Resolved: Grace Requires that We Strive for Obedience.

Thank you. The thief: I believe this might be grasping at straws here. What we know is that the thief next to Jesus was on the cross and died shortly thereafter. There is no evidence of a baptism but it is possible. Paul: The question is what was the conclusion of that dialogue? "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect." (1 Corinthians 1:17) You can see here that Paul distinguishes the gospel and baptism. Lets be a little more through here and lets see how Paul defines the gospel, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."(Romans 1:16) The gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation. How does Paul define the gospel. "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) How is baptism defined? While there is no specific definition of baptism in the scriptures, I found a definition that I believe would suit this discussion well, "Christian baptism is the means by which a person makes a public profession of faith and discipleship. In the waters of baptism, a person says, wordlessly, 'I confess faith in Christ; Jesus has cleansed my soul from sin, and I now have a new life of sanctification.'" https://www.gotquestions.org... The difference between my opponent and I is not the importance of baptism but the role of baptism. Paul back at me Galatians 3 as a chapter is speaking about the freedom from the law in Christ. Again We both agree that people that have been baptized have put on Christ. The difference is is this needed for salvation. Mark 16:16 I don't have an answer to this except by pointing out a parallel verse from John 3, "" He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." 4. I believe likewise with little variation, that they have not had the grace granted to them to seek to do the things that are pleasing to God. 6. This is the start of turning from sin and to God. 8. Two options, the person has been mislead or does not yet understand seriousness of sin. 9. In salvation, you have assurance and there is no need to worry if you have been truly saved, read Philippians 1. "Here`s the rub. If I (speaking in the general sense and not of me personally) know that Christ loves me so much that he will save me as I sin, perhaps I won`t go out of my way to sin, but I will a lot more readily justify myself in its commission. I will think 'Jesus knows this very is hard for me. Good thing I`ll be saved, even if I indulge this one time'. Or else, 'I am doing a lot better than a lot of Christians, and they are going to be saved just like me. I don`t drink, I`m not violent, I`m not a thief like that guy on the cross with Jesus. This one little white lie surely won`t keep me from salvation.'" I actually agree with this point. I have a similar confession of faith. I quote from Mormon literature on any subject that Mormonism deals. As a former Mormon I would say that I do have background into their teachings I agree that the Mormon view of salvation is quite different than the traditional Christian view of salvation which I do not wish to go in depth on but will if need be. I really was a former member of the LDS Church. https://www.mormon.org...