Through the ages all sorts of people have discussed God and how to reach him. The attitude seems to be that any way is correct as long as the believer trusts some avenue of the faith process, which all too often is not Bible based, but based solely on some old teaching that has been handed down through the ages by word of mouth and sometimes supported by written record. The truth is that there is only one source for the path of right living and salvation, the Bible, the recorded message of God. Of course, many don’t believe that is true and follow other doctrines; and then there are those who say they are Christians but won’t accept the whole counsel of God in matters of life and His way for salvation. The standard so often used is I think and I feel.

Paul wrote in Ephesians Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, (and in)

Eph 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.  The word one in these verses means one, a single, thus no other idea can be possible or pleasing to God. The verse 6 One God is the foundation for verse 5. The verses cited are in harmony of the words of Jesus in John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  The path to God is through Jesus Christ, the one Lord, in which our faith rests, culminating in the faith showing operation of baptism (a burial or full immersion in water).

A lot of people want to argue with the baptism teaching found in scriptures, as they do many other teachings. Those who argue need to answer one question. If it isn’t necessary for salvation why is it in the biblical teachings?  To ignore one part of the scripture and say it isn’t necessary for salvation is to ignore the teachings of God, His son, and the apostles.

When Jesus came into the world it was deep in sin with no way out of the predicament. No amount of good works, so called clean living, or the keeping of some ritual could wipe out the fact that sin was ever present in everyone’s life. Though one might be living well, they were still alienated from God. Since that was the condition, God revealed the way to Him and salvation. The word for God reclaiming His creation from sin is called reconciliation and is stated in scripture as follows: 2 Corinthians 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 2 Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.  

When God brought mankind back to Himself in Jesus Christ, He was proclaiming that Jesus was the way to salvation and that Jesus performed the needed reconciliation to the exclusion of all other ways. Paul wrote in Romans the following verses: Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Rom 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. Rom 5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

When all the verses cited are put into harmony with all teachings, it is obvious that God through Jesus Christ has provided the way for salvation to the exclusion of all ways and beliefs as has been written.  In the Book of Acts these words are found: Acts 4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.  Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.  Disregard the teaching of the bible at your own peril.

© 11-27-2005 DEC

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