Original Sin and Babies

[jinc1019]

Can someone explain to me the Baptist view of original sin?

My understanding of it is that because of Adam's sin, we have a corrupted and sinful nature but we are not guilty of Adam's sin. Baptists seem to believe that baptism is not absolutely necessary for salvation because faith is all that is required and baptism does not have an actual spiritual effect on us.

If all of that is true (if faith is all that matters) then what about babies who die without faith? Why do Baptists believe they go to heaven? Is there anywhere in scripture which leads us to believe that babies go to heaven without faith?

 

[lsdj]

Is there anywhere in scripture which leads us to believe that babies go to heaven without faith?

Is there anywhere in Scripture which leads us to believe that babies go to heaven without baptism?

 

[jinc1019]

Is there anywhere which leads us to believe they go to heaven with baptism but without faith? No.

But that doesn't mean I believe infants are all going to hell.

 

[lsdj]

I hate to answer a question with a question but what else do you think one needs, aside from faith, to go to heaven?

 

[JM]

We are saved by Jesus Christ's life and atoning death on the cross. It is undeserved mercy, pure and simple. The instrumentality of our faith doesn't save, it is by 'grace through faith' that saves. One cannot be saved without faith but one is not saved by their faith.

I believe people doubt their salvation because they base their salvation on the performance of their faith, their ability to 'hold on' to Jesus, when in fact, it is the blood of Jesus and His promise to save that results in salvation.

Justification by Jesus Christ Alone (John Gerstner) - YouTube

From the London Baptist Confession of Faith, 1689
Chapter 6: Of the Fall of Man, Of Sin, And of the Punishment Thereof

1._____ Although God created man upright and perfect, and gave him a righteous law, which had been unto life had he kept it, and threatened death upon the breach thereof, yet he did not long abide in this honour; Satan using the subtlety of the serpent to subdue Eve, then by her seducing Adam, who, without any compulsion, did willfully transgress the law of their creation, and the command given unto them, in eating the forbidden fruit, which God was pleased, according to his wise and holy counsel to permit, having purposed to order it to his own glory.

( Genesis 2:16, 17; Genesis 3:12,13; 2 Corinthians 11:3 )

2._____ Our first parents, by this sin, fell from their original righteousness and communion with God, and we in them whereby death came upon all: all becoming dead in sin, and wholly defiled in all the faculties and parts of soul and body.

( Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12, etc; Titus 1:15; Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:10-19 )



3._____ They being the root, and by God's appointment, standing in the room and stead of all mankind, the guilt of the sin was imputed, and corrupted nature conveyed, to all their posterity descending from them by ordinary generation, being now conceived in sin, and by nature children of wrath, the servants of sin, the subjects of death, and all other miseries, spiritual, temporal, and eternal, unless the Lord Jesus set them free.

( Romans 5:12-19; 1 Corinthians 15:21, 22, 45, 49; Psalms 51:5; Job 14:4; Ephesians 2:3; Romans 6:20 Romans 5:12; Hebrews 2:14, 15; 1 Thessalonians 1:10 )



4._____ From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil, do proceed all actual transgressions.

( Romans 8:7; Colossians 1:21; James 1:14, 15; Matthew 15:19 )
5._____ The corruption of nature, during this life, doth remain in those that are regenerated; and although it be through Christ pardoned and mortified, yet both itself, and the first motions thereof, are truly and properly sin.

( Romans 7:18,23; Ecclesiastes 7:20; 1 John 1:8; Romans 7:23-25; Galatians 5:17 )

 

[jinc1019]

I hate to answer a question with a question but what else do you think one needs, aside from faith, to go to heaven?

Nothing! I believe in sola fide.

 

[jinc1019]

We are saved by Jesus Christ's life and atoning death on the cross. It is undeserved mercy, pure and simple. The instrumentality of our faith doesn't save, it is by 'grace through faith' that saves. One cannot be saved without faith but one is not saved by their faith.

I believe people doubt their salvation because they base their salvation on the performance of their faith, their ability to 'hold on' to Jesus, when in fact, it is the blood of Jesus and His promise to save that results in salvation.

