Water Baptism-What is in a Name?

50. Acts 2:44 speaks of “all who believed” as constituting the early church, not necessarily all who were baptized.

51. According to theologians Geisler and Howe (book When Critics Ask), in view of the many factors, “It seems best to understand Peter’s statement in Acts 2:38 like this: ‘Repent and be baptized with a view to the forgiveness of sins’ (or ‘because of forgiveness of sins’). Believing (or repenting) and being baptized are placed together, since baptism should follow belief. But nowhere does it say, ‘He who is not baptized will be condemned’ (Mark 16:16). Yet Jesus said emphatically that ‘he who does not believe is condemned already’ (John 3:18). So neither Peter nor the rest of Scripture makes water baptism a condition of salvation.”

52. Mark 16:16, which is often used to support water baptismal regeneration does not appear in the oldest and most reliable manuscripts. So many scholars question whether it should even be considered part of Scripture. See Got Questions on Mark.

53. Does Mark 16:16 prove that a person must be baptized in order to be saved? No, it does not specify. It says that a person who believes and is baptized will be saved, and a person who does not believe is condemned. Proverbs 30:6 and 1 Corinthians 4:6 are strict warnings not to add to God’s word. If you say that Mark 16:16 states what happens to those who believe and are not baptized, when that verse is silent on that, you are adding to God’s word.

54. The Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible (page 1260) says about Mark 16:16, “The word ‘believeth’ is pisteuo [4100], an aortist participle referring to one who has believed at some time in the past. Also, baptistheis (907), translated ‘is baptized,’ is an aorist participle but in the passive voice. This form refers to an act of outward obedience, in this case, baptism. Therefore, the correct translation here should be stated, 'He who believed and who was baptized shall be saved.' However, the Lord adds, ' …but he that believeth not shall be damned.’ It should be noted that this negative statement does not include a reference to baptism, making it clear that what saves a person is living faith in Jesus Christ. This is made clear in Ephesians 2:8, ‘For by grace are ye saved through faith….’ The word ‘saved’ is translated from the Greek word sesosmenoi, which is a perfect passive participle. It means that this salvation took place at some point in the past and is continuing on in the present, being accomplished by Jesus Christ Himself. If baptism were necessary for salvation, Ephesians 2:8 and many other verses should have been translated ‘ye are saved through faith and baptism.’…Baptism is a distinct act of obedience apart from salvation. This is clarified by the order in which the words ‘believe’ and ‘baptize’ occur in the text…”

55. 1 Pet 3:21 (NIV): “and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God…” 1 Pet 3:21 (KJV): “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.)” The body washed with pure water is a visible emblem of our changed hearts. The key word in the Greek in this sentence is antitypos, which means “a thing resembling another” (Blue Letter Bible). So the NIV rendering “symbolizes” is correct. 1 Peter 3:21 says that it is not the water that saves us but the pledge of a good conscience towards God, which is symbolized by baptism. See Got Questions on Peter.

56. Regarding 1 Peter 3:21, the notes in the The Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible (pages 1539-1540) explains, “The expression ‘baptism doth now save’ should be understood in light of verse twenty: ‘eight souls were saved by water.’ Noah and his family, being in the ark, were able to pass safely ‘through’ the waters….In the same way, the term ‘baptism’ should be understood as the visible representation of deliverance through Christ, just as the ark represented deliverance from the waters of the flood. When a person accepts Christ, he is saved; when the believer is baptized, he is identified with the One who has delivered him (i.e. Jesus Christ).”

57. KJV’s “by water” is incorrect; the Greek is “through water (di udatos)” per (NKJV, NIV, NASB, Green’s Literal Translation, NRSV, Young's Literal Translation). Wasn’t Noah saved before the flood (Genesis 6:8)? So aren’t believers saved before baptism in the same way, baptism being a symbol of a saving faith? It also seems significant that Peter here (1 Peter 3:21) explains his own statement by stating that baptism is "an appeal to God for a good conscience through the resurrection of Christ."

58. Further regarding 1 Peter 3:21, is referring not the the dirt on the surface of the body, but most likely to our sinful nature. The Greek word is sarx (Blue Letter Bible). So Peter is saying specifically that water batpism does not remove our sinful nature. See Filth of the Flesh.

59. Acts 22:16 says, “Now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.” According to the John MacArthur study Bible, “Grammatically the phrase, ‘calling on His name,’ precedes ‘Get up and be baptized.’ Salvation comes from calling on the name of the Lord (Romans 10:9, 10, 13), not from being baptized.”

