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ByPTR. ROMEL P. PASTOR

CCFM-Head Minister

DBS # 2 - SALVATION& WATER BAPTISM

CHRIST CENTERED FAITH CHRISTIAN MIN. PHILS.Sitio Muzon, Puting Kahoy Silang Cavite

SEC Reg.No. CN200905004

Salvation & Water

Baptism

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I. OUR STATEMENT OF FAITH (SALVATION). . . SalvationSalvation consists of deliverance from all sin and unrighteousness through the blood of Jesus Christ. The New Testament experience of salvation consists of repentance from sin, water baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost, after which the Christian is to live a Godly life (Acts 2:36-41).

II. SALVATION BY FAITH ONLY VS. FAITH AND WORKSA. Faith Is Essential To Salvation.

a. Many Passages Teach We Are Saved by Faith.

John 3:16 - Whoever believes on Jesus should have eternal life. Romans 1:16 - The gospel is God's power to save all who believe. Romans 5:1,2 - By faith we are justified and have access to grace. Ephesians 2:8 - By grace are you saved through faith. (See also Acts 16:31; 10:43; 15:9; 13:39; John 8:24; 3:36; 5:24; 6:40;

20:30,31; Romans 3:22-28; 4:3,16; etc.)

We conclude that faith is essential to salvation, and without faith no man can be saved.

b. But No Passage Says We Are Saved by Faith Alone.We are told that verses like those above prove that faith is necessary but not baptism, since faith is mentioned but baptism is not. But which passage says we are saved by "faith only," or that faith is the sole condition for salvation, or that we are saved without baptism or without obedience? None of them so state. They teach we are saved by faith, but they do not teach we are saved by faith alone without obedience.

By the same reasoning, many verses mention faith but do not mention repentance or confession. Shall we conclude these too are unnecessary? Someone says, "It's just understood that, to have saving faith, you must repent and confess." Yes, but how do you understand this? We know repentance and confession are essential, because other passages say so. But if there are also other verses that say baptism is essential, should we not likewise recognize the necessity of baptism?

We will soon see that many things are essential to salvation. People misuse Scripture when they conclude some things are essential because some verses mention them, but they ignore other verses that say other things are essential.

c. Other Verses Show That, by Itself, Inward Faith Will Not Save.

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John 12:42,43 - People "believed" in Jesus but would not confess Him, because they loved the praises of men more than the praises of God. Were they saved? (Cf. Rom. 10:9,10; Matt. 10:32,33.)

James 2:19,20 - Even devils believe. Are they saved? James 2:14,24 - Can faith save without obedience? No, that is a dead faith

(v17,20,26). Man is not justified by "faith only." This is the only passage that mentions "faith only," and it says we are not justified by it! Men say justification by faith only is a wholesome, comforting doctrine; but the Bible flatly says we are not justified by faith only!

Some say these people were unsaved because they have the wrong kind of faith: They have intellectual conviction, but they do not trust Jesus to save them. We are making progress! We now agree that faith is essential to salvation, but there are different kinds of faith! Faith is necessary, but there are kinds of faith that do not save, even when people believe in God and Jesus.

The issue then is: What kind of faith saves?

B. Obedience Is Essential To Salvation.The "faith only" doctrine says that faith is the only prerequisite to forgiveness. Acts of obedience all come after forgiveness, and none are essential to receive forgiveness. But consider:

a. Many Passages Say Obedience Is Necessary.

1 Peter 1:22,23 - We purify our souls in obeying the truth. Romans 6:17,18 - Servants of sin must obey from the heart in order to be

made free from sin. Hebrews 5:9 - Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. James 2:24 - Man is justified by works, not by "faith only." Acts 11:14; 10:34,35 - Peter told Cornelius words whereby he would be

saved. But the first words He said were that, to be accepted by God, people must work righteousness. This is true for all people, for God shows no partiality!

Matthew 7:21-27; Luke 6:46 - To accept Jesus as Lord (ruler, master) and enter the kingdom of heaven, we must do what He says. We may believe and confess Him yet be rejected, because we did not obey.

2 Thessalonians 1:8,9; Romans 2:6-10 - Receiving eternal life requires us to do good. Those who do not obey will be destroyed.

1 John 5:3; John 14:15,21-24 - Loving God requires us to keep His commands. If we do not obey, we do not love Him. Can one be saved if he does not love God (cf. 1 Corinthians 16:22; Matthew 22:37-39)?

