In his final instruction to the disciples, Jesus said that both belief and baptism are necessary for salvation:
Mark 16:16: He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
Jesus stated this requirement even more strongly, though with some ambiguity for modern readers, in his dialogue with Nicodemus:
John 3:5: Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit."
Early Christians always identified this verse with baptism, recognizing that we are born again and receive new life through water baptism—a fact that is supported elsewhere in Scripture (Rom. 6:3–4; Col. 2:12–13; Titus 3:5).
2007-12-15
07:48:23
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Bruce
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Religion & Spirituality