Expert: Mrs. Priscilla Lyons - 10/16/2007

Question
QUESTION: Good morning Priscilla,
    I didn't have the opportunity to finish my questions with the last session so here we go again. Thank you for your time.
    You said in your last response "The physical baptism that follows is an outward expression of what the Holy Spirit has done for us in giving us new, everlasting life." My question is "Can I be saved without showing that outward expression? Do I have to be baptized in water baptism?
    My next question is one of confusion. Saul, Paul, was told to arise and be baptized to "wash away his sins". If he was saved prior to that baptism than was he saved before his sins were washed away?
    Sorry about taking up so much of your time. I just want to make sure of my salvation. I still may have other questions.

Thanks,
John

ANSWER: Perhaps it would be helpful to understand Acts 22:16 to see the advice of "why tarry, arise and be baptized" (physical actions), as the advice a Christian would only give to one whose sins were washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.  Romans 10:13 "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."   Acts 16:30-31 "What must I do to be saved?  They (Paul and Silas) said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved"  
   I Cor. 1:17 "For Christ sent me NOT to baptize, but to preach the gospel" so baptism is not part of the gospel (the message for salvation).
   I might question your salvation--Did you honestly entrust yourself (crucified with Christ) to God for the salvation He provided through Jesus Christ our LORD?--if you are not willing to confess that to others through water baptism.  But no one can judge (know enough to make a correct judgment) your heart like you and God can.
   If you won't surrender your physical body to the water of baptism, perhaps your spirit (the real you) has not surrendered to God's salvation/forgiveness of your sins.  God may be doing something in your life that I don't understand, but, in my limited understanding I might wonder if you were saved.  
   That said, I would never encourage anyone to be baptized to prove to me or to himself he was saved, because that might give him a false sense of security if he has never fully surrendered his spirit (the real person) to God, if he's never been "crucified with Christ," (Gal.2:20), if he has never done as Luke 9:23 says "deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me."
   Please deny yourself and rely only on God Himself for your salvation.  Maybe this quote from Thomas Wilcox (1621-1687) will help.  "If you have looked at your resolutions, endeavors, workings, duties, qualifications, etc., more than at the merits of Christ, it will cost you dearly...Christ alone can be the hope of glory (Col.1:27).  As II Cor.3:14-18 explains, let us turn to the Lord, keeping an open face looking at Him always, to be changed by the Spirit of the Lord, step by step, glory to glory.
   We were created to reflect God's image, not our own image.  Shine for Him!
   Priscilla

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Gooood morning Priscilla,
    I have read and studied the scriptures you mentioned and can understand some of your reasoning. BUT, I still have concerns.
    Again, have patience with me as I try to further understand.
    I have some more questions. 1. Can a person be saved before their sins are washed away? 2. Paul's sins were not washed away until he was baptized.
    I'm not sure exactly where it is written, but I think it was Paul who wrote there is "one Lord, one faith, one baptism" If we have Spiritual baptism than water baptism is not needed. Peter said that after baptism we receive the Holy Spirit. Paul also said that "all Spiritual blessing are in Christ Jesus". He also mentioned that "we put on Christ in Baptism".
    You may think me crazy but after studying the scriptures I can not understand how a person can be sure of their salvation until AFTER baptism. I believe you are right when you said that baptism is the final act of obedience.
    Priscilla, thank you for your time and patience.

Jack

Answer
Dear Jack/John,
   Please reread the responses already given to your questions, several times, and pray that the Holy Spirit will help your understanding.  Spiritual baptism is the true baptism--physical water baptism is a reflection of that one baptism. Ephesians 4:5
   I'll be praying for you to surrender yourself completely to God's baptism. Romans 6:3
   Priscilla