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The doctrine of "faith only" denies the necessity for all obedience to commands. All the passages we have just studied show that such a view is false doctrine. (See also Rev. 20:12-15; John 5:28,29; 1 John 2:17.)

b. If Obedience Is Not Essential, Consider the Consequences. Matthew 22:37-39 - Love is the greatest of all commands. If obeying

commands is not necessary to salvation, then love is not necessary! Yet note 1 Corinthians 16:22.

Acts 17:30 - Repentance is a command. If keeping commands is not necessary, then repentance is not necessary to salvation! Yet note Acts 2:38; 3:19; Luke 13:3; 2 Peter 3:9.

Romans 10:9,10 - Confession with the mouth is a command. If obeying commands is not essential to salvation, then confession is not essential! Yet the Bible says it is essential. And it is not just an inner act; it is an outward act done with the mouth, in contrast to faith in the heart. Like baptism, here is an outward, physical action that is essential to salvation. (See also Matthew 10:32,33.)

1 John 3:23; John 6:28,29 - Faith itself is a command; it is a work God tells people to do. If works and obedience are not necessary, then faith itself is not necessary! But if faith is essential, then we must abandon the view that obedience and works are not essential!

Some claim that John 6:29 says faith is a work God does for us, not something we do. However:

o (1) 1 John 3:23 still says believing is a command to us (cf. Mark 16:15,16).

o (2) John 6:29 answers the question asked in v28: "What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?" So "works of God" here means works men do in obedience to God's commands.

o (3) 1 Corinthians 15:58 is parallel - the "work of the Lord" is work we abound in - our labor in the Lord (cf. "love of God" in 1 John 5:3).

o (4) If faith is entirely a work God does for us, then God is responsible for unbelievers. He causes some people to believe, but not others. This makes God a respecter of persons in contradiction to Acts 10:34,35 and Romans 2:11. Hence, John 6:29 says faith is something we do, which is essential to salvation.

C. Faith that works in the Scripture.

1. Abel offered God a better sacrifice then was accepted by God. Heb 11:4 2. Noah built the Ark then his household was saved. Heb 11:7

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3. Abraham obeyed and offered Isaac then received inheritance. Heb 11:17 4. Israel passed through the red sea then was saved. Heb 11:29 5. Israel marched then the walls of Jericho fell. (Joshua 6, Hebrews 11:30) 6. Naaman dipped himself in the Jordan river 7 times then received healing. (2 Kings

5:1-14). FAITH + OBEDIENCE(WORKS) =SALVATION!

D. Works that Fail–Titus 3:5, Ephesians 2:8-9Consider different kinds of works in the Bible:1. Works of the flesh or of darkness

These are sins, which do not save but condemn. (See Galatians 5:19-21; Romans 13:12-14.)

2. Works of Old Testament law or of human righteousness by which one earns salvation The Old Testament is notmandatory today (Gal. 3:23-25; Heb. 10:9,10; Hebrews 10:3,4). Therefore, we all need a system of grace, whereby we can be forgiven, though we do not deserve it. This is the point of Romans 4:4; 3:27; 11:6; Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5; 2 Timothy 1:9; etc.

(See also Galatians 2:16; 3:11 - cf. 4:21-25; 5:3; Acts 13:39.)

III. TWO VIEWS OF SALVATION (Arminianism and Calvinism)

John Calvin (1509-64)• Born in France• Ministered in Geneva• Great power within the city• Passion for the sovereignty of God in salvation• Known for predestination teachings

Jacob Arminius (1560-1609)

• Dutch pastor & theologian

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• In debate over predestination, Arminius came to reject the Calvinist doctrine

5 POINTS OF CALVINISM 5 POINTS OF ARMINIANISM Total Depravity Free Will

Unconditional Election Conditional Election

Limited Atonement Universal Atonement

Irresistible Grace Resistible Grace

Perseverance of All Saints Perseverance of Some Saints

COMPARISON OF CALVINISM AND ARMINIANISMCALVINISM ARMINIANISM

I. Total Depravity..• Every human is utterly sinful &

can do nothing morally good in his or her own power (Rom. 3:10-12)

• Individual is incapable of initiating salvation experience (John 6:44)

I. Free Will.After man is spiritually regenerated by the Holy Spirit, his will is released from bondage. He is now able to repent of his sins of his own free will and follow Christ. Repentance is a work of man and always occurs after spiritual regeneration or spiritual rebirth. The Holy Spirit regenerates man spiritually and immediately commands him to “Repent and be Baptized”. (Acts 2:36-38, Joshua 24:15)

II. Unconditional Election.• Election is entirely dependent

upon the free will of God and

II. Conditional Election.• God determined in eternity that

persons believing in Christ will

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his purpose for those he chose to spiritually regenerate.

