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Thread: Is baptisim necessary for salvation?

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    Senior Member disciple's Avatar
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    Default Is baptisim necessary for salvation?

    I'm sure this has been discussed in many threads. If we look at this question apart from religious traditions (Mormon, Catholic, etc.) and look at what the New Testament teaches the answer is obvious. The following is taken from the John Macarthur web site.

    "If water baptism were necessary for salvation, we would expect to find it stressed whenever the gospel is presented in Scripture. Thatis not the case, however. Peter mentioned baptism in his sermon on the day of Pentecost (Acts2:38). However, in his sermon from Solomon's portico in the Temple (Acts3:12-26), Peter makes no reference to baptism, but links forgiveness of sin to repentance (3:19). If baptism is necessary for the forgiveness of sin, why didn't Peter say so in Acts 3? Paul never made water baptism any part of his gospel presentations. In 1Corinthians 15:1-4, Paul gives a concise summary of the gospel message he preached. There is no mention of baptism. In 1Corinthians 1:17, Paul states that "Christ did not send me to baptize,but to preach the gospel," thus clearly differentiating the gospel from baptism.

    Perhaps the most convincing refutation of the view that baptism is necessary for salvation are those who were saved apart from baptism. The penitent woman (Luke7:37-50), the paralytic man (Matthew 9:2),the publican (Luke 18:13-14), and the thief on the cross (Luke23:39-43) all experienced forgiveness of sins apart from baptism. For that matter, we have no record of the apostles' being baptized, yet Jesus pronounced them clean of their sins (John 15:3--note that the Word of God, not baptism, is what cleansed them).
    The Bible also gives us an example of people who were saved before being baptized. In Acts10:44-48, Cornelius and those with him were converted through Peter'smessage. That they were saved before being baptized is evident from their reception of the Holy Spirit (v. 44) and the gifts of the Spirit (v. 46) before their baptism. Indeed, it is the fact that they had received the Holy Spirit(and hence were saved) that led Peter to baptize them (cf. v. 47).
    Water baptism is certainly important, and required of every believer. However, the New Testament does not teach that baptism is necessary for salvation."
    Last edited by disciple; 04-04-2017 at 12:55 PM.

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