Justification by Jesus Christ Alone (John Gerstner) - YouTube

From the London Baptist Confession of Faith, 1689
Chapter 6: Of the Fall of Man, Of Sin, And of the Punishment Thereof

1._____ Although God created man upright and perfect, and gave him a righteous law, which had been unto life had he kept it, and threatened death upon the breach thereof, yet he did not long abide in this honour; Satan using the subtlety of the serpent to subdue Eve, then by her seducing Adam, who, without any compulsion, did willfully transgress the law of their creation, and the command given unto them, in eating the forbidden fruit, which God was pleased, according to his wise and holy counsel to permit, having purposed to order it to his own glory.

( Genesis 2:16, 17; Genesis 3:12,13; 2 Corinthians 11:3 )

2._____ Our first parents, by this sin, fell from their original righteousness and communion with God, and we in them whereby death came upon all: all becoming dead in sin, and wholly defiled in all the faculties and parts of soul and body.

( Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12, etc; Titus 1:15; Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:10-19 )



3._____ They being the root, and by God's appointment, standing in the room and stead of all mankind, the guilt of the sin was imputed, and corrupted nature conveyed, to all their posterity descending from them by ordinary generation, being now conceived in sin, and by nature children of wrath, the servants of sin, the subjects of death, and all other miseries, spiritual, temporal, and eternal, unless the Lord Jesus set them free.

( Romans 5:12-19; 1 Corinthians 15:21, 22, 45, 49; Psalms 51:5; Job 14:4; Ephesians 2:3; Romans 6:20 Romans 5:12; Hebrews 2:14, 15; 1 Thessalonians 1:10 )



4._____ From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil, do proceed all actual transgressions.

( Romans 8:7; Colossians 1:21; James 1:14, 15; Matthew 15:19 )
5._____ The corruption of nature, during this life, doth remain in those that are regenerated; and although it be through Christ pardoned and mortified, yet both itself, and the first motions thereof, are truly and properly sin.

( Romans 7:18,23; Ecclesiastes 7:20; 1 John 1:8; Romans 7:23-25; Galatians 5:17 )

Thank you for these wonderful resources.

However, what about regeneration? Is the remaining part of this that we are regenerated by faith? And if so, what about babies? I read the first part of your comment but I am still unclear what you mean by it. If a baby doesn't have faith, how do we know the baby is saved? You say Jesus died for everyone but if He died for everyone, why doesn't everyone come to Jesus? If it's possible that Jesus died for everyone but only those who have faith are saved, how can babies be saved? I am still unsure of the Baptist position on those pieces of it. Although, I appreciate the posting about original sin. It sounds very Calvinist, which I wasn't expecting.

 

[JM]

Nothing! I believe in sola fide.

Sola fide, by faith alone (not because of your faith).

The doctrine of sola fide or "by faith alone" asserts God's pardon for guilty sinners is granted to and received through faith, conceived as excluding all "works," alone. All mankind, it is asserted, is fallen and sinful, under the curse of God, and incapable of saving itself from God's wrath and curse. But God, on the basis of the life, death, and resurrection of his Son, Jesus Christ alone (solus Christus), grants sinners judicial pardon, or justification, which is received solely through faith. Faith is seen as passive, merely receiving Christ and all his benefits, among which benefits are the active and passive righteousness of Jesus Christ. Christ's righteousness, according to the followers of "sola fide," is imputed (or attributed) by God to the believing sinner (as opposed to infused or imparted), so that the divine verdict and pardon of the believing sinner is based not upon anything in the sinner, nor even faith itself, but upon Jesus Christ and his righteousness alone, which are received through faith alone. Justification is by faith alone and is distinguished from the other graces of salvation. See the Protestant ordo salutis for more detail on the doctrine of salvation considered more broadly than justification by faith alone.

 

[Legionwrex]

David says he will see his son again. His son was a baby.

 

[jinc1019]

Sola fide, by faith alone (not because of your faith).

Ok so if I understand this correctly, you are saying that we are saved by faith, but it's not us that actually causes the faith to occur. The faith results from God's grace freely given to us. Therefore, our faith is merely a result of the working of God, not at all of ourselves.

Correct me if I am wrong but this is basically Calvinism, yes? I didn't think Baptists were necessarily Calvinists, although they could be.

 

[jinc1019]

David says he will see his son again. His son was a baby.

Yes, good point.