• In eternity, God elected some to salvation (Eph. 1:4-6,11) & chose others for damnation• -Predestination belief

• God’s election is based only on his sovereign will

( Romans 8:28-29)

be saved (John 1:12-13)• The believer in Christ must

choose to repent of his sins, die to self (i.e., lose his soul) and be obedient to Christ and his Word. Soul salvation is dependent upon the free will choice of the believer to follow Christ as a disciple

III. Limited Atonement.Atonement is for the elect of God only. Christ died only for those whom the Father gave him. Jesus’ work was a perfect work. ( John 6:37, 44)

Universal Atonement.• Christ died for all humans (Heb.

2:9; 1 Jn. 2:2)• Anyone who believes in him

can be saved .• Universal redemption. Jesus

died for all sin & sinners, but only believers are forgiven (John 3:16)

IV. Irresistible Grace.• Since God has unconditionally

elected those whom He has chosen for Christ, all those who are born again spiritually will find Christ irresistible.

• Irresistible grace results in elect believing in Christ & performing good works

( John 6:36, 44)

IV. Obstructable Grace.• God’s Spirit shows the truth of

the Word & enables belief but can be rejected

• For human will to be genuinely free, person must be allowed to make independent moral decision

• A person can have a regenerated spirit, and still not have the mind or heart of a faithful believer.

(II Peter 3:9, John 1:29, John 3:14-21)

V. Perseverance of the Saints.• Since the Christian did nothing

to earn his salvation, he can also do nothing to lose it.

• Elect will persevere in salvation until end.

(John 10:29, 6:37, 1 Cor 3:15)

V. Falling from Grace.It is possible for one who once believed to reject, or fall from, God’s saving grace (Heb. 6:4-6)

The Focus of Each System

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o Calvinism emphasizes God’s providential control or Sovereignity

o Arminianism emphasized human free will & responsibility to obey

o “For by grace you have been saved through faith” (Eph. 2:8) o Calvinists GRACE; o Arminians emphasize FAITH & WORKS

It's important to note that all of the doctrinal points of Calvinism and Arminianism have a biblical foundation, which is why the debate has been so intense throughout the church history. We believe that every Christian must consider the two views wisely and without partiality because these two theologies would put us in a place where salvation will be more concrete and definite.

IV. WATER BAPTISM - OUR STATEMENT OF FAITH

. . . Water BaptismWater baptism is an essential part of New Testament salvation and not merely a symbolic ritual. It is part of entering into the kingdom of God (God's church, the bride of Christ), and therefore, it is not merely a part of local church membership. (See John 3:5; Galatians 3:27). It is an act of obedience to God’s plan of salvation .

. . . Mode of Baptism Water baptism is to be administered only by immersion (grk-baptizo). Paul said, "We are buried with him [Jesus Christ] by baptism (Romans 6:3-5; see Colossians 2:12), Jesus came up "out of the water" (Mark 1:10), and Philip and the eunuch went down "into the water" and came up "out of the water" (Acts 8:38-39).Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection are applied to our lives when we experience New Testament salvation: "Repent [death to sin], and be baptized [burial] every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost [resurrection]." (See Acts 2:38; Romans 6:1-7; 8:2).Sprinkling, pouring, or infant baptism of any kind cannot be substantiated by the Word of God, but are only human traditions.

. . . Formula for Water Baptism The name in which baptism is administered is vitally important, and this name is Jesus. Jesus' last command to His disciples was, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19). We should notice that He

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said name (singular) not names. As previously explained, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are not names of separate persons, but titles of positions held by God. Jesus is the only name given for our salvation. "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). Baptism must be in the Name of Jesus(Acts 2:38) because this is the fulfillment of Matthew 28:19.

V. THE IMPORTANCE OF WATER BAPTISM

We believe that Water Baptism is a command to be be followed to have an assurance of Salvation . It is not a stand alone work to gain salvation but the act that shows the faith that works as what James had emphasized in the James 2:24, “Faith without work is dead”. Acts 2:38 said, “ REPENT and be BAPTIZED…..”. If repentance is necessary to our salvation why Water Baptism should not be?

