Baptism Doth Also Now Save Us

[Craigbythesea]

@Craigbythesea

Care to answer this?

Peter taught that water baptism is efficacious for salvation. He did not teach nor imply that water baptism is necessary for salvation.

 

[SovereignGrace]

Peter taught that water baptism is efficacious for salvation. He did not teach nor imply that water baptism is necessary for salvation.

So, baptism, in and of itself, does not save. Is this what you are saying? Asking for clarification. TIA

 

[SovereignGrace]

Clarke had a gift for recognizing truth wherever he found it. In his commentary on the Epistle to the Romans, he quotes at length (23 pages) Dr. John Taylor’s “A Key to the Apostolic Writings; or, an Essay to explain the Gospel Scheme, and the principle words and phrases which the apostles have used in describing it.” Clarke is perhaps best known today for his insightful comments on Romans 7:14-25, especially these words,

It is difficult to conceive how the opinion could have crept into the Church, or prevailed there, that “the apostle speaks here of his regenerate state; and that what was, in such a state, true of himself, must be true of all others in the same state.” This opinion has, most pitifully and most shamefully, not only lowered the standard of Christianity, but destroyed its influence and disgraced its character. It requires but little knowledge of the spirit of the Gospel, and of the scope of this epistle, to see that the apostle is, here, either personating a Jew under the law and without the Gospel, or showing what his own state was when he was deeply convinced that by the deeds of the law no man could be justified, and had not as yet heard those blessed words: Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way, hath sent me that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, Act_9:17.

Thank you for sharing with us. May our Lord and savior Jesus Christ abundantly bless you and those who are dear to you.

I don’t think Paul was speaking of himself here of being unsaved, but a man, though saved, still struggled with sin.


This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.[1 Timothy 1:15]

He wrote in the presence tense, not past tense.

 

[Craigbythesea]

So, baptism, in and of itself, does not save. Is this what you are saying? Asking for clarification. TIA

I am saying that Peter taught that water baptism is efficacious for salvation.

 

[SovereignGrace]

I am saying that Peter taught that water baptism is efficacious for salvation.

Okay, explain what you mean by being efficacious. Is baptism essential for salvation? A simple “yes” or “no” will suffice. TIA

 

[Craigbythesea]

I don’t think Paul was speaking of himself here of being unsaved, but a man, though saved, still struggled with sin.


This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.[1 Timothy 1:15]

He wrote in the presence tense, not past tense.

The man in Romans 7:14-25 is trying with all his might to keep the Law. That is NOT something that Christians do—it is something that Jews do. In this passage, Paul is using the literary device known as “speech in character,” and the character in Romans 7:14-25 is an unregenerate but devout Jew struggling with all his might to keep the Law, but miserably failing to do so because he lacks the help of the Holy Spirit!



Now—back to Peter.

 

[SovereignGrace]

The man in Romans 7:14-25 is trying with all his might to keep the Law. That is NOT something that Christians do—it is something that Jews do. In this passage, Paul is using the literary device known as “speech in character,” and the character in Romans 7:14-25 is an unregenerate but devout Jew struggling with all his might to keep the Law, but miserably failing to do so because he lacks the help of the Holy Spirit!



Now—back to Peter.

We are not saved by keeping the law, I heartily agree. We are saved by keeping the law, but we are saved to law keeping.