Baptism in water isn’t a work of man.

OK, IT’S SETTLED, BAPTISM FOR THE CLEANSING OF SINS IS NOT A WORK OF MAN. IT'S THE WORK OF GOD!

YOU’RE NOT DOING IT; IT’S DONE TO YOU.

Key scriptures from Heaven: Not my words.

Matthew 28:19

Mark 16:15-16

Acts 2:38

Acts 8:36-39

Acts 22:16

Romans 6:3-5

1 Peter 3:21

Galatians 3:27

Colossians 2:11-12 ***

Revelation 22:14

 

Being baptized in water for the forgiveness of sins is not an attempt to be saved by a system of works; water baptism does not require any physical effort on the part of the one being baptized. One who is being baptized is physically passive, allowing himself to be lowered into the water and brought up out of the water by the physical effort of another. The baptizer is doing all the physical work. However, while one who is scripturally baptized is physically passive, he or she is actively trusting in “the powerful working of God” at this moment. Notice what apostle Paul wrote to the church at Colossae on this matter.

"In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross." (Colossians 2:11-14)

God Operates In Baptism:

Thus, what Paul by the Holy Spirit is saying, what spiritually occurs in water baptism in the name of Jesus is not the weak working of a man seeking to save himself by his own effort but “the powerful working of God”, who in that moment in time is saving the individual forgiving his or her sins by grace through one’s faith.

We all agree that God must operate, act, or work for a sinner in order to be saved. If God acts or works for our salvation, we must recognize this as his grace; we contend salvation is the result of his unmerited favor. The question is: Is this salvation wholly his work without our submission to his name in baptism? Paul here says that God operates or works! But he tells us that God operates on the sinner “in baptism.” If God’s operation on sinners is necessary for salvation, so is baptism! The passage says this work of God, not man takes place in water baptism by faith! 

One cannot eliminate baptism and still have the operation of God. And if baptism is necessary for God to operate in the salvation of sinners, so is baptism essential for the sinner to become a receiver of God’s grace. Salvation is offered by grace; but initial salvation offered by grace is given in the working of God in baptism to cleanse sins; therefore, the grace of God is not invalidated by baptism but accomplishes its design from heaven. One is “made alive together with Christ” when he or she is scripturally baptized into Christ by “faith” in the working of God.

Have you been properly baptized into Christ? Have a blessed day, Eric Johnson.

Called by God

During the feast the king noticed a man “who was not wearing wedding clothes” (verse 11). When asked how he came to be there without the furnished attire, the man had no answer and was promptly ejected from the feast “outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (verses 12-13). Jesus then ends the parable with this statement: “For many are called, but few are chosen” (verse 14).

The king is God the Father, and the son who is being honored at the banquet is Jesus Christ, who “came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him” (John 1:11). Israel held the invitation to the kingdom, but when the time actually came for the kingdom to appear (see Matthew 3:1), they refused to believe it. Many prophets, including John the Baptist, had been murdered (Matthew 14:10). The king’s reprisal against the murderers can be interpreted as a prophecy of Jerusalem’s destruction in A.D. 70 at the hands of the Romans (cf. Luke 21:5). More broadly, the king’s vengeance speaks of the desolation mentioned in the book of Revelation. God is patient, but He will not tolerate wickedness forever (Obadiah 1:15). His judgment will come upon those who reject His offer of salvation. Considering what that salvation cost Jesus, is not this judgment well deserved? (see Hebrews 10:29-31)

Note that it is not because the invited guests could not come to the wedding feast, but that they would not come (see Luke 13:34). Everyone had an excuse. How tragic, and how indicative of human nature, to be offered the blessings of God and to refuse them because of the draw of mundane worldly things!

How is one called by God? A person is drawn and surrenders to the invitation of salvation through Jesus instructions in the written word, the Bible.

How is one initially chosen after being called? He or she repents and believes in Jesus as God in the flesh while He was on earth, and the risen Lord and Christ, then obeys the gospel clothing oneself with Christ through water baptism by faith (Galatians 3:27). One then begins walking in newness of life (Romans 6:4).

Those that accept His invitation today and in the future will go on doing so until the end of time having the Church “filled with guests". Then God the Father puts an end to all that we see and know at His appointed time.

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22.20)

 

9 Questions

9 questions for those that still want to insist salvation occurs before baptism:

 

 ACTS 2:36-41

 

1.) When the crowd asked what they must do, did Peter say, “Repent and BELIEVE!” or did he say, “Repent and be BAPTIZED!”?

 

2.) When the crowd asked what they must do, did Peter say, “Ask Jesus to come into your heart! Pray and ask God to forgive you!” or did he say, “Repent and be BAPTIZED!”?

 

3.) When the crowd asked what they must do, did Peter lead them in the “sinner’s prayer” or did he tell them to “Repent and be BAPTIZED!”?

 

4.) If they were already saved before they were baptized, then why did Peter tell them to “Repent!”? (Verse 38)

 

5.) If they were already saved before they were baptized, why did Peter tell them, “SAVE yourselves…!”? (Verse 40)

 

6.) If “eis” means “because of”, where is there even one single credible version of the Bible where the translators translated this phrase “because of” and not “for”, or “so that”?

 

7.) Forgiveness only comes after repentance (Luke 13:3,5). So if “eis” means “because of”, why would Peter tell them to “Repent because your sins have already been forgiven!”?

 

8.) If baptism is not when our souls become saved, then why does it say, in verse 41, “Then they that gladly received his word were BAPTIZED: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand SOULS.”?

 

9.) If baptism is not for today, then why did Peter tell them, “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.”? (Verse 39)

Though He doesn't need to, GOD rests His case...