Subject: Is baptism a work? |
Bible Note: CWADE, from the tense of your post I understand you feel very strongly about this. I must agree that baptism without belief saves no one hence the phrase "he that believes AND is baptized will be saved". I believe that Mk 16:15 reveals what is to be believed, the gospel. If I don't believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ, why would I be baptized? If I do believe in the gospel, then I would, by definition, have to believe in what it says I should do. Baptism does not save us, God's grace saves us. This is the point where people get hung up on baptism being a work. How is baptism a work? If, in order to come into (spiritual) contact with the death of Christ I must be baptized Rom 6:3, if, in order to "appeal to God for a good conscience" 1 Pet 3:21, I must be baptized, if, in order to wash away my sin, I must "arise and be baptized" Acts 22:16, AND, if all of these passages make up, albeit a small portion of, the gospel, why would I not do it? |