How to Abandon Error: to know Baptism won't get you to Heaven

I didn't say it wouldn't save you. Find out the different expressions of "baptism" and "save" as used by Jesus & others.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A 10 count (in case the title angered you :)

1. Welcome to the Abandon Error series.
2. The *other* baptism.
   
   Bible: New Testament: Mark 12:50
   "I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!"
   
   Jesus said this during a period of days long *after* his body was put in water. The baptism he spoke of (or being submerged into his mission)had to do with the ordeal he would go through which led to his crucifixon.
3. A symbolic liquid.
   
   Bible: New Testament: Mark 10:38ff ". . . can ye drink of the cup that I drink of, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? . . . Ye shall indeed drink [and] . . . be baptized.
   
   Jesus was not speaking of a liquid going in the body and a liquid covering the body. The cup was his persecution by his captors [which he prayed to not happen if possible] and the baptism was
   *a death,
   *a body being submerged [into the tomb]
   *and then being lifted back up.
   This baptism is symbolized when His followers are placed in water (as dead) and then brought back up.
4. Paul didn't fool with it.
   
   New Testament: 1 Corinthians 1:16
   " Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 17) For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel . . ."
   
   For an act that, allegedly, will get you to Heaven, the Apostle Paul wasn't too worried about it. Surely, he could've solidified the baptism position here by saying that 'just make sure you *do* get baptized if you want to go to heaven.'
   
   Oh well, it wasn't his mission. It wasn't really his thing. No big deal.
5. Baptism saves?
   
   Here we go! The granddaddy of versus.
   
   New American Standard Bible: New Testament: 1 peter 3:21
   ". . . and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also -- not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ."
   
   This verse is used by many to simply say, baptism by water is a necessary part of how you get to Heaven. What is usually not followed up with is that Peter says it's not the flesh, but the conscience.
   
   Which brings us to . . .
6. Sin-washing Baptism.
   
   "be baptized and wash away your sins" NT: Acts 22:16
   This is the story of Luke retelling Paul's conversion version. Now when *Luke* told the story, the *first* version (Acts 9:17-18) he mentions the power of the Holy Spirit, then Paul regains his vision, then Paul is baptized; no mention of the water having its own power.
   
   But the Acts 22 sin-washing has a connection to the 1Peter 3 sin-washing. They're both giving you the kicker, the stinger, the step that cleanses beyond the act that removes dirt;
   
   * pledge for a good conscience (Acts)
   * call on his name (1Peter)
   
   Salvation is in a line . . . dunk then plead. Is it together by coincidence, or should it always be there, which brings . . .
7. The only other question:
   
   Can salvation be found in the Bible as a stand-alone process, sans water?
   
   Plenty. Too many to fit in this mini article.
   But one, anyway; (Ephesians 2:8-9).
   
   "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves;"
   [is this saying that there is nothing that you can do]
   " it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast"
   [sounds like it here, too]
8. The *other* salvation.
   
   Just so you can feel like you're doing something, you *can* go through the physical ropes of doing various acts, works, charities, etc. This will give you earthly salvation. And it will make you feel better.
   The Apostle Paul even tells us that we can obey the First Testament law (all 613) if we want to (although it hampers freedom), but then we must obey it all:
   
   Galatians 5:1ff
   "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
   . . . I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.

Tips & Warnings

• The Bible isn't one man's thinking.
• Be careful of those who think it is.