Is water baptism a "work" ?

• Messages sorted by:[ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]

Hi Higher-Fire

Anneliese,
>Dave,
>If you will recall, I believe it was a new convert who asked the original
>question - specifically about the baptism/works issues.  I think some
>patience is in order while we answer the question.  If you don't want to
>participate in the thread, simply delete these posts.  :-)

Thanks, Anneliese... I was planning to respond to Dave :-)
... who may have missed or forgotten how the thread began....

The issue was *raised* in a thread on another forum between
skeptics and believers who have a "saved by faith" theology ....

The skeptics (one who is, as I remember, a former pastor in Church of Christ,
... they do believe in "baptismal regeneration", however they omit the Name)
challenged the believers as to why they don't see that the NT commands baptism
  "for salvation") ... and challenged them scripturally !

I really threw them for a loop when I gently came in scripturally on their
side without any harshness towards the other believers ......
(one even assumed I was on the other side and apologized for that mistake..LOL)
and I was also able to correct some of the static, hip-pocket salvation 
concepts....

One skeptic even accepted that "calling on the Name of the Lord" is
shown in Acts 22:16 to have a strong connection with baptism and
dropped the contention that there was a contradiction with the scriptures
in Romans 10:13 quoting Joel 2:32 and water baptism !
That surprised even me. :-)

Plus it has given an opportunity to talk to the skeptics from an *internal*
perspective of scriptural harmonies, rather than their normal "prove to
me externally" attitude...

So the "works" question is the principle remaining skeptical attempt
to show scriptural contradiction, very weak of course but requiring a
sound response .....

Marlon, have you weighed in yet, getting ready for a summary here... :-)

Schmuel
ICQ #12840631
schmuel@bigfoot.com