Notes from a recent church meeting

By J. S.

We read from the book of Luke, chapter 3

John said "I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire".
I stated how this baptism of John was still in the Old Testament, possibly an Old Testament tradition.
I made a case for John's baptism being different from Jesus' baptism.
I mentioned John 4:2, that Jesus himself did not baptize.
We read 1 Cor 1:17, where Paul affirms he was not sent to baptize but to preach the Gospel.
In the end, most attendees seem convicted that water Baptism is not essential to Salvation. However...... some supported that the Baptismal ceremony, the water, or the sprinkling can be used as a testimony of our faith, therefore not to be discouraged.
Up until now, I have allowed myself to think this way, and admit that the baptismal ceremony could be performed, if requested, thus avoiding
more disputes over the issue. From yesterday and after praying and thinking about it, I feel I should not give any ground on this issue and
support only a non-compromise position on the baptism of John or water baptism.
I came to realize that instead of being a testimony of our faith, the baptism of John is, rather, a testimony of our unbelief.
Yesterday, one person in the meeting manifested exactly this problem.
This person mentioned that since there were two opinions on the need for water baptism for salvation, she would take the sure way, and wanted to be water baptized, just in case... in other words, the person, not absolutely sure that she is salved through the acceptance and belief in Jesus Christ as her savior, would take water baptism to make sure of her salvation. This is exactly the problem with water baptism, it is a
manifestation of doubt or the insufficiency of faith in Christ. It replaces faith with works. Her lack of faith in God's Word will be replaced
by a ritual. If there is something else we need to do to make sure of our salvation then Jesus is made a liar because of what He said on cross:
"it is finished".
This apparently is the same problem Paul faced when he confronted those who thought of circumcision as an assurance of salvation [just replace circumcision with water baptism - Jesus received both and other Old Testament rituals before is glorification - His death and resurrection - the first act of the New Testament ]:
Galatians 5
2. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. [here is the key, replace
circumcision with water baptism - John's baptism]
5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. [faith alone can save us]

Galatians 3
1. O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth,
crucified among you?
2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of
faith?

For this reason I believe we should uphold the scriptural doctrine of salvation by faith alone with no other external rituals.

Quote: Christianity is NOT a religion; it is the proclamation of the end of religion. Religion is a human activity dedicated to the job of reconciling God to humanity and humanity to itself. The Gospel, however – the Good News of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is the astonishing announcement that God has done the whole work of reconciliation without a scrap of human assistance. It is the bizarre proclamation that religion is over – period. --Robert F. Capon

Here are Bibles verses that proclaim salvation by faith [not even one contains the word baptism!]:

# John 3:16
# John 3:15
# John 3:18
# John 5:24
# John 6:40
# John 6:47
# John 8:24
# Acts 10:43
# Acts 13:38-39
# Acts 16:30-31
# Acts 20:20-21
# (Romans 1:16
# Romans 1:17
# Romans 3:22
# Romans 3:28
# Romans 4:5
# Romans 4:11
# Romans 4:13
# Romans 5:1-2
# Romans 9:30-32
# Romans 10:4
# Romans 10:9-10
# Romans 10:13-14
# Acts 2:21
# 1 Corinthians 1:21
# Galatians 3:26
# Ephesians 2:8
# Philippians 3:9
# 2 Thessalonians 2:13
# 1 Timothy 1:16
# 1 John 5:5