Transcript 7 Myths About Salvation - 2 - I Can Be Saved Without Water

Examining and reproving these myths in light of God’s word
The Continued Need…
• Division undermines Christianity!
– John 17:20–21 -20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also
for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21
that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I
in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world
may believe that You sent Me.
The Continued Need…
• Error demands reproof!
– 2 Timothy 4:1–5 -1 I charge you therefore before God and
the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the
dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the
word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince,
rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For
the time will come when they will not endure sound
doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they
have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves
teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the
truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful
in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an
evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
The Continued Need…
• Souls are being lost!
– James 5:19–20 -19 Brethren, if anyone among you
wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20
let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of
his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude
of sins.
A Simple Challenge!
1 Thessalonians 5:21
“Test all things; hold fast what is good.”
“I Can Be Saved Without Water Baptism”
The Position
““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 2:38) The
above verse of scripture is a favorite among many religious
groups. . . . The verse is a favorite because, on the surface, it
seemingly states that one must be baptized in order to be
saved, and without baptism one is not saved. So, those who
believe that water baptism is essential for salvation make it a
regular habit of using Acts 2:38 as scriptural support. The
problem is that Acts 2:38 isn't the only verse in the Bible which
deals with salvation. While many claim to “speak where the
scriptures speak and remain silent where the scriptures are
silent,” they practically ignore most of the New Testament
teaching on salvation. The only verses that such false teachers
quote and reference are the ones they feel they can use to
promote their “water gospel.” . . .
The Position
“ . . . The fact is that most of what the New Testament says
about salvation doesn't include baptism at all! (John 5:24, John
11:25-26, John 14:6, Romans 4:5, Romans 10:9-13, Eph. 2:8-9,
etc.), and the few places that do mention water baptism do not
include it as part of one's salvation. Water baptism follows
salvation as one of the first steps of obedience for the new
believer. In spite of this obvious truth, the cultists remain
steadfast in their heresy, insisting that Acts 2:38 sets forth
water baptism as a requirement for salvation. Thus, this verse
of scripture has become Satan's favorite Bible verse.” (James L.
Melton, http://www.biblebelievers.com/jmelton/acts2.html).
The Position
“One of the most nagging questions in Christianity is whether or
not baptism is necessary for salvation. The answer is a simple,
"No, water baptism is not necessary for salvation." But you
might ask, "If the answer is no, then why are there verses that
say things like '...baptism that now saves you...' (1 Pet. 3:21) and
'...Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of
Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins...' (Acts 2:38)?"
These are good questions and they deserve a good answer, so
we will look at these verses later. But for now, the reason
baptism is not necessary for salvation is because we are
justified by faith (Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:8), not by faith and a
ceremony (Rom. 4:1-11).” (Matt Slick, http://carm.org/isbaptism-necessary-salvation)
General Reproofs
• Why is “one baptism” cited in a list with some
critical items as “faith” and “hope” if it is not
essential?
– Ephesians 4:3–6 - 3 …endeavoring to keep the unity of the
Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one
Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5
one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of
all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
General Reproofs
• Why do some of Jesus’ final instructions on earth
plainly state the importance of baptism?
– Mark 16:15–16 - 15 And He said to them, “Go into all the
world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who
believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does
not believe will be condemned.
– Matthew 28:19–20 - 19 Go therefore and make disciples of
all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to
observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am
with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
General Reproofs
• Why did John the Baptist prepare the way for Jesus
by baptizing people for the remission of their sins?
– Matthew 3:11 - I indeed baptize you with water unto
repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier
than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will
baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
– Luke 3:3 - And he went into all the region around the
Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the
remission of sins…
– John 3:22 - After these things Jesus and His disciples came
into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them
and baptized.
General Reproofs
• Why does Paul recount the Roman brethren’s
baptisms as if they were all baptized instead of as
an optional command?
– Romans 6:1–6 -1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that
grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live
any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were
baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore
we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as
Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we
also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united
together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the
likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was
crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that
we should no longer be slaves of sin.
General Reproofs
• Why does the Old Testament prefigure baptism in
so many different ways?
– Noah and the flood – 1 Pet. 3:20-21
– The Red Sea – 1 Cor. 10:1-4
– The Lavar of Washing – cf. Ex. 30:17-21; 40:30-32 (Heb.
9:9-10)
– Naaman the Leper – 2 Kings 7:9-14
– The Blind Man – John 9:1-11
– Circumcision – Col. 2:11-13
General Reproofs
• Why are there so many general allusions to baptism
in the doctrine of the New Testament?
