“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord (Sovereign King) Jesus Christ . . . . which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively (Living) hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead . . .” I Peter 1:3
And Jesus says to you and I, “Marvel not that I say unto thee, Ye must be born (begotten again) . . . . For except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God !” John 3:7, 3
This is the very essence of the Gospel, the condition upon which all our Salvation (deliverance, freedom and healing) and Redemption hangs. And it is this greatest of Promises, which our Lord and Saviour desires each of us to understand and to know personally by experience. . . . that we might become truly “sons and daughters” of the Most High ! ref: II Corinthians 6:14-18
You may contact Isaiah Ministries to schedule a speaking engagement, and to find out more of how you can help us to share the Glad Tidings of Salvation in Christ Jesus, while time remains.
SALVATION AND WATER BAPTISM? BY STEVE FINNELL
The question is can anyone be saved from the penalty of sin without being baptized in water? What do the Scriptures say? What do some men say? What is correct, God’s word as found in the Bible or certain opinions of some men?
Acts 2:38 Peter answered them, “All of you must turn to God and change the way you think and act, and each of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins will be forgiven. Then you will receive the Holy Spirit as a gift.(GW)
Certain men say baptism is simply an act of obedience.
Mark 16:16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved: but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. (NASB)
Some men say shall be saved means you are already saved before baptism.
Ephesians 5:26 to make her holy and clean, washed by baptism and God’s word; (TLB)
Some would claim Jesus does not make the church holy and clean using water baptism.
1 Peter 3:21 Baptism is like that. It saves you–not because it removes dirt from your body but because it is the mark of a good conscience toward God Your salvation comes through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, (CEB)
Those who believe in salvation by “faith only” claim water baptism has no part in man’s salvation.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (NKJV)
Water baptism deniers claim that baptized for the remission of sins actually means baptized because your sins have already been forgiven.
Mark 16:16 The one having believed and having been baptized will be saved. But the one having not-believed will be condemned. (DLNT)
Opponents of water baptism for salvation profess that, having been baptized will be saved, does not mean that salvation follows water baptism.
Ephesians 5:26 that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. (NKJV)
The anti-water baptism crowd says that washing of water does not mean water; therefore Jesus did not cleanse the church or make her holy using water baptism.
1 Peter 3:21 Therefore, is also an antitype which now saves us, namely baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but an answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. (NKJV)
The faith only advocates say baptism is for a testimony of faith, however, it has no part in saving anyone.
Acts 2:38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.(NIV-The Thompson Chain-Reference Bible)
Some men proclaim that, baptized so your sins may be forgiven, is false because men are forgiven the minute they believe.
THERE ARE NO SCRIPTURES THAT STATE: 1. Water baptism is not in order to the remission of sins. 2. That baptism is not essential for salvation. 3. That men are forgiven of sin before they are baptized in water.
You can trust what God says in His Bible or you can believe the opinions of men. I will put my trust in the Scriptures.
YOU ARE INVITED TO FOLLOW MY BLOG. http://steve-finnell.blogspot.com
Dear Steve,
Thank you for your message, and I agree that water baptism is a Scriptural command. But I also want to encourage you to take a closer look at the Spiritual meaning and significance behind what this symbol really stands for?
“And it came to pass, that . . . Paul haiving passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples there, he said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Spirit since ye believed?
And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Spirit . . . And Paul said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said (answered), Unto John’s baptism.
Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on Him which should come after him (after John), that is, on Christ Jesus . . . !” Acts 19:1-5
And then listen to John’s own testimony in the gospel records, when he says, “I indeed baptize you with water (which is but a symbol of the Spirit of the Living God, John 7:37-39, Joel 2:23-28, Zechariah 10:1 as the Early and the Latter Rain) unto repentance . . . But He that cometh after me is Mightier than I, Whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire !” Matthew 3:1-11
And finally, the testimony of Paul to his own son in the faith, Titus.
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved (delivered, rescued, set free, healed and made us whole again) . . . . By the washing (baptism) of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit. Which He shed (gushed out, poured forth) on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour !” Titus 3:4-7
And this “regeneration” which Paul is admonishing Titus of, is verily that same “re-birth” (to re-generate) which Jesus spoke to Nicodemus about, on that night so long ago, when He said . . . “Marvel not that I say unto you, Ye must be born (begotten) again!” Yea, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee __________ (our names), Except a man be born again, He cannot see the Kingdom of God !”
And Jesus tell Nicodemus, that this new birth takes place “of (by) water and the Spirit.” which is the same thing that the apostle Paul revealed in Ephesians 5, when he said, “by the washing of the water of the Word !”
Praise the LORD. For it is verily His Word which is Spirit and Life (John 6:63). And throughout both the old and the new testament Scriptures, this is always were we are pointed for Salvation and healing . . . To greater faith in God’s unfailing, and Life-giving Word ! ref: Hebrews 3:7-19 & 4:1-10
“And in that day . . . Today, is the day of Salvation (II Corinthians 6:2), thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise Thee: though Thou wast angry with me, Thine anger is now turned away, and Thou comfortedst me (ref: John 14:15-20). Behold, God is my Salvation* I will trust and not be afraid . . . For the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song: and He also is become my Salvation.*
Therefore with joy shall ye draw Water (Living, Life-giving – John 4:7-24) out of the Wells of Salvation (Jeremiah 2:4-13) . . . And in that day (the day that you “taste and see that the LORD is good.”) shall ye say, Praise the LORD (Jehovah, Yehuwah), call upon His name . . . Declare His doings among the people, make mention that His name is exalted (Isaiah 45:23 & Romans 14:11) !
Sing unto the LORD; for He hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth . . . Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion (Psalm 48:2 & Matthew 5:35): for great is the Holy One of Israel (the Promised Seed – Galatians 3:16) in the midst (heart) of thee !” Isaiah 12:1-6 & 52:1-12
May the LORD bless and keep you this week!
and send me an email when you are able, at our address EWilson7th@gmail.com
your brother in Christ,
Eric Wilson and family – Isaiah Ministries