What do I believe the Bible says about how one becomes a Christian? - Part 5 * Once again, in light of all that we have looked at so far and specifically the following passage and its context... “Therefore let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah! ” When they heard this, they came under deep conviction and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles: “Brothers, what must we do? ” “Repent,” Peter said to them, “and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:36-39 HCSB) * ...once again, I wanted to share teachings and beliefs I have heard in the course of my 21 years of being a Christian that differ from what I believe the Bible teaches about salvation, specifically as it pertains to baptism being an essential part of salvation. * I have heard many churches teach that baptism is an outward sign on of an inward grace. Here is some text from a web site of a church who teaches this (it took me about 10 seconds to google outward sign of an inward grace to find this site as this is a very common teaching): Baptism is an outward expression of an inward change. It doesn’t change our eternal destiny or our standing with God. Rather, it is a public expression of what has already transpired in our lives. It is a declaration of our faith in Christ and our decision to become one of His followers. A good illustration of the significance of baptism is that of a wedding ring. The ring is a symbol of the love and promises shared by husband and wife. It is worn proudly as an expression of belonging to another and as an expression of love for another. Like the wedding ring, baptism is a symbol. And, like the ring, it is a significant one – for it is the one our Lord himself gives us. * and... IS IT NECESSARY FOR ME TO BE BAPTIZED TO GO TO HEAVEN? The Bible is clear that heaven is reserved for those who come to recognize their own spiritual bankruptcy and who rely on the gracious forgiveness that is offered through Christ and his death. That absolute dependence is faith. The Bible is also clear that those who truly depend on Christ express that dependence in tangible ways – particularly in transformed lives. These changes in attitude and behavior don’t in any way earn a relationship with Christ. Rather, they reveal the presence of Christ in the lives of the individual. Baptism is one such expression of faith in Christ. It does not replace faith as the one thing asked of me to receive salvation. But is does express faith. * The above two texts nicely expresses the teaching that baptism is only an outward sign of an inward grace. So what Biblical passages does this view derive from? (Not to belittle this particular church but I do think it is noteworthy that when I looked for what Scriptures they used to support this view, I couldnt find any. They didnt quote any passages to support the above text.) One of the passages I have heard to used to support this view, and more specifically used to support the view that baptism is only a symbol, is the following passage: For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. (1 Peter 3:18-22 NIV) * So does this passage say that baptism is a symbol? If you look back at the passage, what does it say is the symbol? The water in the days of Noah. What did the water in the days of Noah symbolize? Baptism. Further, what does it say baptism does? Baptism now saves you. So if someone says baptism does not save you he or she is literally saying something exactly contrary to what this passage says. The more accurate NASB says: 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)
Posted on: Sat, 01 Nov 2014 12:08:08 +0000
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