Items 60 through 76 are concerned with baptism of the Holy Spirit

Here's a helpful article: Got Questions on Baptism of the Holy Spirit

60. In Acts 10:43-48 those who believed Peter’s message clearly received the Holy Spirit before they were baptized. Before receiving water baptism, they believed, praised God and spoke in tongues, so they had already become children of God before receiving water baptism. Then Peter said, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So water baptism followed their salvation. The Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible (page 1372) says, “This is similar to the circumstances at Jerusalem and Samaria in that each time, many believers were baptized in the Holy Spirit at the same time (cf. Acts 2:1-4, 8:14-17). It is interesting to note that apostles were present in each instance. The special manifestation of the Holy Spirit here, which allowed these Gentiles to speak in tongues, proved that God gave the Gentiles the same ‘gift’ (v. 45) as the Jews. Notice that the baptism of the Holy Spirit [normally] took place prior to water baptism. ‘Spiritual’ baptism is what actually places believers into the body of Christ while water baptism only demonstrates to others that a person is in the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13)….” 1 Corinthians 12:13 specifically confirms that baptism by the Holy Spirit is what places us in the body of Christ. Peter in Acts 10:43 makes it clear that it is faith that produces remission of sins, and that water baptism comes later as a symbol of one’s new life in Christ. Also, we note that in Acts 11, where Peter explains what happened in Acts 10, he makes no mention of water baptism, and in Acts 11:16 indicates that Holy Spirit baptism superceded water baptism of John the Baptist.

61. The situation in Acts 8:14-17 is somewhat different from the ones in Acts 2 and Acts 10 however. The Samaritans received the laying on of hands and the Holy Spirit after water baptism. So it is obvious from this story that it is possible to be regenerated and not to have received the Spirit’s empowering presence yet. Even today, it is certainly true that we receive certain aspects of the Holy Spirit’s work at the point of regeneration and some afterward. The Holy Spirit is working in our lives before, during, and after water baptism. See http://www.faithfacts.org/bible-101/christian-cram-course#holyspirit. Certainly we should not put God in a box about how he works in a person’s life. There are some logical reasons why this situation occurred as it did. Apparently the apostles were not present when the original conversions took place. This was a group of Samaritans, who were not fully Jewish and there was a lot of hostility that existed between the Samaritans and Jews. It would have been desirable in this early ministry to receive apostolic approval to prove that this new church was “kosher.” This passage does not in any way indicate that water baptism saves.

62. Romans 8:14: “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” Similarly, Romans 8:16-17: “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” Who would be “sons” or “children?” In modern figurative language, children would have the DNA of the father—having been “born again” (John 3).

63. Romans 15:13. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Thus, our hope is in the power of the Holy Spirit through faith (not our power to obey or whatever legalistic requirement).
http://www.faithfacts.org/world-rel...1-reasons-baptism-not-necessary-for-salvation

64. Included in the many things the Holy Spirit does is that he is active in the salvation of a person. He regenerates us, this being made quite clear in Titus 3:5. He transforms us (2 Corinthians 3:18). He sanctifies us (Galatians 5:16-23; 2 Thessalonians 2:13). Remembering that we are saved by a transformation of the heart—the Holy Spirit pours out God’s love in the heart (Romans 5:5), He seals God’s promises in believers’ hearts (Ephesians 1:13-14), and He strengthens the inner being (Ephesians 3:16). It is by his power that we have hope (Romans 15:13). Further, he shapes the individual’s community life to Christ’s (Romans 8:1-17), etc, etc. See also Who Is the Holy Spirit.

65. Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Acts 1:5; Acts 2:4; 1 Cor 6:11 shows that we are baptized, washed, justified, and sanctified by the Spirit of God. (We are washed by the Holy Spirit—not by water.) The Holy Spirit is everywhere in the Scriptures from beginning to end doing his work in the world and in people.

66. The Holy Spirit is the seal of the believer’s salvation (Ephesians 4:30; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Romans 8:9), not water baptism. Indeed, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit when we believed (Ephesians 1:11-14), and even before at the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:3-12). Note: Certainly, predestination is a difficult concept, but we believe it because God says it.

67. Titus 3:3-8 shows that it is the Holy Spirit that regenerates a person, not water baptism or any other work. Notice also that it is by the work of God that we are saved, and specifically not because of any righteousness things we have done. This is baptism (washing) of the Holy Spirit, which is mentioned in Acts 1:5 and fulfilled in Acts 2:4.

68. 2 Tim 1:9-14 shows that it is the power of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit— that saves us, not because of our works.

