I posted one a while back, but I re did the whole thing myself.
If you have any Scriptural argument, or any verses you feel Disagree, please feel free to post or pm me. Don't just post your thoughts without anything backing it up
And to save the argument of baptism isn't necessary, We don't just pick and choose what we want to do/ don't want to do, right?


First, we must HEAR the gospel. Romans 10:17 "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ."

Mark 16:15 "He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation."
Jesus commands his disciples to go and preach the gospel to all creation. The reason: The salvation of their souls.


Next, We must BELIEVE what we have heard. Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Faith or belief is essential. However, we will see that faith only is not God's plan for eternal redemption.

Mark 16:16 "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."
In these passages we see that baptism is essential to salvation and belief is necessary for baptism.
Acts 8:37 Some manuscripts include here Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” The eunuch answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

Thirdly, one must REPENT of their sins. Repenting means to not only be remorseful for one's sins, but we must be willing to live a life free from sin. Meaning we will not habitually sin. Jesus himself states very clearly the necessity of repentance to one's salvation: Luke 13:3 "I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish." Other scriptures showing the necessity of repentance are:

Acts 2:38 "Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins."
Acts 17:30 "In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all men everywhere to repent."
2 Peter 3:9b "He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."


Fourth step to Salvation is to CONFESS Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Jesus states, Matthew 10:32-33, "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven." Revelations 3:16 "So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth."
There is no in between or being on the fence, We MUST do everything wholeheartedly.

Paul states, Romans 10:9-10, "If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved."


Final Step is BAPTISM, IT IS essential to salvation. Scriptures we have already discussed but again prove why it is necessary:
Acts 2:38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:36-37 "As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, 'Look here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?' Philip said, 'If you believe with all your heart, you may.' The eunuch said, 'I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."
Mark 16:16 "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."
In these passages we see that baptism is essential to salvation and belief is necessary for baptism.

Here are more scriptures proving why it is essential:

1 Peter 3:21 "...and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also - not the removal of dirt but the response of a good conscience towards God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ."
Acts 22:16 "And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name."
Romans 6:3-5 "Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection."





So, if there are any questions, or anything you are unsure of, PLEASE post here or PM me.



This post was edited by Pious on Jan 20 2012 08:36am