1. 1 Objections to Necessity of Water Baptism Galatians 1:6-9 2 Corinthians 11:4 Jude 3

2. 2 Mark 16:15-16: 15 And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

3. 3 Acts 2:38: Then Peter said to them, Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

4. 4 “You believe in baptismal regeneration.”

5. 5 Billy Graham on Baptism Q: Is baptism necessary for salvation? A: Mr. Graham has stated: “I believe baptism is important, and I have been baptized. But I think we violate the Scriptures when we make baptism the prime requirement for salvation. “If baptism were a requirement for salvation, we would certainly say that. But you couldn’t support that knowing, for example, that the thief on the cross had no opportunity for baptism or church membership…” (www.billygraham.org)

6. 6 Billy Graham Evangelistic Assoc. Letter dated 3Dec1990 from Dr. Victor B. Nelson, Exec. Assistant, to Mr. Wilton BlackLetter dated 3Dec1990 from Dr. Victor B. Nelson, Exec. Assistant, to Mr. Wilton Black “…baptism is an outward sign and symbol of what the cleansing power of the blood of Christ has done in washing away our sins, indicating that they have been atoned for on the cross of Calvary.”“…baptism is an outward sign and symbol of what the cleansing power of the blood of Christ has done in washing away our sins, indicating that they have been atoned for on the cross of Calvary.” “Ephesians 2:8-9 and Titus 3:5-6 make very clear the fact that we can do nothing to attain our salvation except believe.”“Ephesians 2:8-9 and Titus 3:5-6 make very clear the fact that we can do nothing to attain our salvation except believe.”

7. 7 Titus 3:5 HE SAVED US Not by Works (we have done) But by Washing of Regeneration According to His Mercy -Ferrell Jenkins, GOT, 20Dec90

8. 8 Washing of Regeneration Church cleansed with the “washing of water” by the word, Eph. 5:26Church cleansed with the “washing of water” by the word, Eph. 5:26 Born of water & the Spirit to enter the kingdom of God, John 3:5Born of water & the Spirit to enter the kingdom of God, John 3:5 “Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins…” Acts 22:16“Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins…” Acts 22:16

9. 9 Titus 3:5 HE SAVED US Not by Works (we have done) But by Baptism According to His Mercy -Ferrell Jenkins, GOT, 20Dec90

10. 10 Washing of Regeneration Baptism is the means by which God’s mercy saves, Eph. 5:26 (Rom. 6:3)Baptism is the means by which God’s mercy saves, Eph. 5:26 (Rom. 6:3) Obedient faith does not equal “earning salvation”Obedient faith does not equal “earning salvation” –Eph. 2:8-9: Saved by grace through faith –Lk. 17:10: Obedient yet unprofitable –Acts 10:35: Work righteousness –Jas. 2:24: Justified by works (of faith, obedience), not by faith only

11. 11 “Paul was sent ‘not to baptize, but to preach.’” 1 Corinthians 1:17

12. 12 Preaching and Baptizing Point of emphasis is the message, not the messengerPoint of emphasis is the message, not the messenger Jesus commanded: Teach, baptize & teach, Matt. 28:19-20Jesus commanded: Teach, baptize & teach, Matt. 28:19-20 –Was Paul disobedient since he baptized some? 1 Cor. 1:14-16 –Point: Lest someone use his name is a divisive way, 1 Cor. 1:11-13

13. 13“Not…but” Emphasis is placed on second part without negating the firstEmphasis is placed on second part without negating the first –“He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me.” John 12:44 –“Let not yours be the outward adorning… but let it be the hidden person…” 1 Pet. 3:3-4 (RSV) –“did not send me to baptize, but to preach” 1 Cor. 1:17

14. 14 “In Acts 2:38, baptism is ‘because of’ remission of sins.”

15. 15 “Because of” or “in order to” Translations (30 versions)Translations (30 versions) –KJV: “for the remission of sins” –ASV: “unto the remission of your sins” –NIV: “so that your sins may be forgiven” –TEV: “for the forgiveness of your sins” –French: “in order to obtain the remission” –Spanish: “for the purpose of the remission”

16. 16 Context Rejects “because of” Object of question: What must be done to remove the guilt of sin? (Acts 2:37)Object of question: What must be done to remove the guilt of sin? (Acts 2:37) Object of answer: To remove their guilt and save them from their sin (Acts 2:38-40)Object of answer: To remove their guilt and save them from their sin (Acts 2:38-40) Action: About 3,000 accepted his word and were baptized (Acts 2:41)Action: About 3,000 accepted his word and were baptized (Acts 2:41) Result: Saved (Acts 2:40-41, 47)Result: Saved (Acts 2:40-41, 47) Added together after (not before) baptismAdded together after (not before) baptism

17. 17 The Definition of eis Rejects “because of” “Preposition governing the accusative & denoting entrance into, or direction & limit; into, to, towards, for, among” (Thayer, 183)“Preposition governing the accusative & denoting entrance into, or direction & limit; into, to, towards, for, among” (Thayer, 183) Coordinate conjunction that connects two verbs of equal rank (repent & be baptized)Coordinate conjunction that connects two verbs of equal rank (repent & be baptized)

18. 18 eis as Used in Other Verses Matt. 26:28: unto remission of sinsMatt. 26:28: unto remission of sins Acts 3:19: that your sins may be blotted outActs 3:19: that your sins may be blotted out Acts 11:18: God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to lifeActs 11:18: God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life Rom. 10:10: Believe & confess unto salvationRom. 10:10: Believe & confess unto salvation Heb. 10:39: believe to the saving of the soulHeb. 10:39: believe to the saving of the soul 2 Cor. 7:10: Godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation2 Cor. 7:10: Godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation

19. 19 “Requiring baptism restricts opportunities to be saved.”

20. 20 Unable to be Baptized? The man in the desert (North Pole, etc.)The man in the desert (North Pole, etc.) –Ethiopian was in a desert, Acts 8:26, 36 –He was obligated & able to be baptized What about rejected opportunities? (2 Cor. 6:2; Acts 22:16)What about rejected opportunities? (2 Cor. 6:2; Acts 22:16) We are to obey God’s commands, not negate them for our convenienceWe are to obey God’s commands, not negate them for our convenience

21. 21 “Mark 16:9-20 is not a part of inspired Scripture.”

22. 22 Is Mark 16:9-20 Genuine? Believers turn skeptic attempting to discredit water baptismBelievers turn skeptic attempting to discredit water baptism External evidenceExternal evidence –Not in Vatican & Sinaitic MSS (4 th cent.) –But, quoted in 2 nd & 3 rd centuries –Also in all ancient translations that pre-date Vatican & Sinaitic MSS Last leaf may have been destroyedLast leaf may have been destroyed Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21…Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21…

23. 23 “…but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.” -Acts 5:39 Do not fight against God! Believe, be baptized, be saved!