Is Baptism Required for Salvation? Part Three of Five

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Introduction In Part One of this series we saw that there are literally dozens of passages in the New Testament which tell us that we can receive salvation, eternal life, forgiveness of sins, justification, and righteousness through faith in Jesus. Baptism is not mentioned in any of those passages. The amount of Scriptural testimony which shows that we are saved through faith far outweighs the few passages which appear to link baptism with salvation. We also saw examples of numerous people who received salvation before they were baptized in water, which demonstrates that baptism is not necessary for salvation.

In Part Two we looked at Mark 16:16 and Acts 2:38, two of the main passages which some people use as evidence that baptism is a requirement for salvation. We saw that these passages do not prove that baptism is necessary for salvation because when we make such a claim then we have fallen victim to the error known as the Negative Inference Fallacy.

In this article we will look at Acts 22:16, another one of the main passages which some people use as evidence that baptism is a requirement for salvation.

Acts 22:16 One important aspect of Bible study is to consider the context when we are interpreting a passage of Scripture, and we will see that carefully considering the context will help shed some light on Acts 22:16. In that verse, a disciple named Ananias told the apostle Paul to:

"Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name" (Acts 22:16) The argument that some people make is that Saul of Tarsus (before he became the apostle Paul) was still "in his sins" at this point because he still had sins that needed to be "washed away," and that his baptism was the point at which his sins were washed away and the point at which he received salvation. However, this view contradicts the dozens of New Testament passages that we saw in Part One, all of which tell us that we can receive salvation, eternal life, forgiveness of sins, justification, and righteousness by faith, not by faith plus something else (such as baptism).

In order to gain a better understanding of Acts 22:16 (above), let's look at the context of that event and see how well it agrees with the view that salvation is by faith alone. This event encompasses Saul's conversion to Christianity, which is described in three places in the book of Acts (Acts 9:1-19, 22:1-16, 26:4-20). In these three passages we are first told that Saul (before he became the apostle Paul) was a zealous Pharisee who was obsessed with destroying Christianity and persecuting Christians to their deaths:

Acts 9:1: "Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest" Acts 9:2: "and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem." Acts 22:3: ""I [Saul] am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. Under Gamaliel I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today." Acts 22:4: "I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison," Acts 22:5: "as also the high priest and all the Council can testify. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished."

Acts 26:4: ""The Jews all know the way I [Saul] have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem." Acts 26:5: "They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that according to the strictest sect of our religion, I lived as a Pharisee." Acts 26:6: "And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our fathers that I am on trial today." Acts 26:7: "This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. O king, it is because of this hope that the Jews are accusing me." Acts 26:8: "Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?" Acts 26:9: ""I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth." Acts 26:10: "And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them." Acts 26:11: "Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. In my obsession against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them."

So Saul was a zealous Pharisee doing all that was possible to oppose the Name of Jesus of Nazareth. Next we are told that on his way to Damascus, Saul had a supernatural encounter with Christ:

Acts 9:3: "As he [Saul] neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him." Acts 9:4: "He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"" Acts 9:5: ""Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied." Acts 9:6: ""Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."" Acts 9:7: "The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone." Acts 9:8: "Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus." Acts 9:9: "For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything." Acts 22:6: ""About noon as I [Saul] came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me." Acts 22:7: "I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, 'Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?'" Acts 22:8: ""'Who are you, Lord?' I asked. "'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,' he replied." Acts 22:9: "My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me." Acts 22:10: ""'What shall I do, Lord?' I asked. "'Get up,' the Lord said, 'and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.'" Acts 22:11: "My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me."

Acts 26:12: ""On one of these journeys I [Saul] was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests." Acts 26:13: "About noon, O king, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions." Acts 26:14: "We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.'" Acts 26:15: ""Then I asked, 'Who are you, Lord?' "'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' the Lord replied." Acts 26:16: "'Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you." Acts 26:17: "I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them" Acts 26:18: "to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'" Acts 26:19: ""So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven." Acts 26:20: "First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds."

