Pastor Curtis Hutson (1934-1995) wisely said, "A good rule to follow when interpreting the Bible is to never use an obscure passage to contradict a clear one." Based on itself, taken out of context, Mark 16:16 seems to imply that water baptism is necessary to be saved, but we know from comparing Scripture with Scripture that water baptism is NOT required or permitted to be born-again.
The Apostle Paul said in 1st Corinthians 1:17 that Christ did not send him to baptize, but to preach the Gospel. Paul never would have said that if baptism is necessary to get to Heaven.
Likewise, the Apostle John penned the Epistle of 1st John so that believers can "KNOW" that we are saved (1st John 5:13), yet NOT ONCE does John mention baptism of any form. Again, if baptism were essential to get to Heaven, then John wouldn't have failed to mention baptism in his epistle.
There has always been only ONE Gospel (Acts 10:43; Galatians 1:6-7; Romans 4:1-7), yet no one in the Old Testament was ever water baptized to be saved.
The repentant thief on the cross was never water baptized, yet Jesus promised him that they'd be together in Paradise that very same day (Luke 23:43). By the way, this passage of Scripture provides incontestable proof that Jesus didn't burn in Hell for three days after He died. Respectfully, Pastor Steven Anderson is 100% wrong to teach that Jesus went to burn in Hell after He died on the cross.
Umpteen passages in the inspired Holy Bible plainly teaches that water baptism is NOT required or allowed to get to Heaven. If you foolishly ADD water baptism to your faith, then you are no longer fully resting in Christ's sacrificial death on the cross, burial and bodily resurrection three days later, which is the Gospel (1st Corinthians 15:1-4).
Faith is the only righteous thing that I can do.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.