Bible Question:
I am having a problem with family and friends saying that if you are not baptized in Jesus' name and filled with the Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit) then you are not saved and are going to hell! I believe that Jesus is God and came to earth to save us from our sins. I believe that He died on the cross for that sole purpose. I love the Lord, and I can't seem to find a true Bible believing church that teaches the whole Bible and not just what they think is right. I have children, and I know we should be going to church; but I don't know where. Please help me understand better on this situation? Thank you very much. These teachings have helped me understand my Bible studies so much better!
Bible Answer:
The Bible indicates that baptism is not required in order to have your sins forgiven (“to be saved”) and spend eternity with God. If we were to look at all of the passages in the New Testament that discuss “being saved” or “salvation,” we would discover that only five of twenty-seven mention baptism in the passage. Not one of those five teach that baptism is required in order to be saved.
Five Passages
The five references to baptism are found in Mark 16:16; John 3:5; Acts 2:38 and 1 Pet. 3:21. When only five out of twenty-seven passages refer to baptism, we must ask, “Is baptism required in order to have our sins forgiven?” If baptism is essential for salvation, why was it not mentioned in the other twenty-two passages? Why would God allow that to happen? If it is needed to be saved, then very important information was left out.
Baptism Not Required
If we look at the five passages closely, we discover that the passages do not teach that baptism is required in order to be saved, that is, to have our sins forgiven. We would encourage you to read the study titled, “Baptism and Salvation.” It explains that those five passages do not teach that baptism is necessary. Baptism is only a symbol of your faith. Being baptized is an act of an inner submission to Jesus. It is a sign that you are willing to submit to Jesus Christ.
Baptism does not save you. The Apostle Paul tells us that we are not saved by doing things for God. That would include getting baptized.
For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.” (NASB) Rom. 4:2-3
Baptism is a form of works. The only thing that saves us is faith in Jesus Christ. The evidence of true faith is a willingness to submit to Jesus (1 Cor. 12:3).
Filled With the Holy Ghost
The Bible teaches that if one is saved, that is, one’s sins are forgiven, the Holy Spirit lives inside of them. I assume that when you say “filled with the Holy Ghost” you are referring to the obvious display of tongues and other manifestations of the Spirit. But the Apostle Paul tells us in Galatians 5:16-22 that if we are led by the Spirit, if the Holy Spirit is living in us, and if we are walking in the Spirit, then the fruit of the Spirit will be evident in our lives.
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh . . . But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law . . . But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law . . . If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. (NASB) Gal. 5:16, 18, 22, 23, 25
He never mentions the gifts of the Spirit. The real proof that the Holy Spirit is inside you is the presence of the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness . . . There are other spiritual gifts that the Holy Spirit gives to believers besides tongues. He gives the gifts of teaching, mercy, administration, and giving. They prove that a person is Spirit filled too!
Conclusion:
The apostles never commanded us to find a spiritual gift to prove that we are followers of Jesus. They never told us that baptism saves us. But if one is a Christian, one will get baptized as an act of obedience; and the Holy Spirit will do a work in one’s life to make one more like Jesus. Then we will see the fruit of the Spirit.
Related Links:
Baptism and Salvation
Do you believe that baptism is a part of salvation?
Is baptism (immersion) essential for salvation?
Is baptism symbolic?
How can I know the Spirit of God has come on me?
The Holy Spirit
Power Living
RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT WITHOUT WATER BAPTISM
1) King David was anointed by the prophet Samuel with oil not water.
And Samuel said to Jesse, �Are all the young men here?� Then he said, �There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep.� And Samuel said to Jesse, �Send and bring
him. For we will not sit down till he comes here.� So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the Lord said, �Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!� Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah. 1 Samuel 16:11-13.
2) The Holy Spirit is
received through sincere belief in Jesus Christ after His glorification.
On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, �If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.� But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet
glorified. John 7:37-39.
3) Jesus Christ gave the Holy Spirit to His disciples through His breath not water.
Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her. Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus
came and stood in the midst, and said to them, �Peace be with you.� When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, �Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.� And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, �Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.� John
20:18-23.
4) The Apostle Paul received the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands before water baptism.
But the Lord said to him, �Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name�s sake.� And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his
hands on him he said, �Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.� Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. Acts 9:15-18.
5) People believed the word of God and received the Holy Spirit before water
baptism.
Then Peter opened his mouth and said: �In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ�He is Lord of all�that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy
Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to
testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.� While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with
tongues and magnify God. Acts 10:34-46.
6) The Holy Spirit is poured out upon Christians from God through faith in Jesus Christ.
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also
glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:1-5.
7) Christians receive the Holy Spirit through sincere trust and belief in Jesus Christ after hearing the word of God.
In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:13-14.
Conclusion: Water Baptism should never be confused for Christian salvation or the
Christian Gospel or message.
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:17-18.
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