SCRIPTURAL HERMENEUTICS AND SALVATION? by steve finnell

Those who deny that water baptism is essential for salvation are guilty of improper Scriptural hermeneutics. When studying the Bible to find the answer to the question, "What must I do to be saved," proper hermeneutics is a must. All the Scriptures about salvation must be considered.

Some assert that men are saved by "faith alone." They claim that if water baptism was essential for salvation it would be mentioned every time the gospel was preached and every time salvation is addressed. That argument is nothing less than fallacious, hypocritical rhetoric.

Acts 15:11 "But we believe that through the grace of of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they." (NKJV)

Does the fact that Acts 15:11 only mentions grace prove that men can be saved without faith, without water baptism, without confessing that Jesus was raised from the dead by God, without confessing that Jesus is the Son of God, or without repenting? No, it does not. Proper hermeneutics dictates all relevant Scriptures must be considered.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not that of yourselves; it is the gift of God,(NKJV)

Does Ephesians 2:8 prove we are saved by grace only or faith only? No, it does not.

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

Because Mark 16:16 does not mention grace. Does that prove  that men can be saved without God's grace? Of course not.

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

In Titus 3:5 we are told we are saved because of God's mercy. Since mercy is not mentioned in every Scripture concerning salvation, does that mean God's mercy is not essential in order to be saved? No it does not.

Romans 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus Christ and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.(NKJV)

Seeing that Romans 10:9 does not state that grace and immersion in water are part of salvation, does that prove they are not essential in order to be saved? No, it does not.

1 Peter 3:21 There is also an antitype which now saves us, namely baptism(not the removal of filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,(NKJV)

Does 1 Peter 3:21 prove that water baptism alone saves men? Of course not.


WHAT MEN HAVE TO DO TO BE SAVED? They need to obey the gospel. 2 Thessalonians 1:8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God and those who not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. (NKJV).

THE GOSPEL
Ephesians 2:8
John 3:16
Acts 16:30-31
Acts 2:38
Acts 3:19
Mark 16:16
John 3:5
Romans 10:9
Acts 15:11
Romans 10:13
Acts 22:16
1 Peter 3:21
Galatians 3:27
Romans 6:3-7
Acts 2:21
Ephesians 5:25-27
John 8:24
Acts 8:35-38
Matthew 28:19
John 14:6
Acts 4:10-12
Luke 24:46-47
Acts 2:29-41 ---THE FIRST DAY OF THE LORD'S CHURCH--

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MEN ARE NOT SAVED BY GRACE ALONE.

MEN ARE NOT SAVED BY WATER BAPTISM ALONE.

MEN ARE NOT SAVED BY FAITH ALONE.

MEN ARE NOT SAVED BY CONFESSION ALONE.

Jesus made salvation very simple. HE THAT BELIEVES AND IS BAPTIZED SHALL BE SAVED.