If you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior (say on Friday).Your baptism is scheduled for Sunday, but you pass away on Saturday. Do you think that person will still enter the Kingdom of Heaven? I understand only GOD can truly answer that question, but your understanding of the word is appreciated.
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit."
We are not always near a baptismal when we pray to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. We are all SEALED with the Holy Spirit of promise; our names are recorded THEN, in the Lambs Book of Life.
Water baptism is a Public statement of Faith in Jesus Christ. There are no rules on the timing of that public display. When Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist: it was to fulfill "all righteousness". It also fulfilled a prophesy of the event.
The Holy Spirit is in charge of the NEW BIRTH. He seals us, He Baptises us. He bestows the gifts He chooses for us. He teaches us on sin, righteousness, and the World to come. He reveals who Jesus Christ is. If you need Anything... ask Him FIRST.
The Holy Spirit is the 3rd Person of the Godhead. He is God. What the Bible teaches on this...is what it is. Believe the Bible; the written Word of God.
There are many teachings on water baptism. Do what your Bible shows to you. I think it's a wonder way to celebrate a wonderful event with friends and family.
My considered belief is that, Yes, that person who is saved through Jesus Blood & faith in that redemptive work, will enter God's Kingdom regardless of water baptism. When he is saved, when truly convicted of sin & repents, at that very moment God's Spirit baptizes him. And this baptism entails forgiveness of all his sins, given a new birth by the Spirit taking up residence within & affecting his mind & spirit towards holiness, being fully accepted of God, becoming a child of God, receiving God's blessings (His gifts, His fruit, His inheritance) & the Spirit's sealing, marking him as one belonging to God making his salvation fully secure.
If we add anything to that 'saving faith', the faith that God requires, then it amounts to acts or works that we perform to help in that salvation. It could be water baptism, the Lord's Supper, self denial, works of service & many other things that people do, just to make sure that God is pleased with them & accepts them. If that's the case, then it's no longer faith, but works that saves - and this goes against Scripture ( Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:4-7). But once we're saved by faith alone, then the ordinances of water baptism & the Lord's Supper follow, as well as pursuing a life of holiness & works of service generated by the new life in Christ.
So neither water baptism or anything else apart from faith is required for salvation as baptism is only an initial physical testimony to you & others of a changed life being identified with the crucified & risen Christ.
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit."
We are not always near a baptismal when we pray to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. We are all SEALED with the Holy Spirit of promise; our names are recorded THEN, in the Lambs Book of Life.
Water baptism is a Public statement of Faith in Jesus Christ. There are no rules on the timing of that public display. When Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist: it was to fulfill "all righteousness". It also fulfilled a prophesy of the event.
The Holy Spirit is in charge of the NEW BIRTH. He seals us, He Baptises us. He bestows the gifts He chooses for us. He teaches us on sin, righteousness, and the World to come. He reveals who Jesus Christ is. If you need Anything... ask Him FIRST.
The Holy Spirit is the 3rd Person of the Godhead. He is God. What the Bible teaches on this...is what it is. Believe the Bible; the written Word of God.
There are many teachings on water baptism. Do what your Bible shows to you. I think it's a wonder way to celebrate a wonderful event with friends and family.
If we add anything to that 'saving faith', the faith that God requires, then it amounts to acts or works that we perform to help in that salvation. It could be water baptism, the Lord's Supper, self denial, works of service & many other things that people do, just to make sure that God is pleased with them & accepts them. If that's the case, then it's no longer faith, but works that saves - and this goes against Scripture ( Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:4-7). But once we're saved by faith alone, then the ordinances of water baptism & the Lord's Supper follow, as well as pursuing a life of holiness & works of service generated by the new life in Christ.
So neither water baptism or anything else apart from faith is required for salvation as baptism is only an initial physical testimony to you & others of a changed life being identified with the crucified & risen Christ.
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