Requirements of Salvation

For those that believe that water baptism is a work, this may help.

If water baptism is not required for salvation, then why did both Jesus and Peter command it?

The idea of fully submerging a piece of cloth into a dye is to change its color. It's a type of identification. Strong's #907: baptizo (pronounced bap-tid'-zo) from a derivative of 911; to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the New Testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism:--Baptist, baptize, wash.

Baptism is a symbol of salvation in that it pictures Christ's death, burial and resurrection and our identification with Him. Believers are actually saved by what baptism symbolizes--Christ's death, burial and resurrection. As Greek scholar AT Robertson said - "A symbol is not the reality, but the picture of the reality."

Baptism would have no meaning without Christ’s death, burial and resurrection, but Christ’s death, burial and resurrection would still have meaning, even if there were no baptism. In other words, Christ’s death, burial and resurrection is the substance and baptism is the sign/symbol/picture. Without the substance there would be no sign/symbol/picture.

Martin Luther said in effect, you cannot be saved until you realize you cannot save yourself. Only then will you look outside of yourself and trust in Christ alone to save you.

If water baptism is required for salvation why did Jesus shed His blood on Calvary?

For the cause of Christ
Roger

I've heard arguments like this before from those who attend the church of Christ. One such person made this comment - "It is works of obedience that help to save us and not works of the law or works of merit." Notice how he said works of obedience "help" to save us as if Christ needs our help, which would render Him an insufficient Savior. Christ's finished work of redemption is sufficient and complete to save believers. No supplements needed. (Romans 3:24-28)

The church of Christ member at first tried to deny that water baptism is a work, then later back peddled and said it is a work of obedience. By saying we are passive in water baptism and the work is done by someone else still does not negate that fact that the person being water baptized submits to being water baptized, so it's still a work on our part. By getting water baptized, Jesus fulfilled all righteousness, (Matthew 3:13-15) so baptism is clearly a work of righteousness. (Titus 3:5)

Salvation by faith + water baptism is salvation by faith + work no matter how you try to sugar coat it. Those who trust in water baptism to help save them, demonstrate that they do not trust in Christ alone for salvation. Faith that saves TRUSTS IN CHRIST ALONE FOR SALVATION and not in works. (Romans 4:5-6; Ephesians 2:8,9) Faith is not baptism and faith precedes baptism and we are saved through faith. It's just that simple.

John 3:18 - He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who (is not water baptized? - NO) does not believe is condemned already, because he has not (been water baptized? - NO) because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. If water baptism was absolutely necessary for salvation, then God would not make so many statements in which He promises eternal life to those who simply BELIEVE.. (Luke 8:12; John 1:12; 3:15,16,18,36; 5:24; 6:40,47; 11:25,26; 20:31; Acts 10:43; 13:39; 16:31; Romans 1:16; 3:24-28; 4:5; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 1:21; 1 John 5:13 etc..).

Why wouldn't they command it for new converts? Was that the only thing they commanded for believers? If water baptism is absolutely required for salvation, then why did Jesus not mention it in the following verses? (3:15,16,18; 5:24; 6:29,40,47; 11:25,26). What is the ONE requirement that Jesus mentions 9 different times in each of these complete statements? What happened to baptism?

In Acts 10:48, we see that Peter commanded these Gentiles to be water baptized AFTER they had already believed, received the gift of the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues (spiritual gift which is only for the body of Christ - 1 Corinthians 12). So they were clearly saved before they received water baptism.

I agree with you, but I get called ‘religious’ ‘fruitcake’ and ‘legalistic’ an awful lot
I’m inclined to agree with you, but I do get labelled the old ‘religious or legalistic’ ...also I prefer the NKJV now, as it capitalises The Lord throughout. (1 Thess. 5:23)

Thanks for giving us this information, I think your statement that the symbols are not the reality is very important.

The Lord uses symbols over and over for us to understand the spiritual. The sacrificial system was based on the symbol of Christ, but when it was incorrectly used to feed God as in feeding idols instead of a symbol of Christ God said he hated it. Yet it was so powerful that through this system saints like Moses walked the streets of Jerusalem when Christ died on the cross to make it a reality.

