Baptism
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only reference to it is in the conversation to Nicodemus well ahead of any<br />
institution of baptism and could not have been referring to that at all. To add<br />
force to the importance of John's Gospel regarding this controversy about<br />
water baptism, it should be mentioned that it was written in about 90 A.D.<br />
This means it was written well after the final Pentecost. But John never<br />
mentioned baptism in connection with salvation.<br />
Perhaps the most convincing refutation of the view that baptism is necessary<br />
for salvation is those who were saved apart from baptism. We have no record<br />
of the apostles being baptized, yet Jesus pronounced them clean of their sins<br />
(John 15:3--note that the Word of God, not baptism, is what cleansed them).<br />
The penitent woman (Luke 7:37-50), the paralytic man (Matthew 9:2), and the<br />
publican (Luke 18:13-14) also experienced forgiveness of sins apart from<br />
baptism. The Bible also gives us an example of people who were saved<br />
before being baptized. In Acts 10:44-48, Cornelius and those with him were<br />
converted through Peter's message. That they were saved before being<br />
baptized is evident from their reception of the Holy Spirit (v. 44) and the gifts<br />
of the Spirit (v. 46) before their baptism. Indeed, it is the fact that they had<br />
received the Holy Spirit (and hence were saved) that led Peter to baptize them<br />
(cf. v. 47). In every case of conversion, baptism comes after salvation<br />
showing clearly that baptism is not part of the salvation<br />
What then is implied in the baptism? Confession is the believing in heart and<br />
confessing with the lips. Every faith must be declared in action. <strong>Baptism</strong> is<br />
an open act of faith and the act of joining the church. It has no meaning when<br />
performed in isolation. Hence all baptisms were performed in the open<br />
among the community of believers. It is the community that makes the<br />
difference. Salvation is becoming part of the body of Christ, which is the<br />
Church. The teaching here is that the salvation is not individual as most<br />
modern preaching emphasize. Man is not saved individually, but by<br />
becoming part of the body of Christ. Christ takes up not individuals. He<br />
saves his bride - the church. Hence in a wider sense baptism leads to<br />
salvation. Not the act but becoming part of the church.<br />
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