Are we saved by our mode of baptism or by Jesus Ch

[Jeffrey]

Those who see baptism as regenerative are more inclined to search for a "mode" and protect it.

Immersion seemed to be the most popular baptism in 1st Century Christianity. This is agreed with by Luther and Calvin both, as well as some early didactic papers from the 1st through 3rd centuries.

I believe immersion most fully preserves and accomplishes the meaning of baptism.

[Jeffrey]

Is baptism an ordinance or a sacrament of the Church?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Jeffrey

Those who see baptism as regenerative are more inclined to search for a "mode" and protect it.

Immersion seemed to be the most popular baptism in 1st Century Christianity. This is agreed with by Luther and Calvin both, as well as some early didactic papers from the 1st through 3rd centuries.

I believe immersion most fully preserves and accomplishes the meaning of baptism.

The term "baptismos" means:

909 // baptismov // baptismos // bap-tis-mos' //
from 907 ; TDNT - 1:545,92; n m
AV - washing 3, baptism 1; 4
1) a washing, purification effected by means of water

It's translated as "washings" in Hebrews 9:10,

Hebrews 9:10
Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings(baptismos), and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

You will find that these diverse "washings" (baptismos) were performed and prescribed throughout the OT. Interestingly they were performed by pouring or sprinkling the "waters of consecration" upon the subject.

The word "baptismos" can therefore be expanded to mean "washings" be they by immersion, pouring, or sprinkling.

The root of "baptismos" is "baptizo",

907 // baptizw // baptizo // bap-tid'-zo //
from a derivative of 911 ; TDNT - 1:529,92; verb
AV - baptize (76), wash 2, baptist 1, baptized + 2258 1; 80
1) to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk)
2) to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water, to wash one's self, bathe
3) to overwhelm

The root, "baptizo" means to dip, immerse, submerge, to wash, make clean with water, to bathe.

The word baptizo can therefore be expanded to include washing, pouring water over basins, or pouring water over a person.

The word is far more dynamic than traditionalists would have one believe.

[TheLegalist]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

We are saved by Jesus Christ.

He is the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

I need to point out that Hebrews 12:2 is not a reference to each individual Christian's personal faith in Jesus Christ that leads to salvation for our eternal souls. The "faith" refererenced in this chapter is the Gospel of Christ-- the basis for our faith.

Literally speaking, if we were saved by the actions and faith of Jesus Christ alone, then no one would be lost because the works and faith of Christ is sufficient for the salvation of all of humanity.

Yet all of humanity will not be saved. The Bible implies that more will be damned than saved (Matthew 7:14).

Why will this happen? 2nd Timothy 3:13 states that, "... evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived."

The commands of Christ and the interpretation of those commands by the actions of His Apostles are not mere good ideas or suggestions. They are commands to be obeyed out of a heart of love and reverence for the Author and Finisher of the Good News that saves our never dying souls.


I am of the camp that the act of baptism by itself is not salvational. I hope I am clear in my statement when I say that it is the faith of the One Author and Finisher that saves and water baptism is His command to us-- those who follow Him out of love and reverence into life everlasting.

One can not Biblically believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ and refuse water baptism. Neither can one Biblically believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ and not repent.


I would like to do more studying on the concept of "passive" Biblical commands-- potentially making the experience of the infilling of the Holy Ghost to be an experience that is to be preached and taught as an experience that EVERY BELIEVER MUST SEEK AFTER AND EXPERIENCE FOR ETERNAL SALVATION.

Much of what you sayis so true except that Baptism is not salvational when it clearly is and it is when you are united with the blood/death of Christ and come into covenant with him. Romans 6

[Jeffrey]

The whole point of Romans 6 is to qualify is earlier statements of freedom in Christ -- he begins with a rhetorical question "should we continue in sin?" and proceeds to explain why we shouldn't. Using imagery, he shows that the believer has come into a new life, our old way was nailed to the cross. The subject here is living in freedom in the new life, not a didactic instruction on baptism.

Paul is known for his shaping imagery and illustrations to help make his point.

1-3So what do we do? Keep on sinning so God can keep on forgiving? I should hope not! If we've left the country where sin is sovereign, how can we still live in our old house there? Or didn't you realize we packed up and left there for good? That is what happened in baptism. When we went under the water, we left the old country of sin behind; when we came up out of the water, we entered into the new country of grace—a new life in a new land!
3-5That's what baptism into the life of Jesus means. When we are lowered into the water, it is like the burial of Jesus; when we are raised up out of the water, it is like the resurrection of Jesus. Each of us is raised into a light-filled world by our Father so that we can see where we're going in our new grace-sovereign country.