Being dipped/immersed in water without 1st being immersed/indwelt with Christ's Holy Spirit baptism, will only result in getting wet

Beginning in Acts 10:44 Spiritual baptism is 1st & water baptism follows. The repent & be water baptized narrative isn't applicable for today's Church/Body of Christ.

Repentance: Strong's Hebrews ( H7725:שׁוּב ) to turn back, return, a wholehearted turning to God.
(NOTE: The different way repent translates in Hebrew vs Greek. John wasn't speaking Greek, nor was he preaching to gentiles. Gentiles had no relationship, no covenant, no hope & were without God (Eph 2:12)

OT Jewish repentance rituals: rending of garments, wearing sackcloth, sitting in ashes, putting ashes on top of his head, fasting, weeping, wailing. Every Jew at John's baptism was familiar with repentance/turning back to God rituals. (See Joel 2:12-13).

Emblem = A symbolic representation of a particular quality, concept, action:

Water baptism is an emblem: An outwardly visible expression of our indwelling Spiritual Baptism. (1 Cor 3:16, 6:19, 2 Cor 6:16, 2 Tim 1:14, Gal 4:6, Rom 8:9,11,15).

Only Christ has the power & authority to baptize with God's indwelling Holy Spirit.

Matt 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
(NOTE: John the Baptist made clear that Christ would baptize with the Holy Spirit)

1 Cor 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
(NOTE: Translators capitalized Spirit to identify deity when referring the Holy Spirit. Only Christ can baptize with the indwelling Holy Spirit.)

Col 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision """made without hands""", in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
(NOTE: The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a SPIRITUAL circumcision/covenant done without hands & without water)

Deut 30:6 (A) the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart,

Rom 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and """circumcision is that of the heart""", """in the spirit""", and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
(NOTE: Circumcision of the heart, in the spirit)

New Covenant Spiritual Seal: Christ's baptism with the indwelling Holy Spirit

Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.
NOTE: Christ SEALS believers with Gods promise of the indwelling Holy Spirit)

Eph 1:14 Which is the "earnest" of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession
(NOTE: The Earnest = a down payment/pledge/promise. The Holy Spirit by which only Christ baptizes/seals & indwells us. Is a down payment/pledge/promise. That Christ will come & get His people)

Ehp 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby """ye are sealed unto the day of redemption""".
(NOTE: Believers are SEALED Gods Holy Spirit until the day their Adamic corruptible bodies are redeemed & transformed into, eternal, incorruptible Heavenly bodies)

2 Cor 1:22 Who hath also "sealed us" & "given the earnest" of the Holy Spirit in our hearts
(NOTE: God has placed His Holy Spirit in the believers heart. As a DEPOSIT/PLEDGE & SEAL, until the soon coming day of our final redemption)

Rom 8:11 If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
(NOTE: God's Spirit dwells in every believer)

Rom 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us.
(NOTE: God places/seals his love in our hearts via His indwelling Holy Spirit given unto us)

1 Cor 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, "and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you"?
(NOTE: The Promised Gift of God's Holy Spirit dwells in every believer)

Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is "Christ in you", the hope of glory:
(NOTE: Christ/God's Spirit is in you)

Eph 3:6 This mystery is that thru the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of 1 body, & sharers together in the promise "in Christ"
(NOTE: Gentiles share in the PROMISED Holy Spirit)

John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
(NOTE: The Comforter < (Capitalized showing deity) > Holy Spirit will abide with you FOREVER)

KJV Dictionary Definition: OR'DINANCE, n.
A rule established by authority; a permanent rule of action. An ordinance may be a law or statute of sovereign power. In this sense it is often used in the Scriptures. Ex. 15. Num. 10. Ezra 3. It may also signify a decree, edict or rescript, and the word has sometimes been applied to the statutes of Parliament, but these are usually called acts or laws. In the United States, it is never applied to the acts of Congress, or of a state legislature.

