While you are doing that it would be good if you can find where Paul dictates that water baptism is a requirement for you and I to enter Heaven, as yet I have found nothing, maybe you can ?
Sure.
I've already shown in my posts here how Paul ties together belief in the gospel and baptism.
Paul speaks of the gospel as the death, burial and ressurection of Christ.
Paul speaks how we reenact the gospel by being baptized into Christ.
Individuals who submit to gospel baptism are putting to death their old sinful self. Being buried. Then being raised from death, born again a new creation in Christ Jesus.
All these verses are Paul's teaching:
Since there is only one gospel, Ephesians 4:5.
Everything Paul did to get saved is the same for us to be saved.
Paul said himself his baptism washed away his sins,
Therefore the same takes place for every individual who believes and obeys the gospel just as Paul did.
Acts 22:16,
- and now why tarriest thou, arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins calling on the name of the Lord
This is Paul's explanation of how Jesus instructed him to obey the gospel for his salvation.
The requirements are no different for everyone who has lived since the 1st century till Christ returns.
Paul preaches the gospel,
1Corinthians 15:1-4,
- Christ died for our sins - verse 3
- He was buried- verse 4
- He rose from the dead the third day - verse 4
Paul teaches in Romans chapter 6 verses 1-17 the connection of our baptism to Christs death, burial and ressurection.
Romans 6:17 ; 1-7,
- but God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have
obeyed from the heart that form of
doctrine(Jesus' gospel baptism) which has delivered you(freed you from sin)
Verses 1-7,
V •3,
- know ye not(don't you know?) that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death
- therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life
- for if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His ressurection
- knowing this that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that hencehforth we should not serve sin
- for he that is dead(buried in the watery grave of baptism) is
freed from sin(sins washed away)
Verse 7 Paul says,
- for he that is dead is
freed from sin
The Greek word that is translated in English to freed is dikaioõ.
Paul guided by the Holy Spirit used this word. It means,
- to justify
- to declare righteous
- to acquit
- to be considered/set right in relation to a charge
- for he that is dead(buried in baptism) is declared righteous/justified from sin.
No doubt Paul taught when one reenacts the gospel by being baptized into Christ. In baptism according to Paul is when one is justified by God freed from their past sins!!!
This is why Paul also taught in baptism, God does the work of giving us new life, being born again.
Baptism is Gods work not ours. God saves us we do not cleanse ourselves by some "holy water".
Paul again said,
Colossians 2:12-13,
- buried with Christ in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the work of God, who hath raised Him from the dead
- and you being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He
quickened together with Him having forgiven you all tresspasses(sins)
Not once will you ever read in any verse teach that baptism is a outward sign or symbol to show others that you have been already forgiven of your sins.
All the scriptures on baptism teach that when one is baptized that is where God works to wash away, justify, raised to newness of life, born again, forgiven of all sins.
When someone tells me that baptism is what those who God has already saved do as an outward sign of their previous salvation.
I ask, where does the Bible speak that way about baptism?
I've yet to hear anyone quote a Bible verse that teaches this doctrine!!
Peter said to the Jews that they must repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins.
Peter later taught baptism now saves us.
No apostle ever taught the saved were saved before being baptized into Christ.
Acts 2:38 ; 1Peter 3:20-21,
- then Peter said unto them, repent and be baptized every one of you(direct commands) in the name of Jesus Christ
for the forgiveness of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit
- the like figure whereunto even baptism
doth also now save us(it is not the putting away of the filth of the flesh(baptism is not for physical cleansing) but the answer of a good conscience toward God by the ressurection of Jesus Christ
I just believe what the Bible says.
