What is the GOSPEL?

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Godsdrummer

Actually I believe you are wrong,

Moot.

as we have skirted this issue several times in the past. First let me say I don't believe one must put two passages together from two or more books or letters to build a doctrine.

Incorrect. But we came to loggerheads in a very betraying manner when you refused to accept the thought that Luke 24:47-49 was fulfilled Acts 2:38, and you refused to realize that Luke ended off with words to the disciples to preach to all nations the very elements listed in Acts 2:38, and Acts starts with Christ's departure and Luke ends with it, giving no other frame of reference for the fulfillment of Luke 24:47-49 than Acts 2:38. So, I cannot agree with you when you speak about putting passages together that clearly go together.

John 3:5 is a prime example When Nic. ask about entering his mothers womb a second time, he directed his answer to that question. Baptism in never spoken in scripture as a birth ever. To ignore the many passages that say "he that believeth on him shall be saved"

Eph 5:26....That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

BIRTH is the same concept of beginning as the above verse in Ephesians indicates. Christ gave himself in death for the church. It is into his death that we are baptized. (Ro 6:3). This indicates beginning the Christian life. Washing of water by the word is baptism. It is useless without faith in the word of the gospel. It's just getting wet. And when we are baptized and wash away sins (Acts 22:16), only through faith while we're baptized or it's useless and void, we are without spot or wrinkle. That verse is not saying the resurrection brings a church to Him without spot or wrinkle, but baptism at salvation accomplishes that. We are without sin, and sins were remitted when we enter His death. So the new birth of water is the same idea as starting our Christina walk in baptism's washing of water by the word. It does not have to be "BIRTH" that is noted in baptism every time baptism is mentioned, in order for birth to be a good picture of what baptism is involved with, like you're demanding it. It's just another angle of beginning the walk that water baptism is involved with. Eph 5 makes it a marriage. John 3 makes it a birth. Same idea of beginning.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

I already showed how that is the last verse someone should use to show a plan of salvation.

Act 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

That was mentioned BEFORE the people asked Peter what they must do in verse 37. I told you this before. You never responded. Those words are from Joel. And if that is all you have to do, then the people didn't have to ask Peter what they must do. If that's it, he would have responded saying, "What do you mean, 'What shall we do?' I just told you! Call on the name of the Lord." They knew better than that as much as I claim that wasn't the case. Nobody would have asked Peter what to do after Peter told them to call on the name of the Lord if what you're saying about verse 21 is true.

Act 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
Act 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

And then Peter DEMANDED baptism. On the spot, unlike ANY CHURCH GROUP TODAY that believes you do not need to be baptized to be saved. If Peter believed one need only believe and not be baptized to be saved, why did he demand it right there unlike churches today that agree one doesn't need baptism to be saved? See what Paul and Silas did with the jailor in Acts 16.

Rom 4: For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
Rom 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Rom 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

And faith without works is dead. You never agreed with me on this either, so we cannot agree on this issue anyway, but the WORKS Paul spoke about are works that save us by earning righteousness without anything to do with the cross. Baptism without faith in the cross is USELESS. THAT and THAT ALONE is the nature of works that Paul is preaching against.

Gal_3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Eph_2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Amen! None of that says baptism is not vital.