69. Many verses show that the Holy Spirit dwells in a person or is the helpmate of God’s or Jesus’ indwelling (John 14:17; Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 3:16-19; 2 Timothy 1:14; 1 John 4:13-17). The Holy Spirit’s indwelling is the means whereby “Christ is in you.” Paul views this relationship as so close that he can even say “the Lord is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:17, Galatians 4:6, etc.) Elsewhere, in Galatians 2:20 Paul says, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” Paul teaches that the Holy Spirit and Christ work together in applying the resurrected life of Christ to the believer. Indeed, the Spirit’s presence now is a guarantee, if you will, of the future bodily resurrection of the believer (Romans 8:11).

70. In further context, those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God (Romans 8:14). What does it mean to be a son of God? We should think that in some sense in modern language it means that we have his DNA. He also intercedes for the Saints (8:27)—which is mentioned in the context of predestination (8:29). All this is to say that it is the Holy Spirit who is working salvation in the person. Just as our physical birth is not something we earn or have any control over, spiritual birth is something the God gives rather than something we earn or have any control over (1 Peter 1:3-5).

71. John 3 is an interesting passage. Here Jesus tells Nicodemus that unless one is born again of water and the Spirit, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Some might say that water here refers to the water being released when one is born physically by a woman. Others would say that water here means water baptism. But this latter interpretation seems quite unlikely, since Christian baptism had not been instituted yet and would have been meaningless to Nicodemus. (Others find reference to John’s baptism in this statement, but Jesus nowhere makes John’s baptism a requirement for salvation.) Remembering who Jesus is speaking to—a leading Jew—he is most certainly referring to Old Testament passages the Nicodemus would have been familiar with: Isaiah 32:15, Isaiah 44:3, and Ezekiel 36:25-27. According the notes in The Reformation Study Bible, linguistic considerations point to understanding “water” and the “Spirit” as referring to a single spiritual birth. In these OT passages, the concept expressed is the pouring out of God’s Spirit in the end times. The presence of such rich Old Testament imagery accounts for Jesus’ reproof of Nicodemus (John 3:10) as a “teacher of Israel,” which he should have understood. The Reformation Study Bible, of note, also says that the passage emphasizes the priority and sovereignty of God in salvation, though it does not exclude the reality of human response in repentance and faith. So the message is that salvation is through baptism of the Holy Spirit, not water baptism.

72. Can the word water as used in John 3:5 mean water baptism? Why didn't Christ say what he meant to say? If he really meant baptism—when he said water—by the same reasoning he evidently meant baptism in the next Chapter (John 4:7-15). Read again the story of the Woman at the Well and substitute the word baptism for water everywhere it is found in the story exactly as you substitute the word baptism for water in John 3:5, and see what a story you make. False doctrines always lead to muddy water.

73. Jesus baptizes via the Holy Spirit (Mat 3:11 and Mark 1:8) and never personally baptized with water as far we know. If water baptism is so important, why didn’t Jesus do so?


74. There is a close relationship between how we are saved and the gospel. Romans 1:16 says that the gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. Understanding clearly from this passage that it is the power of God that saves (and not the power of a person), at the very least to deny that God the Holy Spirit is active in the believer is, we think, a gross distortion of the gospel, which we further demonstrate at http://www.faithfacts.org/world-religions-and-theology/church-of-christ#gospel.

75. The Holy Spirit is most certainly active today. Denying the work of the Holy Spirit, especially as regards to salvation, is very close to being the unforgivable sin that the Bible speaks of in Matthew 12:31-32 and Mark 3:22-30.

76. 1 Corinthians 12:13 plainly states that "we were all baptized by one Spirit...." See Baptism by the Holy Spirit.

The conclusion must be, it seems to us, that indeed we are saved by the spiritual baptism of the Holy Spirit creating an inner change in the heart rather than water on the skin. The Bible makes a distinction between spiritual baptism and water baptism (Matthew 3:11). But we would not put God in a box, and so this would not preclude the Holy Spirit working through water baptism as a means of God’s grace— as the Holy Spirit works before, during, and after one is saved. But it does preclude the legalistic view that water baptism is a work of the individual that one must do to be saved.


Items 77 through 95 pertain to other Scripture passages and concepts on baptism

77. There is no record of the apostles ever receiving water baptism. Though they probably did, it would be a glaring omission for the writers of the New Testament to omit this if it is so important.

78. Paul separates baptism from the Gospel, saying, “Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the Gospel” (1 Corinthians 1:17). If baptism is necessary for salvation, Paul would not have downplayed baptism. It is the Gospel which saves us (Romans 1:16, 1 Corinthians 15:1-8). Therefore, water baptism is not part of what saves us. See “What is the Gospel”: http://www.faithfacts.org/bible-101/what-is-the-gospel.

