The Cross of Christ Alone Can Save

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by mfblume

Acts 22:16 KJV And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Romans 6:3-4 KJV Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? (4) Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

1 Peter 3:21 KJV The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

Good for starters.

How are sins "washed away?" Are they washed away by the waters of baptism? NO!

Peter makes this abundantly clear: "...— not the washing off of physical dirt but the pledge of a good conscience to God — through the resurrection of Jesus Christ."

"Getting wet" does nothing, in and of itself. Peter is emphatic about this in the very proof text that "Three Steppers" like to bandy about.

How does "baptism now save us...?" It is clear - we are NOT saved by our obedience to the instruction to be baptized, rather, we are saved by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Whatever happened to that "guy who dies in the car on the way to get baptized..." Mike? How does baptism save him? You seem to me to be "alternating" again between "Three Stepper" rhetoric and your own good sense.

Paul's sins were "washed away" when he called "upon the name of the Lord" (Acts 2:21). Ananias of Damascus seems to have had Peter's sermon on Pentecost clearly in mind here.

We are baptized in water in the name of Jesus Christ when we first believe - because of the cross! NOT, "instead of, or in addition to" the cross! We were identified with the "circumcision of Christ" in repentance (Ephesians 2:10-18), and our sins are "remitted," (Romans 3:25), "forgiven" (Colossians 2:13) and we are "redeemed" (Galatians 3:13) - - ALL THIS! BEFORE WE EVEN PUT ON THE BAPTISMAL GOWN.