“Baptism is a outward affirmation of what has already happened in the spirit.”
LOL, we hear this “outward affirmation” of what has happened already story, but where do the Scriptures say this?
answer = NO WHERE
this is a 16th century tradition of men.
Peter didn’t say this in Acts 2:38, he said baptism is for the remission of sins and receiving the Holy Spirit.
he didn’t be baptized as an “outward affirmation”, did he?
Paul wasn’t told to be baptized in Acts 22:16 as an “outward affirmation” , was he?
no, Paul tells us in Galatians 3:27 , baptism places us “into Christ”
if anyone brings a different Gospel, let him BE ACCURSED.
I look forward to you showing me from the Scriptures where baptism was ever said to be an “outward affirmation”
cue the crickets.........
Well, let’s start here. What did Paul & Silas tell the jailor?
Acts 16:30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
That’s the simple gospel of Jesus Christ. They didn’t add anything on as the requirement. No legal add-ons acts by man to earn or justify ones salvation. Scripture is very clear about not requiring anything other than faith for salvation.
Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Romans 4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
Rom. 3:28-30, "For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one."
Rom. 4:5, "But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness,"
Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
If faith only is required for justification, sanctification, righteousness, and being “perfected forever” are you going to say that all those statements are wrong, in error, or just lies or half truths?
John tells us that if we confess our sins Jesus is faithful to forgive our sins.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
There are at least 42 passages in scripture where we are told that faith alone is needed for the forgiveness of sins and salvation.
In Acts 10 Peter says this.
Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
No mention of baptism as a requirement. Again in Ephesians 2.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Water baptism is something that man does to please God or a “work” if you will.
In Titus 3 we are told it’s not “works of righteousness” that saves.
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
No one can deny that baptism would be considered a “work of righteousness” or “something we have done”. To try to claim that baptism is what “washes away sins” or “is required for salvation” is to deny much of the rest of scripture.
Even to claim it’s a requirement or “law” for salvation would be to deny scripture.
Romans 3:28—“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith WITHOUT THE DEEDS OF THE LAW.”