Notice what happened to Saul on the road to Damascus. First, a great light from the sky, brighter than the sun, shone around Saul and his companions (Acts 9:3, 22:6, 26:12-13, above), and they fell to the ground (Acts 9:4, 22:7, 26:14, above). Then a voice (which they all heard but which only Saul was able to understand) said, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" (Acts 9:4, 22:7, 26:14, above). Saul responded by asking, "Who are you, Lord?" (Acts 9:5, 22:8, 26:15, above). According to Bible scholars and Greek dictionaries, the Greek word for "Lord" here (kurios) can mean "Lord" in the divine sense (as in, "Jesus is Lord"), or it can mean "sir" in the human sense (as in, "Yes, sir."). Now, imagine the scene. Saul was persecuting the followers of a dead man named Jesus, when suddenly the very same Jesus revealed Himself to Saul. Because of this supernatural event, Saul realized that Jesus had been resurrected, and Saul immediately made a dramatic turnaround in his life. Notice that Saul did not react by saying something like, "Okay, Menachem, very funny! You got me with your practical joke, now come out from wherever you're hiding and let's go persecute those people." Instead, Saul responded in faith to this revelation of Jesus by asking, "What shall I do, Lord?" (Acts 22:10, above). Is it reasonable to claim that Saul was using the word "Lord" (kurios) in the merely human sense at this point? Saul had suddenly come face to face with the realization that his former religious views were fundamentally wrong, and he humbly submitted in faith to the Lordship of Christ. He was willingly renouncing the authority of the very Sanhedrin (the Jewish religious leaders) whose orders he was in the process of carrying out. Saul went through a radical change of mind and a radical change of direction at the moment when Jesus revealed Himself on the road to Damascus, and Saul immediately became a person who had been completely converted to Jesus Christ. This is the very essence of salvation.

Those who believe that baptism is necessary for salvation will sometimes argue that when Saul asked, "What shall I do, Lord?" (Acts 22:10, above), he was actually asking, "What shall I do for salvation, Lord?" They also argue that when Jesus said, "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do" (Acts 9:6, above), Jesus was actually saying, "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do in order to become saved." The conclusion of this line of argument is that Saul was told to be baptized for the purpose of washing away his sins and receiving salvation (based on Acts 22:16, which we'll look at in a moment). However, there are some problems in this line of reasoning. The first problem is that Saul did not ask, "What shall I do for salvation, Lord?," and Jesus did not say, "you will be told what you must do in order to become saved" (look closely at Acts 22:10 and 9:6, above). These are interpretations which people are reading into Scripture because of their belief that baptism is necessary for salvation. Another problem in that line of reasoning is that Scripture clearly tells us what Jesus meant when He said, "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do" (Acts 9:6, above). Notice that the parallel passage in Acts 26:16-18 (above) specifically disproves the line of reasoning that some people have made. Here is that passage again:

Acts 26:16: "'Now get up and stand on your feet. I [Jesus] have appeared to you [Saul] to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you." Acts 26:17: "I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending [apostello] you to them" Acts 26:18: "to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'" In this passage, Jesus told Saul what he must do, but notice that it had nothing to do with Saul's salvation. Jesus told Saul what he must do in his ministry as an apostle. Saul was already a Christian at this point, which is why Jesus told him, "I am sending you to them...so that they may receive forgiveness of sins." Jesus was not sending a non-Christian out into ministry, Jesus was sending a Christian out into ministry. Not only did Saul receive salvation on the road to Damascus, but the above passage tells us that he was commissioned as an apostle at that time. For example, notice that Jesus said that He had appeared to Saul in order to appoint him as a servant and as a witness of Christ (Acts 26:16, above). A number of New Testament passages indicate that one condition for apostleship is having seen Jesus (see for example Acts 1:22 and 1 Corinthians 9:1), and it is easy to demonstrate that Saul (i.e. the apostle Paul) actually saw Jesus on the road to Damascus:

Acts 26:16: [on the road to Damascus] "'Now get up and stand on your feet. I [Jesus] have appeared to you [Saul] to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you." Acts 9:17: [in Damascus] "Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord-- Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here --has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.""

