Misused Passages:
- Mark 16:16 – baptism not in second clause (but if one does not believe, they naturally will not obey)
- Luke 23:39-43 – the thief on the cross was saved without baptism (also before Jesus’ death, we live under a different law – Colossians 2:14; Hebrews 9:17)
- Acts 2:38 – we are baptized for (because of) the remission of sins (only if Jesus died because our sins were already remitted – Matthew 26:28)
- Acts 10:44-45 – they received the Holy Spirit so they were saved before baptism (baptism of Holy Spirit never connected with salvation)
- Acts 16:30-31 – jailer was simply told to believe to be saved (when taught what to believe, he was baptized immediately)
- Romans 10:13 – we just call on the name of the Lord to be saved (right, but let the Bible define what it means to call on the name of the Lord – Acts 22:16)
What the Bible Teaches about Baptism
- For the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16)
- Puts one into Christ (Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27)
- Puts one into His body (1 Corinthians 12:13)
- Puts us into the church (Acts 2:41,47)
- Saves us (1 Peter 3:21)