79. Jesus implied in Matthew 3:13-16 that water baptism is a work of righteousness. But Titus 3:5 teaches that it is “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.”

http://www.faithfacts.org/world-rel...1-reasons-baptism-not-necessary-for-salvation

80. Not once in the entire Gospel of John, written explicitly so that people could believe and be saved (John 20:31), does it give water baptism as part of the condition of salvation. It simply says over and over that people should believe and be saved (cf. John 3:16, 18, 36).

81. While a legalist may say, “Our salvation depends on a proper baptism.”—there is no terminology or concept of a “proper” baptism in the New Testament. This is simply a term that identifies the speaker as a legalist.

82. The thief on the cross was saved without water baptism. Some claim that water baptism was not necessary because the thief died under the Old Covenant. But because Jesus died BEFORE the thief, it follows that the thief was saved without water baptism AFTER the atonement. Another problem with the Old Covenant claim as to the thief on the cross comes from Romans 2:12: "and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law." Was the thief on the cross judged by the law or by grace through faith alone? Of course, it was by faith alone. Finally, some claim that he must have been baptized previously. This assumption is not probable and seems suspect to fit a pre-conceived doctrine.

83. In addition to the thief on the cross, there are other instances in the Bible where a sinner was saved without baptism: the paralytic man in Matthew 9:2; the penitent woman in Luke 7:37-50; the publican in Luke 18:13-14. See also: Acts 15:9; Acts 26:18; Ephesians 1:11-13; 1 Jn 5:4; etc.

84. The apostle Paul (Acts 9:6-9, 22:6-16, 26:12-23) obeyed before he received water baptism. Was he saved before he was baptized? Yes! Ananias called him “brother Saul” in Acts 22:13. He became a child of God—a true Christian—when he called on the name of the Lord (and obeyed Jesus) before being baptized. He had a living faith, not a “dead faith” when he called on the name of the Lord and was obedient prior to water baptism. Baptism was another—though certainly important—event of obedience after he was saved. In Acts 26:20, Paul makes the statement “...and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.”(ESV) In the NIV, it is translated “...that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.” This confirms Paul’s understanding of his own conversion, as well as others, that salvation occurred before water baptism. Just before that he quotes Jesus as saying that people are “sanctified by faith in me [Jesus],” (Acts 26:18)—further proving that salvation comes with faith. In Acts 3:19 we see Paul making a similar statement: “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out.” So it is faith and repentance that save, without regard to water baptism.

85. In Romans 4:9-11, Abraham was saved before the obedience of circumcision, which is the Old Testament correlation to New Testament baptism.

86. Acts 15:1-12. Some men (falsely) taught that unless you are circumcised you cannot be saved. The apostles COULD have said, “Not circumcision anymore but baptism.” But instead Peter said, “No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” So they told Gentile believers to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, sexual immorality, blood, but “missed their chance” to say that baptism is required.

87. Water baptism is a sacrament, like the Lord’s Supper. Both are symbols of the reality of our salvation in Christ. Just as we do not literally eat Christ’s body in the Lord’s Supper, we are not literally saved by water trickling over our skin.

88. Water baptism is like the ring in a wedding. We use the term “with this ring I thee wed.” The language indicates that we are literally married by the ring. But it is not the ring that marries a couple. It is the commitment under God. Similarly, water baptism is to a Christian what a uniform is to a soldier. The soldier puts on the uniform because he is ordered to. It identifies him outwardly as what he is in his person.

89. Water baptism is like physical birth, while our salvation is like conception prior to physical birth. See http://www.freedomsring.org/ftc/chap27.html. Life began at conception, not at birth. Baptism does not initiate life, it was initiated earlier at the point of faith, that is, at the point of the work of the Holy Spirit.
http://www.faithfacts.org/world-rel...1-reasons-baptism-not-necessary-for-salvation

90. Steve Morrison (www.biblequery.com) argues that “baptism is an emblem of washing our sins away. But even if someone says that this was literally washing their sins away, they should probably still agree with these things:


a. If it was the liquid water that literally took away the sins, then future sins would not be taken away unless a person was baptized again and again.
b. It is not the water that is special, but rather the water as the identification with the blood of Christ.
c. The Bible does not say people cannot have sins washed away without baptism. God is capable of taking away the sins of the thief on the cross, as well as early Christians who were martyred before they had the opportunity to be baptized.
d. So, it is not the drops of water that take away anything. Rather, it is the pledge of a good conscience before God that connects us with Christ’s blood, and baptism is an acknowledgment—an emblem, of that.”

91. Ephesians 2:1-10 explains that regeneration actually precedes faith, and the faith itself is a gift of God! See http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/sproul01.html.

92. Did Christ personally, at any time or place tell a sinner to be baptized FOR or IN ORDER to the Remission of Sin? If so, where and when? Why didn’t Jesus regularly practice water baptism if it is so important?

