[MayflowerMadam]

“The Church teaches and has taught from day one that baptism is essential for salvation.”

“The Church” might teach this, but the Bible definitely does not. It’s ultimate blashemy to “make up stuff” that defies Biblical teaching. The act of baptism is a public profession that one has been saved. Important, but not required for salvation.

[Salvation]

From the Bible: “Unless you are born of water and the spirit you shall not enter the Kingdom of God.”

http://biblehub.com/john/3-5.htm

[Mrs. Don-o]

Madam, you are correct on that point, and Ann B. is incorrect. Ann is misconstruing Catholic doctrine on this point, at elast by omission, which surprises and disappoints me.

I apologize for having become a source of confusion by quoting her, and I will tell you what I told my friend Dutchboy88:

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I should have put a disclaimer on Ann's article. The makes *many* statements I do NOT endorse. I realize I called her a "wise woman", so I brung it on myself.

Please give me a small penance (like, I could genuflect on my sore left knee) and then permit me back into the land of FR respectability, I beg you.

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I hope you will note the small irony.

[verga]

“The Church” might teach this, but the Bible definitely does not. It’s ultimate blashemy (SIC)to “make up stuff” that defies Biblical teaching. The act of baptism is a public profession that one has been saved. Important, but not required for salvation.

Do you have this verse in your Bible: 1 Peter 3:21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,