Acts 9:26: "When he [Saul] came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple." Acts 9:27: "But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus."

1 Corinthians 15:8: "and last of all he [Jesus] appeared to me [Saul] also, as to one abnormally born."

So Saul witnessed the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, and we saw that he immediately submitted in faith to the Lord. Then the Lord appointed Saul as a witness, and said that He was sending Saul out to carry the Gospel to the world (Acts 26:17, above). This is where the apostle Paul received his commission as an apostle. The word "sending" in Acts 26:17 (above) comes from the Greek word apostello, which is Strong's number G649 and which means, "set apart, that is, (by implication) to send out (properly on a mission) literally or figuratively: - put in, send (away, forth, out), set [at liberty]," according to Strong's Greek Dictionary. Notice two similar Greek words which are derived from apostello:

apostole - "From G649; commission, that is, (specifically) apostolate: - apostleship." (Strong's Greek Dictionary)

apostolos - "From G649; a delegate; specifically an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ ("apostle"), (with miraculous powers): - apostle, messenger, he that is sent." (Strong's Greek Dictionary) These words describe a person who has been commissioned by Christ as an apostle, which is what happened to Saul (the apostle Paul) on the road to Damascus in Acts 26:16-18 (above). Now, as Jesus was commissioning Saul as an apostle, notice what Jesus said and notice how Saul responded:

Acts 26:16: "'Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you." Acts 26:17: "I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending [apostello] you to them" Acts 26:18: "to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'" Acts 26:19: ""So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven." Acts 26:20: "First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds." Acts 26:21: "That is why the Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me." Acts 26:22: "But I have had God's help to this very day, and so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen" In verses 17 and 18 (above), Jesus said that He was sending Saul out to carry the Gospel to the world, "so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me." Jesus spoke of sanctification and forgiveness of sins in the context of faith, and He did not mention baptism at all. As we saw in Part Two, faith is a requirement for salvation but baptism is not. Now notice Saul's response to his commission. First, he said that he was not disobedient to the vision from heaven (Acts 26:19, above), which tells us that he recognized that this was a supernatural, heavenly event, and which further demonstrates that Saul had responded in faith and obedience to the Lordship of Christ on the road to Damascus. This fully agrees with the doctrine of salvation by faith alone. Next, Saul described how he began carrying out his apostolic commission, preaching that people "should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds" (Acts 26:20, above). Again, this perfectly describes salvation by faith alone, and the apostle Paul never taught that people need to be baptized for salvation. In fact, Paul later wrote the book of Romans, in which he specifically described the essentials of salvation in this way:

Romans 10:9: "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:10: "For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." The apostle Paul specifically said that we must confess that Jesus is Lord, and we must believe that Jesus has risen from the dead. This is how Saul/Paul described the essentials of salvation, and baptism is conspicuously absent. Notice that when Jesus appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus and Saul responded in faith by saying, "What shall I do, Lord?," Saul at that moment had fulfilled both of the essentials of salvation that he himself later described in Romans 10:9-10 (above). This is further evidence that Saul/Paul was saved on the road to Damascus just before receiving his commission as an apostle. These things happened before Saul was baptized in water, which demonstrates that baptism is not a requirement for salvation.

