Chelsea church of Christ . . .
undenominational Christianity
undenominational Christianity
A specific example: Paul
"Baptism doesn't save you!"
If you've heard this, believed this, or taught this to others, then you are like those to who Jesus said, "You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God" (Matthew 22:29). Because, yes, the Bible does say that baptism saves you! Read what the Apostle Peter wrote by inspiration of God. " . . . who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls were saved through water. There is also an antitype which now saves us -- baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 3:20-21).
Let's take a look at a specific example that demonstrates that one is not saved before being baptized. Let's look at the Apostle Paul's salvation experience. Even though he spoke directly to Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-9), and he believed in Jesus with all of his heart; Paul was not saved before his baptism. Look at how Saul (who become the Apostle tells us how he was saved:
Ananias, a man who had been directed by God (Acts 9:10-19, 22:6-10) to meet with Saul to tell Saul what he must do said, "And now why are you waiting? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16).
Did Saul believe in Jesus? Certainly he did, because he spoke directly to the Lord (Acts 9:6), was blinded, and then didn't eat or drink for three days (Acts 9:9). If any man ever believed in Jesus Christ, it was Saul! So why didn't Saul just "ask Jesus into his heart" to be saved? Notice what Jesus told Saul when Saul asked the Lord what he must do (Acts 9:6): Jesus told Saul, "Arise, and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
If Saul was saved before baptism, then wouldn't he have been forgiven of his sins before baptism? If Saul was saved before baptism, why did Ananias (who was being directed by God) look upon Saul and say, "Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins" (Acts 22:16)? Because God was setting forth a clear and fundamental principle of salvation -- man's sins are not forgiven before baptism; man's sins are forgiven through baptism, just as we see in the salvation of Saul, who is also known as the Apostle Paul.
"Baptism doesn't save you!"
If you've heard this, believed this, or taught this to others, then you are like those to who Jesus said, "You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God" (Matthew 22:29). Because, yes, the Bible does say that baptism saves you! Read what the Apostle Peter wrote by inspiration of God. " . . . who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls were saved through water. There is also an antitype which now saves us -- baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 3:20-21).
Let's take a look at a specific example that demonstrates that one is not saved before being baptized. Let's look at the Apostle Paul's salvation experience. Even though he spoke directly to Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-9), and he believed in Jesus with all of his heart; Paul was not saved before his baptism. Look at how Saul (who become the Apostle tells us how he was saved:
Ananias, a man who had been directed by God (Acts 9:10-19, 22:6-10) to meet with Saul to tell Saul what he must do said, "And now why are you waiting? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16).
Did Saul believe in Jesus? Certainly he did, because he spoke directly to the Lord (Acts 9:6), was blinded, and then didn't eat or drink for three days (Acts 9:9). If any man ever believed in Jesus Christ, it was Saul! So why didn't Saul just "ask Jesus into his heart" to be saved? Notice what Jesus told Saul when Saul asked the Lord what he must do (Acts 9:6): Jesus told Saul, "Arise, and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
If Saul was saved before baptism, then wouldn't he have been forgiven of his sins before baptism? If Saul was saved before baptism, why did Ananias (who was being directed by God) look upon Saul and say, "Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins" (Acts 22:16)? Because God was setting forth a clear and fundamental principle of salvation -- man's sins are not forgiven before baptism; man's sins are forgiven through baptism, just as we see in the salvation of Saul, who is also known as the Apostle Paul.
