Are you born again?

Question: What I would like to know is are you a born again Christian church as in John 3:3? Jesus said no one will enter the kingdom of heaven unless they are born again so are you? Answer: No one can be a Christian without being born again. For more details, see the article “Are…

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Is it true that the purpose of baptism is not for salvation?

Question: Could I be baptized in a pool if I wanted to? One more question and I promise I will leave you alone: Would you agree with me if I said: “the purpose of baptizing is not for salvation, but for a public testimony of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ”? Is the only requirement…

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How does a person become a new creation?

Question: In his letters the apostle Paul said that the person who receives the gift of faith becomes a new “creation” ( a new person). How does he understand this change or transformation? How exactly does the person become this “new creation”? Answer: The Bible doesn’t discuss people receiving a gift of faith. There is…

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Could you explain this answer I got concerning Acts 2:38?

Question: I was writing the NIV translators, who are intermixed with IBS, about the “for the forgiveness of sins.” I got a regular response, but I am writing to him some more on certain verses. I also wrote the NASB guys but haven’t gotten a response yet. Anyway here is the letter I got. He…

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Where does the Bible parallel the use of the laver to baptism?

Question: Hello, I am trying to finish up my paper, and I remember learning about the basin or laver bowl stand for the tabernacle in Exodus chapter 30, but I can’t remember where it says it relates back to baptism. It might be in Hebrews. I was wondering if you had any information on this,…

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What if a person can’t afford the fee for a baptismal service?

Question: I am worried if one cannot get baptized just because they cannot afford to pay for the service and just because they have no money to afford a baptism. If that is the case, would that person be exempt from the requirement for baptism and still be saved? Answer: Fee? What fee? There is…

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Was the Ethiopian eunuch baptized in a pool or a river?

Question: Was the Ethiopian Eunuch baptized in a river or in a pool? (Acts 8:36-38) Answer: “Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?”” (Acts 8:36). We know the eunuch was traveling down a road going from…

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Was my husband saved at his first or second baptism?

Question: My husband had been baptized at around 13 years old.  He said he thought he got baptized because he knew his mom wanted him too. I am sure he knew some of what was right and wrong but was not privy to a lot of Bible teaching. (He was later baptized from the heart…

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Aren’t Acts 2:38 and Matthew 26:28 different in some Greek texts?

Question: I read your Acts 2:38 in comparison to Matthew 26:28. Problem is the King James version agrees it’s the same in Greek, but the Nestle makes it more personal where it could read “for the remission of your sins”. Even though I don’t think that matters because it makes it more personal with the…

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Should I get baptized again?

Question: I read your answer about re-baptism. For a time now I have struggled with about being re-baptized. When I was originally baptized, it was done the proper way by immersion in the name of the Father, of the Son, and Holy Spirit for the purpose of becoming saved. But since then I fell away from…

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The Baptism of Cornelius

Text: Acts 10:34-48   I.         Groups who believe in the direct operation of the Holy Spirit in their lives today will cite the conversion of Cornelius and his household as proof             A.        Some will go so far as to state that a person is not really saved unless they experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit.             B.        It…

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Circumcision Proves the Necessity of Baptism

by Kent Heaton The apostle Paul appeals to the “saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse” to discharge the philosophies of men and embrace Him who has the preeminence in all things (Colossians 1). The church at Colosse had been troubled by the teachings of men that distracted from the glory of…

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Are You a Born Again Christian?

by Steve Dewhirst What other kind of Christian is there? Jesus told the night-visitor Nicodemus, “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” When Nicodemus expressed his puzzlement, the Lord explained, “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:3-5). This rebirth…

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How Salvation Comes to Man

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 7:1-6   I.         Matthew 7:6             A.        We don’t often think about whom we talk to about the gospel, but not everyone will be receptive to the message.             B.        Jesus is basically saying don’t waste your time. Not only will the message be rejected but the messenger will also be attacked.             C.        But consider…

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What was the purpose of John’s baptism?

Question: As part of our mid-week bible study, we have been discussing John the Baptist and how he prepared the way for Christ. I understand John’s mission and the importance of baptism, but was it also used to prepare the people for the conversion (burial) into Christ? What was the significance of baptism by John…

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Are children being baptized just to claim growth?

Question: I appreciate your words on the subject of “accountability.” I have met brother Al Diestelcamp at Sycamore and receive his paper “Think…….” While I am considered of the “traditional” camp, I am also searching to make sure that I am not just accepting the traditions of men. In the past year, I have been…

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When was baptism authorized?

Question: I have a question in regards to baptism: Was baptism authorized after Jesus’ death or while Jesus was walking on earth? Please, could you provide clarification? Answer: After discussing with Nicodemus about the necessity of being born again of water and the Spirit, which alludes to baptism, (John 3:5), we find that Jesus left…

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Was baptism only for the Jews?

