IS IGNORANCE A VALID EXCUSE? by steve finnell

Can ignorance be claimed as an excuse for rejecting the words of Jesus?

Mark 16:16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. (NKJV)

Is it a valid excuse to claim ignorance when denying that immersion in water is essential in order to be saved?

Acts 17:30 "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,

Ephesians 4:18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their heart;(NKJV)

Can men reject water baptism for the remission of sins and be excused because of their hard heart.

1 Timothy 1:13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.(NKJV)

The key here is "formerly" ignorant.  The apostle Paul never denied that water baptism was in order to receive forgiveness.

Galatians 1:6-9 ......9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received let him be accursed. (NKJV)

Can those who claim Jesus as savior and have read the New Testament Scriptures claim ignorance when they deny that water baptism is essential for forgiveness from sin?

Will the ignorance excuse work on Judgment Day?