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Faith vs Baptism (Part 2) Sinner's Prayer
This is the email that was sent back to our friend. I hope that this response to the Faith
Vs Baptism question can clear up any doubts you might have. That is why it is here. Faith
vs Baptism Podcast is here.
Listen to Faith vs Baptism Podcast
Dear Friend,
Thank you for the email that you sent in regarding baptism and salvation. I appreciate the
desire that you stated that you have to do those things which God has revealed in His
word. This is my desire above all else that I may be found well pleasing in His sight. I
appreciate also the effort you went to in noting a number of verses in your email as they
relate to the subject of salvation. Having considered your words, I will ask that you would
consider mine. More importantly, I would ask that you would consider the things God has
said on the subject of baptism. I will answer each of these points you made in your email.
1. The Bible teaches that to be saved a person must "BELIEVE ON THE LORD
JESUS CHRIST."
I, in no way, would try to dispute that faith is essential to one being saved by God. In
fact, it is the very foundation of what makes one pleasing to God (cf. Hebrews 11:6).
When the Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas what he must do to be saved they did
respond by saying, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." The real
question is when could it be said that the Philippian jailer believed? If you study Acts 16:30-
34, you will find that they were taught the word (vs. 32), they were baptized (vs. 33), and
only then could it be said that they were "believing in God" (vs. 34). He was saved by
believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as that faith moved Him to obedience. You see, it takes
more than simply saying you believe that Jesus is the Son of God to truly a "believer" - a
believer must act. Is this not the message of James in James 2:17? He writes that, "Even
so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." To say that one is saved by some
mental assent that Jesus is the Christ and by that alone is to assert that someone is saved
by dead faith. Surely that cannot be the case. It is also written in John 1:12, "But as many
as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that
believe on his name..." You see, faith alone does not make one a child of God it simply
gives one the right to become one of His children. Being baptized is part of being a true
"believer".
2. The Bible teaches throughout the New Testament that FAITH and FAITH ALONE
is necessary
for salvation. I read all of the verses you placed under this point in your email and I
believe each and every one of them. Once again, I wish for you to understand that I
believe that is essential to salvation. The disagreement you have with the Scriptures is that
you try to say that one is saved by "FAITH ALONE." Let me submit to you that no one is
saved by any one thing "alone."
The Bible teaches that one is saved by...
Faith
The Blood of Jesus (Romans 5:9; Matthew 26:28)
The Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-2; Romans 1:16; James 1:21)
Grace (Ephesians 5:5-8)
Mercy (Titus 2:5)
Works (James 2:24)
Repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10)
Confession (Romans 10:10; Matthew 10:32)
Baptism (Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21)
If, as you say, man is saved by "FAITH ALONE" then which of these things above can we
leave out? Romans 10:10 states that, "...with the heart man believeth unto righteousness;
and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Do you believe that confession is
necessary for salvation? Paul taught it. If so, then is something other than "FAITH
ALONE" required for salvation? Surely you can see the fallacy in saying that we are saved
by "FAITH ALONE."
The passages that you listed do deal with the necessity of faith for salvation. To say that
just because baptism is not mentioned in those passages means that it is not necessary is to
draw a conclusion you have no right to draw. Surely you must agree that when we study
God's word we must look at it as a whole and not pull a passage out here and there to try
and prove a point.
Furthermore, it is important to note that in no place does the Bible ever use the statement
that we are saved by "FAITH ALONE." In fact, the closest the Bible ever comes to using
that phrase is found in James 2:24. James writes these words, "Ye see then how that by
works a man is justified, and not by faith only." The only time the Bible talks about
faith only, it says one is not justified by faith alone. This inspired servant of God states
that we are justified not by "FAITH ALONE" but by works and faith. As one who claims
to believe the Bible to be absolute truth (as I do), you must admit that the word of God
says that one is not justified by faith alone.
Under this point you also state, For example, in Acts 10:43 why didn't Peter say,
"whosoever believeth in Him and is baptized shall receive remission (forgiveness) of sins"?
It is important to note that Peter obviously did teach Cornelius' household the necessity of
baptism when "he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord (vs. 47-48), In
addition, as we consider all of God's inspired word we note that on the day of Pentecost in
Acts 2:38, Peter preached a message almost identical to what you said in your email.
"Then Peter said unto them, 'Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of
Jesus Christ for the remission of sins...'" (Acts 2:38). Peter taught that baptism was
essential to the remission of sins.
