This is one of the most misunderstood passages of Scripture in the Word of God. Taken by itself, this Bible verse does sound like water baptism is necessary to get to Heaven. This heresy in theology is called: “Baptismal Regeneration.” To be “born-again” in theology is called “regeneration” (or re-gened with God's Holy Spirit). So “Baptismal Regeneration” refers to the false doctrine that you need to be water baptized to be born-again!
A good rule to follow when interpreting the Bible is to never use an obscure passage to contradict a clear one. I learned that truth from Pastor Curtis Hutson (1934-1995). For example: Over in John 3:16 we read, “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.” There is no mention of water baptism; but rather, simply TO BELIEVE. In fact, the Gospel of John mentions the word “BELIEVE” 85 times, with nothing else required with it! So we see that the Holy Bible is very clear in hundreds of passages that salvation is obtained simply by BELIEVING on the Lord.
Another very clear Bible verse is Acts 10:43, “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” This is a direct, clear and bold proclamation in the Scriptures!!! No mention is made of water baptism! This is a perfect example of using a clear passage of Scripture (e.g., Acts 10:43), to interpret an obscure passage (e.g., Acts 2:38). Acts 2:38 is an obscure single passage of Scripture, but the entire Gospel of John is very clear that salvation is solely through faith in the blessed Savior. John 20:31, “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” There is absolutely no way to correctly interpret Acts 2:38 without cross-referencing this verse with other passages of divine Scripture. In nearly every case where a false prophet misinterprets the Holy Bible, they lift a particular text out of context to create a new pretext.
Water baptism must ALWAYS follow salvation, not precede or accompany it, because it is a picture of salvation. Baptism is one's public profession of faith. In water baptism, a believer is symbolically crucified, buried and resurrected in the LIKENESS of Christ. A wedding ring only has meaning because a person is legally married. A police officer's badge is only valid because he is already a bonafide peace officer. Likewise, water baptism is only meaningful if the partaker is saved. Also, please be aware that there are numerous different meanings of baptism in the Bible, depending on the particular passage of Scripture. Pastor Max D. Younce has authored a very helpful book titled: 'A BIBLICAL EXAMINATION OF BAPTISM' (.PDF available for free download).
Baptizing Infants Is A Sin
The practice of baptizing infants is not only done in vain, but it is also very sinful. It is sinful because it is unbiblical, and is heretically taught by Catholics to bring salvation to infants. It is difficult to grasp that many Roman Catholics foolishly believe babies don't go to Heaven if they haven't been baptized. Read this nonsense from The Catholic Herald:“While we may still struggle with this issue and find tension due to the lack of definitive teaching, we place our trust in the Lord. While the Lord has revealed to the Church that Baptism is the means of salvation, He is not restricted in offering other graced means unknown to the Church to these helpless children, and for such means the Church has great hope. However, such a hope in the infinite mercy of God must not make us complacent and thereby negligent in having children baptized or in evangelizing others. Rather, we must conscientiously fulfill our duty and enable all people to come to the Lord through Baptism.” —The Catholic Herald, 'Do Aborted Children Go To Heaven?' [emphasis added]What a pack of theological LIES! The Lord has not revealed “that Baptism is the means of salvation.” You cannot show me any such teaching in the inspired Word of God. FAITH is the only means of salvation, not baptism! Galatians 3:26, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” No one has ever, nor will ever, come to the Lord through baptism!!! Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Carefully notice the following disturbing statement from The Catholic Herald:
“While we may still struggle with this issue and find tension due to the lack of definitive teaching, we place our trust in the Lord.” —The Catholic Herald, 'Do Aborted Children Go To Heaven?' [emphasis added]They are referring to the centuries' old doctrinal struggle within the Roman Catholic Church, over the question: 'WHERE DO BABIES GO WHEN THEY DIE, if not baptized into the Catholic Church?' Folks, that is horrible! Who could even doubt for a moment that all babies go to Heaven? Biblically, NO ONE ever goes to Hell except those WHO CHOOSE to go there, by knowingly rejecting Jesus Christ as one's personal Savior! God would be unjust to send someone to Hell who is incapable of understanding the reality of sin, and the provision God has made in the Gospel of free grace.
Salvation Is Being Baptized By The Holy Spirit
The word “BAPTIZE” in various forms is mentioned 11 times in the Gospel of John. It is very important to take notice that John's baptism with water DID NOT SAVE anybody. John 1:33, “And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.” The word “baptize” in the Bible means: “TO IMMERSE,” which is why preacher's dunk people all the way under the water when getting baptized. Baptism MUST BE by complete immersion under the water to be Biblical. Baptism by sprinkling with holy water is very unscriptural.And may I say, water baptism does NOT bestow any special grace (as foolishly taught in The Westminster Confession). Presbyterians and other religious faiths adhere to this creed, which teaches sacraments (which are unbiblical). Sacraments are not taught in the Bible! Water Baptism and the Lord's Supper are simply commandments from the Lord, which local New Testament churches are supposed to observe to please the Lord. The Catholic church requires keeping SEVEN SACRAMENTS to get to Heaven, which is a counterfeit plan of salvation. Protestants observe TWO SACRAMENTS—some not for salvation (e.g., Presbyterians), but some do require them for salvation (e.g., Lutherans). Again, this is a counterfeit plan of salvation. For this reason, I reject both Catholicism and Protestantism. I am simply a Bible-believing, born again Christian!!!
When a person gets saved, they are IMMERSED IN JESUS CHRIST! This is one possible meaning of Acts 2:38, “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.” This passage doesn't specifically mention being baptized with water. It could be referring to being immersed by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior! Another possible interpretation (which Dr. John R. Rice teaches) is that we are water baptized BECAUSE our sins have been remitted by faith in Christ. To be honest, I simply do not know. But I DO KNOW that this verse is NOT teaching Baptismal Regeneration. I KNOW THIS simply because hundreds of other Bible passages teach we are saved by faith alone. Genesis 15:6, “And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” A man's faith is counted for righteousness, that is, in place of an entire life of perfect righteousness (which is what you would need to do to merit Heaven).
“I Can” makes the man! —Coystal Hyles to her son Jack Hyles
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