– We must be born again – John 3:5-7
– We are baptized into Christ by faith – Gal. 3:26-27
– We draw near to God in full assurance of faith as we have
our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and bodies
washed with pure water – Heb. 10:22
– We, the church, are sanctified and cleansed with the
washing of water by the word – Eph. 5:26
– We, like the Corinthians, were washed – 1 Cor. 6:11
– We are saved through the washing of regeneration and the
renewal of the Holy Spirit – Tit. 1:4-5
Case Studies
• The Thief on the Cross …
– Luke 23:39–43 - 39 Then one of the criminals who were
hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ,
save Yourself and us.” 40 But the other, answering, rebuked
him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are
under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly,
for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man
has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord,
remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” 43 And
Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will
be with Me in Paradise.”
Case Studies
• The Thief on the Cross…
– Romans 6:1–6 -1 What shall we say then? Shall we
continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not!
How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do
you not know that as many of us as were baptized into
Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we
were buried with Him through baptism into death, that
just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the
Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5
For if we have been united together in the likeness of His
death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His
resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was
crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done
away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.
Case Studies
• The Thief on the Cross …
– Hebrews 9:16–18 -16 For where there is a testament, there
must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a
testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no
power at all while the testator lives. 18 Therefore not even
the first covenant was dedicated without blood.
– Romans 9:14–16 -14 What shall we say then? Is there
unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! 15 For He says to
Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy,
and I will have compassion on whomever I will have
compassion.” 16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of
him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.
Case Studies
• The Jews on the Day of Pentecost…
– Acts 2:37–47 -37 Now when they heard this, they were cut
to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles,
“Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said
to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in
the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and
you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. . . . 40 And with
many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying,
“Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those
who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day
about three thousand souls were added to them. . . . 47
And the Lord added to the church daily those who were
being saved.
Case Studies
• The Ethiopian Eunuch…
– Acts 8:26–39 - 26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying,
“Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down
from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. 27 So he arose and went.
And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under
Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her
treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 was returning.
And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. 29
Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.” 30
So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and
said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said,
“How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to
come up and sit with him. 32 The place in the Scripture which he
read was this: “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a
lamb before its shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth.
Case Studies
• The Ethiopian Eunuch…
– Acts 8:26–39 - 33 In His humiliation His justice was taken away, And
who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the
earth.” 34 So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of
whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other
man?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this
Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 36 Now as they went down the
road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is
water. What hinders me from being baptized?” 37 Then Philip said,
“If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and
said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” 38 So he
commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the
eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39 Now
when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught
Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on
his way rejoicing.
Case Studies
• The Apostle Paul…
– Acts 22:12–16 -12 “Then a certain Ananias, a devout man
according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews
who dwelt there, 13 came to me; and he stood and said to me,
‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that same hour I looked
up at him. 14 Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen
you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and
hear the voice of His mouth. 15 For you will be His witness to all
men of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now why are you
waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins,
calling on the name of the Lord.’
Case Studies
• The Centurion Cornelius…
– Acts 10:43–48 -43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through
His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of
sins.” 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy
Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of
the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as
came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been
poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak
with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, 47 “Can
anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who
have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he
commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.
Then they asked him to stay a few days.
Case Studies
• Lydia and her household…
– Acts 16:13–15 -13 And on the Sabbath day we went out of
the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily
made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met
there. 14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She
was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who
worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the
things spoken by Paul. 15 And when she and her household
were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged
me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.”
So she persuaded us.
Case Studies
• The Philippian Jailor…
– Acts 16:25–34 -25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were
praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were
listening to them. . . . 30 And he brought them out and said,
“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 So they said,
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved,
you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of
the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And
he took them the same hour of the night and washed their
stripes. And immediately he and all his family were
baptized. 34 Now when he had brought them into his
house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having
believed in God with all his household.
Case Studies
• The Corinthians…
– Acts 18:8 - Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue,
believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of
the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.
Case Studies
• The Ephesian disciples…
– Acts 19:1–7 -1 And it happened, while Apollos was at
Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper
regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples 2 he
said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you
believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as
heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said to
them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said,
“Into John’s baptism.” 4 Then Paul said, “John indeed
baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the
people that they should believe on Him who would come
after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.”. . .
Case Studies
• The Ephesian disciples…
– Acts 19:1–7 - 5 When they heard this, they were baptized
in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid
hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they
spoke with tongues and prophesied. 7 Now the men were
about twelve in all.
Acts 13:46
“Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold
and said, ‘It was necessary that the
word of God should be spoken to you
first; but since you reject it, and judge
yourselves unworthy of everlasting
life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.’”
Acts 22:16
“And now why are you waiting? Arise
and be baptized, and wash away your
sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”