We have now looked at most of the context surrounding the passages in which the apostle Paul was baptized, so now let's look at the remaining verses:

Acts 9:10: "In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord," he answered." Acts 9:11: "The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying." Acts 9:12: "In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."" Acts 9:13: ""Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem." Acts 9:14: "And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."" Acts 9:15: "But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel." Acts 9:16: "I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."" Acts 9:17: "Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord--Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here--has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."" Acts 9:18: "Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized," Acts 9:19: "and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus." Acts 9:20: "At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God." Acts 9:21: "All those who heard him were astonished and asked, "Isn't he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn't he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?"" (Acts 9:10-21) Acts 22:12: ""A man named Ananias came to see me [Saul]. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there." Acts 22:13: "He stood beside me and said, Brother Saul, receive your sight!' And at that very moment I was able to see him." Acts 22:14: ""Then he said: 'The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth." Acts 22:15: "You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard."

Here we see a man named Ananias who laid hands on Saul and told him to be baptized. In Acts 9:12 (above), the Lord said to Ananias, "In a vision he [Saul] has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight." Notice that the Lord did not say anything here about preaching the Gospel to Saul or leading Saul to salvation. While this isn't a proof, it is fully in agreement with the view that Saul was already saved before Ananias went to him. Then in Acts 9:17 (above), Ananias told Saul why he had come. Here is that verse again:

Acts 9:17: "Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord--Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here-- has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."" Notice that when Ananias entered the room, he placed his hands on Saul just as Jesus had told him to do. Then Ananias said that the Lord had sent him to Saul for two reasons:

So that Saul would be able to see again So that Saul would be filled with the Holy Spirit Again, there is no mention of Ananias being sent to preach the Gospel to Saul, nor is there any mention of Ananias leading Saul to salvation. In fact, when Ananias entered the room and placed his hands on Saul, Ananias began by saying, "Brother Saul, the Lord--Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here--has sent me" (Acts 9:17, above). Ananias immediately pointed out that he had been sent by the same Lord Jesus whom Saul had recently witnessed on the road to Damascus. Ananias was acknowledging that Saul already knew that Jesus is the risen Lord. Ananias did not try to explain anything about who Jesus is and why He is the Lord and the fact that He is alive even though He had been crucified, and so on. Instead, Ananias treated Saul as a brother in the Lord rather than treating him as an unsaved man who needed to receive salvation. To demonstrate this further, notice in Acts 9:13-14 that when Jesus told Ananias to go to Saul, Ananias' initial reaction was to remind the Lord that Saul was an enemy of the Kingdom:

Acts 9:13: ""Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem." Acts 9:14: "And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."" Acts 9:15: "But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel." So Ananias initially considered Saul to be a dangerous enemy. However, after Jesus answered Ananias' concerns about Saul (Acts 9:15, above), notice how Ananias addressed Saul when Ananias met him:

Acts 9:17: "Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord--Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here--has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit" When Ananias entered the room and began speaking to Saul, Ananias addressed Saul as his brother. Saul was no longer an enemy to be feared, Saul was now a brother in the Lord. Again, all of the evidence that we have seen fully supports the doctrine of salvation by faith alone, and it demonstrates that Saul had received salvation (and his commission as an apostle) before he was baptized. None of the evidence that we have seen supports in any way the view that baptism is necessary for salvation.

This brings us to Acts 22:16:

Acts 22:12: ""A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there." Acts 22:13: "He stood beside me and said, Brother Saul, receive your sight!' And at that very moment I was able to see him." Acts 22:14: ""Then he said: 'The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth." Acts 22:15: "You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard." Acts 22:16: "And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.'" Some people believe that Acts 22:16 (above) is strong proof that baptism is necessary for salvation (in other words, we are still "in our sins" until we get baptized and "wash our sins away"). But remember that we should be careful not to divorce a verse of Scripture from its context. We have just seen that the entire context of Acts 22:16 describes Saul receiving salvation and his commission as an apostle before he was baptized in water. We have also seen that Ananias considered Saul to be a Christian brother, not an unsaved enemy of the Kingdom. Since Ananias knew that Saul was already saved, there would be nothing wrong with Ananias saying, "Brother Saul, now that your sins have been forgiven, let's go wash those sins away." This figurative sense of "wash away your sins" is even more likely when we take into account the next thing that Ananias said, which was "calling on his name." There are two other places in the context of Saul's conversion where similar expressions are used, and in one of those places it is Ananias himself who used that type of expression. So what did this phrase mean to Ananias and other people in the first century? Here is the first place where this type of expression is used in the context of Saul's conversion:

