“Think Again... Again”

Friday, March 02, 2018

(This question is in reference to “Think Again”)

You answered a question on baptism and twisted some verses all around then never actually got to the saved by grace issue.  The question you answered was whether baptism was necessary for salvation.  The correct answer is: no, it's not.  My question is how do you explain all of Ephesians 2 if we need to be dunked in a tub to go to heaven?  It plainly says we are "saved by grace through faith so no man may boast".

Sincerely,
Unsatisfied

Dear Unsatisfied,

First of all, let’s address the subject of “twisting” verses.  It is much easier to simply say that someone is twisting verses when you don’t like their conclusions than it is to give examples of how they are twisting a verse.  If we are twisting the verses for our own gain, we absolutely want to change.  It is a sin to pervert the Word of God (Gal 1:7-8).  Since you say we twisted multiple verses around, could you please correct us on one of the verses we used?  When Jesus says, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mk 16:16)… how is baptism not necessary then?

Now, let’s dive into the issue of being saved by grace.  Eph 2:8 says, “For by grace, you have been saved through faith.”  There is no doubt that salvation is a gift from God (‘grace’ means ‘gift’ or ‘unmerited favor’), but do you notice how God puts a condition upon that gift?  The only way to receive grace is through faith.  Faith is a condition of salvation.  God does place conditions upon receiving His grace.  We must have faith to get grace.  Rom 10:17 says faith comes through hearing God’s Word, and Jas 1:22 says that we must hear and do what the Bible says.  So, in order to receive God’s grace, we must live faithfully by His Word.  What does His Word say about baptism?  It says baptism washes away your sins (Acts 22:16) and saves you (1 Pet 3:21).  If we are in error, we look forward to your reply with specific verses clarifying our error.

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