The Great Baptism Debate

Well, I received an email the other day informing me of a debate over whether or not baptism is necessary for salvation. While I'm sure you know where I stand on that issue (it's not necessary!), there was something funny I found in the email:

"The Bible teaches that a person must be baptized (immersed in water as a believer) to be saved, that is, to become a Christian."

The funny part to me is that in the parenthesis. If someone is immersed in water "as a believer" then wouldn't they already be saved? Remember, the Philippian jailer asked Paul what he must do to be saved. Paul answered by saying, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ." Therefore, if one is a "true" believer, then the parenthetical phrase above has destroyed the Church of Christ debater. And well it should! To teach that baptism is necessary for salvation IS heresy. To add anything to the Gospel of Jesus Christ takes away from His wondrous work.

You CANNOT work for your salvation, speak your way into salvation (tongues included!), get wet enough for salvation (baptism is obedience not salvation), nor join enough churches to "get saved."

[Surely between this and the King James only debate, I'll have somebody mad at me!]

Maybe I'm Naive

I guess I took things for granted. Within the last month or so, I have come to the realization that many (and I mean MANY) Baptists hold to Calvinism. Many conservative scholars, of whom I still appreciate for their insight in other issues, hold to the teaching of Calvinism. While I do not desire to degrade these men, I do believe that they are in error (or heresy?).

The teaching of Calvinism forces the Bible to contradict itself, so therefore we can be assured that no such doctrine is found in the Bible. (Besides, the Bible is clear in its teaching of election, foreknowledge, etc.) Without delving into this issue further, why is there such a resurgence among Baptists of the teaching of Calvinism. And yes, I have been on many conservative Baptist blogs, websites and read many of their books, and seen a huge surge towards this teaching. Maybe I'm missing something. I don't know. After all, I am a bit naive!