Acts 9:21: "All those who heard him [Saul] were astonished and asked, "Isn't he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn't he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?"" Notice that it was Christians who were referred to as "those who call on this name." Ananias understood that this was a term which referred to Christians because he used this term himself when referring to Jesus' disciples:

Acts 9:13: ""Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man [Saul] and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem." Acts 9:14: "And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."" So "those who call on His Name" was a form of expression which specifically referred to Christians, and Ananias used this term in this way himself. Ananias knew that "calling on His Name" was something which was done by people who had already received salvation. Therefore, if Saul was a Christian even before he was baptized (remember that Ananias called him "Brother Saul"), then it would be natural for Ananias to encourage Saul to "call on His Name" (as in Acts 22:16, above). Because of the way in which the reference to "those who call on His Name" is used in the context of Saul's conversion (as an action which was done by people who were already saved), and because the context of Saul's conversion totally supports the doctrine of salvation by faith alone, there is no reason for concluding that Ananias would have considered "calling on His Name" to be an element of receiving salvation in Acts 22:16.

For further proof that Paul's baptism was not for the purpose of his salvation, let's look at what Paul wrote to the church in Galatia:

"I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ." (Galatians 1:11-12) This proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that Ananias was not sent to bring the Gospel to Paul for his salvation, because Paul said that he had not received the Gospel from any man. He received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. Again, Paul's baptism was not for the purpose of salvation because Paul was already saved before Ananias came to him.

For further proof, let's take a look at what Paul told various people concerning how to receive salvation:

"The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved --you and your household."" (Acts 16:29-31) "You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus." (Acts 20:20-21)

In Acts 16:29-31 (above), a jailer asked what he must do in order to be saved. Paul said that he must believe in the Lord Jesus, and that by believing he would be saved. This jailer specifically asked how to be saved, and Paul said nothing about baptism. In Acts 20:20-21 (above), Paul said that he had not hesitated to preach anything that might be helpful. What did he specifically preach? He preached that Jews and Greeks must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. Once again we can see that Paul did not preach that baptism is a requirement for salvation, which means that Paul did not believe that he himself had received salvation through faith plus baptism.

For all of these reasons, Acts 22:16 is not a proof that water baptism is a requirement for receiving salvation.

I hope this has been helpful, and may the Lord abundantly bless you as you study His Word!



-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), October 26, 2003

Answers

by Dave Root

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), October 26, 2003.

IS DENOMINATIONAL BAPTISM VALID? BRIAN YEAGER

This question is one that may need defining. The question behind this article is formed from the thought of one being baptized into a denomination by immersion. To further define the question this one was baptized with the impression that it was for the remission of sins. Is this baptism valid according to God? Many look at this and try to apply logic and arguments based on opinion. The object of this article is to examine the subject with the Bible as the authority for the answer. This article is an article to not be taken lightly but to be examined for the truth that lies within it (2 Timothy 2:15).

To examine this properly I will cover several reasons why one must be baptized into the Lord?s Church before they are saved. The first is the fact that repentance precedes baptism (Acts 2:38) "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and 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." To repent from sins prior to baptism would eliminate anyone who did not repent from being saved.

Denominationalism is sinful. (2 John 9-11) "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." In light of this passage how can one say that a person baptized into denominations was baptized into Christ? The passage states clearly that if it is not the doctrine of Christ it does not have God or Christ involved and it is evil!

The second factor is the fact that when one is baptized they are baptized into Christ. (Galatians 3:27) "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." How can one baptized into any denomination be baptized into Christ? This passage along with (Romans 6:3-6) ends that thought.

