Baptism and Salvation (A Critique of Baptismal Regeneration)
Scope of this article : · It is a critique of the doctrine of baptismal regeneration and baptismal justification. · Mode of baptism (sprinkling, immersion) is not the scope of this article. · “Infant baptism or believer’s baptism?” is not the direct scope of this article . Regeneration precedes Baptism Consider the following passages: Romans 8:7, 8 : “For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God , for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot . Those who are in the flesh cannot please God .” · Those who are in the flesh cannot please God . They are at war against God (hostile to God). It cannot submit to God’s law. · Ask the question: Is baptism pleasing to God? Is desiring to be baptised pleasing to God? Of course it is. It is his command. Obeying it is pleasing to God. And those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Therefore, regeneration (removing the heart of stone) has to occur before baptism. Rom