Quote:
Originally Posted by clgustaveson
Ok, before I make any statements, I am sure this has been hashed out many times on this forum. I don't simply want to reread other discussions, so please humor me...
Is baptism essential to be saved? This isn't a question of whether baptism in Jesus name is essential, so lets not turn this into a massive debate on Jesus name or FSHG... I just want to know if baptism is essential...
|
Colossians 2 compares water baptism for NT believers to OT circumcision. Abraham was justified by faith (i.e. his belief in God's word). Since God then commanded him to be circumcised as a sign of the covenant, however, his refusal to obey God's command would have resulted in loss of "salvation," or being cut off from the covenant (
Gen 17).
If you follow this logic with baptism, we are saved through faith/belief alone, but failure to obey God's word and be baptized results in being cut off from the family.
Short answer - yes, baptism is essential for salvation (but salvation doesn't occur at baptism).
Threaded Mode
