what question did you ask?

This discussion was about whether salvation can be lost, why are we talking about whether baptism saves us.
The verse says that baptism (of the holy spirit) saves us. This is when we received the holy spirit at salvation and it seals us and guarantees our salvation as shown by the verses i have already posted.
eph 1: 13-14
"And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. "

when we believed we are sealed and guaranteed our inheritance.
How are you arguing this?
and you didnt post any of those passages you claimed to have, i really need to see them.

You probably didn't bother to read them or you did but blocked them out.

Don't worry about the question, you deny the correct answer anyway.

First we need to back up and refresh what this topic is about. Brandon started out with saying more of less he was unsure of his state of salvation. Cadizzle mentioned a Christian can backslide and loose their salvation which I totally agree with. One thing leads to another now we are at the point of you trying to prove the doctrine of men, "once saved always saved" while I show you can loose your salvation.

Getting to where we ar now, I see you are unsure of my question or do not understand it.

Acts 8:19-23
19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and prayGod, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

In Acts 8:5-20, we read of Philip's work in the city of Samaria. Among those who heard and obeyed the gospel was a certain magician named Simon. We know Simon heard, believed, and obeyed the preaching of Philip by being baptized for the remission of his sins. At this point he was saved.

However, the text indicates that he fell into transgression as he attempted to buy the apostles' gift to pass on the Holy Spirit. Peter rebuked him severely for such and told him to pray for forgiveness that the iniquity of his heart be forgiven. Even a casual reading shows us that Simon had gone from being a saved person to being a lost one. However, through repentance, prayer and confession, he could be restored to a right relationship with God.

There are many more passages I can quote that clearly shows one can loose their salvation.

that is your post that you said i did not answer your questions, there isnt a single question mark in the whole post that i saw. What are you talking about?

And please post those passages you have, i honestly want to see them.

Here is the question once more that has been asked before.

1 Peter 3:21 (King James Version)
The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

Read this verse and tell me what baptism does. Please stick to the verse.

Thank you for your cooperation.

baptised by the ressurection of Jesus Christ it says.

okay that is a command, that is different. A question has a question mark at the end of it.
By reading that verse i know that water baptism is a symbol of the baptism that saves us. Not the baptism that cleans the flesh, but the baptism of a good conscience toward God. That is an internal baptism, not an external one.

Do you think that might mean baptized into His death?

Romans 6:1-4 (New King James Version)

1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?
2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?
3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Baptism is where we come in contact with the blood of Christ.

Col 2:11-13
11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

1 John 5:8
And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

The Bible says baptism is a likeness of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.

Rom 6:4-5
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Col 2:12
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

It is a command, a command from God to be saved. It is one of many commands God has given.

The symbol you speak of, refers to how water is needed to be saved like the water saved Noah and his family. Why else was Noah mentioned in the previous verse?

This baptism as is all other examples is a water baptism and it would be external if you want to use that verbiage.

I didn't read the rest of the replies but my question to you is this:

Who is accountable for you? Who has your interests in mind? I think if you surround yourself with brothers and sisters in Christ to keep you accountable and going, that'd be awesome. Maybe even speak with a pastor and just talk with him about your concerns. Once saved, always saved but I think that accepting Christ isn't just a prayer or accepting just a belief but it should lead us to become committed to living a life trying to fulfill God's purpose. That'll be somewhat controversial but I'll take that with open arms. One cannot be saved and not experience change. It's like being hit by a train...if you get hit by a train, your life changes. How much bigger is God?

I hope these words stirred something in your heart and that God will begin/continue to work in your life brother!

People are just going to get confused if they are unbelievers and they think there are a bunch of steps they have to go through.

All you need to do is come to Jesus humbly, He does it all.

This post was edited by Torm1 on Mar 2 2011 09:45pm