If the people in the Ark, left the Ark, they would have drowned in the water. Therefore it is obvious that the water was not salvation.
Addressing the OP only. having not read all of the posts, and maybe I have posted here, not sure. but it seems there is a question or concern about water baptism, in particular in relation to salvation. point blank "JESUS SAVES".
The bible is Clear. John 14:15 "If ye love me, keep my commandments". and one of his command is to be baptized,
Matthew 28:18 "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Matthew 28:19 "Go ye therefore,
and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Matthew 28:20 "
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen".
now some say this was commanded of his chosen apostles
ONLY, and now they are died. ok, if that's true, why was Ananias of Damascus baptizing? for he baptized Saul, now Paul, who was coming to Damascus to imprison those who believed in Christ, the Lord. where was he when the Lord Jesus gave the command to his
chosen only apostles in Matthew 28:18-20?
now Peter was there and he Baptized with water. but only the Christ can baptized
with the Spirit.
but you answered your own question in your OP. listen,
If the people in the Ark, left the Ark, they would have drowned in the water. Therefore it is obvious that the water was not salvation.
and if they would have not went into the ark they would have drowned in the water.
the answer is "
obedience". if they would have never
submitted themselves to the Command to Go into the ark, they would have perish. for the water baptism come from the Spirit himself, God Almighty, supportive scripture,
Matthew 21:23 "And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said,
By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee
this authority?
Matthew 21:24 "And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by
what authority I do these things.
Matthew 21:25 "
The baptism of John, whence was it?
from heaven, or
of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say,
From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then
believe him?
Matthew 21:26 "But if we shall say,
Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.
Matthew 21:27 "And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things".
that's my same question Today, "If we shall say,
From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then
believe him?"
BELIEVE? yes, scripture, Mark 16:16 "He that
believeth and is
baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned".
Notice the belif is "First", and then "Baptized". hence the Preaching and the
teaching of the Gospel is so important in his command. First teach, then they believe, for how can you believe if you have not Heard, and how can you hear without a preacher.
scripture, Mark 16:16 "He that
believeth and is
baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned".
everybody who the gospel is preached to don't believe right away, and that's one of the biggest problem, which I believe, in the churches today, many really don't believe, either fully or correctly. hence the command to preach and to "TEACH". as like the apostle Paul, same to me, "DON'T HOLD ME TO THIS, I AM SPEAKING, BUT BY PERMISSION IN HOPES IT HELPS SOMEONE". yes, they was baptized, and was excited to do it. ,(NO TO PUT ANYONE DOWN), for no one knows anyone's "HEART". but let me clear this up, and it may help someone struggling with "re-baptism"
I remember when I was baptized at a young age. yes, I believed in God, because I had hear about God, went to church every sunday, because my parents commanded me to go, and I had no choice in the matter, (which I'm glad of). and that Good conscience toward God did not come, or was relized untill I was in my early adult life. then I was conscience toward God. yet I was water baptized at an early age, because I believed in my Parents who was in charge of my Life until they gave me back to God. as my Parents was in obedience unto God, me also by or Through my Parents, was I obedien unto God. yes, I struggled with should I get re-baptized, until the Lord revealed this to me. he said, "
obedience" is BETTER than "sacrifice". to be re-baptized now with a Good conscience toward God now would be only be a "sacrifice". hence the reason why the apostle Paul said, God sent me to preach the Gospel, and not to baptize. why? for one must first, (learn of him, hence the command to teach), then OBEY God. that's why Cornelius was BAPTIZED "After" Peter PREACHED the Gospel to him. so the Baptizm can occure before or after hearing and Understanding the Gospel, but the command is to "OBEY", which is better.
maybe this might helped someone.
PICJAG.