... We discussed this earlier as well (before you started posting).
It's not a matter of just simply... well ok, this verses says this abut this says this, so lets even them out.
NO!
Its about the context that each verse has FIRST, which i have stated in EVERYONE OF YOUR VERSES, then you harmonize it, and infact, it is even more harmonized when you look at it the way each verse(s) is supossed to be looked at.
First: the scriptures are not MY verses. I did not give them. They are inspired of God - - or God breathed (2 Tim.3:16). The scriptures are God’s. Any problems that you have with the scriptures will have to taken up with God.
In essence, you are saying that every verse that I have used has been taken out of context and made to not harmonize correctly with the scriptures. If that is the case, then reject the teaching. Truth is the goal. Just remember though, you are the one that said you would not accept the teaching of James 2:24. So, what do you do with James 2:14-26. Do you mark it out with a permanent marker? Do you literally cut the passage out of your bible? Let me offer a better alternative: why not be mature, and be like the Bereans (Acts 17:10-11), and study the passage to determine what type of works that GOD is talking about that are necessary for us to do? Truth can only be determined by open-minded bible study of ALL scriptures.
-1 Peter 3:21 is SYMBOLIC for what happened at Noahs ark.
So? Whether it’s the “like figure” (KJV) or the “antitype” (NKJV) the passage (1 Peter 3:20-21) still says that baptism saves us. It is a part of salvation. That is what GOD wants us to see and understand. No one is saying that baptism alone saves us - - but that baptism does have a part in salvation.
-Remission of sins is also not needed for salvation but needed for the work in which God has commanded us to do, however, we shall still have salvation despite the fact we don't do that command. There is only ONE unforgiven sin.
You still haven’t told us where you got your definition for remission from. On several occasions you have posted that remission of sins in Acts 2:38 is not the same as the forgiveness of sins.
Strong’s Greek Lexicon has this to say about the word “remission” in Acts 2:38. The Greek word for remission is aphesis. Strong’s defines it as:
1.) Release from bondage or imprisonment
2.) Forgiveness or pardon (letting them go as if they had never been committed), remission of the penalty
The Greek word “aphesis” appears 17 other times in the New Testament in the KJV: 9 times it is translated “remission,” 6 times it is translated “forgiveness,” 1 time it is translated “deliverance,” and 1 time it is translated “liberty.”
Thus, Acts 2:38 carries this thought: repentance + baptism = remission (forgiveness, deliverance, or liberty) of sins.
**The Greek word for remission in Acts 2:38 (aphesis), is the SAME Greek word for remission in Acts 10:43. Therefore, the relationship of repentance and baptism to salvation in Acts 2:38 is the same as the relationship of faith to salvation in Acts 10:43. Consequently, if you conclude that faith leads to the forgiveness of sins (Acts 10:43), then you also conclude that repentance & baptism lead to the forgiveness of sin (Acts 2:38).
lol Shall I say John 3:16? The Word "believe" covers A LOT OF ground, including faith.
True. Faith covers a lot of ground. But if “faith alone” saves, then the rulers in John 12:42-43 (as western kentucky has pointed out) and the demons in James 2:19 will be saved. Who likes that conclusion? True faith prompts one to do the Father’s will (Matt. 7:21). That is what both the rulers and the demons lacked - - doing the Father’s will. How many others are content to follow in their footsteps?
In all, we are saved by GRACE in which we recieve by having faith. We don't get saved by water, but by blood.
I agree. Salvation is by grace. I agree. Salvation is by the blood of Christ. I agree because both concepts are scriptural (grace – Eph.2:8-9 & blood – Eph.1:7). Eph.1:7 says, “In Him we have redemption though His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Notice, this blessing is “in Him [Christ].” That prompts an obvious question: how does one get into Christ? “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. [note: The thought doesn’t stop here. Faith drove them to obedience.] For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Gal.3:26-27) There it is - - our answer - - baptism puts one INTO Christ. So, perhaps there is a relationship between baptism and the blood of Christ that has been overlooked. Or, another possiblity is - - we can file this verse with James 2:24. I would not recommend the latter, but each bible student will have to decide for themselves.
Gods love is unconditional, and being baptised is nothing but a condition in which satan has caused man to think "OH **** I NEED TO BE BAPTIZED OR ELSE I WON'T GO TO HEAVEN."
If God’s love means that there are no conditions attached, then how can we teach that faith is necessary? Also, if Satan was working through Jesus in Mk.16:16, Peter in Acts 2:38, and Paul in Acts 22:16 when they taught about baptism, then you have a valid point. Personally, I don’t care for the reasoning at all.
Granted I will agree that baptism is nearly as important as salvation, b/c getting saved but not wanting to do the work of God is slefish and immature, but hey, Grace saves.
Baptism is but one of several requirements necessary for salvation. All commandments must be obeyed to obtain salvation. Not doing what God commands is not selfish or immature - - it is disobedience or “lawlessness” (Matt. 7:23).
1 corinthans 15:2 "WILL BE SAVEd by the gospel I present to you"
Romans 10:9 "SHALL be saved"
It seems that you may have overlooked an essential part of 1 Cor. 15:2, “By which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you.” Salvation is conditional. The condition is whether or not one will hold fast to the word. That also tells us why good bible students study the word so diligently.
John 3:16
How can you contend with such direct wording??? When you guys twiddle with such weak wording with your baptism scriptures in which I and many others have explained in a much simpler and correct way.
It is not faith that saves us alone for we cannot be saved on our own, of course, but it truly the grace of God, alone, that saves us.
I never realized that Jesus’ statement in Mk. 16:16, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved,” contained such weak wording. I always thought the concept that - - belief + baptism = salvation - - was a strong concept that was easy to understand. The last part of the verse says, “But he who does not believe will be condemned.” Likewise, this is also very easy to understand - - no faith + baptism does not equal salvation - - baptism, without faith, does not result in salvation. This passage harmonizes perfectly with Col. 2:12-13 - - baptism by faith results in the forgiveness of sins.
If it truly is the grace of God alone that saves us, then all people will be saved (***. 2:11). I find that a little hard to believe when I read Matt. 7:13-14.
There are others
