THE MOMENT OF SALVATION? BY STEVE FINNELL

At what point are men saved? When are sins forgiven. Those who believe men are saved by "faith only" believe that men are saved the moment they believe. Is that a Scriptural concept or a man-made tradition? The real question is, are men saved before they are baptized in water?

Jesus said "and has been baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16) Was Jesus confuse about the moment of salvation. The word "shall" is always future tense. SHALL DEFINED: intend to, definitely will, is determined to. Did Jesus get confused and think that "shall" meant was already saved?

Romans 6:3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?

If they were saved the moment they believed; then why did they have to be baptized into Christ Jesus. Are not all men who have been wash by the blood of Jesus Christ already part of the body of Christ?

Romans 6:4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

If men are saved the very minute they believe, then, why do they have to wait until they are baptized in water before they can walk in newness of life?

Romans 6:5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection,

If men are saved the moment they have faith, then, why are they not united with Jesus in the likeness of His death until they are baptized in water?

Romans 6:6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;

If men are saved the minute they believe, why then, do they have to be baptized in water in order that sin might be done away with?

Romans 6:7 for he who has died is freed from sin.

If men are saved the very minute that they believe, then why, do they have to be immersed in water before they have died to sin?

Romans 6:8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,

If we are saved the minute we believe, then why do we have to be baptized to live with Him.

Romans 6:11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ.

If men are saved the very moment that they believe, then why, are they not dead to sin and alive to God in Christ until they are baptized in water?

If you were saved the moment you believed---then you were saved before your sins were forgiven.(Acts 2:38....and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins...)

If you were saved the minute you believed---then you were saved before you clothed yourself with Christ.(Galatians 3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.)

If you were save the moment you believed--- then you were saved before your sins were washed away. (Acts 22:16 Now why do delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.)

THE ONLY PLACE YOU CAN FIND THE THE WORDS "MEN ARE SAVED THE MOMENT THEY BELIEVE" IS IN CREED BOOKS, STATEMENTS OF FAITH, BIBLE COMMENTARIES, AND BOOKS WRITTEN ABOUT THE BIBLE. YOU CANNOT FIND IT IN THE BIBLE!

THERE IS NO SCRIPTURE THAT SAYS MEN ARE SAVED BY "FAITH ONLY."

The moment of salvation is after belief and immersion in water. (Mark 16:16)

(All Scripture quotes from: NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE)