For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Bill Gillan
So I assume those who advocate that baptism to be saved feel that death bed conversions are in fact ineffective?
Brandon Hughes
Hello Bill, why would death bed conversions be ineffective if someone believes what the bible teaches concerning baptism (that is saves)? Do you believe the only form of baptism is full immersion?
While full immersion is one way to baptize people it is by no means the only way.
Bill Gillan
Hi Brandon, pleased to meet you.
Sorry if my question was not clear. What I was trying to get at is, that if someone on their deathbed calls on the name of Jesus and asks for forgiveness of their sins and acknowledges what Jesus said in John 6:29 "The only work that God wants from you is to believe in the one he sent"
If that person has not had a chance to be baptized before they die , then those that teach you must be baptized in order to be saved are saying in effect that person is not saved.
I hope that makes more sense.
God bless
Brandon Hughes
Thanks Bill, that cleared up your question nicely, sorry I misunderstood. Looking at the words of Jesus in Mark 16 "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." Jesus does not say we will be condemned if we are not baptized.
The promise of the forgiveness of sins (the gospel) is attached to the preached Word of God, written Word of God, baptism and the Lord's Supper. The bible does not say all are required for salvation but it teaches all of them are means of grace. The means of grace are necessary for salvation.
Tempered Ncube
But Jesus commission is clear,
Matthew 28:19
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Acts 2:38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized 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.
Romans 6:3
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Galatians 3:27
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Romans 6:4
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Colossians 2:12
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
1 John 5:8
And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
So then if water baptism is not necessary, how are we buried with him by baptism?
Secondly; How can the Spirit, water and the blood bear witness without one being baptized?
Thirdly answer Paul's question to the Corinth: 1 Corinthians 1:13
Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?