians 4:4, "There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all." The answer to your question is "No, water baptism is not necessary for salvation." What is important is the spiritual washing of the word. That is the one baptism to my mind. Ephesians 5:26, "that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,..." And the end result of all this is good deeds and living in the Spirit. Titus 3:5, "He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to (His) mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the *holy *spirit, which He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God/ may be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men." But shun foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law; for they are unprofitable and worthless." From the heart, Ray |