The New Testament teaches that the penitent believer must be baptized for the remission of sins.

I appreciate the quick response. Allow me to inquire a question; what is grace, if one must work for it? If one must complete earthly tasks to achieve it? Grace, in itself, is a gift from God's heart; not a formula for salvation. No means of earthly measure can equate to the perfection of God. In the same way, sinful men who baptise sinful people have no authority over one's soul. A sinful priest cannot dictate whether or not someone goes to heaven simply by submerging them in water. Only Jesus can, for he is and was God; only he has absolute authority over who is baptised in the Holy Spirit."for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23In this manner, my opponent is opposing salvation by grace. As he is claiming that grace is not a gift, but a task. The Bible teaches otherwise:"Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness." Romans 4:4-5I contend that salvation is achieved through the grace of Jesus Christ. This grace derives from God, and not of man:"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8My opponent claims that these verses were taken out of context because they were addressed to gentiles. My opponent creates a straw man as a means of escaping the very real, very valid truths within these verses. To conclude this irrelevant, is to conclude the entire Bible irrelevant; as it is all part of God's Word. Now, without any more delay, I shall proceed with my rebuttal.Rebuttal Round TwoMark 16:15-16I did not intend to allude my opponent of his knowledge of baptism, but to present my opponent with the actual concept behind the endeavors of public baptism. This statement was to tie in with the adjacent rebuke; not to attack my opponent's definitions. Furthermore, my opponent claims that there is "zero" scripture to support social displays of baptism; allow me to enlighten. Almost every instance of baptism was public. Every verse my opponent and I have used to support our arguments; every one was an instance in public.Why is this? We must understand what public baptism is and what it means to Christendom as a community. Baptism is to salvation what a wedding ceremony is to a marriage. The wedding doesn't legally make anyone married- that happens by the signing of a marriage license as witnessed by a church leader or court official. Baptism, like a wedding ceremony, is a public display of our love for someone- in this case, Jesus. [1]"Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day." Acts 21Continuing, my opponent made the following comment:"There is not one passage in all the New Testament which makes baptism symbolize our salvation from sin."Contradiction. Here is a verse that my opponent used earlier:"...and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ" 1 Peter 3:21Observe the bold words. It is obvious that baptism lies in accordance to Christ's resurrection; a pledge (or vow) of a clear conscience toward God. Nothing more, nothing less.Mark 16:16I never made a claim that this verse was wrong. However, I do believe my opponent's context of this verse is wrong. I was merely attacking my opponent's logic; not the verse itself. Moving on, my opponent states that it takes more than faith to achieve grace, henceforth, achieve salvation. Recall my introduction to this round, as I have stated earlier. "...and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." Also,"So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith" Galatians 3:26Notice how it did not say, through "works" or through "baptism." In addition, "clothing yourself in Christ" is very different to "gaining the Holy Spirit (the point of salvation)." Case closed.Regarding the verses that somehow "help" my opponent's proposition; he has not explained as to how they help his proposition. For all listed verses attack his belief of grace; one that is not gifted, but achieved. I would ask my opponent to please elaborate if he is to use my evidence in his favor.Acts 2:38My opponent is greatly confused; I never stated I agreed that this verse "proves baptism is necessary salvation." My opponent is also unaware of the vast differences between the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Jesus, the one I was referring to) and the baptism of water. Baptism of the Holy spirit does in fact wipe sins away. Baptism of water is presented by another person, which is far less personal than the cleansing of the Holy Spirit. In this manner, I was merely equating Jesus' grace with spiritual baptism; as they are one in the same thing. Social baptism, not withstanding.Acts 22:16Always glad to be exciting. Nevertheless, my opponent is struggling with the same dilemma as the previous verse. Notice my quote:"However, baptism, in a spiritual sense, is salvation through faith in Jesus Christ."Let us define the differences between spiritual baptism and social baptism.Spiritual baptism can be defined as the moment one accepts Christ as their personal savior; the moment the Holy Spirit enters their minds and hearts. Social baptism is the social proclamation of this transformation through means of a public display (aka. submergence into water in front of a congregation). The latter is in vain, if the former has yet to be completed.In Acts 22:16, Paul is encouraging the new believers to begin their walk with Christ, as social baptism is the first obligation for a transformed individual.The Thief on the CrossMy opponent proceeds with a divided foundation, first claiming it impossible for him to be baptised, then claiming it plausible for him to be baptised earlier. Allow me to direct my opponent to this verse:"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for." Hebrews 11My opponent is correct, baptism into Christ was not necessary before Christ's sacrifice. As the ancients (Abraham, Adam, Job, etc.) were saved by beliefs in the coming of a savior (notice how they weren't publicly baptised). Considering this, it would seem unlikely that he would be baptised, ergo he would be a follower of Jesus beforehand. Nevertheless, we can deem this issue inconclusive, as baptism was not necessary for the new believer at the time. However, one begins to ponder why Jesus himself was baptised if this were the case.Christ's authority to forgive sinsChrist could and still can forgive sins (on Earth and in Heaven). Saying he is unable to forgive sins, again, is belittling God's power:"Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me'" Matthew 28:18Continuing, my opponent states this contention:"as I have proven before, prayer alone to God through Jesus Christ can’t save you!"...Need I say more? Simply limitations on God's power. John 3:16, "whoever believes in him will be saved." There is no need to address this issue any longer, my opponent is making desperate attempts to defend his arguments.1 Peter 3:21I have already addressed this issue. This is simply the new covenant between God and Man; not the instance of salvation.Colossians 2:16?I believe my opponent was referring to Colossians 2:12-13, the keyword here, is faith:"...you were also raised with him through your faith..."Faith is the point of ascension, not baptism.Romans 6:3-4My opponent resorts to rhetorical questions, when in fact, the newness of life- in regards to this verse -is in reference to transformation of life on earth. "Newness" is very different than "Everlasting."Galatians 3:27Issue already addressed. Extend all refutations.Onto Pro.[1] http://www.lifechurchofathens.com...