3. EPHESIANS 2:8-9 is a passage which God has given to answer this key question:
HOW IS A PERSON SAVED? This important doctrinal verse says nothing about
water baptism. This passage does not speak to water baptism specifically. However,
does it exclude everything else but faith? It doesn't say anything about repentance, but one
must repent (cf. Luke 13:3)? It doesn't say anything about confession, but one must
confess (cf. Romans 10:10)? All the verses of the New Testament are important doctrinal
verses. Let me share some others with you that point out the necessity of baptism for
salvation.
Acts 2:38 - "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in
the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the
Holy Ghost."
Acts 22:16 - "And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy
sins, calling on the name of the Lord."
Galatians 3:27 - "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on
Christ."
1 Peter 3:21 - The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the
putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,)
by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:"
Do any of those important doctrinal passages mention faith? No. Does that mean faith is
not essential? No, it simply means that as faith is essential, so is baptism. They are both
noted as being necessary for salvation.
4. Water baptism is a WORK (something that man does to please God), and yet the
Bible teaches again and again that a person is not saved by works. These verses are
talking about works of merit - where you think God owes you salvation. All works cannot
be excluded. Take Ephesians 2:8-9 and James 2:24. Paul writes that justification is "not of
work, ;est any man should boast" and James writes that a "man is justified by works." To
take your position that all works are excluded by Paul would mean that James was wrong
in what he said. Was James wrong in the teachings of James 2:24? Paul is speaking of
works of merit while James is speaking of acts of obedience.
Did you know belief is a work? Jesus said it was. "Jesus answered and said unto them,
'This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent'" (John 6:29).
Repentance is a work, confession is a work, and if you believe that one must pray a
"sinner's prayer" (by the way, I do not believe this) that is a work as well. Do you believe
that one must believe, repent, or confess to be saved (as the Bible clearly teaches)? If so,
you believe works are necessary for salvation! When I was baptized, I was not baptized
so that God would owe me a salvation, I was baptized because the Lord commanded it and
I was simply obeying His will that I might be saved as He has promised.
You state: "In other words, salvation is not DOING something; it is knowing someone
(John 17:3)."
Salvation is by the grace and mercy of God as the Bible Teaches. To know Jesus is to
love Him, and to love Him is to obey Him (cf .John 14:15; 1 John 5:3). Keeping the
commandments of the Lord is necessary to show our love for Him and to be saved
eternally (Revelation 22:14). Salvation is promised to the one who believes, repents, and is
baptized (cf. Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38) - one must do those things! It is hard to get away
from the simple Bible teaching of 1 Peter 3:21 that "baptism doth also now save us." If the
Bible means what it says (and I believe every word of it) baptism is essential to salvation.
This is not an act of merit, but rather a simple submission to the will of our Lord.
I appreciate the email you sent. I ask you to consider these things as I have considered the
things that you have written to me. Should you live in the area, I would be more than
happy to sit down face to face and discuss these things with you. If you wish to continue
this study through email, that will be fine as well. May we ever, "Believe not every spirit,
but try the spirits whether they are of God: Because many false prophets are gone out into
the world" (1 John 4:1). I look forward to hearing from you.
The Sinner's Prayer
The Sinners Prayer is Modern apostasy. The Sinners Prayer is a false teaching that
prevents men from being saved by clouding the need for baptism with faith only.
The Sinners Prayer dates back less than 500 years. The Sinners Prayer was not
formalized as a theology until about 50 years ago.
The Sinners Prayer is the Devil's attempt to cloud the issue of Salvation. The Bible
clearly states what is needed to be saved. It states we need Faith and Baptism.
To be saved you must:
1.) Hear the “good news” (i.e. the gospel) of Jesus Christ (Romans 10:14)
2.) Believe (Hebrews 11:6; Acts 8:37; Mark 16:16; John 8:24)
3.) Repent of our sins (Luke 13:3-5; Acts 2:38; Acts 17:30; Mark 10:15)
4.) Confess faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 8:36-37; Romans 10:9)
5.) Be baptized (in water) for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:37-41; 1 Peter 3:21; John 3:3-
5; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3-8; Colossians 2:12; Galatians 3:26-27; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 8:
34-39; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 4:5)
6.) Remain faithful for the rest of our lives and carry our cross daily (Revelation 2:10;
Matthew 24:13; Luke 9:23) (What about, “Once saved always saved”?)
We become saved (conversion occurs) and we come into contact with the blood of Christ
(or enter into Christ), at baptism, after steps 1-4 have been fulfilled.
