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[cool_the_cow]

I've been doing some studying lately that has led me in the direction that baptism by water is a necessary step in salvation. It isn't salvation in itself, so just being baptized isn't going to get you saved, just the same as repenting of your sins won't save you by itself. It's also safe to say that if you believe in God but say "forget you God, I

Comments

baptism

[islander82]

I kind of doubt that he received John's baptism, although it is possible, but I see your point about him not being under the law of Christ yet. Not sure I agree with you, but then, it's been a while since I thought about this anyway. Ok, so let's say that someone "becomes a Christian" on their deathbed. Do you think that they don't actually go to be with God because they died before they had a chance to be baptized? Or are you saying that every person who has faith and the chance to be dunked must be, but God waives the rule for those who aren't able-bodied (as in, bed-ridden, dying, etc.)?

Also, what do you think of Christians who have a different idea of baptism than we do as believer's-baptism types? What about the CRC and Presbyterian Church, for example, who believe that baptism is a sign of the covenant (like circumcision was for the pre-incarnation Jews), and thus baptize babies instead of believers? They don't see baptism as a symbol of death and rebirth in Christ the way we do. If they are wrong, does this mean that they will not go to Heaven? Does that mean that thousands of "Christians" throughout history (especially before the Reformation), including Martin Luther and the rest, were never really Christians? Or do you think that infant baptism is "good enough" (assuming, of course, that the person does come to faith later on)?

Re: baptism

[cool_the_cow]

I'm still trying to figure out death-bed conversions. Perhaps it will turn out that they are indeed not saved. If that's the case, they did have their life leading up to that point to be baptized and chose not to be.
Christ says that there will be people who come up to Him and say "Didn't we preach your Word in your name and baptize in your name?" And He will say, "I never knew you. Depart from me you who practises lawlessness." This suggests to me that there will be people who think they are saved but are not. The fact remains that salvation was easy to obtain and there is no excuse to die without having obtained it.
I'm not sure about all of this right now though (death bed stuff that is) I will figure out more as I read more I'm sure.

As for infant baptism, I think it's pointless and serves no purpose whatsoever. It was never recorded in the Bible or alluded to that it would be okay to do it. If baptism IS necessary for salvation then I think infant baptisms do not suffice.

Here's something to read about Martin Luther:
http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/1858

Re: baptism

[cool_the_cow]

Here's an article about deathbed confessions

http://www.pritchettcoc.org/Articles/WhatAboutaDeathbedConfession.asp