question on baptism

[SDG]

Originally Posted by bishoph

It is quite interesting to me that everyone who does not agree with you DA is "preaching another gospel" yet if someone were to say that to you, you would be indignant. It is also very interesting that you quite often quote trinitarian theologians as your authority sources for formulating your arguments. Why not debate purely on the basis of the word and proper utilization of Greek and Hebrew.

If I were to use Kai as you have suggested previously Mark 16:16 would read He that believeth even baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. This is just one example of many as to the errancy of your arguments.

Bottom line, there are other plausible interpretations of this passage which should be considered.

Mark 16:16 presents no problem again to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, rather than your works-based gospel, for several possible reasons:

1) A person could simply take the position that the end of chapter 16 was not in the original manuscripts as is contended by many. I personally do not lean toward this view but it is certainly one although it is plausible. If we are to reject the adulteration of 1 John 5 ... consistency is at least expected?

2) One could realize that Christ does not say the one who is not baptized will be damned. If this was his intended meaning then there were certainly other ways he could have clearly made this point, but he does not.

3) Just because baptism is mentioned with believing in Christ's statement does not automatically mean baptism is necessary for salvation. You cannot make this assumption. Consider the following like statement: "He that goes through the proper process of legal marriage and wears a wedding ring shall be married, but he that does not go through the proper process of legal marriage shall be considered unwed." It would be wrong to suggest that in order to be wed one MUST wear a wedding ring. While it stands as an outward expression and token of love, the wearing of the wedding ring has no bearing on the marriage status of our hypothetical person.

Similarly, while the believer who is baptized shall be saved, it would be mistaken to jump to the conclusion that the believer who is not baptized would be damned. Christ did not say this at all. He says the one who does not believe is damned..... period. With a proper cultural understanding of baptism as the outward expression of repentance and faith it can be rightfully concluded that the act has nothing to do with salvation before God. While it does stand as a visual token of salvation to the church, it has no bearing on effecting salvation of the soul.