The True Gospel

[dizerner]

[user account removed]

[Homer]

So here's my question: can baptism be a work?

And here's my answer: any act can be a work according to how you view the act.

Now I can agree with you, if you mean a baptism that does not involve a sincere repentance and intent to follow Jesus, but instead amounts to "certain ones who trusted in themselves that they were righteous" (Matthew 18:9).

In a true baptism the baptizer is God. The person who baptizes is little more than furniture.

[wwalkeriv]

Thank you Paidion and Steve for the responses to my question.

[Singalphile]

Hi, dizerner.

Thanks for your response. I don't disagree with any of it. That may mean that there's just a difference in emphasis.

Some clarifications (and questions):

• A person does not become a Christian only if and after he performs a certain amount of good deeds. I don't 'think anyone's saying otherwise.

• A new believer will not necessarily spontaneously feel that he needs to get submerged in water. Notice Acts 8:
  
  "35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. 36 As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?" (NASB)
  
  Philip taught baptism. It is a part of the gospel "package" (if you will), I think. That is what I would think we can all agree to, regardless of any more specific opinion about baptism. Based on the NT examples, it should be coupled with conversion, asap, right?

• The expectation of obedience is implicit in the confession that Jesus is Lord. I think it should be made explicit (especially in our culture).

• Every one agrees that "a lot of self-righteous Christians" would be a bad thing. It's a sinful attitude, no doubt. Should Christians try to not have that attitude, or should we try to not try to not have that attitude?

• But seriously, faith without works is useless (James 2:20), and faith and works without love is nothing (1 Cor 13:2-3).

• Hebrews 3 instructs us to "take care" and "encourage one another" to avoid sin. The NT is of course chock full of such instructions about godly living. We need instructions, I think. As followers of Jesus, we should be very glad to have them.

• If anyone needs reminding, "... for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." (Phil 2:13 NASB).

• Lastly, you mention "the law" frequently, but I think there's a bit of equivocation there. I think that when Jesus or His apostles talked about "the law", they were usually talking about the Mosaic law.