93. “Washing” in 1 Cor 6:11 may not necessarily mean water baptism. Revelation 1:5 and Revelation 7:14 make it clear that we are washed by the blood of Christ!

94. The healing of Naaman in the Jordan River (2 Kings 5) does not mean that water baptism saves. The healing of leprosy is not evidence of salvation. Naaman did not even believe in God when he was healed.

95. What if a person met all the requirements to be saved, but was killed in a car wreck on his way to being baptized. Would he not be in heaven?

Items 92 through 101 pertain to historical interpretations

96. Alexander Campbell in Design by Baptism p.262 said: “In this sense we are to understand what is said by Paul, that Christ sanctifieth and cleanseth the church ‘with washing of water by the word.’ Ephesians 5:26, and in another place, that ‘according to His mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and of renewing of the Holy Ghost’ Titus 3:5, and by Peter that ‘baptism doeth save us’ 1 Peter 3:21. For it is not the intention of Paul to signify that our ablution and salvation are completed by water, or that water contains in itself the virtue to purify, regenerate, and renew; nor did Peter mean that it was the cause of salvation, but only the knowledge and assurance of it is received in this sacrament: what is sufficiently evident from the words they have used. For Paul connects together the ‘word of life’ and ‘the baptism of water;’ as if he had said, our ablution and sanctification are announced to us by the Gospel, and by baptism this message is confirmed. And Peter after having said the baptism doth save us, immediately adds, that it is ‘not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God’ which proceeds from faith. But on the contrary, baptism promises us no other purification than by the sprinkling of the blood of Christ; which is emblematically represented by water, on account of its resemblance to washing and cleansing.”

97. Alexander Campbell in Millennial Harbinger, 1837, p.411-412 said: “But who is a Christian? I answer, every one that believes in his heart that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, the Son of God; repents of his sins, and obeys him in all things according to his measure of knowledge of his will. . . . I cannot make any one duty the standard of Christian state or character, not even immersion into the name of Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and [cannot] in my heart regard all that have been sprinkled in infancy without their own knowledge and consent, as aliens from Christ and the well-grounded hope of heaven. Should I find a Pedobaptist [one baptized as an infant] more intelligent in the Christian Scriptures, more spiritually-minded and more devoted to the Lord than a Baptist, or one immersed on a profession of the ancient faith, I could not hesitate a moment in giving the preference of my heart to him that loveth most. Did I act otherwise, I would be a pure sectarian, a Pharisee among Christians.”

98. The early church document the Didache (c.125 A.D.) ch.7 p.379 said: “baptize into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in living water. But if thou have not living water, baptize into other water; and if thou canst not in cold, in warm. But if thou have not either, pour out water thrice upon the head into the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

99. In another early church document, Anonymous Treatise on Re-baptism (254-257 A.D.) ch.5 p.669-670: On speaking of Cornelius said, “And there will be no doubt that men may be baptized with the Holy Ghost without water, as thou observest that these were baptized before they were baptized with water; that the announcements of both John and of our Lord Himself were satisfied, forasmuch as they received the grace of the promise both without the imposition of the apostle’s hands and without the laver [baptismal font], which they attained afterwards. And their hearts being purified, God bestowed upon them at the same time, in virtue of their faith, remission of sins; so that the subsequent baptism conferred upon them this benefit alone, that they received also the invocation of the name of Jesus Christ, that nothing might appear to be wanting to the integrity of their service and faith.”

100. In an extensive study of what the early church fathers said about baptism, Steve Morrison (http://www.biblequery.org/) says, “We cannot find a single person in history who held to both believer’s baptism plus all are lost who are not immersed for remission of sins. In other words, according to the doctrine of many Churches of Christ, outside of the New Testament we cannot find in history a single person who had any possibility of going to heaven, until after the restoration movement started, and even Alexander Campbell was never baptized for remission of sins.”


101. And finally, for the record, the word baptism does not necessarily always mean immersion. For example, in 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 the Israelites were baptized by only getting their feet wet, while it was the Egyptians who got immersed. Luke 11:38 is a reference to the washing of hands, not of total body immersion. In Mark 7:4 baptism is described as washing of vessels, which is not necessarily immersion but could be pouring or scrubbing. Hebrews 9:10 speaks of “various ceremonial washings.” The word here is baptismos. The ceremonial washing, or baptisms, that follow are rites of purification in the Old Testament (cf. Hebrews 9:13-31). In all of these ceremonial washings, the method of application was sprinkling. In fact, all Old Testament purifications or washings were by sprinkling (Numbers 8:7, 19:19, Leviticus 14:7, etc). Doesn't it stand to reason that New Testament Jewish Christians would have appreciated that method of baptism?


