The first view—“Baptism Needed For Salvation”—is most commonly held with those within the “
The second view—“Baptism Not Needed For Salvation”—is most commonly held within the Baptist camp. According to this view, baptism is “an outward demonstration of an inward grace.” One experiences the salvation and regeneration of the Holy Spirit when we come to God in faith and repentance. This grace bestowed upon us that we experienced when we came to God in faith and repentance is demonstrated symbolically in our baptism. It is, in a sense, the “covenant sign” of the New Covenant, whereas circumcision was the covenant sign under the Old Covenant.
The third view (and one not commonly held) is that baptism enables the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, whereas faith and repentance bring justification. While the first view says that there is no salvation outside baptism, this view says that salvation is available without baptism. While the second view says (in essence) that baptism serves no definable purpose, this view says that baptism does play a role in the life of a believer: the Holy Spirit (one of the primary gifts of the New Covenant) indwells the person at this time. However, salvation is available without the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Faith and repentance are all that are truly needed, though baptism is definitely desired!
3 comments:
In fairness to the "Christian Churches/Churches of Christ," the belief is that baptism is a part of a salvation process and that the absence of any part of that process jeopardizes the whole of that process. i.e. belief is essential, repentance is essential, confession is essential, baptism is essential, and committment is essential.
Agreed.
This is my view. First that if someone does not get baptized, I believe that they will still go to heaven because I fail to think that God would send someone to hell for not getting baptized. for instance in Mark 16:15-16 says, "..Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." Now Jesus does not say whoever does not believe and IS NOT BAPTIZED will be condemned He just says whoever does not believe. On the same token why would someone who is filled with Christ and the love of God after salvation refuse baptism? Are they legitimately changed? I dont think so.
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