 

[Bella Vita]

Baptist believe you should understand your faith before you are baptized. Jesus himself who was our example wasn't baptized until he was 30. Babies who die go to heaven we believe in an age of understanding. And a child that is still to young or even the mentally handicapped do not have this understanding of morality and sin as we do. God's love and mercy pours out on these situations. We have to trust that God takes care of it and we shouldn't worry or question him. After all he created them that way or knew he was going to bring them home early God knows his plan.

The Baptist stance is that if a child passes away before an age of understanding they are covered by Gods grace. The baptist stance on baptism is that it isn't used to save only God can save.

 

[JM]

I didn't think Baptists were necessarily Calvinists, although they could be.

If you consider the historic Baptisit confessions you will find what is known by the theological term 'Calvinism.' It was also the Calvinist or Particular Baptists who emphasized baptism by immersion, the Arminians sprinkled or poured, less emphasis was placed on mode.

 

[Cody2]

Babies go to Heaven because they did not reach the "Age of Accountability".

Romans 5:13 "(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law." KJV

Romans 4:15 "Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression." KJV

 

[Cody2]

My article on Water Baptism...

There are a total of seven baptisms found in the scriptures.

1. Moses in the Old Testament - water and cloud (1 Cor. 10:1-4).

2. John the Baptist's water baptism to Israel (Matthew 3:11).

3. The baptism of suffering, which was Jesus on the Cross (Matthew 20:22-23).

4. Peter's water baptism to Israel (Acts 2:36-40).

5. The Gentiles' Believer's Baptism (Matthew 28:19).

6. The baptism of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:13, Acts 1:5).

7. The baptism of fire, which is the Lake of Fire (Matthew 3:11-12, Revelation 20:15).

In this article, we will focus on one of the seven baptisms. The baptism that we will focus on is the Believer's Baptism with water. Water baptism for the Born Again Christian does not have anything to do with salvation since salvation in this dispensation is by faith in Jesus Christ alone. Water baptism cannot cleanse you from any sins in this dispensation, only the precious Blood of Jesus Christ can take away sin (Colossians 1:14, 1 John 1:7).

Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast."

For the believer, water baptism is done after salvation and is a figure/type of what has already taken place in our heart when we were born again of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:13).

1 Peter 3:21 "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:"

Water baptism represents the death, burial and resurrection of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Standing in the water shows that you are crucified with Christ, immersion shows that you are buried and raising out of the water represents the resurrection (Colossians 2:12). Water baptism is simply an outward and visible testimony of your faith in Christ.

Romans 6:3 "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:"

Water baptism also proclaims our faith in the Trinity (1 John 5:7) because when we are baptized, we are baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Notice the below verses says "all nations", showing that water baptism is not only for the Jews as the Hyper Dispensationalists/Dry Cleaners teach.

Matthew 28:19 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"

The Bible teaches that after someone receives the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which is salvation, then they should be baptized in water. Water baptism does not have anything to do with salvation, rather it is command after salvation showing obedience of the believer.

Acts 8:12 "But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women."

Acts 8:36 "And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."

Acts 10:47 "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?"

Water baptism is by full immersion in water, not unscriptural sprinkling like the Catholics and some Protestants teach. We know this because in Romans 6:3-6, we saw that water baptism must picture the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Also, we know that it is by immersion because Jesus was baptized in the River Jordan (Matthew 3:13-16, Mark 1:9-10). Water baptism is described as done with "much water" and people are said to go "down both into the water".

John 3:23 "And John also was baptizing in Ænon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized."

Acts 8:38 "And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him."

Before I close this article, I want to take the time to further rebuke the Hyper Dispensationalists that teach that water baptism after salvation is not for this age. Their big claim is that they follow Paul (1 Cor. 4:16, 11:1). This is a joke because Paul was baptized in water and baptized his converts that were baptized in water (Acts 16:33, 18:8, 1 Cor. 1:14-16).

The below verse shows Paul being baptized in water after salvation. We know this because in verse 17, he is called "Brother Saul" showing that he had already been saved.

Acts 9:18 "And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized."

The Hyper Dispensationalists are wrong about water baptism because they believe it was only for the Jews. The Campbellites (Church of Christ) are wrong because they believe water baptism is part of salvation. The Catholics and some of the Protestants are wrong because they also teach it is a part of salvation, while only sprinkling and also practicing infant baptism, which is found no where in scripture.

