Subject: Is baptism a work? |
Bible Note: Dear Sir, John 6:47 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. Eph 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them Notice: We are His workmanship" and "would" walk in them". It seems that it is God who is in control of our sanctification. This does not mean that we are to take a fatalistic attitude for God has foreordained the means as well as the ends. Phil 2:13 "for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." And: 2 Tim 4:18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen I place my confidence in Christ alone and no confidence in my flesh. Phil 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Eph 1:11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, You, who goes by the name "Teacher" need to be taught yourself. If you teach others to trust in what they do rather than what Christ has done, you are teaching another gospel. We know from Scripture that the unregenerate or "natural" man does not and cannot recieve the gospel. 1 Cor 2:14 "But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised." Arminians and calvinists are agreed that it is the work of the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of unbelievers to the truth of the gospel; which is to believe that Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, is their only hope for salvation. Once a person is born again he becomes a member of the Body of Christ and is to be baptized. John the Baptist preached repent and be baptized to the jews. This was a radical departure from the religion of that day which taught that the jews were secure because they were the children of Abraham thus the children of the promise. John told them that God could raise up rocks and stones to be children of Abraham if He wanted. They were not to rely upon their national birthright but on repentance and faith in the coming Messiah! Jesus also baptized those who acted out of faith and repentance (not Jesus himself, but His followers). And after His resurrection He commanded the church to do the same. But it is not the waters of baptism that cleanse us from the guilty stain of sin but it is the blood of Christ. You must see that! Jesus commanded baptism but baptism is an outward sign of one's faith and not a requirement for salvation. If it were a requirement it certainly would have been stressed much more strongly in Scripture. Your strongest proof text is: Mark 16:16 "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned...". Mark does not say "but he who has not been baptized shall be condemned". Neither does he say "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved and has not been baptized shall be condemned". It is God who saves us. We do not save ourselves. Those whom He has chosen unto salvation will be saved. John 6:44 "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. John 6:65 And He was saying, "For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father Pray about it, John |