The statement that if they are baptized no matter where, with the right baptism it is good.

If they are not baptized into Christ they have not been baptized.

Prior to baptism you need to be taught about the Kingdom (Church). (Acts 8:12) "But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." To preach the Church one would have to preach the "oneness" of the Church (Eph. 4:4 and 1:22-23). Christ said he would build his Church (Matthew 16:18). His blood purchased that Church (Acts 20:28).

We have an example of some in the New Testament being baptized but not properly and that having to be corrected. (Acts 19:3-5) "And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus." (See Acts 18:24-28) These were baptized for the remission of sins yet they had not been baptized into Christ. (Mark 1:4) "John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins."

The simple fact is that you must be baptized into Christ! To be baptized into Christ is to be baptized into his Church. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13) "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 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."

How can one be married to Christ without knowing him? We are in that relationship with him. (Romans 7:4) "Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God."

How can we be married to one we do not know? The answer is that you cannot.

To say that one in a denomination does not know, therefore he cannot repent is weak at best. To hear the word is to be as those that heard Philip in (Acts 8:12). They heard about Christ and the Kingdom. Entering in another door would be sin and sin cannot save you (John 10:1-2).

I hope that if any read this it will change their heart, if it is not right already.

You must be baptized into Christ (Church) to be saved! Give me one biblical example stating otherwise!

Only the truth sets us free (John 8:32).

One in a denomination has never gotten to the belief stage as they have never truly heard the truth as Christ word is truth (John 17:17).

Just remember that faith cometh by hearing what? (The word) How can one hear the truth yet obey error? Baptism is more than (Acts 2:38), and there are four steps prior to that baptism that are impossible for one that does not realize the truth to accomplish.

Remember in hearing we must believe the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16).

This cannot be accomplished without ever hearing the truth, which is the word (Gospel).

How does a person partake in that which is earthly, sensual, and devilish that is not from above (James 3:11-15), yet still have the approval of God?

How does a fig tree bear olive berries (Denominationalism produce a Christian)?

This just cannot happen.

-- Kevin Walker (kevinlwalker572@cs.com), October 26, 2003.


THE ROCK ~ THE 2000 YEAR OLD MOST HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH SAYS :

Christ unites us to Himself and to the members of His Mystical Body. There is ~ One Body and One Spirit, as you were also called to the One Hope of your call; One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism; one God and Father of all, who is Over All and through All and in All. Ephesians 4:4-6

After Baptism we can no longer pray or suffer alone. When we pray, we pray to a common Father in Heaven, and our prayers are heard because of our union with Christ. Our sufferings have value for the entire Church. ~ Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of His Body, which is the Church. Col 1:24 ~ Father Weber



-- james (elgreco1541@hotmail.com), October 27, 2003.


MAN vs. THE BIBLE ON BAPTISM

Man says baptism is the outward sign of an inward grace.

The Bible says, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved" (Mark 16:16).

Man says sins are remitted (forgiven) after repentance but before baptism.

The Bible says, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38).

Man says water has nothing to do with the new birth.

The Bible says, "Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he CANNOT enter the kingdom of God" (John 3:5). "Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Rom. 6:4).

Who are you going to believe Man or God???

-- Kevin Walker (kevinlwalker572@cs.com), October 28, 2003.


"Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he CANNOT enter the kingdom of God" (John 3:5).

How does this refer to water baptism if Jesus had not yet instituted this ordinance?

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), October 28, 2003.



I wrote, "Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he CANNOT enter the kingdom of God" (John 3:5)."

To which David replied, "How does this refer to water baptism if Jesus had not yet instituted this ordinance?"

Really now David??? You need to go back and re-read your Bible.

The Bible says in Mark 1:4, that "John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins."

It is obvious that John the Baptist was the first one to baptize.

You must have overlooked this verse also for the Bible states in John 4:1-2, "Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples),"

So to claim that Jesus did not institute this ordinance in John 3:5 is NOT the truth according to the Word of God.

