the Script. teach water baptism is to a penitent believer is essential to salvation from alien sins.

Proposition: The Scriptures teach that water baptism to a penitent believer is essential to salvation from alien sins.Definition of Terms:a. The Scriptures- the Word of Godb. Teach- conveys the idea so as to make it necessary.c. Water Baptism- immersion in water by the authority of Jesus into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.d. Penitent -believer who has repented of past sinse. Essential- necessaryf. Salvation- pardon, the forgiveness of sins. g. Alien Sins- sins committed while an alien sinner, before obeying the Gospel of Christ.Clarifying the Issue:A. I am not affirming: 1. That there is any saving power in the water. In the case of Naaman, he was cleansed by dipping in the Jordan (II Kings 5:14). The power was not in the water, but in his obedience to God. So it is with baptism. 2. That we are saved by baptism only. The proposition mentions "penitent believer." Baptism must be accompanied by faith and repentance. 3. That we are saved by the works of the law (Rom. 3:28). 4. That we are saved by man's own righteousness (Tit. 3:5).B. I am affirming: 1. that we are saved by the righteousness of God (Rom. 10:3).Baptism is part of God's righteousness. It is a work of God. 2. That we are justified by faith (Rom. 5:1) I will readily accept passages to that effect.Justified by Faith- When?A. The issue is not: Is an alien sinner justified by faith? We agree that he is!B. The issue is: WHEN is he justified by faith-before it acts, or when exerted in obedience?C. I shall contend: An alien sinner is justified by faith when it exercises itself in obedience.To Illustrate: Heb. 11:30, "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, AFTER they were compassed about seven days."A. No bible believer doubts the walls of Jericho fell down by faith. The word of God plainly says that they did.B. The question is: WHEN did the walls fall down by faith? The Scriptures plainly declare: "AFTER they were compassed about seven day."C. That is exactly the kind of faith I am contending for- an obedient faith.D. Faith was living when they began to march, but the blessing was not received until they completed their obedience. Justified by Faith- WHEN? If man is saved by faith before it acts:1. He is saved without confessing Christ (Jn. 12:42)2. He is saved before becoming a child of God (Jn 1:12)3. He is saved before turning to God (Acts 11:21)4. He is saved with the devils (James 2:19)5. He is saved as a child of the devil (Jn 8:30-44) The sinner is saved by a faith which acts : 1. When Paul was justified by faith, he had peace with God (Rom. 5:1). 2. Not on the Damascus road (Acts 9:6) 3. Not immediately in the city (Acts 9:9) 4. But when he obeyed! (Acts 9:18-19; 22:16).The truth is that the sinner is saved by a faith which acts. When Paul was justified by faith, he had peace with God (Rom. 5:1). But he did not have peace on the Damascus road when he was told to go into the city where it would be told him what he must do (Acts 9:6). He did not find peace immediately in the city when he would not eat or drink (Acts 9:9). He had peace with God when he obeyed the command to arise, be baptized, and wash away his sins (Acts 22:16). Only after he was obedient in baptism did he arise, take food. and was strengthened (Acts 9:18-19). That is when he had peace with God; therefore, that is when he was justified by faith! Man is not justified by faith alone (Jas. 2:24-26).Passages on Faith:My friend will undoubtly introduce numerous passages showing that faith is a condition of salvation.A. Lk. 7:50- "thy faith has saved thee."B. Jn 3:18-"He that believeth on him is not condemned."C. John 3:36-"He that believed on the Son hath everlasting life."These I accept without hesitation, but they do not refute my proposition. Tell us what kind of believers are under consideration! Are they obedient believers or disobedient believers?The Divine Order:I contend that salvation comes after baptism; my opponent says salvation comes before baptism. Which does the Holy Spirit place first?a. Mark 16:16-(1) Belief, (2) Baptism, (3) Salvation.b. Acts 2:38-(1) Repent, (2) Baptized, (3) Remission of sins.c. Acts 22:16-(1) Arise, (2) Baptized, (3) Wash away sins.d. Galatians 3:27-(1) Baptized, (2) Into Christ.e. I Pet. 3:21-(1) Baptism, (2) Saves.If my opponent is correct that salvation comes before baptism, is it not strange that the Holy Spirit never one time had these in the right order?For Remission of Sins-Acts 2:38A. Baptism is for the remission of sins. "What shall we do?"(v.37). B. "Repent and be baptized...for the remission of sins." The language of Peter proves the proposition I am affirming! Translations: ASV-"unto the remission of sins." Godspeed-"in order to have your sins forgiven." American Bible Union-"unto remission of sins." Thayer-"to obtain the forgiveness of sins." This is Peter's language in Acts 2:38. Mark 16:16 This verse is important simply because Jesus said it. The "divine order" has already pointed out: (1) Belief, (2) Baptism, (3) Salvation. THE CATHOLIC: "He that is baptized shall be saved, and he can believe later." MY OPPONENT:"He that believeth shall be saved, and he can be baptized later (if he wants to.)." JESUS CHRIST:"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." I plead simply that we accept what Jesus said. Let Phantom tell us: Who is the "he" in Mark 16:16 that "shall be saved"? I Pet. 3:21A. Baptism saves us (I Pet. 3:21).Our salvation is compared to Noah’s deliverance as he was carried over from the old sinful world to the new world, cleansed and purified. B.How was Noah saved? 1. By grace (Gen. 6:8). 2. By faith (Heb. 11:7). 3. By obedience (Heb. 11:7). 4. In the ark (I Pet. 3:20). 5. By water (I Pet. 3:20). C.How are we saved? 1. By grace (Eph. 2:8). 2. By faith (Rom. 5:1). 3. By obedience (Heb. 5: 8-9). 4. In Christ (II Tim. 2:10). 5. Baptized into Christ (Gal. 3:27).So, the "like figure whereunto baptism doth also now save us" (I Pet. 3:21). Any explanation of the passage that denies this is not an explanation at all; it is a contradiction! Reformedarsenal, tell us which of the following is true. Let him put a "strikethrough" the one which he says is not true.BAPTISM DOTH ALSO NOW SAVE US.BAPTISM DOTH ALSO NOT SAVE US.God Bless us all.