Does Baptism Save? No...Here's Why

Westside Christian Fellowshihp ^ | Feb 19, 2011 | Shane Idleman

[Al Hitan]

Thanks papertyger; what you say could not be more true.

[metmom]

They got baptized after they received the Holy Spirit.

When they received the Holy Spirit, they were saved. Or conversely, when they were saved, they received the Holy Spirit. Only saved people have the Holy Spirit.

Remember what Jesus said in John 6. The SPIRIT gives life.

Therefore they were baptized after they received the Holy Spirit, after they were saved.

It’s not a matter of *If that’s what you want to believe*.

It says what it says. The facts are, they got baptized after they received the Holy Spirit whom they received when they got saved.

I know what baby dedications are. We dedicated ours and when they were older they all made a personal commitment to accept Christ and they all got baptized of their own choice.

[metmom]

The more I study Scripture and the various commentaries, though, the more I become convinced that it is God’s plan that we be baptized with water in the name of Jesus Christ and that we be baptized in the Holy Spirit.

I agree with you wholeheartedly.

My contention is that baptism does not save and is not necessary for salvation.

It is however, an issue of obedience and blessing.

[Zuriel]

** Would God reject those members of his household who died before Peter arrived?**

It is not for man (or woman) to judge the souls of others, but to obey God.

I tend to think that one of the reasons the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch is told in the scriptures is to show that, even in the desert, God makes a way to be baptized.

[Zuriel]

**Therefore they were baptized after they received the Holy Spirit, after they were saved.**

Jesus Christ said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Mark 16:16

Jesus Christ did NOT say, “He that believeth is saved, and shall be baptized”.

Cornelius and his household could not be denied water, for God expected them to meet the Mark 16:16 guidelines as well. They had to (in Paul’s words) be buried with Him (Jesus Christ).

[Zuriel]

**My contention is that baptism does not save and is not necessary for salvation.**

Peter’s contention: “....wherein a few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us.....”. 1Peter 3:20,21