Is baptism part of the new birth?

[Abiding Now]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

Can't answer the poll because while it IS a commandment to do so, if one were to repent and during their walk to the baptismal pool something happened to interrupt the process -say, a heart attack, they would still be saved. The thief on the cross next to Jesus was clearly NOT baptized, but had he not been crucified (released somehow with the help of a caring Roman soldier) would have no doubt done it. We are also commanded to fellowship with other saints, but if you "get saved" and die before your first church service or ANY meeting with like minded saints, does that mean your not saved because you didn't do it?

In all my life I've never even heard of a person dying on the way to be baptized. The guy on the cross was before the new testament church was established and was under the Old Covenant, because the testator of the New Covenant had not died.