IS WATER BAPTISM ESSENTIAL FOR SALVATION by steve finnell

The following are views not given by the inspiration of God. They are not included in Scripture. They are based on men's interpretation of Scripture.

UNINSPIRED VIEWS

1. Quote: Dr. Charles Stanley "Baptism allows us to demonstrate our connection with Jesus......But it's important to remember that Ephesians 2:8-9 says faith in Jesus Christ is the only requirement for salvation, not baptism..."[Ref. source: http://wwwjesus.org/following-jesus/baptism/do-christians-need-to-be-baptized.html] 

[ NOTE: Ephesians 2:8-9 Does not say faith is the only requirement for salvation]  

2. Quote: John MacArthur "If water baptism were necessary for salvation, we would expect to find it stressed whenever the gospel is presented in Scripture. That is not the case...[REf. source:http://www.gty.org/Recources/Questions/Qa79]

3. Quote: Irenaeus 120-205 AD "As we are lepers in sin, we are made clean from our old transgressions by means of the sacred water and the invocation of the Lord. We are thus spiritually regenerated as newborn infants, even as the Lord has declared: "Except a man be born again through the water and the Spirit, he shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven'"----(Irenaeus , "Fragments From lost Writings", no. 34, Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol 1, pg 574)

4. Quote: Tertullian 140-230 AD "Happy is our sacrament of water, in that, by washing away the sins of our early blindness, we are set free and admitted into eternal life....(Tertullian, "On Baptism," Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol 3, p. 676)

5. Quote: Irenaeus 120-125 AD "This class of men have been instigated by Satan to a denial of that baptism which is regeneration to God, and thus to a renunciation of the whole faith." (Against Heresies, bk. 1, chap. 21. 1 Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol 1, pg 345.) NKJV

6. In a television interview in Nashville, TN, July 2, 1997, Max Lucado said: "I believe in baptism. Jesus was baptized. The Bible teaches baptism. I just don't believe that baptism saves you. I believe that Jesus Christ saves us. And baptism is one of those ways we celebrate our salvation. It's really the initial step of the faithful believer." 

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THE FOLLOWING ARE QUOTES INSPIRED BY GOD

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God...(NKJV)

1. Quote: Jesus Christ "He who believes and is baptized will be saved... Mark 16:16 (NKJV)

2. Quote: Jesus Christ "..."Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. John 3:5 (NKJV)

3. Quote: Apostle Peter " ..."Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins....Acts 2:38 (NKJV)

4. Quote: Apostle Peter "There is also an antitype which now saves us, namely baptism... 1 Peter 3:21 (NKJV)

5. Quote: Apostle Paul "not by works of righteous which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5 (NKJV)

6. Quote: Apostle Paul  .... "Christ also loved the church..."that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word," Ephesians 5:25-26 (NKJV)