Listen to Faith vs Baptism Podcast
http://www.bible.ca/g-sinners-prayer.htm
Vs Baptism question can clear up any doubts you might have. That is why it is here. Faith
vs Baptism Podcast is here.
Listen to Faith vs Baptism Podcast
Dear Friend,
Thank you for the email that you sent in regarding baptism and salvation. I appreciate the
desire that you stated that you have to do those things which God has revealed in His
word. This is my desire above all else that I may be found well pleasing in His sight. I
appreciate also the effort you went to in noting a number of verses in your email as they
relate to the subject of salvation. Having considered your words, I will ask that you would
consider mine. More importantly, I would ask that you would consider the things God has
said on the subject of baptism. I will answer each of these points you made in your email.
1. The Bible teaches that to be saved a person must "BELIEVE ON THE LORD
JESUS CHRIST."
I, in no way, would try to dispute that faith is essential to one being saved by God. In
fact, it is the very foundation of what makes one pleasing to God (cf. Hebrews 11:6).
When the Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas what he must do to be saved they did
respond by saying, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." The real
question is when could it be said that the Philippian jailer believed? If you study Acts 16:30-
34, you will find that they were taught the word (vs. 32), they were baptized (vs. 33), and
only then could it be said that they were "believing in God" (vs. 34). He was saved by
believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as that faith moved Him to obedience. You see, it takes
more than simply saying you believe that Jesus is the Son of God to truly a "believer" - a
believer must act. Is this not the message of James in James 2:17? He writes that, "Even
so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." To say that one is saved by some
mental assent that Jesus is the Christ and by that alone is to assert that someone is saved
by dead faith. Surely that cannot be the case. It is also written in John 1:12, "But as many
as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that
believe on his name..." You see, faith alone does not make one a child of God it simply
gives one the right to become one of His children. Being baptized is part of being a true
"believer".
2. The Bible teaches throughout the New Testament that FAITH and FAITH ALONE
is necessary
for salvation. I read all of the verses you placed under this point in your email and I
believe each and every one of them. Once again, I wish for you to understand that I
believe that is essential to salvation. The disagreement you have with the Scriptures is that
you try to say that one is saved by "FAITH ALONE." Let me submit to you that no one is
saved by any one thing "alone."
The Bible teaches that one is saved by...
Faith
The Blood of Jesus (Romans 5:9; Matthew 26:28)
The Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-2; Romans 1:16; James 1:21)
Grace (Ephesians 5:5-8)
Mercy (Titus 2:5)
Works (James 2:24)
Repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10)
Confession (Romans 10:10; Matthew 10:32)
Baptism (Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21)
If, as you say, man is saved by "FAITH ALONE" then which of these things above can we
leave out? Romans 10:10 states that, "...with the heart man believeth unto righteousness;
and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Do you believe that confession is
necessary for salvation? Paul taught it. If so, then is something other than "FAITH
ALONE" required for salvation? Surely you can see the fallacy in saying that we are saved
by "FAITH ALONE."
The passages that you listed do deal with the necessity of faith for salvation. To say that
just because baptism is not mentioned in those passages means that it is not necessary is to
draw a conclusion you have no right to draw. Surely you must agree that when we study
God's word we must look at it as a whole and not pull a passage out here and there to try
and prove a point.
Furthermore, it is important to note that in no place does the Bible ever use the statement
that we are saved by "FAITH ALONE." In fact, the closest the Bible ever comes to using
that phrase is found in James 2:24. James writes these words, "Ye see then how that by
works a man is justified, and not by faith only." The only time the Bible talks about
faith only, it says one is not justified by faith alone. This inspired servant of God states
that we are justified not by "FAITH ALONE" but by works and faith. As one who claims
to believe the Bible to be absolute truth (as I do), you must admit that the word of God
says that one is not justified by faith alone.
Under this point you also state, For example, in Acts 10:43 why didn't Peter say,
"whosoever believeth in Him and is baptized shall receive remission (forgiveness) of sins"?
It is important to note that Peter obviously did teach Cornelius' household the necessity of
baptism when "he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord (vs. 47-48), In
addition, as we consider all of God's inspired word we note that on the day of Pentecost in
Acts 2:38, Peter preached a message almost identical to what you said in your email.
"Then Peter said unto them, 'Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of
Jesus Christ for the remission of sins...'" (Acts 2:38). Peter taught that baptism was
essential to the remission of sins.
