Water baptism isn’t necessary for salvation. Cornelius “received the Holy Spirit” (Acts 10:47) before he was water baptized and to have the Holy Spirit shows that one is saved (Romans 8:9; Galatians 4:6 and 1 John 4:13). Regards, Marc
Regarding Romans 8:9 Galatians 4:6 and 1 John 4:13, there is a difference between the baptism of the Holy Spirit, miraculous gifts of the Spirit and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. A reference to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in Romans 8:9, Galatians 4:6 and 1 John 4:13 is not the same as the event in which Cornelius was involved. The activity of the Holy Spirit in Acts 10:47 is described in the preceding verses 44-46 whereupon Cornelius and those with him miraculously spoke in languages in which they were not schooled. This was proof to the apostle Peter and those with him that God intended Christian baptism for Gentiles as well as Jews. Hence, in Acts 10:47, Peter reasoned with the six Jewish Christians who accompanied him that the Gentiles should receive Christian baptism. The place of Christian baptism in God’s plan for man must be ascertained from other passages since it is not defined in Acts 10.
That the assertion “Water baptism isn’t necessary for salvation” is a faulty interpretation of Acts 10 is evident also from other passages respecting Christian baptism. Consider just three of the numerous verses of Scripture in the New Testament respecting the topic of Christian baptism.
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38)
Normally, miraculous power associated with the Holy Spirit came after one received Christian baptism. However, in the case of Cornelius and those accompanying him in Acts 10-11, miraculous ability attributable to the Holy Spirit came before Christian baptism to assure Peter and other Jewish Christians that the Gentiles also were to be recipients of Christian baptism. Acts 2:38 clearly teaches that Christian baptism is the point at which in God’s redemptive plan that one’s sins are remitted or removed.
Acts 22:16 pertains to the conversion of the apostle Paul (Saul). Clearly, Christian baptism is ascribed with the function of removing one’s sins.
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. (Acts 22:16)
Finally for our consideration today, 1 Peter 3:21 unmistakably affirms that one’s sins are removed in the act of Christian baptism. God through the Holy Spirit could not have been any clearer respecting the function of Christian baptism in his overall redemptive plan for humanity.
The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 3:21)
You obviously believe in the authority of the Bible, since you resorted to biblical citation in an attempt to justify your interpretation. Therefore, I urge you to place your full confidence in the Bible or Word of God (for us especially the New Testament) respecting authority in religion; please content yourself with arriving only at conclusions that are warranted by biblical evidence. Personal or inherited biases are burdens that hinder correct biblical interpretation and unnecessarily weigh down honest hearts.
The three verses cited above about Christian baptism are in your Bible; they deserve a fair and an honest exposition. Further, warranted conclusions about Bible topics can only be drawn properly by examining the sum of God’s Word about a biblical topic. “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!” (Psalm 139:17). Certainly, anyone who concedes the authority of the Bible understands that the Word of God does not contradict itself, and that we are not at liberty to pick and choose portions of Scripture by which we are bound to assemble a palatable or pleasing doctrine. The positive, affirmation of Jesus Christ respecting salvation in the Christian Age is absolute: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16). Without belief, which precedes baptism, of course, there is no salvation, but the positive statement of our Lord is as clear as an elementary math equation. Forasmuch as 1 + 2 = 3, faith + baptism = salvation. Forasmuch as 1 + 0 does not equal 3, faith without baptism does not equal salvation.
