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To: TRY ONE
"Only those that DO what God wants (will be saved)" is heresy! Salvation has nothing to do with DOING.

Uh... no. See Acts 2:38. While baptism is symbolic of Christ death, burial, and ressurection, it is commanded by God for us to do so that our sins can be washed away. For by partaking in baptism, we ourselves are crucifying our man of sin, thus, being FREE from sin (Rom. 6:7). It is this act that makes us dead to sin, but ALIVE to God (Rom. 6:11). So upon obeying the command of baptism, our sins our forgiven (Acts 2:38). That is how the blood of Jesus cleanses our sins, because we have obeyed what Christ commanded to do for the remission of sins -- Baptism!

People were baptized immediately after believing. They didn't wait. Baptism is part of the conversion process. After one has crucified our man of sin, thus becoming alive to God, we have been converted, and are then in a state of salvation.

"Faith in Christ incorporates repentance; To TURN from one's sinful ways and to follow Christ requires repentance".

If you throw in ANY other condition for salvation, such as repentance, then faith "only" is defeated, for they are two seperate things. Yes, water baptism is a part of the plan of salvation. Baptism is a response to faith, just as repentance is a response to faith. Without repentance and baptism, which is brought on by the conviction of the Holy Spirit and the faith in Christ, faith is useless. It is very possible to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and yet one wouldn't necessarily give up his or her sinful lifestyle. To follow Christ means that you not only believe in Him, but become obedient to Him as well, thus giving up your sinful ways.

Bottom Line: If you have rejected the commandment to be baptized, it is just the same as having rejected the call to repent. Pretty simple.

105 posted on 08/01/2003 1:04:50 PM PDT by Windsong
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To: Windsong
"So upon obeying the command of baptism, our sins our forgiven..."

The "Thief on the Cross" was Saved by Jesus who told him: "today you shall be with Me in Paradise"
This thief had no opportunity to Do Good Works, nor be Baptised, yet he was Saved!

Baptism is only for symbolism and for demonstrating that one has become a follower of Christ --- not for Salvation!
Many people are Saved on their death beds without baptism; yet they are truly SAVED!

Back to Eph. 2: 8,9: " For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast."

---No Baptism required for Salvation!

106 posted on 08/01/2003 1:34:44 PM PDT by TRY ONE (")
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