Bible Discussion Thread

Baptism was originally used like an "altar call" at a Billy Graham crusade. Peter indicates that the washing isn't what saves you, but the "answer of a good conscience towards God." It is believing to the point where you openly respond to God, and are willing to be openly associated with Christ. Baptism is a vehicle to openly identify with Christ. The quality of faith is what saves you. The thief on the cross wasn't baptized, but he believed to the point where he was willing to call out to Christ and be open about his faith in Christ. There are plenty of scriptures that tell of salvation apart from baptism, but a faith that is willing to be open and public and not secret is always evident. If you realize that baptism was the usual way people responded to the gospel message and openly identified with Christ, then it explains passages connecting baptism with salvation and also explains passages and saved people who have no connection to baptism. Other ways to demonstrate open faith in Christ: call upon Him, confess Him, love your neighbor, etc.