Does Baptism Save? No

The Brazoria County News, West Columbia, TX, did an excellent job covering the news of mainly West Columbia, Brazoria, Sweeny, Damon (West of the Brazos River).  It was a weekly paper.  Unfortunately, like too many newspapers, it recently closed down. 

For years, I suppose, two area churches placed articles in the paper promoting the view that you must be baptized in order to be saved.  I never saw any articles to the contrary, so I decided to place a couple.  I believe our side should be told and made easily available.  The first article, listed below, was placed in the Brazoria County News on July 4; August 1; August 8, 2019.  My purpose was to briefly deal with the issue, but not get personal or lob insults. 

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Does Baptism Save?  No

Here one view of baptism has often been presented.  The following is a little of why so many Christians have a different view. 

Does baptism save?  No, Jesus alone saves.  Some point out several Bible verses that at first glance seem to imply you must be baptized for salvation.  They ignore, however, the many Bible verses that clearly teach faith alone in Christ alone brings forgiveness and salvation.  This article is not long enough to quote them, but you can look them up:

Mark 1:15; Luke 7:50; Luke 13:5; Luke 23:42-43; John 1:12; John 3:16; John 3:36; John 5:24; John 6:40; John 11:25; John 20:31; Acts 3:19; Acts 10:43; Acts 10:47; Acts 13:39; Acts 16:31; Romans 1:16-17; Romans 3:28; Romans 4:3-5; Romans 5:1; Romans 10:9-13; 1 Corinthians 1:21; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Galatians 2:16; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Timothy 1:16: Hebrews 10:39; 1 Peter 1:9; 1 Peter 2:6; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 John 1:9; 1 John 5:1. 

These verses (and many more) do not mention baptism at all. Simply repent, believe, turn your life over to Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.  Scripture teaches if you don’t believe, you will be condemned; it never says if you are not baptized, you will be condemned. Baptism is a good work, yet we are not saved by good works.  We do good works because we are saved; we do not do good works to get saved. 

To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins. -Peter; Acts 10:43 NKJV

-David R. Brumbelow, P.O. Box 300, Lake Jackson, TX 77566.  David is a Baptist preacher & author of “Wit & Wisdom of Pastor Joe Brumbelow.”  See “Baptism” at gulfcoastpastor.blogspot.com

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Brazoria County News

http://www.brazoriacountynews.com/

-David R. Brumbelow, gulfcoastpastor.blogspot.com, November 18, AD 2019. 

Articles: 

Quotes on Acts 2:38, Baptism, Salvation

Baptismal Regeneration; Is Baptism Necessary For Salvation? Part 1

Warren Wiersbe on Calvinism, Unlimited Atonement

11 Reasons to Not Drink Alcohol

Church Covenants, Doctrinal Statements, and Alcohol

13 Reasons Why Not to Commit Suicide

Other articles in lower right margin. 

Discipline - A Trip to the Drive-In Store

And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things.  Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.  -1 Corinthians 9:25 NKJV

A while back I was driving through Houston, TX and stopped at a Drive-In Store (Convenience Store).  You know, the kind that has just about everything.  I was alone, and no one there knew me. 

As I walked in, I began thinking of the things there I could not have. 

They had beer and all kinds of alcohol.  But I could not have that. 

They had dirty magazines.  I stay away from that. 

They had tobacco, but I don’t smoke or chew. 

Lottery tickets, but I don’t gamble. 

They had all manner of candy (Snickers, Milky Way, Reese’s, Butterfinger, 5^th Avenue…).  I’m diabetic so I could have none of that.  That included kettle cooked jalapeno potato chips, pretzels.  They say bread and chips just turn to sugar; it’s not fair.  Sadly, I could have no Little Debbie Cake Rolls. 

I could not even get an icee (frozen drink) or a regular soft drink; too much sugar.  I just can’t win! 

So, I kind of laughed at myself, bought a Diet Dr. Pepper (sugar-free soft drink) and left.  And hey, I did save a lot of money. 

Some may argue that’s legalism.  No, it’s just being prudent and wise  (Proverbs 22:3; Romans 16:19).  Self-destructive behavior is, well, self-destructive.  We are to be temperate in all things. 

The Sunday School Helper of 1896 wisely quoted, “Temperance is the moderate use of all things helpful and total abstinence from all things harmful.” 

So, as I raise an ice-cold Diet Dr. Pepper, here’s to you.  May you live a wise, prudent, productive life. 

-David R. Brumbelow, gulfcoastpastor.blogspot.com, November 5, AD 2019. 

PS – I will admit my eating habits are not perfect, but I’m sincerely striving to do better.  I do eat my fruits and vegetables and drink V8 (vegetable juice).  It seems all life is a discipline. 

Articles: 

Church Covenants, Doctrinal Statements, and Alcohol

What Legalism Really Means

The True Meaning Of Gluttony

The Roman Road of Salvation

10 Reasons to Avoid Pornography

Many more Articles in lower right margin.