aj4u

Thanks for pointing that out. I do believe in being baptized out of obedience, but not for salvation. Born of water could mean natural birth. Born of Spirit could mean being born again.

Beware lest anyone takes you away from the simplicity in Christ Jesus. All that is important is to know that He (Jesus) is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world/ If we put our faith in Him and trust Him for our salvation, we will be saved. We cannot put our faith in any thing that we can do or other men can do. There is only one mediator between God and man and that is Jesus Christ. Paul said I will hear nothing among you but Jesus Christ crucified.

You are either a missionary or you're a mission field. (Cunningham)

Paul mentions three levels of heaven, but there isn't any Scripture in the Bible to support that believers will go to one of three sections or sub divisions of heaven. Nor does the Bible mention baptism is essential for the remission of sin or salvation for that matter. Baptism means nothing if we are not born again. It means nothing if we haven't already asked God for forgiveness through confession and walking in repentance. It means nothing unless Jesus is the Lord of our lives. It means nothing if we don't know who Jesus is. For example, Jehovah Witnesses make a big deal of baptism, but they don't know who Jesus is. They think He is Michael the archangel. Therefore, in vain do they baptize confess or repent. Please understand that 1 John 1:9 is referring to God being faithful to forgive and purify us, but it is NOT confession that or baptism that remits sin. Only Christ's death and shed blood atones for or removes sin. No one can atone for his own sin or someone else’s sin save for Jesus.

It is only Christ's death on the cross with the shedding of His blood that makes the remission of sin possible. There is nothing we can add to it except faith in Christ. If we have faith, it will show with our works. Our faith and God's grace is what saves us, but without His blood there is no salvation. It is dangerous to put faith in works for the remission of sin. Baptism is a work that cannot save you, but it is an outward expression of an inward change. Like someone saying their vows in a marriage before God and witnesses. It is a commitment where we are identifying with Christ in His death and being resurrected in new life.

How does baptism or repentance remit sins? The thief on the cross wasn't baptized and he was promised entance into God's kingdom

Thank you for the warm welcome.

I am a Christian because there is no other name given whereby we might be saved save for the name of Jesus Christ. However, not all that call themselves Christian are. I believe we have to really know who Jesus is to be saved. Many know about Jesus, but don't know Him. Additionally, many religions that are mutually exculsive from eachother claim to have a witness of some spiritual significant thing in their life, but that is not really a confirmation that they are in the faith. Satan can appear as an angel of light and deceive many. If he can do that, then it shouldn't surprise anyone that his children can appear as ministers of righteousness, but they are wolves in sheeps clothing whether they realize it or not.

This is true. Islam and Judaism is monotheistic as well. Just because they stick to their culture, that doesn't mean they're not monotheistic.

Hi, I am aj, and I am new to this forum. I am a Christian.