Water baptism does not save.

[Preacher]

for those who believe water baptism is required for salvation why the thief on the cross did not need to be baptized to be saved. A common reply to that question is: “The thief on the cross was still under the Old Covenant and therefore not subject to this baptism. He was saved just like anyone else under the Old Covenant.” So, in essence, the same people who say the thief did not need to be baptized because he was “under the Old Covenant” will use John 3:5 as “proof” that baptism is necessary for salvation. They insist that Jesus is telling Nicodemus that he must be baptized to be saved, even though he too was under the Old Covenant. If the thief on the cross was saved without being baptized (because he was under the Old Covenant), why would Jesus tell Nicodemus (who was also under the Old Covenant) that he needed to be baptized?
the only baptism that washes away sin and brings salvation is that of the holy spirit..

When we are born again we are washed by the holy spirit, the word baptism means to (wash) at the very moment one becomes born again, they are washed and made sinless,the bible says,

1 Corinthians 6

9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Notice verse 11 says we are washed by the spirit of God! not by water, the water is just an outward showing of whats going on spiritually,the water it self, has no power to wash away sins,we baptize out of obedience as did Christ,not that Christ had any sins of his own to have washed away, but in keeping things in order.

Mathew 3:1-13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. 16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

we obey once we become saved, its salvation and our new nature that causes us to want to obey God,not the other way around,so we see and understand that water baptism doesn't save, but being baptized with the holy spirit washes away sins,and brings salvation.

God Bless

[Della Morton]

Hello This is my reply. A brief bible study on water baptism!

[ShekinahLife]

Rubbish absolute xian Rubbish,,,,,,,,.... a Mikveh is a baptism into the Torah life, the whole point is becomng one with the father.. through study...everything else pales in comparison

[newview]

Are those that repent also to be baptized ?

[Della Morton]

Was that for me? Acts 2:37,38 sums it up in a nut shell!

[newview]

Sis, you are preaching to the choir as far as I am concerned - I was asking the author of the thread.
He quoted some scriptures but I really need him to say whats really on his mind.

Everyone keeps saying how unimportant baptism is as it relates to salvation.
Just say 'dont worry about being baptized' - just say it.

[Chaplain Pat Harris]

Water baptism is important, but it's not a prerequisite for salvation. Remember the thief on the Cross?

[newview]

The thief on the Cross was before Jesus' SPILLED BLOOD, DEATH and RESURRECTION, Sis.

[Chaplain Pat Harris]

Newview:

Luke 23:39-43
And one of the malefactors (criminals) which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

This may be one area where you and I will have to agree to disagree on what is required for salvation.

Water baptism is required as an outward show of your faith and acceptance of Jesus as your Savior, but is not a prerequisite for salvation. If this was so, it would then be considered a "works" for salvation. God forbid if a person is lying on his deathbed and calls on Jesus for salvation but is refused because he would not be physically able to get water baptized.

[newview]

"...If this was so, it would then be considered a "works" for salvation..."

How so? - this is what Jesus commanded us to do.
Being baptized would be an act of obedience - right?
We are commanded to believe to be saved - right?
and
We are commanded to be baptized to be saved - right?
Why is one necessary and the other is not - NOW.
What have we learned in the last 50 years or what new revelation have we received in the last 50 years that so many Christians (in wealthy countries) are now saying it was never necessary.
Baptism has NOTHING to do with being saved?
What changed? - where the turn in the road? - who enlightened us?

Is there any advantage to our faith if there is no works to back it up?
We are saved by believing/ by our faith - but isn't our faith worked out in our obedience?

I am not afraid of the word 'WORKS' in the slightest - look at this:

Heb 13:20-21
Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus

What would you say is a part of man's salvation?:

Is repentance? ---> Yes --> But wouldnt that be me doing something?
Is confession? ---> Yes --> But wouldnt that be me doing something?
Is a consecrated life/faithful living a part of man's salvation? ---> Yes --> But wouldnt that be me doing something?

Is baptism? ---> ______________________________________________

The doctrine of Faith only is a mere profession without obedience.



...

[Chaplain Pat Harris]

Sis Newview:

What is it about this scripture that you do not understand? It is in Jesus own words that he told the thief on the cross that "Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise."

Did Jesus say to the thief before or after this statement that he must be water baptized before entering into paradise?

Luke 23:39-43
And one of the malefactors (criminals) which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

With all due much respect Sis, this is where we will have to agree to disagree, and I see no reason to drag out this out any further. I will not do as others do and play tag with the scriptures to argue a point especially when we will end up at the same place - disagreement.

Peace in Jesus

[Evangelist Altha Fugett]

I was once taught in reference to this topic, that there is nothing that a man on earth can do to save us. Only our confession and our faith can bring the salvation of the Lord.

Water Baptism is an outward show of conversion in our lives, it is the result of salvation, not a condition of salvation

[newview]

"...Did Jesus say to the thief before or after this statement that he must be water baptized before entering into paradise?..."

Of course He did not tell him the need to baptized - Jesus had not finished His work as of yet.

I am talking about US those of US that are on this side of the Cross.
Now we get baptized so that we are buried with Him then raised with Him.
Since Jesus instructed his disciples to got out baptizing people - well who are the people they are to be baptizing? -----> those that believe on the finished work of Christ.
Somebody is supposed to be getting baptized.