Baptism is essential because of the following reasons:

1. Jesus Christ commanded it – Matthew 28:19-20.

2. His Disciples preached and applied it – Acts 2:38.

3. Early Christians believed and accepted it – Acts 2:41.

Baptism was commanded by Jesus to His disciples to follow. Matthew 28:19-20 “ Go ye…

preach the Gospel.. to all nations …Baptizing them..”, Mark 16:16 “He that believeth and is

baptized shall be saved;..” This good news of salvation was given by Jesus Christ to His

disciples after His Death , that’s why the question of baptism about the salvation of the “Thief

on the Cross” for me is irrelevant since the Thief was saved before baptism was commanded by

Jesus Christ. If baptism is not necessary why did His disciples headed by Peter did it to those

who accepted the Gospel of Jesus Christ . This can be proven in the book of Acts. Acts 2:38

said “ Repent and be BAPTIZED…” , Peter obeyed and followed the commandment of Jesus

Christ. The early Christians were all baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Acts 8:35-38 gives us

example on how the gospel of salvation should be presented and acted to the unsaved people.

“35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. 36 As

they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch *said, “Look! Water! What

prevents me from being baptized?” 37 And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you

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may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” 38 And he ordered

the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he

baptized him.-Acts 8:35-38” .

This account is very important to discuss because this is the work of His disciples whom Jesus

Christ entrusted the Good news. It is clear here that baptism is useless without genuine belief or

a heart of obedience . We must also take note that Philip did not force the eunuch to be baptized

because baptism must come from our HEARTS in obedience to the FAITH that we have

accepted. Finally, Philip and the Eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized the

Eunuch. In my understanding, we, as workers of Christ, must follow the WORKS of Christ’s

disciples and Apostles. Notice that in the Gospel of Salvation, baptism is included, so it must be

part of the Gospel, and since the Gospel is the way of salvation(Romans 1:16), baptism must be

necessary to salvation as part of salvation. The scripture has given us pattern to follow, I did not

see any passage from the bible which directly disregarding or neglecting baptism as part of our

salvation , instead we could see many verses about the significance of baptism in Christian’s

way of salvation. One of the examples is the 3,000 souls who were saved by God in the book of

Acts 2:41-“Those who ACCEPTED his message were BAPTIZED, and about three thousand

were added to their number that day.”

Baptism is a work of Faith, not Merit. People often say, "Baptism is a work, and we are not

saved by works!"- Ephesians 2:8-9. It’s true.. But we should understand that baptism is not a

work to earn something because there is no way we can “earn” or “merit” salvation. Baptism is

a work of God and work of faith and we are saved by faith in the working of God!- Col.2:12.

Again, the Eunuch said to Philip ..” “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?”.. I

really appreciate the faith of this eunuch because I observe that one of the hardest things to

decide in the Gospel of Christ is to undergo water baptism. Let’s consider the words of Jesus

Christ.. Luke 6:46 " Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” 

Water Baptism is a work of Faith. A manifestation of our belief on God’s plan of salvation. Not

because we believe that it is the only way of salvation but because it is part of the Gospel of

Christ that must be obeyed to complete our salvation.

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VI. FAITH AND WATER BAPTISM ILLUSTRATIONS

A. 1 Peter 3:20,21 - Noah's salvation

Noah was saved by water (v20). This is a figure showing that "baptism doth also now save us" (KJV).

Water, of itself, has no power to remove sin (like removing dirt from the body). Rather, we rely on Jesus' resurrection to save us, so we can have a good conscience - "an appeal to God for a good conscience" (NASB). (Colossians 2:12 - “having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.”)

Again, the case of Noah connects faith (Hebrews 11:7) and baptism (1 Peter 3:20,21), showing that salvation by faith includes baptism. The power to forgive is in Jesus' death and resurrection, but we reach that power in baptism in obedience to the Gospel of Christ …a faith that works. Hence, baptism also now saves us.

B. 2 Kings 5:1-14 – Naaman’s healing

Naaman was told to dip 7 times in Jordan to be healed of leprosy. Clearly, water of itself has no power to heal leprosy. But dipping in water was a CONDITION OF FAITH Naaman must meet if he really trusted God. Then God's power would heal the leprosy.

At first Naaman was like many people today. He refused to dip, because he did not believe dipping could cure leprosy. But he learned that he had to obey God, then God's power would heal him. He was healed only when he had dipped. So it is in baptism.

