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Baptist Questions Answered-- Part 6 (Editor's Note: This concludes this series of articles on questions presented by David Martin. We hope the questions and answers have been helpful in understanding how some understand what the Bible teaches on salvation. D.T.) 13. The "Church of Christ" teaches that "obeying the Gospel" includes being baptized in water in order to be saved. If this is true, then how is it that the converts of Acts 10 were saved by faith before and without water baptism? The Bible says in Acts 5:32 that only those who obey God may receive the Holy Ghost - so what did those in Acts 10 do to obey and receive the Holy Ghost and be saved? In the light of Acts 10:34-48, Acts 11:14-18, and Acts 15:7-11, how can anyone honestly believe that water baptism is necessary to salvation? Simon Peter said their hearts were "purified by faith" (Acts 15:9) and that we are saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ like they were (Acts 15:11); that is, before and without water baptism! We know that unsaved people do not receive or have the Holy Spirit (John 14:17; Romans 8:9). We know that the Holy Spirit is given only to those who have believed on Christ (John 7:39). We know that the Holy Spirit seals the believing sinner the moment he puts his faith and trust in Christ as Savior, before he is ever baptized in water (Ephesians 1:12,13). How does the warped theolgy of Campbellism explain away these clear passages of Scripture without "muddying the waters" of truth and drowning its members in eternal damnation? It would be impossible to discuss all the false doctrines of the "Church of Christ" in this small article. If you have a particular question not dealt with here, or need clarification on the issues discussed, contact us via email or at the phone number or address listed. We will provide you with sane, sensible and scriptural answers to your Bible questions. Please continue reading Acts 10 and keep the scripture in context. In verse 47 Peter asked “Can any man forbid water that these should not be baptized which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Going on to chapter 11:15-17 Peter told why the Holy Ghost “fell on them as on us at the beginning”. Peter explains in verse 17 “Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?” Since there are only 2 times this happened, Acts 2 and Acts 10, there must be something special about these times. In both cases the gospel was being preached for the first time, once to devout Jews on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) and then to devout Gentiles (Cornelius) (Acts 10). That is why Peter specifically asked if there was anyone there that could forbid baptism (to Gentiles). God had already shown that he was in favor of it, so who could be against it? In Acts 2 they were commanded to be baptized for remission of sins and in Acts 10 they were commanded to be baptized in the name of Christ. There is nothing in these 2 instances that proves that anyone was saved before baptism. Let us contrast the baptism in the Bible with the baptism of the Baptist Church. The baptism in the Bible was for the remission of sin, Acts 2.38; the baptism of the Baptist Church is because your sins have already been remitted (scripture please). The baptism in the Bible put one into Christ (Galatians 3.27); the baptism of the Baptist Church puts one into the local fellowship of the Baptist Church (where's the scripture?). The baptism of the Bible put one into contact with the blood of Christ therefore washing away one's sins (Ephesians 1.7; Acts 22.16); the baptism of the Baptist Church comes after one's sins have been remitted (waiting for that scripture). The baptism in the Bible is by the authority of Jesus Christ (Mark 16.16; Matthew 28.18ff); the baptism of the Baptist Church is by the authority of the Baptist Manual or Convention (scripture please for a Baptist Manual). Despite the protest of baptism the fact is the Baptist Church does practice baptism. The difference is the Baptist Church's baptism is not the baptism of the Bible. D.T. Questions for you. If baptism was not necessary for salvation, then why were they commanded to be baptized? When Paul was on the road to Damascus and the Lord appeared unto him, we read in Acts 9 that he asked the question “Lord, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? Did Paul believe that Jesus was Lord? Did he confess? What was the Lord’s answer? Did he tell Paul to say the sinner’s prayer and he would be saved? When Annanias came to him he asked Paul “Ac 22:16 "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." What was the purpose of Paul being baptized? Isn’t it dishonest to tell people that they must say a sinner’s prayer (below) and then quote scripture that is only part of the plan of salvation? Where is the scripture for the sinner’s prayer? Please be honest and don’t answer with any of man’s creeds or doctrines. God is not the author of confusion. Does scripture say that we are saved by and through the grace of God and not of ourselves? Does it also say that we must hear, believe, repent, confess and be baptized for the remission of our sins? Then does it tell us to remain faithful to him that we not slip and give up that wonderful gift he has bestowed on us? Doesn’t scripture tell us that without faith it is impossible to please God and yet also tell us “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only”. Jas 2:24
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