Conclusion:

(a) We get to heaven by God’s grace through a genuine living faith in Jesus. The view that water touching skin is what saves us is a superficial view of the doctrine of salvation.


(b) Requirements of a “proper” baptism are not bibilical and are a mark of legalism—especially when combined with other works requirements.


(c) However, anyone who refuses to be baptized probably does not have a genuine faith.


“Christian baptism, which has the form of a ceremonial washing (like John’s pre-Christian baptism), is a sign from God that signifies inward cleansing and remission of sins (Acts 22:16; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Ephesians 5:25-27), Spirit-wrought regeneration and new life (Titus 3:5), and the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit as God’s seal testifying and guaranteeing that one will be kept safe in Christ forever (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:13-14). Fundamentally, Baptism signifies union with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-7; Colossians 2:11-12), and this union with Christ is the source of every element in our salvation (1 John 5:11-12). Receiving the sign of baptism in faith assures those baptized that God’s gift of new life in Christ is freely given to them. At the same time, it commits them to live in a new way as disciples of Jesus.” (The Reformation Study Bible, page 1623.)

http://www.faithfacts.org/world-rel...1-reasons-baptism-not-necessary-for-salvation

History in the church fathers disproves you. See Didache on Baptism.
Doing something in someone's name relates to doing it by the authority of that person.

Deuteronomy 18:5For the Lord thy God hath chosen him out of all thy tribes, to stand to minister iiin the name of the Lord, him and his sons for ever.

Deuteronomy 18:7Then he shall minister iiin the name of the Lord his God, as all his brethren the Levites do, which stand there before the Lord.

Deuteronomy 18:20But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak iiin the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.

Deuteronomy 18:22When a prophet speaketh iiin the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

Deuteronomy 21:5And the priests the sons of Levi shall come near; for them the Lord thy God hath chosen to minister unto him, and to bless iiin the name of the Lord; and by their word shall every controversy and every stroke be tried:

Deuteronomy 25:6And it shall be, that the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed iiin the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel.

1 Samuel 17:45Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee iiin the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

1 Samuel 20:42And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us iiin the name of the Lord, saying, The Lord be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.

1 Samuel 25:9And when David's young men came, they spake to Nabal according to all those words iiin the name of David, and ceased.

2 Samuel 6:18And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people iiin the name of the Lord of hosts.

1 Kings 18:32And with the stones he built an altar iiin the name of the Lord: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.

1 Kings 22:16And the king said unto him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but that which is true iiin the name of the Lord?

2 Kings 2:24And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them iiin the name of the Lord. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.

1 Chronicles 16:2And when David had made an end of offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people iiin the name of the Lord.

1 Chronicles 21:19And David went up at the saying of Gad, which he spake iiin the name of the Lord.

2 Chronicles 18:15And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me iiin the name of the Lord?

2 Chronicles 33:18Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and his prayer unto his God, and the words of the seers that spake to him iiin the name of the Lord God of Israel, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel.

Ezra 5:1Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem iiin the name of the God of Israel, even unto them.

Esther 3:12Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; iiin the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.

Psalm 20:5We will rejoice in thy salvation, and iiin the name of our God we will set up our banners: the Lord fulfil all thy petitions.

Psalm 118:10All nations compassed me about: but iiin the name of the Lord will I destroy them.

Psalm 118:11They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but iiin the name of the Lord I will destroy them.

Psalm 118:12They compassed me about like bees: they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for iiin the name of the Lord I will destroy them.

Psalm 118:26Blessed be he that cometh iiin the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.

Psalm 129:8Neither do they which go by say, The blessing of the Lord be upon you: we bless you iiin the name of the Lord.

Isaiah 50:10Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust iiin the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God.

Jeremiah 11:21Therefore thus saith the Lord of the men of Anathoth, that seek thy life, saying, Prophesy not iiin the name of the Lord, that thou die not by our hand:

Jeremiah 26:9Why hast thou prophesied iiin the name of the Lord, saying, This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate without an inhabitant? And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the house of the Lord.

Jeremiah 26:16Then said the princes and all the people unto the priests and to the prophets; This man is not worthy to die: for he hath spoken to us iiin the name of the Lord our God.

Jeremiah 26:20And there was also a man that prophesied iiin the name of the Lord, Urijah the son of Shemaiah of Kirjathjearim, who prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 44:16As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us iiin the name of the Lord, we will not hearken unto thee.

Micah 4:5For all people will walk every one iiin the name of his god, and we will walk iiin the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.

Zephaniah 3:12I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust iiin the name of the Lord.

Zechariah 13:3And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies iiin the name of the Lord: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth.

Matthew 10:41He that receiveth a prophet iiin the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man iiin the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.