3. EPHESIANS 2:8-9 is a passage which God has given to answer this key question:
HOW IS A PERSON SAVED? This important doctrinal verse says nothing about
water baptism. This passage does not speak to water baptism specifically. However,
does it exclude everything else but faith? It doesn't say anything about repentance, but one
must repent (cf. Luke 13:3)? It doesn't say anything about confession, but one must
confess (cf. Romans 10:10)? All the verses of the New Testament are important doctrinal
verses. Let me share some others with you that point out the necessity of baptism for
salvation.
Acts 2:38 - "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in
the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the
Holy Ghost."
Acts 22:16 - "And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy
sins, calling on the name of the Lord."
Galatians 3:27 - "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on
Christ."
1 Peter 3:21 - The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the
putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,)
by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:"
Do any of those important doctrinal passages mention faith? No. Does that mean faith is
not essential? No, it simply means that as faith is essential, so is baptism. They are both
noted as being necessary for salvation.
4. Water baptism is a WORK (something that man does to please God), and yet the
Bible teaches again and again that a person is not saved by works. These verses are
talking about works of merit - where you think God owes you salvation. All works cannot
be excluded. Take Ephesians 2:8-9 and James 2:24. Paul writes that justification is "not of
work, ;est any man should boast" and James writes that a "man is justified by works." To
take your position that all works are excluded by Paul would mean that James was wrong
in what he said. Was James wrong in the teachings of James 2:24? Paul is speaking of
works of merit while James is speaking of acts of obedience.
Did you know belief is a work? Jesus said it was. "Jesus answered and said unto them,
'This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent'" (John 6:29).
Repentance is a work, confession is a work, and if you believe that one must pray a
"sinner's prayer" (by the way, I do not believe this) that is a work as well. Do you believe
that one must believe, repent, or confess to be saved (as the Bible clearly teaches)? If so,
you believe works are necessary for salvation! When I was baptized, I was not baptized
so that God would owe me a salvation, I was baptized because the Lord commanded it and
I was simply obeying His will that I might be saved as He has promised.
You state: "In other words, salvation is not DOING something; it is knowing someone
(John 17:3)."
Salvation is by the grace and mercy of God as the Bible Teaches. To know Jesus is to
love Him, and to love Him is to obey Him (cf .John 14:15; 1 John 5:3). Keeping the
commandments of the Lord is necessary to show our love for Him and to be saved
eternally (Revelation 22:14). Salvation is promised to the one who believes, repents, and is
baptized (cf. Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38) - one must do those things! It is hard to get away
from the simple Bible teaching of 1 Peter 3:21 that "baptism doth also now save us." If the
Bible means what it says (and I believe every word of it) baptism is essential to salvation.
This is not an act of merit, but rather a simple submission to the will of our Lord.
I appreciate the email you sent. I ask you to consider these things as I have considered the
things that you have written to me. Should you live in the area, I would be more than
happy to sit down face to face and discuss these things with you. If you wish to continue
this study through email, that will be fine as well. May we ever, "Believe not every spirit,
but try the spirits whether they are of God: Because many false prophets are gone out into
the world" (1 John 4:1). I look forward to hearing from you.
The Sinner's Prayer
The Sinners Prayer is Modern apostasy. The Sinners Prayer is a false teaching that
prevents men from being saved by clouding the need for baptism with faith only.
The Sinners Prayer dates back less than 500 years. The Sinners Prayer was not
formalized as a theology until about 50 years ago.
The Sinners Prayer is the Devil's attempt to cloud the issue of Salvation. The Bible
clearly states what is needed to be saved. It states we need Faith and Baptism.
To be saved you must:
1.) Hear the “good news” (i.e. the gospel) of Jesus Christ (Romans 10:14)
2.) Believe (Hebrews 11:6; Acts 8:37; Mark 16:16; John 8:24)
3.) Repent of our sins (Luke 13:3-5; Acts 2:38; Acts 17:30; Mark 10:15)
4.) Confess faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 8:36-37; Romans 10:9)
5.) Be baptized (in water) for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:37-41; 1 Peter 3:21; John 3:3-
5; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3-8; Colossians 2:12; Galatians 3:26-27; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 8:
34-39; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 4:5)
6.) Remain faithful for the rest of our lives and carry our cross daily (Revelation 2:10;
Matthew 24:13; Luke 9:23) (What about, “Once saved always saved”?)
We become saved (conversion occurs) and we come into contact with the blood of Christ
(or enter into Christ), at baptism, after steps 1-4 have been fulfilled.
Listen to Faith vs Baptism Podcast
http://www.bible.ca/g-sinners-prayer.htm
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