The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Is water baptism to be practiced today?

No, what you pointed TO was your understanding/interpretation of Paul's words. THAT is what I am disputing. Your contention is that baptism is essential to salvation. This all the Reformed confessional churches deny categorically as do I. IF, however, that is not what you are setting forth, please make that clear.

No, that is decidedly NOT what I have been arguing for. But rather, as above, that baptism is essential to salvation, i.e., justification is by faith + baptism. Is this YOUR contention; that without baptism one cannot be saved?

I have already given you my interpretation of the text. In that passage's context, baptism signifies one's self-identification with the name(s) used in the administration of it. Or, to put it another way, it signifies that one is a believer and disciple/follower of the one whose name one is baptized into. Thus Paul is being sarcastic in asking if the Corinthians were baptized into the name of Paul, or Cephas, etc. The reality of the case was that they were baptized into the name of Christ (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), to whom by their professed faith, they are His and are committed to follow all that God commands.

Sorry, but I can't seem to follow your logic??

1. Who is the "us" you are referring to? I would really like to know since in my estimation, 99% of the members here and the 1000s who read these forums would stand with me.

2. In order to "BELONG" to Christ there is only ONE thing required... faith; a repenting faith and a believing repentance (2 sides of the same coin). This is everywhere taught in Scripture. So again, the question is to you, Do you believe that baptism is ESSENTIAL to salvation; without baptism one CANNOT be saved?

1. You were not accused of being a Campbellite. I asked, "Is this a Campbellite response?". I believe now more than ever before that it is a valid question given what you have written throughout this discussion.

2. I'll let Calvin answer the next part of your question, not that I am inextricably bound to everything John Calvin believed, but rather to show that my view is consistent with biblical Calvinism which ALL the Reformed churches affirm confessionally, including the London Baptist Confession of 1689.

Mark XVI. 16. He who shall believe and be baptized shall be saved. This promise was added in order to allure all mankind to believe; as it is followed, on the other hand, by a thratenting of awful destruction, in order to terrify unbelievers. Nor is it wonderful that salvation is promised to believers; for, by believing in the only begotten Son of God, not only are they reckoned among the children of God, but receiving the gift of free justification and of the Spirit of regeneration, they possess what constitutes eternal life. Baptism is joined to the faith of the gospel, in order to inform us that the mark of our salvation is engraven on it; for had it not served to testify the grace of God, it would have been improper in Christ to have said, that they who shall believe and be baptized shall be saved. Yet, at the same time, we must hold that it is not required as absolutely necessary to salvation, so that all who have not obtained it must perish; for it is not added to faith, as if it were the half of the cause of our salvation, but as a testimony. I readily acknowledge that men are laid under the necessity of not despising the sign of the grace of God; but though God uses such aids in accommodation to the weakness of men, I deny that his grace is limited to them. In this way we will say that it is not necessary in itself, but only with respect to our obedience.

Yes and No! Baptism now saves as the flood waters saved Noah. Peter uses the word antitupon, i.e., anti-type. God assuredly saved Noah using the ark and the water as means to that end. The water saved Noah and his family in this way. But the water didn't save Noah in and of itself. Likewise, Peter's point is that believers are not to be deceived by following the wickedness of the world as did those in the days of Noah, but rather to rest in the resurrection of Christ, of which baptism signifies and seals to all who HAVE BEEN SAVED by faith in Him. Notice that Peter speaks of a "good conscience", i.e., a conscience which is at peace knowing that salvation is in Christ whom God raised from the dead.

1. Yes
2. From Jesus
3. No
4. Logically fallacy!! You again are trying to prove that baptism is an indispensable and inherent part of salvation, without which one will surely suffer eternal ruin. I disagree with much vehemence.