In conclusion, water baptism in this age is a command that pleases the Lord. It is only for believers after they are Born Again by the Holy Spirit. It is not a sacrament because it has nothing to do with salvation. Water baptism is a picture of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and also is a public testimony for believers. If you have been saved and have not baptized in water yet, I encourage you to do so.

 

[Cody2]

My article on Water Baptism...

There are a total of seven baptisms found in the scriptures.

1. Moses in the Old Testament - water and cloud (1 Cor. 10:1-4).

2. John the Baptist's water baptism to Israel (Matthew 3:11).

3. The baptism of suffering, which was Jesus on the Cross (Matthew 20:22-23).

4. Peter's water baptism to Israel (Acts 2:36-40).

5. The Gentiles' Believer's Baptism (Matthew 28:19).

6. The baptism of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:13, Acts 1:5).

7. The baptism of fire, which is the Lake of Fire (Matthew 3:11-12, Revelation 20:15).

In this article, we will focus on one of the seven baptisms. The baptism that we will focus on is the Believer's Baptism with water. Water baptism for the Born Again Christian does not have anything to do with salvation since salvation in this dispensation is by faith in Jesus Christ alone. Water baptism cannot cleanse you from any sins in this dispensation, only the precious Blood of Jesus Christ can take away sin (Colossians 1:14, 1 John 1:7).

Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast."

For the believer, water baptism is done after salvation and is a figure/type of what has already taken place in our heart when we were born again of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:13).

1 Peter 3:21 "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:"

Water baptism represents the death, burial and resurrection of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Standing in the water shows that you are crucified with Christ, immersion shows that you are buried and raising out of the water represents the resurrection (Colossians 2:12). Water baptism is simply an outward and visible testimony of your faith in Christ.

Romans 6:3 "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:"

Water baptism also proclaims our faith in the Trinity (1 John 5:7) because when we are baptized, we are baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Notice the below verses says "all nations", showing that water baptism is not only for the Jews as the Hyper Dispensationalists/Dry Cleaners teach.

Matthew 28:19 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"

The Bible teaches that after someone receives the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which is salvation, then they should be baptized in water. Water baptism does not have anything to do with salvation, rather it is command after salvation showing obedience of the believer.

Acts 8:12 "But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women."

Acts 8:36 "And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."

Acts 10:47 "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?"

Water baptism is by full immersion in water, not unscriptural sprinkling like the Catholics and some Protestants teach. We know this because in Romans 6:3-6, we saw that water baptism must picture the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Also, we know that it is by immersion because Jesus was baptized in the River Jordan (Matthew 3:13-16, Mark 1:9-10). Water baptism is described as done with "much water" and people are said to go "down both into the water".

John 3:23 "And John also was baptizing in Ænon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized."

Acts 8:38 "And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him."

Before I close this article, I want to take the time to further rebuke the Hyper Dispensationalists that teach that water baptism after salvation is not for this age. Their big claim is that they follow Paul (1 Cor. 4:16, 11:1). This is a joke because Paul was baptized in water and baptized his converts that were baptized in water (Acts 16:33, 18:8, 1 Cor. 1:14-16).

The below verse shows Paul being baptized in water after salvation. We know this because in verse 17, he is called "Brother Saul" showing that he had already been saved.

Acts 9:18 "And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized."

The Hyper Dispensationalists are wrong about water baptism because they believe it was only for the Jews. The Campbellites (Church of Christ) are wrong because they believe water baptism is part of salvation. The Catholics and some of the Protestants are wrong because they also teach it is a part of salvation, while only sprinkling and also practicing infant baptism, which is found no where in scripture.

In conclusion, water baptism in this age is a command that pleases the Lord. It is only for believers after they are Born Again by the Holy Spirit. It is not a sacrament because it has nothing to do with salvation. Water baptism is a picture of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and also is a public testimony for believers. If you have been saved and have not baptized in water yet, I encourage you to do so.

 

[jinc1019]

Babies go to Heaven because they did not reach the "Age of Accountability".

Romans 5:13 "(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law." KJV

Romans 4:15 "Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression." KJV

Excellent references, however...Isn't it true that Paul is referring to the Law of Moses here? It's a little different.

 

[jinc1019]

My article on Water Baptism...

There are a total of seven baptisms found in the scriptures.

