Is baptism essential unto salvation?

[Steve Epley]

Adino and myself are predictable we have been fussing this subject for years. He is a great guy for a Lutheran.

[Kim Komando]

Originally Posted by Adino

Matthew 7:22 comes to mind, but I truly hope you are saved in spite of your doctrine. We will leave that up to God, who knows the heart to decide.

You have to come to terms with the resurrection, my friend. Our sins were placed on Christ. Christ rose. That he rose proved something concerning the sin imputed to him. It proved they had been removed. It proved the blood of Christ was adequately sufficient in their removal. It proved that God's plan for sin remission effectively worked.

You can say till the cows come home how you think you finish this work of remission in baptism, but it doesn't negate the fact that Christ rose from the dead declaring those sins GONE.

Rest in that Good News.

Is your faith in Christ alone or is it in Christ PLUS your additional self saving works? Is your faith perpetually in what Christ did to KEEP you saved or is it in your daily ability to remain 'good enough' to be saved? Is the object of your faith Christ alone or Christ PLUS you?

Did GP end up being a baptismal remissionist after all that speak of representations, signs, seals and circumcision. I'm not sure he's declared himself other than a lot of talk about water baptism being like circumcision. I thought GP might be a paedobaptist?

I thought his doctrine on putting on the name was interesting too. He even appealed to Middle Eastern culture. No bible but interesting nonetheless.

[Aquila]

Was baptism commanded by Christ?

[Adino]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

Adino and myself are predictable we have been fussing this subject for years. He is a great guy for a Lutheran.

And Steve isn't a bad guy for a Catholic either!

[Adino]

Did the resurrection prove a finished work of sin remission? If it did, there is no additional remission after that event.

Was it possible for Christ to be raised without those sins imputed to him first being completely removed from existence?

[Hoovie]

I am sincerely enjoying this thread!

Thanks to all those contributing.

[Adino]

Steve said:

In immersion in Jesus Name and that ALONE does the penitent experience personal remission of sins.

Steve, will you agree that the actual remission of sins and to personally experience that remission of sins are two very separate and distinct events which happen at two very separate and distinct times?

[Aquila]

Was baptism commanded by Christ?

[Aquila]

I'll launch into a hot button issue...

I believe that water baptism is absolutely essential for Christian salvation. However, I'm partial to pouring as a mode of baptism. I'm not wanting to debate this here but I'll give you a link to a site that addresses some of the reasons why I believe this (http://www.reformedonline.com/view/r...%20Baptism.htm). While I don't entirely agree with this person on every point, I believe he adequately explains why effusion is at the very least an equally valid mode of baptism.

Now to the main point of this post...

I don't believe in the "Jesus Name" formula.

That's right, I don't believe in the "Jesus Name" formula. However, I also don't believe in the Trinitarian formula. In fact, I don't believe that one can biblically establish a baptismal "formula" from Scripture. In addition, I believe that to establish a set "formula" is to sacramentalize baptism and negate baptism's true biblical blessing. In Apostolic churches throughout the world a formula such as,

"According to the profession of your faith, I hereby baptize you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins."

..., or some such formula. I believe that this isn't biblical.

I believe that it is the convert who is to call on the name of Jesus Christ at their water baptism, not a religious official. That negates baptism even having a said "formula".

I just thought I'd drop that one your way here guys.

[*AQuietPlace*]

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover

I am sincerely enjoying this thread!

Thanks to all those contributing.

Me, too. It's very thought provoking.