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Is Baptism required? A response by John of AllFaith, Jan. 2007 |
Questioner: Pastor R
Subject: Is Baptism required?Question:
"Is water baptism essential for salvation? Was Jesus talking about water or the Holy Spirit when He said, They that believe and are baptised shall be saved. "
John of AllFaith's reply
As a pastor I assume you know the answer already although there is some debate. Baptism does nothing to save anyone. It is the first command of those who are saved. One who is saved is commanded to be baptized as an outward sign of an inner change.
However "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life."
If a person chooses to refuse baptism we might question the sincerity of the conversion, but it is the acceptance of Jesus that saves, not the baptism:
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
Baptism is a "work."
~John of AllFaith
Maranatha
Pastor John
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