Where in the Bible is this.....???

Question

Does it say that baptism and holy living are acts of obedience to God but not means of salvation???

If so, where???

Answer 1

Baptism is required for salvation.

"Baptism . . . now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 3:21; cf. Acts 2:38, 22:16, Rom. 6:3–4, Col. 2:11–12).

Answer 2

This is a question that would literly take pages to answer. I have attached two articles that take on this issue. i think the best answer (other than reading the attached articles) is the nature of salvation. The bible is clear that "No man can come to the father through their deeds, lest a man boast" What Jesus is saying is that it is not by your works that save you, baptism and good living being works, but the gift given to the saved from God. The bible also says no man can come to the father except through me. Jesus is stating that he is susficiant for salvation. he didn't say, "No man can come to the father exect through me and baptism, and good works." When jesus was talking to nichodemis in he said "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" This passage is used to prove the water baptism is necessary for salvation. The problem is born of water does not necessarily mean baptism. Everyone is born of water - the first birth, and born of spirit, the holy spirit. Nichodemis was a Jew and had no idea about Christain baptism, so if this is what Jesus ment, he would have likely clarified for his audiance.

Christian living is usually classified as works. Though the bible doesn't teach the works save you, Works are the necessary outward appearance of salvation. So if you believe that works are necessary for salvation, fine, work as hard as you can for Christ, and you will be rewarded. The problem is, we are sinners, and simply can't meet God high standard. That is why we need a savior. Even with God living within us, we still can't make the standard. Simply, works just isn't enough. Hope this helps a little

Answer 3

Those who read the entire biographies of Jesus (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) find that he does not give a single action for salvation, but rather emphasizes a series of actions leading to salvation that add up to a Christian life.

These actions include include baptism (Mark 16:16; John 3:5), believing Christ and putting faith in him (e.g., Luke 7:50, 8:12), self-renunciation (e.g., Matt 5:3, 10), repentence (Matt 3:2; 4:17; 18:8-9; Mark 9:42-48), obedience to God, doing what is right and just (e.g., Luke 10:25-28; John 12:50), adopting the humility of a child (Matt 18:3-4; 19:14), eating the bread of life (John 6:51, 53-54), and endurance to the end (Matt 10:22, 24:13; Mark 13:13, Luke 21:16-18).

Faith is one of those actions. Those who think we are saved by faith alone might search the New Testament for the phrase "faith alone." It only occurs once, in James 2:24: "You see that a person is justified by what he does and NOT by faith alone."

A critical requirement for salvation is enduring to the end, through trials and persecution:

Matthew 10:22: And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.
Matthew 24:13: But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
Mark 13:13: And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
Luke 21:16-18: You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. All men will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. By standing firm you will gain life.

Enduring to the moment of death as a friend of God caps off a life of holy living, or as St. Paul says, running the good race: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7).

Cheers,
Bruce

Answer 4

The Holy Bible does not say that. Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, 1 Pet 3:21 all say baptism saves but it does not say it alone saves. To endure to the end is also spoken about in several scriptures.

Matthew 24:3 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved
Mark 4:13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Answer 5

A person cannot enter into the Kingdom of God without being baptized in some form. Scripture does not exclude infants or children. Infant baptism has been going on since early Christian times. Christ does not make an "exception" for infants anywhere in the Gospel. Therefore, some non-Catholic Christian denominations who only baptize adults, put children and infants at risk. The risk may be limbo. Although it is not an official doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church, limbo is said to be reserved for unbaptized infants. It is a place of happiness, but without the great joy of being with God Himself. Would not "whole households," as stated in Scripture, include infants and children?

"But our Lord Himself said (John 3:5): 'Unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.' Consequently it became necessary to baptize children, that, as in birth they incurred damnation through Adam so in a second birth they might obtain salvation through Christ. Moreover it was fitting that children should receive Baptism, in order that being reared from childhood in things pertaining to the Christian mode of life, they may the more easily persevere therein; according to Prov. 22:5: "A young man according to his way, even when he is old, he will not depart from it." - St. Thomas Aquinas ("Summa Theologica" 13th century A.D.)

"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen." - Matthew 28:18-20

Answer 6

Here's something you may not have considered:
Work out your own salvation!
This concept is found in both the OT and the NT!

This has certainly done more for me, as far as I know, to help restore my life, my attitude, my family relationships, my finances, my hopes, and my self-confidence. I started with my appearance, my clothes, my personal hygene, and my diet.
Then, I cleaned my house, my car, and my personal belongings, and KEPT them clean! Then, I made that same effort at work, taking care not to be a fault-finder, but to set a good example for my associates. This effort tends to put those around me to shame, and believe me, the persecutions start FAST, while with others, it sparks an interest to follow suit and do the same! (Whenever either happens, I know I'm doing something right!)

Answer 7

Romans 3:20&28, Romans 4:3-5, Romans 5:1, Galatians 3:3, Ephesians 2:8. This is a partial list, but we are not saved by works, although it is true that faith apart from works (that is, a stated faith, or mere mental assent) is dead.

Answer 8

John 4:22, John 5:29 and Luke 6:47-49

Answer 9

Romans 10:9 and 10 tells how to be saved and baptism/holy living are not part of it. "If you CONFESS with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and BELIEVE in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, YOU WILL BE SAVED."

Ephesians 2:8 and 9 tells us that God saved you BY GRACE when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a GIFT FROM GOD. Salvation IS NOT a reward for the good things we have done, so NONE of us can boast about it.

Baptism is an outward sign that you have decided to follow Christ and when we have accepted Jesus into ours hearts, naturally, good deeds will follow. But that in no way is HOW we are saved.

Answer 10

Faith followed by works is what leads to salvation, Faith alone without works is dead.
James 2:14, 17, 18, 21, 22, 26