1. Moses in the Old Testament - water and cloud (1 Cor. 10:1-4).

2. John the Baptist's water baptism to Israel (Matthew 3:11).

3. The baptism of suffering, which was Jesus on the Cross (Matthew 20:22-23).

4. Peter's water baptism to Israel (Acts 2:36-40).

5. The Gentiles' Believer's Baptism (Matthew 28:19).

6. The baptism of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:13, Acts 1:5).

7. The baptism of fire, which is the Lake of Fire (Matthew 3:11-12, Revelation 20:15).

In this article, we will focus on one of the seven baptisms. The baptism that we will focus on is the Believer's Baptism with water. Water baptism for the Born Again Christian does not have anything to do with salvation since salvation in this dispensation is by faith in Jesus Christ alone. Water baptism cannot cleanse you from any sins in this dispensation, only the precious Blood of Jesus Christ can take away sin (Colossians 1:14, 1 John 1:7).

Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast."

For the believer, water baptism is done after salvation and is a figure/type of what has already taken place in our heart when we were born again of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:13).

1 Peter 3:21 "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:"

Water baptism represents the death, burial and resurrection of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Standing in the water shows that you are crucified with Christ, immersion shows that you are buried and raising out of the water represents the resurrection (Colossians 2:12). Water baptism is simply an outward and visible testimony of your faith in Christ.

Romans 6:3 "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:"

Water baptism also proclaims our faith in the Trinity (1 John 5:7) because when we are baptized, we are baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Notice the below verses says "all nations", showing that water baptism is not only for the Jews as the Hyper Dispensationalists/Dry Cleaners teach.

Matthew 28:19 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"

The Bible teaches that after someone receives the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which is salvation, then they should be baptized in water. Water baptism does not have anything to do with salvation, rather it is command after salvation showing obedience of the believer.

Acts 8:12 "But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women."

Acts 8:36 "And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."

Acts 10:47 "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?"

Water baptism is by full immersion in water, not unscriptural sprinkling like the Catholics and some Protestants teach. We know this because in Romans 6:3-6, we saw that water baptism must picture the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Also, we know that it is by immersion because Jesus was baptized in the River Jordan (Matthew 3:13-16, Mark 1:9-10). Water baptism is described as done with "much water" and people are said to go "down both into the water".

John 3:23 "And John also was baptizing in Ænon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized."

Acts 8:38 "And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him."

Before I close this article, I want to take the time to further rebuke the Hyper Dispensationalists that teach that water baptism after salvation is not for this age. Their big claim is that they follow Paul (1 Cor. 4:16, 11:1). This is a joke because Paul was baptized in water and baptized his converts that were baptized in water (Acts 16:33, 18:8, 1 Cor. 1:14-16).

The below verse shows Paul being baptized in water after salvation. We know this because in verse 17, he is called "Brother Saul" showing that he had already been saved.

Acts 9:18 "And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized."

The Hyper Dispensationalists are wrong about water baptism because they believe it was only for the Jews. The Campbellites (Church of Christ) are wrong because they believe water baptism is part of salvation. The Catholics and some of the Protestants are wrong because they also teach it is a part of salvation, while only sprinkling and also practicing infant baptism, which is found no where in scripture.

In conclusion, water baptism in this age is a command that pleases the Lord. It is only for believers after they are Born Again by the Holy Spirit. It is not a sacrament because it has nothing to do with salvation. Water baptism is a picture of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and also is a public testimony for believers. If you have been saved and have not baptized in water yet, I encourage you to do so.

I enjoyed reading this very much...You did a great job with supplying numerous scriptural references. However, I am curious, why do you believe that no regeneration occurs? Even if we are saved by faith, how do you know baptism doesn't provide some kind of spiritual aid to the person saved? It seems to me that everyone in the early church after the Bible was written believed in baptismal regeneration in one form or another and the Bible uses a lot of language that suggests the same. So why do you, and all Baptists, reject regeneration?

 

[SeventhValley]

Romans 5:13
For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

1 John 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.


There is no law we are under Grace therefore Adam's sin while corrupting dose not lead to death anymore. Babies are therefore bound to heaven.

 

[SeventhValley]

Baptism like circumcision dose not do anything it is a statement but is not needed.

Galatians 5:2-6 NKJV

Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.