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Where does the Bible say that Baptism is a public confession?Baptism in any fashion does not save.
Only Jesus Christ can save.
Baptism comes after salvation not a part of.
It is a public confession (testimony ) of what Jesus Christ has done for you.
Do I believe everyone who accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour should be baptized?
Absolutely , if possible.
But it plays no part in receiving salvation from Jesus Christ.
Why, if I might ask?
There's been much discussion about this issue in my saved by works thread and I figured I'd make a topic about it. It's my impression that no, we are not saved by baptism and the verses that seem to imply that Baptism is a requirement for salvation need to be looked at closer. Like for example in John 3:5. Jesus says:
“Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit."
So just what is "being born of water?" To answer that we have to look at what Nicodemus says in John 3:4 "How can someone be born when they are old? Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!". also look at Jesus's reply in John 3:6 " Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.". Jesus was talking about our physical and spiritual births. Nobody can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born into the world and then are born again spiritually. That's what Jesus was saying in John 3:5 not that we have to be baptized to enter the kingdom of God.
Second, we have to look at Mark 16:16 it says
"Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."
Notice it doesn't say those who believe but are not baptized are condemned. To say that this verse is proof that baptism is required for salvation is to add words that are not present in the holy text. If Baptism were a requirement for salvation Mark would have said "But those who do not believe or who believe but are not baptized will be condemned". All the first part of the verse is saying is that those who happen to be baptized will be saved. Also see: Does Mark 16:16 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?. Got questions explains it a lot better than I ever could.
These are just two of the most popular verses in the Bible that people try to use to "prove" that baptism is a requirement for salvation. But, there isn't a single verse in the Bible that "proves" that baptism is a requirement for salvation because, it isn't.
There also are examples in the bible of people being saved without being baptized like the thief on the cross. If baptism were required for salvation why would Jesus say "today you will be with me in paradise!"
So, what's the point in getting baptized then if it doesn't save us? Because, Baptism is a part of faith. Simple as that.
Like the criminal next to Him on the cross.Baptism is an ordinary requirement for salvation- that doesn't mean that God is powerless to make extraordinary exceptions for those who were unable to be baptized in life.
What about Ephesians 4, 5?IMHO i think baptism of the Holy Spirit is different than water baptism.
Baptism is an ordinary requirement for salvation- that doesn't mean that God is powerless to make extraordinary exceptions for those who were unable to be baptized in life.
It's my impression that no, we are not saved by baptism and the verses that seem to imply that Baptism is a requirement for salvation need to be looked at closer. Like for example in John 3:5. Jesus says:
“Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit."
Nothing was added and that part was an assessment as a part of what baptism represents.That has been added to justify their position
Nothing was added and that part was an assessment as a part of what baptism represents.
It was never stated as a bible verse.
So the only thing being added is you're presumptions, which are wrong.
the problem when one takes this verse from paul and presents it as a whole ..is simply it is not a whole ..Some have thought that this verse speaks of the fleshly, physical birth (born of water - ie. amniotic fluid) and the second spiritual birth accomplished by the Spirit indwelling the believer, purifying and regenerating the believer in the process (Titus 3:5; Romans 8:9-11). Such a reading is reinforced by the next verse which continues the thought from verse 5, making it more explicit:
John 3:6
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Others have suggested that the verse could be translated "born of water even the Spirit" which would mean that the "water" is not physical baptism, or the fluid accompanying physical birth, but a figurative term for the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:8; Acts 1:5). The word translated "and" in John 3:5 is a primary particle ("kai" in Greek) and may be readily and variously translated as "and," "even," "even as," "indeed," "likewise," etc.
I don't think water baptism is at all necessary for salvation, for being made spiritually alive by the Holy Spirit. It is clearly a work which Paul explicitly denies as necessary for salvation. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5) It is no surprise, then, that Paul wrote,
1 Corinthians 1:17
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.
If Paul believed baptism was integral to the Gospel of salvation, I have a hard time seeing how he could have written what he did here. He even remarks a couple of verses earlier that he was glad that he had not baptized some of the Corinthian believers! How could he say such a thing if baptism was essential to the Corinthian believers' salvation? It seems evident to me Paul didn't think it was.
There is, of course, the problem of the thief on the cross next to Christ. He was never baptized but yet Christ said to him, "Today you shall be with me in Paradise." Is this merely an exceptional circumstance? How many times must people be saved under circumstances where they cannot be baptized in water before it ceases to be exceptional? Physically disabled people, badly ill people, people on their death-bed, people in prisons - I have heard of individuals in all of these circumstances coming to faith in Christ, unable, though, to be baptized. Are they unsaved? Or, like the thief on the cross, is water baptism not essential to their eternal destiny?
If baptism is vital to salvation, why does it not consistently appear in explanations in Scripture of how salvation is obtained? (John 1:12; John 3:16; John 20:31; Romans 10:9-10; 1 John 4:14-16, etc.)
I don't recall the very first Christians in Acts 2 being baptized prior to their being indwelt by the Spirit. They were spiritually-regenerated entirely apart from water baptism.
Don't get me wrong: I think baptism is very important. It ought to be the very first act we perform in consequence of the things we have come to believe concerning the Gospel. Being immediately baptized upon one's conversion demonstrates what the apostle James explained about faith always being reflected in corresponding behaviour. (James 2:14-26) Baptism communicates to the new believer that "faith without works is dead." It is also an outward sign of an inward change. It is symbolic of the believer's union with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:1-6), as well. But baptism is not salvific.
Nothing was added. I explained what I meant.Actually it is added, it never says anywhere that Baptism is for a witness of what one did, instead St. Peter says repent and be baptized in order to be saved
What about Ephesians 4, 5?
One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
its perceptional , i don't consider disobedience to the gospel to be "Christian at all " ..........than a fair characterization of the beliefs of Catholics, Orthodox Christians, or Lutherans and Anglicans.
well that's a whole mouthful of contradiction isn't it .Baptism in any fashion does not save.
Only Jesus Christ can save.
Baptism comes after salvation not a part of.
It is a public confession (testimony ) of what Jesus Christ has done for you.
Do I believe everyone who accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour should be baptized?
Absolutely , if possible.
But it plays no part in receiving salvation from Jesus Christ.
No I'm not kidding. Hopefully you are.well that's a whole mouthful of contradiction isn't it .
its like saying to be saved you must obey Jesus , but you don't have to obey Jesus , but should a person obey Jesus -absolutely if possible .- i mean come on your kidding right ?
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