Is Salvationis by Faith Alone

Nope. I've studied this myself. You don't need to be baptized to be saved. While acts of works, including the sacraments of communion and baptism, are important in that they help solidify our place within the Christian community of believers, and help to produce the outward fruits of our faith, they are not required to achieve salvation.

[ December 13, 2002, 06:38 PM: Message edited by: Johnv ]

 

Journeyman, take a look at Romans 8:8-9 and that will answer a whole lot of questions, I think.

Romans 8:8 makes it very clear that a person who is not born again cannot do ANYTHING that pleases God. This would include baptism.

And once you are saved -- born again -- then you don't need baptism for that purpose! For in Romans 8:9 we find that the person who belongs to Christ is indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

Therefore baptism becomes a matter of obedience to God, not anything contributing to our salvation.

One small correction in your title, though -- salvation is by God's grace alone, through faith.

[ December 13, 2002, 08:07 PM: Message edited by: Helen ]

 

Baptism is a public profession of faith. It is a representation of the death, burrial and resurection of Jesus Christ. Much as a wedding ring is a public profession of marriage and a representation of a circular or unending bond of marriage...but the ring doesn't make you married anymore than baptism makes you saved.

 

Baptism is not part of salvation.

Sorry, I am not mad at you. I just get mad when people want to add that to salvation. If they trust in baptism instead of the sufficiency of Christ they are not saved.

Peter is the one that preached that message in Acts 2:38. He clarifies it in 1 Peter 3:21
--The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

It does not remove sin (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh). However, it shows that we are obedient to God (the answer of a good conscience toward God). Therefore, it is only a "like figure."

Also in Acts 2:37, Peter was asked, "what shall we do?" Which, he replied with the baptism. In Acts 16:30, Paul was asked, "what must I do to be saved?" Which he replied, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ."

The first was not specifically dealing salvation. So in essence Peter was saying "Get saved and after you get saved show that you are identifying with Christ by getting baptized."

I hope that clarifies this passage for you.

 

Journeyman,
Please consider Luke 23:39-40. This talks about the two criminals that were crucified with Jesus.
Luke 23:42- And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43- And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
This man was not baptized but he still went to heaven. All he did was believe.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Have a very good night,
Heidi