C. Judges Chapter 7 – Gideon’s deliverance by grace through faith.

Gideon is an example of "faith" in Hebrews 11:32. God did not want Israel to boast that they had saved themselves (Judges 7:2). God said He delivered the people (v9,15). But the people still had to act (v3-7,16-25). Without obedience they would never have been saved. But God designed their action so that it was clearly not sufficient to earn or deserve deliverance. The action was simply a test of their faith.

Note the parallel to Ephesians 2:8,9. In salvation from sin we cannot boast that we save ourselves or deserve salvation. We are saved by grace through faith. But this nowhere disproves the need for obedience, any more than in Gideon's case.

C. Joshua Chapter 6 – Joshua’s Victory in fall of Jericho

The fall of Jericho in Joshua is also similar.

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This too was an example of "faith," but Israel had to act to receive the blessing (Hebrews 11:30). Yet God said He gave Jericho to Israel (Joshua 6:2). If a thing is a "gift," some say there is nothing to do to receive it. But God's gifts are often conditional. We must act, but our actions are inadequate to earn or merit the result.

Israel received Jericho as a gift from God "by faith," but they still had to obey to receive it. So Ephesians 2:8,9 says salvation is a gift from God "by faith." This does not prove there is nothing to do. It just proves that our actions do not earn the gift, so we cannot boast.

Salvation by grace through faith does not exclude baptism. It requires it.

VII. CONCLUSIONIn Bible examples, when people believed, repented, and understood baptism, they were always baptized on the same day or same hour, even in the middle of the night (Acts 2:41; 8:35-39; 16:25,33; 22:16). They believed that baptism is essential and important to their salvation.

Christians today must also follow what the bible says and demonstrates. Baptism was commanded by Jesus Christ, obeyed and applied by His disciples and accepted willingly by the early Christians. Jesus said “ If you love Me keep My commandments”- John 14:15.

Obedience to God's commands is necessary to receive blessings. Saving faith includes obedience, particularly baptism. They go together, and cannot work apart from one another. Salvation by faith includes baptism, just as it includes repentance and confession.

Salvation is by faith but not by Faith ONLY. Water Baptism is a work of Faith. We need Baptism not because we want to be saved but because God wants obedience for us to be SAVED.

Luke 6:46 -47 "  “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?.......

ISSUES ON WATER BAPTISM

1. What About The Thief On The Cross? Lk 23:39-43 Luke 23:39-43 (NIV1984)39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”

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40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[a]”43 Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

I. THE THIEF WAS SAVED A. JESUS CERTAINLY HAD THE POWER TO SAVE HIM... B. JESUS CLEARLY OFFERED HIM SALVATION...II. THE THIEF WAS SAVED BEFORE BAPTISM WAS COMMANDED A. THE THIEF WAS NEVER SUBJECT TO THIS BAPTISM...III. THE THIEF WAS SAVED BEFORE THE NEW COVENANT BEGAN A. THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT COVENANTS... B. WE NOW LIVE UNDER THE NEW COVENANT...

2. Wasn't Paul Sent To Preach, Not Baptize? 1Co 1:14-171 Corinthians 1:14-17 (NIV)14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

I. PAUL WAS ADDRESSING A PROBLEM AT CORINTH A. WITH THEIR ATTITUDE TOWARD PREACHERS... B. IT APPEARS RELATED TO WHO BAPTIZED THEM... C. WHICH IS WHY PAUL WAS GLAD HE PERSONALLY

BAPTIZED FEW...II. PAUL'S PREACHING HAD RESULTED IN MANY BAPTISMS A. LUKE RECORDS PAUL'S WORK AT CORINTH... B. LUKE RECORDS THE SUCCESS OF PAUL'S

PREACHING...III. PAUL'S WORDS DEMONSTRATE THE NECESSITY OF BAPTISM

A. WERE YOU BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF PAUL ( 1:13)IV. PAUL WAS EMPHASIZING HIS ROLE AS AN APOSTLE

A. PAUL WAS SENT TO PREACH, NOT BAPTIZE...

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3. Baptism for the Dead 1Cor. 15:291 Corinthians 15:29 (NIV)29 Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them?

Many Mormons are not aware that Paul never said Christians baptized for the dead. Those verses say they, not we.Nobody believes that baptism by proxy is just another Christian doctrine. Mormons teach that it is one of the most important things they can do today, because the water baptism (while alive or else dead) is an essential ordinance for salvation. According to Bible Exposition Commentary – it probably means “winning others for Christ, if there is no resurrection, why bother to witness and win others to Christ?”