-- Kevin Walker (kevinlwalker572@cs.com), October 29, 2003.


THE ROCK ~ THE 2000 YEAR OLD MOST HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH SAYS :

Baptism joins us to the Holy Spirit in a close relationship. "Do you not know that you are the Temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's Temple, God will destroy that person; for the Temple of God, which you are is Holy." 1 Cor 3:16-17 ~ Father Killgallon



-- james (elgreco1541@hotmail.com), October 29, 2003.


"To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." Acts 10:43 / KJV

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), October 29, 2003.


"But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?" (James 2:20).

-- Kevin Walker (kevinlwalker572@cs.com), October 30, 2003.

"Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." Romans 4:4,5 / KJV

"Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith." Romans 4:9-13 / KJV

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), October 30, 2003.



If baptism is essential for salvation the first time people are saved, why is it not essential the second time after "falling away". After all Kevin, you believe in being able to lose your salvation, so according to you we must be baptized everytime to get "re-saved". Do you get re-baptized? Does it become a habit like Confession in the Roman Church?

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), October 30, 2003.


David,

When was Abraham's faith "reckoned to him for righteousness"???

Please answer this question first and then I will deal with your question on re-baptism.

-- Kevin Walker (kevinlwalker572@cs.com), October 31, 2003.


Abraham was reckoned by faith.

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), October 31, 2003.


David,

I asked you the following question: "When was Abraham's faith "reckoned to him for righteousness"???"

To which you responded: "Abraham was reckoned by faith."

You didn't answer the question. I know "Abraham was reckoned by faith", I asked you WHEN his faith was "reckoned to him for righteousness"?

When was Abraham's faith reckoned to him for righteousness? God says in James 2:21, "Was not Abraham our father JUSTIFIED BY WORKS when HE OFFERED ISAAC HIS SON ON THE ALTAR?"

James, speaking through the Holy Spirit continues in verse 22, "DO YOU SEE that FAITH WAS WORKING TOGETHER WITH HIS WORKS, and BY WORKS FAITH WAS MADE PERFECT?"

Finally, this is where Scripture was FULFILLED in verse 23, "And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, and IT WAS ACCOUNTED TO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS. And he was called the friend of God."

That David, is how Abraham was said to have had his faith accounted to him for righteousness, and NOT by "FAITH ONLY."

Faith is DEMONSTRATED BY WORKS. The verb form of the word "faith" is believe. This is shown in Hebrews 11:6, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."

Do you understand???

-- Kevin Walker (kevinlwalker572@cs.com), November 01, 2003.


David,

Now to your next question.

You said: If baptism is essential for salvation the first time people are saved, why is it not essential the second time after "falling away". After all Kevin, you believe in being able to lose your salvation, so according to you we must be baptized everytime to get "re-saved"."

If a person sins after they are saved and does not repent of that sin, they WILL be lost. Your Once Saved Always Saved doctrine is just as false as your salvation by faith only.

Things Children of God Can Do: 1. Fall from grace - Gal. 5:1-4,13 2. Be led away with error - 2 Pet. 3:17 3. Err from the truth - James 5:19-20 4. Weak brother may perish - 1 Cor. 8:11 5. Fall into condemnation - James 5:12 6. Be moved away from the hope - Col. 1:21-23 7. Deny the Lord who bought them - 2 Pet. 2:1 8. Depart from the living God - Heb. 3:12 9. Can be a castaway - 1 Cor. 9:27 10. Can become accursed children - 2 Pet. 2:14

The Bible clearly prophesied some would fall away: Acts 20:28; 1 Tim. 4:1

Christians are to restore the fallen: Gal. 6:1; Jas. 5:19-20.

Simon the Sorcerer believed and was baptized (v 13). So, he obeyed the gospel by being baptized INTO Christ. This incident CLEARLY shows that Christians may FALL FROM GRACE. When they depart from God's way, they must REPENT as Simon did.

