Subject: What can we do to have salvation |
Bible Note: I need to respond to this post in two parts as I have a lot to say: 1) I've already cited in previous posts, the 5 distinct steps of Salvation. The only one that is so controversial to so many folks is that of baptism so the bulk of the post is devoted to that topic as provided below. Watered Down Baptism by Allen Webster When we “water something down,” it is diluted, weakened and made less potent. In the old days, taverns “watered down” firewater to make it go further. (You may have been inrestaurants that did the same thing to ketchup for the same reason.) Some medicines are “watered down” so they will not be too strong for children. If paint becomes too thick while setting in a shed, it has to be “watered down” with mineral spirits. In religion, some things have been watered down. In a decadent age of loose morals, many religious teachers have “watered down” the Gospel to make it more appealing to the vice-ridden, self-indulgent (cf. Gal 1:6-10). We are told: “Dress provocatively, if you want, but don’t go naked;” Gamble if you like, if it’s for a good cause, or entertaining, just don’t become addicted;” “Sex before marriage is acceptable, so long as it is between ‘consenting adults’ who intend to marry one day.” Thus homosexuality is blinked at, gambling sanctioned immodesty defended, and adulterers accepted without question. (cf. Rom 1:24-28; 12:17; Prov 23:29; Eph 6:18; 2 Tim 2:9; Gal 5:19-21; Mt 19:9). Baptism, too, has long been diluted in the Protestant and denominational world. No one can deny the importance that the Bible places on baptism since the word occurs nearly one hundred times in various forms in the New Testament. The Bible doctrine of baptism has been “watered down” in at least three ways. Baptism by Sprinkling instead of Immersion Some have watered down baptism by taking most of the water out. When Jesus was baptized, He was immersed. The text says He “went up straightway out of the water” (Matt 3:16). In order to go “up out of the water,” one has to be in the water. Further, the New Testament word for baptism (baptidzo) means “to dip, plunge, or submerge” (consult any standard reference work, such as Thayer or Liddell and Scott). John the Baptist found places to baptize where there was “much water” (John 3:23). The apostles practiced immersion. Paul call baptism a burial (Rom 6:3,4; Col 2:12). One who is buried is completely covered. The first historical case of sprinkling is documented—not in Scripture, but from church history. It was administered in 251 AD to a man named Novation who lay sick in bed. It was not accepted, generally, until a thousand years later at the Counsil of Ravenna in 1311. Sprinkling is watered down baptism. There is not enough left to save. Baptism “To Show One has been Saved” instead of “To Save” The purpose of baptism, according to the Bible, is to remove sins (Acts 22:16). Nowhere in the Bible does one read of a baptism to show the world that one has already been saved. Paul explained that it is a kind of re-enactment of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Rom 6:3-17). It shows the world that one has died to sin; then the dead man is buried so a new man can arise and be alive unto God. That does not discount the fact that God removes sins in this act of obedience. Jeesus said that it saves (Mk 16:16). Peter proclaimed it “for the remission of sins” (ac 2:38) and “commanded” those of Cornelius’ house to submit to it (Ac 10:48). Paul said that it puts one “into Christ” (Gal 3:26-7), where all spiritual blessings are (Eph 1:3—including salvation, 2 Tim 2:10). Peter later said that baptism “saves” (1 Pet 3:21). Baptism “to show you have been saved” is watered down. It has lost its potency. |