John 3:5 does not require (or even speak about) Baptism for Salvation (The Other Denom, Edition)

Sure there is.......it had the word water in it.

 

Exactly, that which is flesh (physical birth) that which is spirit (reborn i.e. spiritual birth)

 

I have already exegeted John 3:5. I presented the entire conversation with Nicodemus and showed that Jesus was answering him according to his question – and his fleshly point of view.

And we’ve already discussed the Thief on the cross. He is the exception.

Here’s a little advice for you: NEVER base your doctrines on the exception. Baptism is the NORM – but he was unable to do it – not unwilling.

Rom. 10:9 states that we must “confess with our mouth” that Christ is Lord in order to be saved.
What if you are a mute? What if you have no tongue?

Your literalism tries to put limits on God’s mercy.

 

There was no contradiction - just YOUR contextual acrobatics.

 

The conversation went like this - in modern laymen’s English:

Nicodemus: How does a guy get born again? Does he go back inside his mother?

Jesus: Unless you are born of water and spirit you can’t be saved. Flesh is physical birth. I’m talking about SPIRITUAL birth.


YOU would have us believe that the conversation went like THIS:
Nicodemus: How does a guy get born again? Does he go back inside his mother?

Jesus: Unless you are physically born, you can’t be saved. Flesh is physical birth. I’m talking about SPIRITUAL birth

This second scenario makes absolutely NO sense.

 

This is a strawman. I did not say this nor did I imply this. It is the second time, that I have seen, that you have misrepresented our position. That second scenario makes no sense because you made it up.

 

The fact that you don’t understand what Sacred/Apostolic Tradition is – is mind-boggling to me as a Christian.
Scripture is so crystal-clear on this:

2 Thess. 2:15
So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught – EITHER BY and ORAL STATEMENT – OR BY a LETTER from us.

There is NO expiration date on 2 Thess. 2:15 . . .

 

In this case, reading the text as it is actually stated means the false doctrine of baptismal regeneration is not possibly introduced into the verse by eisegesis, as you so clearly add what is not found in the text.
No limits are placed on God's mercy. