WATER BAPTISM IS AN ACT OF FAITH! Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. MARK 16:16 This scripture has led many to believe that water baptism is a part of salvation (Jn. 3:3-7; & Rom. 10:9-10) and that the Born Again (Jn. 3:3-7; & Rom. 10:9-10) experience cannot be a reality without it. The word baptism or baptized is translated in the Greek baptizo, meaning submerge; to immerse - literally, dip under (Strongs Concordance). Therefore, sprinkled on the head with water is not water baptism. However, This same kind of thinking would make seeing Jesus a prerequisite for salvation (Jn. 3:3-7; & Rom. 10:9-10), based on (Jn. 6:40). It is faith in the redemptive work of Christ that produces salvation [i.e. Born Again, saved - Jn. 3:3-7; & Rom. 10:9-10] - not our actions. However, James writes that faith without works is dead (Jam. 2:20). Faith alone saves, but saving faith is never alone; it must be acted upon. Likewise, faith is an action word, and salvation (Jn. 3:3-7; & Rom. 10:9-10) must be acted upon by faith. This is what Mark is referring to when he speaks of baptism. Water baptism is a command of Jesus and is the initial action taken upon believing [Born Again, saved - Jn. 3:3-7; & Rom. 10:9-10]. Marks statement could be rendered, He who believes with saving faith [i.e. faith that produces actions] will be saved. In this sense, water baptism is very important. It is an opportunity to act on your new profession of faith [Born Again, saved - Jn. 3:3-7; & Rom. 10:9-10]. Anyone who refuses to follow Jesus command to receive water baptism, may be suspected of not really believing and not really being saved (Jn. 3:3-7; & Rom. 10:9-10). Water baptism is a command, but keeping this command does not produce justification unto salvation (Jn. 3:3-7; & Rom. 10:9-10). Water baptism is [only] a confirmation of a persons love for God through Jesus, but it is [not] salvation (Jn. 10:9-10; & Rom. 10:9-10). A person must confess out of the mouth the Lord Jesus in order to be Born Again, saved (Jn. 3:3-7; & Rom. 10:9-10). Jesus [only] administered the forgiveness of sins without any mention of water baptism. Philip told the Ethiopian eunuch, who asked Philip to baptize him, that if he believed with all of his heart, he could be baptized (Acts 8:37). Philip used water baptism [only after] an individual believed and was Born Again, saved (Jn. 3:3-7: & Rom. 10:9-10). This is also how Mark used water baptism [only after] a person was Born Again, saved (Jn. 3:3-7; & Rom. 10:9-10). In the name of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Amen!
Posted on: Mon, 29 Dec 2014 15:06:03 +0000
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