Religious Cults & False Prophets~ Discussions and DebatesFEW WERE SAVED BY WATERYou have not refuted that believers are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Baptismal regeneration is a false teaching and a traditional teaching of men. Titus 3:4-7
5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. NAS
Baptism is an act of obedience; not a requirement for salvation. Romans 12:3
3 For through the grace given to me I say to every man among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. NAS
Even our ability to have faith is from God and only God. Endurance wrote:They wrote:
Acts 2:38, "Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.‘"
This verse is a tough one. It seems to say that baptism is part of salvation. But we know, from other scriptures that it isn't, lest there be a contradiction. What is going on here is simply that repentance and forgiveness of sins are connected.
This person is letting you know that they are guessing. Look at their language. It seems to say... They don't even know what it says? They can only say it seems. They try to say lest there be a contridiction as a cop out. They cannot defend their position against the scripture because their position is the contradiction. All scripture has perfect cohesion. If your theology is contradicted by any scripture, it is wrong. But they try to make it seem as if you take the baptism necessity view, you are out of line with the rest of scripture.
However you have decided to ignore what follows these two sentences by pulling them out of context, which is what those who deny the full authority of Scripture always do in an attempt to teach false doctrine. Here is the balance you did not quote: What is going on here is simply that repentance and forgiveness of sins are connected. In the Greek, "repent" is in the plural and so is "your" of "your sins." They are meant to be understood as being related to each other. It is like saying, "All of you repent, each of you get baptized, and all of you will receive forgiveness." Repentance is a mark of salvation because it is granted by God (2 Tim. 2:25) and is given to believers only. In this context, only the regenerated, repentant person is to be baptized. Baptism is the manifestation of the repentance, that gift from God, that is the sign of the circumcised heart. That is why it says, repent and get baptized. In other words, the phrase "each of you get baptized in the name of Jesus Christ" is parenthetical since it is in the singular and "repent" is in the plural as is "your" of "your sins." Therefore, "repent" must go with the purpose of forgiveness of sins. Also, this concept fits with Peter’s statement in Acts 10:43 where the same phrase "sins may be forgiven" is used. There it is granted on the basis of faith alone.
Also, consider this from The Bible Knowledge Commentary: "The preposition used here is eis which, with the accusative case, may mean "on account of, on the basis of." It is used in this way in Matt. 12:41; and Mark 1:4. Though it is possible for this construction to mean "on the basis of," this is not its normal meaning; eis with the accusative case usually describes purpose or direction."
http://www.carm.org/oneness/onenessbaptism.htm
Your attempt to justify your false belief that baptism is required for salvation is based on a superficial knowledge of Scripture.
The ability to repent comes only from God: Romans 2:1-8
2:1 Therefore you are without excuse, every man of you who passes judgment, for in that you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. 2 And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things. 3 And do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment upon those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; 8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation.
NAS
2 Timothy 2:24-26
24 And the Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. NAS
We are saved, justified, sanctified, and able to repent only through the grace of God plus nothing else.
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