Apostolic Friends Forum - Baptism: Essential or Not

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Baptism: Essential or Not

Had an interesting conversation with a couple Sunday afternoon about salvation. They were adament that water baptism is essential for salvation as well as being filled with the Holy Ghost with initial evidence of speaking in other tongues. They were emphatic about it, yet in the conversation they said a couple of things that didn't match their rhetoric.

First, I gave them the hypothetical situation where a man repents on a Sunday morning but wants to get baptized on Sunday night so family and friends can come to witness the event and celebrate it. What happens if the man dies that afternoon?
I also shared the story of a man who is dying and repents on his deathbed. Will that man go to heaven?

Their response was, "We aren't the judge. I won't put those people I hell. That's God's decision." Well, if baptism is essential for salvation, there can't be exceptions. It is either absolutley essential or not, period.

Then in the conversation they confessed that although their 13 year old son had repented and had received the HG, he has yet to be baptized. They said they were careful not to pressure him and have told him when he was ready to let them know. Really? Do you really believe that baptism is absolutely necessary? Wouldn't you be more forceful with your own child knowing that he isn't ready for heaven?

I think these people reflect a lot of folks who say they believe these things are essential for salvation, because that is what they've always been told, that their hero-pastor, Brother So-and-So preached it this way, that granny walked in this way. Yet they are willing to admit that there are scenarios where God won't require some people the "3 Steps" on a case by case basis. I used to say these same things to explain the anomalies that would arise from time to time to my Apostolic paradigm.

I preach and practice water baptism in Jesus Name. I preach the baptism of the HG. I believe in speaking in tongues and I do speak in tongues (more than you all---ha, just kidding). I don't speak in tongues every day. I don't even really keep track of when I do or how often. My wife and two of my kids have repented, been baptized in JN and have received the baptism of the HG. My youngest son has yet to be baptized in the HG. I believe he is going to heaven right now though. We are saved by grace, through faith, not of works.

There are 18 conversions recorded in Acts. There are 4 that include the Acts 2:38 pattern. ALL of them, however, include repentance/faith/believing. In fact, faith is the one constant from Genesis to Revelation.

One thing the couple said that was telling to me when I talked about our vision to reach the lost, to rejoice in the altar service at their repentance. I said, "After all the three of us are going to heaven. We have got to be focused on those who aren't." They chuckled and said, "Well, we're trying to get there. We hope we go there." Its revealing of the legalist mindset. They aren't legalists when it comes to standards, but they are when it comes to salvation. They've completed what is essential for salvation in their minds, yet they aren't sure they are saved. It was like looking at myself 20 years ago.

And admittedly I find myself fighting that urge from time to time to evaluate myself on my performance. How well am I doing? Am I praying enough? Am I reading my Bible consistently? Am I staying clean and unspotted by sin and the world? Am I being good? But the Lord doesn't evaluate me on my performance. He evaluates me through the cross. I am evaluated as a father evaluates his child. He loves me based not on performance but based on our relationship. I am saved because of His grace, and I live with peace, not "hoping" I can make it. I know I'm going to make it.

Do I fall? Do I fail? Do I sin? Absolutely. Am I smitten when I do? Am I broken-hearted when I disappoint my Father? Yes. Am I repentant and remorseful? Yes. But I'm not "trying" to get to heaven. I am trying to be obedient to my Father and yield to His will every day, with every choice.