ANALYSIS OF WATER BAPTISM AS A WORK BY STEVE FINNELL
Is water baptism a work and therefore not essential to salvation? Those who claim that baptism is a work use Ephesians 2:8-9 as their frame of reference.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
This makes it clear that we are not saved by works. What are the works that do not save us? 1. The works of the Law of Moses do not save us. 2. Our good deeds do not save us.
THE LAW OF MOSES: Galatians 2:16 nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ and not by works of the Law; since by works of the Law no flesh will be justified.
Is it stated in Jewish Law that men have to be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in order to be saved? No, it is not; therefore Christian water baptism cannot be a work of the Law of Moses.
GOOD DEEDS---WORKS: Titus 3:5 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,
God our Savior (Titus 3:4-5) saves us by His baptismal work (the washing of regeneration). It is not man's work.
If a person allows someone to baptize them in water; the one being baptized is not performing a good deed.
Being baptized in water is not a work of the Law nor is it a work of good deeds.
If water baptism is a work, then, why is believing in Jesus as the Christ, not a work? Believing is something that the individual does. God does not believe for you. No man can believe for you.
If water baptism is a work, then, why is repentance not a work? Men need to make a commitment to turn from sin and turn toward God in order to be saved. God does not repent for you. No man can repent for you.
If water baptism is a work that cannot save, then, why is confessing Jesus as Lord and Savior not a work? Confessing Jesus as the Christ is something only you can do. God cannot confess Jesus for you. No man can confess Jesus as your surrogate.
THE TRUTH IS THAT WATER BAPTISM IS NEITHER A WORK OF THE LAW OF MOSES NOR IS IT A WORK OF GOOD DEEDS!
This makes it clear that we are not saved by works. What are the works that do not save us? 1. The works of the Law of Moses do not save us. 2. Our good deeds do not save us.
THE LAW OF MOSES: Galatians 2:16 nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ and not by works of the Law; since by works of the Law no flesh will be justified.
Is it stated in Jewish Law that men have to be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in order to be saved? No, it is not; therefore Christian water baptism cannot be a work of the Law of Moses.
GOOD DEEDS---WORKS: Titus 3:5 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,
God our Savior (Titus 3:4-5) saves us by His baptismal work (the washing of regeneration). It is not man's work.
If a person allows someone to baptize them in water; the one being baptized is not performing a good deed.
Being baptized in water is not a work of the Law nor is it a work of good deeds.
If water baptism is a work, then, why is believing in Jesus as the Christ, not a work? Believing is something that the individual does. God does not believe for you. No man can believe for you.
If water baptism is a work, then, why is repentance not a work? Men need to make a commitment to turn from sin and turn toward God in order to be saved. God does not repent for you. No man can repent for you.
If water baptism is a work that cannot save, then, why is confessing Jesus as Lord and Savior not a work? Confessing Jesus as the Christ is something only you can do. God cannot confess Jesus for you. No man can confess Jesus as your surrogate.
THE TRUTH IS THAT WATER BAPTISM IS NEITHER A WORK OF THE LAW OF MOSES NOR IS IT A WORK OF GOOD DEEDS!
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