Quote:
Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover
It is very necessary - I have not seen a discussion here, where baptism was considered dispensable. The question is rather, "Does God place someone in right standing with Him at the moment of baptism, but not a moment before?"
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John the Baptist gave us some insight here. See
Matthew 3:5-12. Here John emphasizes the necessity of a changed life (
bring forth fruits meet for repentance...). John warned that only "good fruit" would save the people from the fires of the coming judgment.
He didn't say, "Get in the water to escape the flames..." He said "Produce good fruit to avoid the axe and the fire..." This "fruit" is the fruit of repentance - of a changed and regenerated life.