[TRY ONE]

A) Requirement of Baptism for Salvation (Not)---

1. "All of the apostles were Baptized" --- Yes, not for their Salvation but for their public profession of their Faith in Christ and for their public ministry.

2. The thief on the Cross --- Right, one does not know for sure if he (the one who Believed at the end and received Salvation) was Baptized before getting into trouble with the Law. But most theologians that I talk to say the guy was probably "lost as a goose" because, both robbers were initially casting insults at Christ (Mark 15:32). Then one of them, by observing Christ, saw the Light and was Saved with no time for Baptism and no time Good Works.

3. Christ's Baptism --- Why did Jesus ask John the Baptist to Baptize Him? Christ surely did not need to be Baptized for His Salvation --- He was God. In Matt. 3:14, John tried to prevent it (the Baptism). It was (and is) purly an act of Symbolism and for Public Demonstration of one's Faith and Belief!

B. Other Requirements for Salvation:
"Loving people ....Baptism ..... Both of those things are required, along with other things ...are required for Salvation"

Again, why did Christ die on the Cross if all these other things are required for Salvation. The Cross means nothing then! Jesus went through all that suffering for no good reason!

Your reference to Romans 2:6-9 pertains to the Condemnation of the Unbeliever. Go back and read the previous verse Rom 2:5 ---Wrath comes to those who reject the Grace of God and one receives the Condemnation of God.

God's Commandments: God has many, many Commandments but they are NOT REQUIREMENTS FOR SALVATION! They are for "our good" and to maintain our Fellowship with HIM! If All God's Commandments were requirements for Salvation, then no one would get to Heaven because we are ALL SINNERS. It's God's Saving Grace that gives us Salvation through our Belief in HIM via the CROSS!

Assurance of Salvation: You may say Judas thought he had it. I doubt it. The real question is do you have the Assurance of Salvation? Based on all the stuff you identified, I doubt it. I do have the Assurance of Salvation based on God's Saving Grace, not on all the "Do this and Do that Gospel"!

[Windsong]

I have been ill for the past couple of days so I havent had time to reply, but bold..what do I find? Very little of your assertions are scripturally based. Most are descended from denominational origins.

*Sigh*

The thief on the Cross --- Right, one does not know for sure if he (the one who Believed at the end and received Salvation) was Baptized before getting into trouble with the Law. But most theologians that I talk to say the guy was probably "lost as a goose"

Another riot! By "theologians", I assume you mean those that have Ph.D after their name??? It is these same Ph.D's that are "voting" on whether or not to ordain homo bishops in the Episcopal church! What is wrong with "speaking where the Bible speaks" and "being silent where it is silent"?

Again, why did Christ die on the Cross if all these other things are required for Salvation. The Cross means nothing then! Jesus went through all that suffering for no good reason!

It is more than astonishing, it is AMAZING, how some people (i.e. YOU) will spend nearly a lifetime trying to "prove" that plain statements of the Bible don't really mean what they say!

Observe:

Acts 16:31 says, "BELIEVE in the Lord Jesus and you will be SAVED."

Do you believe that the above statement teaches that BELIEVING in Jesus is necessary to be saved? You say, "Yes." Why? Because it is a plain statement of truth given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

2 Cor. 7:10 says, "Godly sorrow brings REPENTANCE that leads to SALVATION."

Do you believe that the above statement teaches that REPENTANCE is necessary to be saved? You say, "Yes." Why? Because it is a plain statement of truth given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Rom. 10:10 says, "It is with the mouth that you CONFESS and are SAVED."

Do you believe the above statement teaches that CONFESSION is necessary to be saved? You say, "Yes." Why? Because it is a plain statement of truth given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

1 Pet. 3:21 says, "BAPTISM also now SAVES you."

Do you believe the above statement teaches that BAPTISM is necessary to be saved? You say, "No." Why? You tell me!

(A) Because it doesn't fit what I was taught

(B) Because I only choose to believe the first 3, not the 4th one

(C) Because baptism is a "work" and we're not saved by works

(D) Because I know that the verse plainly says that baptism saves us, but I've been taught by Pastor so-and-so that baptism does NOT save us. So... even though the scriptures say plainly that "baptism also now saves you," well, that's different from those other 3 you put up there before it. Don't ask me why, I just know it is. I'm going to have to go along with my pastor, after all, he's such a good man and has such a kind, sincere way about him. Everyone's known and loved him for so many, many years. Now how can you NOT believe someone like that if he says baptism is not necessary to be saved. No sir, I'll put my trust in Pastor so-and-so, rather in what the Bible says!

Tell me something, "Try One", how long will it be before you say that there is nothing anti-Christian about a homosexual minister of God??