That David is what someone MUST DO when they sin after they have been baptized.

What does 1 John 1:9 say??? "IF we CONFESS OUR SINS, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

There is NO NEED to be "re-baptized". One must CONFESS and REPENT of their sins if they are to be saved after they have OBEYED THE GOSPEL.

David, unless one OBEYS the gospel, they are NOT saved.

A "faith only" salvation is NOT a part of the gospel and is NOWHERE taught as such in the NT.

Salvation by "faith only" is another FIGMENT of man's imagination.

If the doctrine of "FAITH ONLY" were not at stake and people were not already biased against a SIMPLE reading of the Bible, the role of baptism would have been accepted without question. For example, if Mark 16:16 said, "He who believes and is baptized shall receive one million dollars, he who disbelieves shall go to jail," People would be falling all over themselves to be baptized.

Here is a great point to remember: NEVER in any age or dispensation in human history has God saved man by "faith alone".

God has ALWAYS required faith AND obedience.

No other formula for salvation has ever worked.

None ever will.

Jesus said: "'He who believes AND is baptized will be saved" Mark 16: 16.

It is faith PLUS obedience. This is the embodiment of the principle under which God has ALWAYS worked in saving man.

It is utter FOLLY to expect him to make an exception to the rule now and save anyone by faith only and without obedience.

-- Kevin Walker (kevinlwalker572@cs.com), November 01, 2003.



Obedience is the fruit of faith

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), November 02, 2003.


David wrote, "Obedience is the fruit of faith"

Please show where this is stated in the Bible David?

The Apostle James said that "faith WITHOUT works is DEAD". Who do you think you are that you can contradict what God through the Holy Spirit inspired James to write?

-- Kevin Walker (kevinlwalker572@cs.com), November 02, 2003.


Jesus said, "Whoever loves me will obey my commands." Therefore, those who do not follow Jesus do not have love for him. This is what seperates us from those demons james spoke of. They to believe in the Christ, but they do not love him. Paul spoke of the importance of acting out of love in 1 Corinthians 13 "if i speak in tongues of men but have not love, i am but a resounding cymbal.." So we must love Jesus, and we show our love by obeying.

David, you mentioned in many verses that Jesus doesn't include "be baptized" in many verses when he spoke of salvation. He also doesn't mention in those passages that one must repent or confess. So are these unnecessary also? You are right that the Bible can be viewed as a jigsaw puzzle, many pieces. "not everyone who cries 'lord lord' will be saved.." Tell me why Jesus said this? Only those who DO HIS COMMANDS WILL BE SAVED. How many times did Jesus do what was optional?

Anyone who loves Jesus will be baptized. Anyone who trully believes in him WILL be baptized. How can one claim to love Jesus and disregard biblical commands?

James, the "most holy catholic church" is not the bible, nor do they follow biblical truth.

-- Luke Juarez (hubertdorm@yahoo.com), November 24, 2003.


Lake,

Obviously you are ignorant of the fact that THE 1620 YEAR OLD MOST HOLY BIBLE was Written, Sifted, Identified (382 A.D.), Assembled, Published, Correctly Interpreted, and Correctly Applied by the Eternal Most Holy Catholic Church with the Guidance of the Most Holy Spirit. The Pillar and Foundation of Truth is The Church ~ The Most Holy Catholic Church ~ NOT the Bible Written by The Most Holy Catholic Church. (1 Timothy 3:15)

New fanatical experimental protestantism is anti-bible because it goes against many biblical truths like 1 Timothy 3:15 and most notoriously John 6.



-- james (elgreco1541@hotmail.com), November 24, 2003.


James, this isn't the appropriate thread to debate that, I shouldn't of brought it up in here. I'm posting my reply in the ‘Is the Catholic Church infallible?' thread.

-- Luke Juarez (hubertdorm@yahoo.com), November 25, 2003.

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