However, there are dozens of passages in the Christian Scriptures which discuss salvation without requiring or even mentioning baptism. And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. And this will we do, if God permit.
Many verses appear to be in inconsistent with the practices of some modern-day denominations.
Roman Catholicism attempts to baptize every infant, while only adult baptisms are described in the Scriptures. Conservative Protestants teach that the born-again experience and indwelling of the Holy Spirit occurs before one decides to be baptized. Yet a number of biblical passages appear to imply that the indwelling and salvation experience are a direct result of the ritual. Since different groups had different practices and beliefs, one would naturally expect internal conflicts among biblical passages written by different authors. Conservative Protestant theologians start with the belief that the Bible is inerrant .