Not to bring up the Catholic thing again, but...

...and where does the bible explicitly state that baptism is a "work"? the bible however is quite clear that baptism is for the remission of sins...see Acts 2:38, when St. Peter answered the question how they can be saved, after St. Peter's sermon...his answer...

"Repent, and let every one of you be bap*tized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit"...nuff said...

In XC
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You're trying to make it say, "Repent [for the remission of sins] and let every one of you be baptized for the remission of sins," but the syntax just doesn't allow for it. Why is it so difficult to take it at face value rather than trying to force it into fitting your theology? Maybe you ought to adjust your theology so it conforms to what the Bible says.

 

I Peter 3:21 and Mark 16:16

 

Please pay attention to the grammar. Baptism is a response to salvation, not a means of salvation.

 

Sorry, but that's NOT how St. Peter answered the question regarding what one must do to be saved...

1) Repent
2) Be baptized for the remission of your sins
3) Recieve the gift of the Holy Spirit

To repent means to change our mind about how we have been, to turn from our sin and to commit ourselves to Christ.

To be baptized means to be born again by being joined into union with Christ. The experience of salvation is initiated in the waters of baptism. The Apostle Paul teaches in Romans 6:1-6 that in baptism we experience Christ's death and resurrection. In it our sins are truly forgiven and we are energized by our union with Christ to live a holy life.

And to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit means to receive the Spirit Who empowers us to enter a new life in Christ, to be nurtured in the Church, and to be conformed to God's image.

In XC
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Because it does not fit the man made tradition for infant baptism.

Neither does the statement by pope Peter in 1Peter 3:21 where he says (in a loosely paraphrased fashion of course) "Baptism now saves you - NOT the special touch of magical sacramental water to the skin - but an APPEAL TO GOD for a clean conscience".

in Christ,

Bob

 

And you just can't figure out why we think you're in a cult?

 

So, the EOC, in existence as one half of historic Christianity for nearly 2000 years, is a cult....:laugh: And Baptists aren't....:laugh::laugh:

 

Neither say works saves, in fact the very notion we are saved by works contradicts Ephesians 2:8-9

 

Is baptism faith, or is it a response to faith? If the latter, it is a work. Abraham believed God and it was credited for righteousness...the act of taking Isaac to be sacrificed was a response to his faith. The same applies to baptism.

 

I thought we were talking about baptism, not works?

 

depends on how you call on the Lord.

 

The only baptism that we need for salvation is the baptism of the Holy Spirit.


Mt*3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

 

Baptism is a work. It is a response to faith...obedience. Still a work nonetheless.

 

Is faith a work?

 

Does one talk to Bob in the same way that he talks to God? Absolutely not. They are both means of communication, that is true. If I were to approach the Queen of England I wouldn't say: "Hey queenie, how are you doing today? Gitta' a good nite sleep last nite, did ya?" That is a vehicle of communication also. The Queen deserves a better protocol than that, and more respect.
How much more does the King of kings and Lord of lords? He alone deserves our worship, honour, praise, adoration. To him we address our prayers and to no other. We address the Lord much differently than we address our friend Bob. It is apples and oranges.

Psalms 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

 

Which exactly is my Point. Catholics claim that their prayer to Mary is the lesser form of communication than their prayer to God.

 

In Acts 2:38 the baptism is in response to the remission of sins gained by repentance. The key word is for. If you "jump for joy", are you jumping in order to become joyful or because you already have joy? The grammar in the verse is the same. (Sorry if this point has already been brought up - have been skimming quickly here..)