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I wouldn't label baptism as a means - it's an ordinance, and meant to take place AFTER someone has been regenerated by the Spirit, as a public confession of faith.

"There is also an antitype which now saves us--baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 3:21)

"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" (Titus 3:5)

"Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3:5) Baptism is not MERELY an ordinance. It is the sacrament through which the Spirit comes to us to regenerate us. It is through baptism that we are buried with Christ, the means of remission of our sins.

The means that God uses will involve His Word, so while people may be saved while AT church, in hearing the message, it's dishonest to say that the church is what saves.

Dishonest? No, it is the truth. Christ established a Church, not a Bible or a Book. This Church He commissioned to preach and teach the world, to BAPTIZE them in the name of the Trinity, making them children of God. It is through the Church that we even receive this preaching and teaching, whether in oral or written form. And finally, it is the Church through whom Christ acts in proclaiming His saving Word and through whom He also sanctifies His people, making them holy. It is through the Church that Christ continues to remain present among His people today. THEY continue the incarnation.

Regards

>>It is the sacrament through which the Spirit comes to us to regenerate us.<< So, Paul himself wasn't regenerated until three days after his experience on the road to Damascus? I wasn't baptized in water until well after my regeneration. Don't confuse spiritual baptism with baptism by water. <> In the beginning was the WORD and the WORD was with God and the WORD was God. Not the church. Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word. You give far too much credit to the brick and mortar.