Matthew 10:42And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only iiin the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

Matthew 21:9And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh iiin the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

Matthew 23:39For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh iiin the name of the Lord.

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

Mark 11:9And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh iiin the name of the Lord:

Mark 11:10Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh iiin the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.

Luke 13:35Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh iiin the name of the Lord.

Luke 19:38Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh iiin the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

John 3:18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed iiin the name of the only begotten Son of God.

John 12:13Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh iiin the name of the Lord.

Acts 2:38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you iiin the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 3:6Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: iiin the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

Acts 4:18And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach iiin the name of Jesus.

Acts 5:40And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak iiin the name of Jesus, and let them go.

Acts 8:16(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized iiin the name of the Lord Jesus.)

Acts 9:27But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus iiin the name of Jesus.

Acts 9:29And he spake boldly iiin the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.

Acts 10:48And he commanded them to be baptized iiin the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Acts 16:18And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee iiin the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

Acts 19:5When they heard this, they were baptized iiin the name of the Lord Jesus.

1 Corinthians 1:13Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized iiin the name of Paul?

1 Corinthians 5:4iiin the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,

1 Corinthians 6:11And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified iiin the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Ephesians 5:20Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father iiin the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Colossians 3:17And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all iiin the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

2 Thessalonians 3:6Now we command you, brethren, iiin the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

James 5:10Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken iiin the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.

James 5:14Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil iiin the name of the Lord:

Why do you dismiss what is explicitly said for what is not explicitly said? What is not said does not dismiss what is said.
Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38 NASB

He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.
Mark 16:16 NASB

Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin.
Romans 6:3‭-‬7 NASB

Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
1 Peter 3:21 NASB

Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.’
Acts 22:16 NASB

having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
Colossians 2:12 NASB

For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Galatians 3:27 NASB


Along with about 20 verses that says that baptism saves or washes away sin.

You make an argument from what scripture don't say others make an argument from what scripture does say.

The thief on the cross was not required to follow New Testament mandates. Repentance, water baptism in Jesus' name and receiving the Holy Ghost were requirements after Jesus' death, burial and resurrection.

See https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1483-does-the-grace-in-ephesians-2-8-9-exclude-baptism

in the name of simply means by the authority of....

Curious, were does it say that the Apostles themselves were baptized in Jesus Name?

Make a list of your beliefs, theology, doctrines and teachings and try to find those in the Early Church Fathers. If your position is not there, then the early church did not teach what you think.

1. Concerning baptism, baptise thus: Having first rehearsed all these things, "baptise, in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost," in running water;
2. But if thou hast no running water, baptise in other water, and if thou canst not in cold, then in warm.
3. But if thou hast neither, pour water three times on the head "in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost."
4. And before the baptism let the baptiser and him who is to be baptised fast, and any others who are able. And thou shalt bid him who is to be baptised to fast one or two days before.
http://www.thedidache.com/

I see you have not bothered answering any of the texts I brought up.

Mark 16 is mute since it is not likely to even be original as the ending of Mark. This is one of those well know facts of textual criticism.

I already dealt with Acts 2:38, In the name on has to do with the authority of a person who something is done.

The Didache a historical source and Early church fathers who were taught by the Apostles, clearly tells us that the formulas of Matthew 28:19 was used.

The texts from Paul are symbolic and spiritual in nature.

A leader rarely if ever completes each and every aspect of ministry. They delegate tasks. There is nothing out of the ordinary in the case of Paul. And surely Paul realized that water baptism was a necessary part of salvation because Ananias instructed him to do it in order to have his sins washed away. Acts 22:16

Baptismal Formula
Not that in the waters we obtain the Holy Spirit; but in the water, under (the witness of) the angel, we are cleansed, and prepared for the Holy Spirit. In this case also a type has preceded; for thus was John beforehand the Lord's forerunner, preparing His ways. Luke 1:76 Thus, too, does the angel, the witness of baptism, make the paths straight for the Holy Spirit, who is about to come upon us, by the washing away of sins, which faith, sealed in (the name of) the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, obtains. For if in the mouth of three witnesses every word shall stand: — while, through the benediction, we have the same (three) as witnesses of our faith whom we have as sureties of our salvation too — how much more does the number of the divine names suffice for the assurance of our hope likewise! Moreover, after the pledging both of the attestation of faith and the promise of salvation under three witnesses, there is added, of necessity, mention of the Church; inasmuch as, wherever there are three, (that is, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,) there is the Church, which is a body of three. http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0321.htm

