Is salvation obtained by just confessing Jesus, and believing that God raised him from the dead?
KJV Mark 16:15-16
15. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;
but he that believeth not shall be damned.
((We not only have to believe, we have to be baptized, to be saved. Note: Verse 16, “shall be saved” shall meaning future(ref. Matthew 24:13). Some might ask, “When?” At Jesus second coming(the first resurrection) or on Judgement Day.))
Is the baptism in Jesus name by immersion of the whole body into water, a requirement for the forgiveness of sins?
KJV Acts 8:35-38
35. Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37. And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
((We have to be fully immerse into the water, not just a sprinkle of water on the face, or whatever way man has deemed sufficient.))
((Some might bring up the encounter and conversation of Jesus and one of the malefactors(thieves) that was crucified with him. Let’s continue and look at this encounter.
Luke 23: 36- 43
36. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,
37. And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.
38. And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
39. And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
40. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
((This thief, acknowledged that God exist, and that he should be feared. Let’s continue.))
41. And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
((He even admitted his fault, by saying he’s guilty, and that his reward, which was death, was a just judgement for his actions. He accepted, and was speaking against his punishment. What a man? Who can do this? Let’s continue.))
42. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
((This thief, even knew who the Lord Jesus was, he believed in Jesus, just by acknowledging him. He also knew about his Kingdom, which will be established on earth. Let’s continue.))
43. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Jesus promised him that day, while they both were alive, that he will be granted paradise(The Father’s Kingdom after judgment day), even eternal life at his 2nd return before judgement day, when his Kingdom will be set up. We don’t know if he had been baptized or not before being in that condition, sentenced to death. The word of God doesn’t say. There’s two scriptures in mind that we should look at.
Romans 9:15, 18
15. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
18. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
Whose to say that he’ll have mercy on you. If you know and understand that the baptism is a necessity for entrance through the gates into the Father’s Kingdom, and you still refuse to be baptized before death or judgement day, do you believe he’s going to give you a pass? Take a look at this.
2 Peter 2:20-21
20. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
21. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
You go figure. That’s a big…gamble. Don’t gamble sisters and brothers. Come under the blood of Jesus through baptism.
Until again,
Grace and Peace