Views: 1<\/p>
[Note: <\/strong>This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 3\u00a0<\/strong> page.]<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Abundant evidence has been presented in previous articles on this site to establish the following facts concerning baptism:<\/span><\/p>\n The objection is often raised that such a conclusion equals the doctrine of \u201cwater salvation.\u201d Such is not the case at all, however. Consider Acts 22:16: \u201c\u2026arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on His name.\u201d In an attempt to deny the plain import of these words, that one\u2019s sins are not washed away until he is baptized, the straw man of \u201cwater salvation\u201d is often raised. The fact is that the New Testament, neither here nor elsewhere, ever attributes the slightest power to water in regard to forgiveness of sins. This passage does not say what<\/strong> the element is that cleanses one of sins. It merely tells us when<\/strong> the cleansing occurs. Such passages as Revelation 1:5 tell us that Christ has \u201cloosed (washed \u2013 KJV) us from our sins by His blood.\u201d As the old song suggests, \u201cWhat can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n When does this washing occur or how does one apply the precious cleansing blood to his sin-stained life? At the time of baptism which is submitted to specifically in order to receive forgiveness of sins (cf. Acts 2:38; 22:16). Revelation 1:5 tells us the cleansing agent (Christ\u2019s blood); Acts 22:16 tells us the cleansing act (baptism). One could as well argue that one believes in \u201cattitude salvation\u201d when he teaches the necessity of faith to salvation, as to argue that one believes in \u201cwater salvation\u201d if he insists on the scriptural condition of baptism for salvation.<\/span><\/p>\n [Note:<\/strong>\u00a0I wrote this article for, and it was published in the \u201cBible Thoughts\u201d Column for the Hood County News<\/em>, Granbury, Texas, April 16, 1978.]<\/span><\/p>\n Attribution:<\/strong> From thescripturecache.com<\/em>; Dub McClish, owner and administrator.<\/span><\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Views: 1[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 3\u00a0 page.] \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Abundant evidence has been presented in previous articles on this site to establish the following facts concerning baptism: Baptism is an act of immersion (Acts 8:38\u201339) or burial of…<\/p>\n\n