Question: In our Bible class tonight with some Dispensational friends I brought up I Corinthians 6:11, about them being washed and sanctified. Our friend said that had nothing to do with baptism, but that the blood of Jesus cleansed and washed us not water from baptism. I mentioned I Peter 3:21 and the comparison to…

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What is the difference between water and the blood of Jesus?

Question: What is the difference between water and the blood of Jesus? Answer: The shed blood of Jesus is the reason mankind has a hope of salvation. It paid the price necessary to purchase us back from the debt we incurred by our own sins. “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness…

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How do I teach a stubborn person the truth about baptism?

Question: Thank you for your response. I did have another question that touches on your response. The same goes for denomination such as the AME. They teach false doctrine when it comes to baptism and yet proclaim to be saved. I have a female friend that swears to be saved and gave an account of her…

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How can one justify being a Christian if he is not baptized?

Question: How can one justify being a Christian if he claims to believe but is not baptized until some time later? Is he convinced that baptism does not save you? Question: Many denominations teach people that belief is all that is required for salvation. Some, such as the Baptists, do practice a form of baptism,…

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They Gladly Received His Word

by Larry Ray Hafley Truth Magazine, Vol. 50, No. 2, Jan. 19, 2006. Larry Lester Roloff said that when they “gladly received the Word” (Acts 2) that meant they were saved because no sinner would do such! I am wondering why we did not think of that. Reply: If the fact that, before they were…

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Taught Wrong and Baptized Right?

Adapted from an article by Wayne Jones via The Jackson Drive News & Notes, No. 14, April 10, 2005. Under the banners of acceptance and “unity,” many in the Lord’s church have developed an open-door policy with members of the denominational world. Many, by their own admission, have chosen not to “question” a person’s claim to…

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Is Matthew 28:19 a part of the setting up of the church?

Question: I am concerned about baptism. I have found that all of the Bible corresponds with Acts 2:38 from the prophets until the Spirit came upon the apostles. What I do not find is Matthew 28:19 having a part in the setting up of the church at Jerusalem. The prophets Isaiah and Micah tell us Jerusalem, and the…

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Anything to Make a Point

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton An old friend of mine, with whom I have had an ongoing debate concerning the necessity of baptism, found a reference that he felt proved that baptism occurs after salvation. The book is The Immerser: John the Baptist, by Joan Taylor, published by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1997. In the…

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Can a baptism be annulled?

Question: When a person has been baptized once in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit and then receives baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, has the first baptism become annulled? I have a friend who told me that I wasn’t baptized because I wasn’t baptized in the name of Jesus…

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Notes on Baptism

Matthew 28:19 Mark 16:16 John 3:22-23 John 4:1-2 Acts 2:38 Acts 2:41 Acts 2:47 Acts 8:12-13 Acts 8:36-39 Acts 9:18 Acts 10:47-48 Acts 16:14-15 Acts 18:8 Acts 18:13-14 Acts 18:24-19:7 Acts 22:16 Romans 6:3-5 I Corinthians 1:13-17 I Corinthians 12:13 Galatians 3:26-27 Ephesians 4:5 Colossians 1:13-14 Colossians 2:12-13 Titus 3:4-5 I Peter 3:21 see Salvation see…

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In whose name are we to be baptized?

Question: It appears to me that you missed the main point about the Jesus name baptism.  Jesus commanded that his disciples be baptized in the “name” of someone.  Who do you suppose he meant that name to be?  He didn’t say (about Matthew 28:19) “repeat after me now”.  Do you suppose that after hearing Matthew 28:19 they…

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What Must I Do to be Saved? (Walker)

by Wayne S. Walker Of all the questions asked … Where did I come from? Who am I? Why am I here? Where am I going? The most important question ever asked was: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30) In the sixteenth chapter of the book of Acts, the apostle Paul…

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Abraham wasn’t baptized, so why should we need it?

Question: In Romans chapter 4 it talks about Abraham being saved by belief.  “For what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness” (Romans 4:3).   Did they baptize in the Old Testament?  Nowhere that I have read.  Now you might say that baptism wasn’t required in Old Testament days,…

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Does baptism make Jesus’ sacrifice insufficient for our salvation?

Question: Baptism is a representation of us being born into Christ.  It is something every Christian should do.  It is not something one should do to be saved.  Putting baptism as a requirement for salvation makes Jesus’ sacrifice not enough for our salvation and with this, I disagree. Answer: It was Jesus Christ who commanded,…

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How can baptism save?

Question: I’m confused. You said on your website that baptism is required for a person to be saved. How can this be so? Answer: Because the Bible states: “Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you — not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience — through the resurrection…

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The Work of Baptism

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 6:1-11   I.         A frequent objection raised to baptism is that it is a work             A.        “We are not saved by works.” we are told.                         1.         Romans 4:4-5 – Faith justifies                         2.         Ephesians 2:8-9 – Saved not as a result of works             B.        Now certainly baptism is something done, hence it is a work.…

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Trials of Life

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I.         God knows the hearts of men             A.        I Samuel 16:7 “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”             B.        Luke 16:15 “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your…

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