5. For why, my brethren? Who does not see what they do not? And no wonder; for they who are unwilling to return from that are just like the raven that was sent forth from the ark. For who does not see what they see not? They are unthankful even to the Holy Spirit Himself. See, the dove descended upon the Lord, upon the Lord when baptized: and thereupon was manifested that holy and real Trinity, which to us is one God. http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1701006.htm

Not indeed that they really do not see, but that they really shut their eyes to that which strikes them in the very face: that whereunto the disciples were sent forth in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, by Him of whom it is said, This is He that baptizes: it was said, in fact, to His ministers, by Him who has retained this authority to Himself. http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1701006.htm

9. Therefore, beloved, let us see what those men desire not to see; not what they may not see, but what they grieve to see, as though it were shut against them. Whither were the disciples sent to baptize as ministers, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost? Whither were they sent? Go, said He, baptize the nations. You have heard, brethren, how that inheritance comes, Ask of me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, and the utmost bounds of the earth for Your possessions. You have heard how that from Sion went forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. Isaiah 2:3 For it was there the disciples were told, Go, baptize the nations in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Matthew 28:19 We became attentive when we heard, Go, baptize the nations. In whose name? In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. This is one God; for it says not in the names of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, but in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Where you hear one name, there is one God; just as it was said of Abraham's seed, and the Apostle Paul expounds it, In your seed shall all nations be blessed; he said not, In seeds, as in many, but as in one, and in your seed which is Christ. Wherefore, just as the apostle wished to show you that, because in that place it is not said in seeds, Christ is one; so here too, when it is said, in the name, not in the names, even as these, in seed, not in seeds, is it proved that the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost are one God.

10. But lo, say the disciples to the Lord, we are told in what name we are to baptize; You have made us ministers, and hast said to us, Go, baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Whither shall we go? Whither? Have you not heard? To Mine inheritance. You ask, Whither shall we go? To that
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1701006.htm

There are many texts that shows historically that Baptism was in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3203.htm
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/310116.htm
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1701006.htm
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/290102.htm
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/07157.htm
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2910.htm
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/14084.htm
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/34022.htm
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/34021.htm
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/14092.htm
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3405.htm
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3202008.htm
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/130115.htm

It is clear that the early church fathers who were in fact taught by the Apostles universally believed i the Trinity and obeyed Jesus words in Baptism.

I remember reading somewhere that gentiles were baptised by Jesus authority alone. Whereas, Jewish people were baptised in the name of the trinity. or maybe it was the other way around.

What it boils down to is the early church fathers were taught by the Apostles and were Trinitarians as they were taught.

If you study history, you will see I am right.

https://www.google.com/search?biw=1...Ewjpt5yH3ODmAhUWCM0KHbj_AFQ4HhDh1QMICw&uact=5

Nice try, but that was not the case.

1 Corinthians 1:10-19 King James Version (KJV)
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;

15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.

16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.

17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

1 Corinthians 1:10-19 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
Stop Arguing With Each Other
10 Brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, I beg all of you to agree with each other. You should not be divided into different groups. Be completely joined together again with the same kind of thinking and the same purpose.

11 My brothers and sisters, some members of Chloe’s family told me that there are arguments among you. 12 This is what I mean: One of you says, “I follow Paul,” and someone else says, “I follow Apollos.” Another says, “I follow Peter,”[a] and someone else says, “I follow Christ.” 13 Christ cannot be divided into different groups. It wasn’t Paul who died on the cross for you, was it? Were you baptized in Paul’s name? 14 I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius. 15 I am thankful because now no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I also baptized the family of Stephanas, but I don’t remember that I myself baptized any others.) 17 Christ did not give me the work of baptizing people. He gave me the work of telling the Good News. But he sent me to tell the Good News without using clever speech, which would take away the power that is in the cross of Christ.

God was not obligated to make a way for man to come back into right standing with Him. God's grace is seen in His willingness to make a way. (Straight is the gate and narrow is the way and FEW there be that find it.) One's belief in something will be evidenced by a corresponding action. (James 2:14-26) Mankind's obligation is to BELIEVE and FOLLOW steps provided by God upon acceptance of Jesus as Messiah. Upon faith in Jesus as Messiah an individual takes a step of faith by repenting. Another step of faith is seen in their submitting to water baptism in Jesus' name. Another step of faith is seen in praying for/receiving the infilling of the Holy Ghost.

Consider what Paul meant when he stated that not all have obeyed the gospel. (Romans 10:16, 2 Thess. 1:8)

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." Romans 1;16:19

It would be easier to have a discussion if your posts addressed one concept at a time. Thanks.

The ultimate authority for God's concepts is found in His Word. Other publications just express an individual's beliefs. Again, Jesus stated that everyone is going to be judged exclusively by the actual Word of God.

Again, these are a person(s) view of what the scripture means.