Evangelist,
Here is the repost of #460 from page 46.
FC
Quote:
Originally Posted by: evangelist
Water baptism is a work is this true?
Yes. Baptism is a work.
This is what I based my conclusion on: The Greek noun that is frequently tranlated “work” in the New Testament is “ergon.” Ergon is defined in Young’s Analytical Concordance as work, a deed, or business; Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words defines it as work, employment, or a task. Ergon appears 176 times in the KJV of the N.T. It is tranlated “work” 152 times, “deed” 22 times, “doing” 1 time, and “labour” 1 time (according to Strong’s). It is translated “deed” in Col.3:17, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Since baptism is a deed that is done “in the name of the Lord” (by his authority), then baptism is a work.
We are saved by grace , and if baptism is a work then this work will cancel out grace is this true??
Yes. I do believe we are saved by grace i.e. Rom.3:4, Eph.2:8-9, ***. 3:7. But I do NOT believe that grace is the only factor in man’s salvation. Titus 2:11 says, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men” (NKJV). But I conclude that all men will not be saved when I read Matt. 7:13-14, “Enter by the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Therefore, the understanding is that man is saved by grace, but NOT by grace alone.
Does baptism cancel out grace? We have previously determined that man is saved by grace, but NOT saved by grace alone. So, it must be concluded that other factors are involved in man’s salvation. What are those factors? A quick reading of Eph.2:8-9 or Rom.4:2-5 would lead us to eliminate all works: thus, we are saved by faith. Correct? End of story. Right? Not quite. We have already concluded that baptism is a work (ergon). Correct? But, according to John 6:28-29, Faith is also a work! “Then they said to Him, ‘what shall we do, that we may work [ergon] the works of God.’ Jesus answered and said to them, ‘This is the work [ergon] of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” The work God required was to believe in Jesus. Faith, or belief is a work (ergon) or deed that is required. So, as you can see, the original question has become a little more complicated, hasn’t it? If we reason that baptism (a work) cancels out grace, the same logic demands that belief (a work) cancels out grace. So, what are we to do? Heb. 11:6 plainly says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him.” What a dilemma?
At this point, I would be compelled to go back and read and study Eph.2:8-9 and Rom. 4:2-5 more diligently. I would also pull out a study aid that would help me find other places in the N.T. where other scriptures discussed works and grace, or works and faith. James 2:14-26 would really open my eyes if I concluded salvation involved no works at all. And if I was a really an attentive bible student, I would recognize that Rom.4:2-5 and James 2:21-24 seem to contradict each other. But because I understood that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Tim.3:16), I would realize that the fault would not lie in the holy scriptures, but that the fault would lie somewhere in my understanding. Studying Rom. chapter 3 and on into chapter 4 would make me realize that the works being discussed are circumcision and works required under the law of Moses. I would then study James 2, concluding that Abraham's works involved doing what God told him to (vs.21) - - to offer Isaac as a sacrifice. As I used my study aids, I would discover the depth of Abraham’s faith as he obeyed God (Heb.11:17-19). Then I would study Eph.2:8-9, concluding that the works being discussed are works that men could boast about - - or works of human merit. I might be a little confused when I studied the works of righteousness in ***.3:5, but when I remembered that Cornelius (in Act 10) was a devout man that performed righteous works, I would realize that his works of righteousness alone were not enough to save him - - he needed the gospel of Christ.
And as I sat back and allowed all that I had studied about the relationship of works and grace, and works and faith, to soak in, I would turn to turn to Matt.7:21 and read that passage. “Not everyone that says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Okay, now I understand how it works. Salvation comes by the grace of God, not by circumcision, works under the law of Moses, human works, or works of righteousness. But according to what Jesus said in Matt.7:21, I have to do the Father’s will, or what God requires of me - - just like Abraham in James 2:24. As I consider what God requires today under the law of Christ, I conclude that after hearing the gospel, faith is required (John 3:16 ; Mk.16:16), repentance is required (Lk.13:3,5 ; Acts 2:38 ; Acts 17:30), confession of Jesus is required (Matt. 10:32-33 ; Rom.10:9 ; Acts 8:37), and baptism is required (Mk.16:16, Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16) to become a Christian. Now, I can take comfort in these words, “He became the author of eternal life unto all who obey him” (Heb.5:9).
After I have obeyed the Lord by doing all that he has initially commanded me to do to become a Christian, I have nothing to boast about - - and I have earned nothing - - I have simply done what God requires of me.
I then study the fall of Jericho is Joshua chapter 6. God said that he gave the Israelites the city in vs.2. But then he had commandments that they needed to obey before he gave them the city. The story is interesting and boosts my faith. I think I will share it with my friends who misunderstand the nature of the works that God’s requires of his people today.
So, to answer your question, “Does baptism cancel out grace?” The anwer is NO. It doesn’t. Baptism is an act of faith (Col.2:12) that puts one INTO Christ (Gal.3:26-27), where she/he will have redemption through his blood (Eph.1:7). Can anyone claim redemption without the blood of Christ (1 Pet.1:18-19)?
If we believe and fall in Love with Christ then after we will want to do what ever pleases Christ, and that includ, bible study, going to church , and you will want to pray, and love to trust God, and His Word, and help the poor and homeless, and in your christian walk get baptized as a step as following jesus and showing that you are buried in Christ.
God Bless