Judy wrote: > <snipped scriptures for brevity> > Acts 2:38-41 KJV > Acts 8:12 KJV > Acts 22:16 KJV > Romans 6:3-6 KJV > Galatians 3:26-27 KJV > 1 Peter 3:21 KJV > > jt: None of the above teach salvation/redemption > by baptism other than what you read into 1 Peter > 3:21 David.
I think you read your own denial of what Peter says into these same passages. Judy wrote: > Yes Peter and the other apostles > commanded ppl to be baptized AFTER God by His > Spirit had performed a work of grace in the heart. I agree that baptism comes AFTER God by his Spirit has performed a work of grace in the hearts of those who hear the Word. But in many of these passages, the forgiveness of sins is associated with a person doing the act of baptism. For example, "arise, and BE BAPTIZED AND WASH AWAY THY SINS, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16). Another example, "be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38). Do you see how the remission of sins is associated with being baptized? Judy wrote: > I must have misunderstood then David, I have been > reading that we are "SAVED by baptism" and had > thought this was your point. I think you have misunderstood. My point was that baptism saves, not that we are saved by baptism. There are some subtle distinctions here. Saying we are saved by baptism puts all the work on the act of baptism. It makes baptism something magical. I do not believe that. On the other hand, Peter's teaching that baptism saves simply shows forth that baptism is not some dead ritual done for purely symbolic reasons. Baptism might have a lot of symbolism attached to it, but when it is entered into with faith, the person being baptized experiences the remission of sins and the answer of a good conscience toward God. In this way, he is saved from the world system and from the sins of the flesh. Judy wrote: > Calling water baptism symbolic and figurative does not > remove anything. After all we do not undergo a literal > death, burial, and resurrection do we? So baptism is > symbolic. Teaching the baptism does not save is unbiblical (per 1 Peter 3:21), and teaching that baptism is ONLY symbolic and an OUTWARD expression of a inward work that has already taken place removes baptism from the Biblical role that Jesus meant for it to have. People who believe this way often put off baptism for years and years after believing in Christ. Then when they enter baptism, there is no saving faith involved with it. This is not the model that Jesus had in mind when he instituted baptism. Judy wrote: > just one more little object lesson that I found this > morning. Simon the sorceror was baptized (see Acts > 8:13) but obviously he was not saved because when he > wanted to buy the gift of the Holy Spirit Peter told > him in no uncertain terms that his heart wasn't right > with God. Right. Baptism is not magical and not everyone who is baptized experiences salvation. Faith in Christ is the proper focus, and baptism is a powerful way in which a new convert can express saving faith in Jesus Christ. Peace be with you. David Miller, Beverly Hills, Florida. ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