Observance commanded, established rite or ceremony. Heb. 9. In this sense, baptism and the Lord's supper are denominated ordinances.

There were many ordination/admittance requirements under Mosaic law. Daily sacrifices, adhere with absolute fidelity to every commandment the Lord gave to the Nation of Israel Deut 28, or be cursed Vs 15-65.

Only ONE admittance requirement under the NT is BELIEVE, Jesus is Lord, paid sin's required wage & rose on the 3rd day.

After salvation/Christ's eternally sealing baptism with God's indwelling Holy Spirit (Matt 3:11, Acts 1:5)

There are two Commandments: Love God 1st & love your brother believer.

An two Ordinance the Lord invoked: Partake in Water Baptism & the Lords Supper.


Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words: Verb, G4972, sphragizo - "TO SEAL" - is used to indicate

(d) ownership and security, together with destination, Revelation 7:3-Revelation 7:5 (as with the noun in Revelation 7:2; See A); the same three indications are conveyed in Ephesians 1:13, in the metaphor of the "sealing" of believers by the gift of the Holy Spirit, upon believing (i.e., at the time of their regeneration, not after a lapse of time in their spiritual life, "having also believed," not as the aorist participle marks the definiteness and completeness of the act of faith); the idea of destination is stressed by the phrase "the Holy Spirit of promise" (See also Ephesians 1:14); so Ephesians 4:30, "ye were sealed unto the day of redemption;" so in 2 Corinthians 1:22, where the Middle Voice intimates the special interest of the Sealer in His act

Because His blood, too, is required for salvation.

Do you find anywhere in the Bible where water baptism is designated as a work?

In Matthew 3:13-15, we read that by Jesus getting water baptized, he was fulfilling all righteousness, which makes water baptism a work of righteousness. If water baptism is not a work then what is it? Just a nothing? Are you implying that no work at all gets accomplished when someone is water baptized?

Were their sins washed away before being baptized in water?

Then a certain Ananias—a devout man according to the Torah, well spoken of by all the Jewish people living there—came to me. Standing before me, he said to me, ‘Brother Saul, look up!’ In that very moment, I looked and saw him! “And he said, ‘The God of our fathers handpicked you to know His will—to see the Righteous One and to hear an utterance from His mouth. For you will be a witness for Him to all people of what you have seen and heard. Now why are you waiting? Get up and be immersed, and wash away your sins, calling on His Name.’ (Acts 22:12-16 TLV)

So you cannot find it being designated as a work?

Excellent article on Acts 22:16 - https://kentbrandenburg.blogspot.com/2015/03/acts-2216-baptism-essential-for.html?m=1

No Scripture is to be interpretated in isololation from the totality of Scripture. Practically speaking, a singular and obscure verse is to be subservient to to multiple and clear verses, and not vice versa.

I already explained to you that it’s a work of righteousness. Now why don’t you answer my questions instead of playing bad lawyer.

aww, How did this thread get back to the first page?

A work is something you DO to earn a wage, or earn a reward. It is done out of your own power. And it is a win or lose situation (you either earn your wage or reward, or you do not

Water baptism, If done in order to earn salvation (your wage or reward) is a work.

As titus was told by Paul

Not by works of righteousness (such as baptism) which we have done, But by his mercy HE SAVED US, by the WASHING (baptism) and RENEWAL (new birth) of the HS

it is God who saves us by washing us.. Not some pastor in some body of water

The study of water as a symbol of spiritual truths all through scripture is a fascinating and a very involved study. Each time it is used there are ties to baptism. It is a cleansing of sin and results in a new man.

1. Firstly Paul stated the conditions for salvation very clearly (Acts 20:20,21):
And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. Secondly, Jesus, Peter, and all the apostles commanded Christian baptism for those who had already repented and been converted, not for salvation but for sanctification. The proper order is shown in Acts 8 and 10.

ACTS 8:36,37 (NOTE: VERSE 37 HAS BEEN EXPUNGED FROM MODERN BIBLES)
And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

ACTS 10:46-48
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.