For those who believe baptism is not required...?

Scripture is very clear (despite the teachings of some modern Christians) that water baptism is required. Jesus indicated in John 3:3-5 that we must be born again... of water and Spirit. There are some who claim that born of water is a reference to natural birth, not baptism.

Nicodemus made the same error, thinking Jesus was speaking of natural birth, and Jesus corrected him. Further, since Jesus said that we MUST be born of water and Spirit, to think He is talking about natural birth is illogical: Why would Jesus command us to do something that was beyond our control? Jesus said that both belief and baptism were required for salvation: Mark 16:16 Peter told a crowd of 3,000 people who had just indicated their belief in Jesus and who asked what they needed to do that they still needed to repent, to be baptized in Jesus' name, and to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

(Acts 2:37-39) In this verse, Peter also specified the purpose of water baptism: He told them to be baptized "into the forgiveness of sins" (translated directly from the Greek). Compare this with Acts 22:16 where the newly converted Saul of Tarsus was told to be baptized to wash away his sins. In his first epistle, Peter made a comparison between the water of the Great Flood and the water of baptism: He pointed out that eight people in the days of Noah were saved by the water of the flood.

(While the ark saved them from the flood, the flood saved them from the sin of the world.) Peter compared this to the water of baptism, which he said now similarly SAVES us. (1 Peter 3:19-21) According to scripture, two things have to come before baptism: belief and repentance (repent means turn from sin). (Mark 16;16; Acts 2:38) Thus, baptism of infants is invalid: a baby cannot believe, has not sinned, and therefore has no sin for which to repent.

As for the form of baptism: the word baptize comes from a Greek verb, baptizo, which means to immerse, to cover completely with a liquid. All first century baptism was by full immersion in water. (We are told in Romans that we are buried with Him in baptism... that is, our baptism is a representation of the burial of Jesus.

If you sprinkle a handful of dirt on a body, it is NOT buried. If you sprinkle or pour water on a person's head, he is NOT baptized.) The church instituted pouring or sprinkling water for baptism after they started baptizing babies, which they only did after they invented the doctrine of original sin. (This false teaching states that all babies are born already guilty of the sin of Adam/Eve.

While we do inherit a sinful nature, we do NOT inherit their sin.) People who claim that baptism isn't required ignore not only the above scripture, but also the fact that in the book of Acts, new converts were always baptized immediately, even if it was the middle of the night. Some claim that baptism is for those already saved, or is symbolic, or an outward sign, etc. Scripture never says such things. It says clearly that baptism saves us.

A firefighter may save you from a burning building, but he uses a ladder to do so. That doesn't negate the fact that the firefighter saved you. God saves us from sin, but uses baptism as the means of doing so.

We are saved by faith, not works? James said that faith without works is dead. Dead faith saves no one.

Finally, if you really want to be baptized the Bible way, you should be baptized in Jesus' name. The apostles never once baptized anyone in the titles Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They only used the name of Jesus.

(Acts chapters 2, 8, 10, 19 and 22. See also Acts 4:12 and Col. 3:17) Did they disobey the command of Jesus (Matt.

28:19)? No. They understood it, and obeyed it: Jesus didn't say to baptize or preach in three titles, but in one NAME.

(Compare Luke 24:47) The apostles understood that, and so they used the one NAME, the only name by which we must be saved: Jesus. To use the titles in baptism does NOT fulfill the command of Matthew 28:19; it only repeats the words of the command. Edit: the thief on the cross: How is he relevant to Christian salvation?

He died before the church even began! The New Testament plan of salvation wasn't given and didn't go into effect until the second chapter of Acts. The thief lived and died under the Law of Moses.

Even if he had repented before he was arrested, the most he could have done was be baptized by John the Baptist. But even John's disciples had to be re-baptized in Jesus' name after the church began. (Acts chapter 19).

Baptism" comes from a Greek word that means to dip, immerse, or overwhelm. Baptism, therefore is an immersion. Romans 6:3-4 and Colossians 2:12 describe it as a burial.

Only immersion fits this description. This burial is when a believer comes "into Christ" and "into His death" (Romans 6:3-4, Galatians 3:27) It is important for a believer to contact His death because that is where the saving blood was shed. This blood washes away sins.

(Rev. 1:5) A believer is baptized for the following reasons. To wash away sins (Acts 22:16) (By contacting Christs death, blood) To enter into Christ (Romans 6:3-13, Galatians 3:27). One cannot be saved out of Christ.

To be saved. (1 Peter 3:21, Mark 16:16) To obey Jesus. (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:16) Jesus " became the author of eternal salvation to all them that obey Him, (Hebrews 5:9)" so this is necessary for salvation since He commanded it.

As a believer, you should be baptized "for the remission of sins (KJV)", "for the forgiveness of your sins (NIV)" , "unto the remission of your sins (ASV)", or "so that your sins will be forgiven (CEV)". (Acts 2:38) Jesus said, "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved". (Mark 16:16) Some will tell you you believe, are saved and then you shall be baptized.

This is not the same thing Jesus said. It is not in the same order! What would Jesus have said if he had meant "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved"?

I believe He said what he meant and meant what He said! I believe Jesus! "He that believes not shall be condemned" (Mark 16:16).

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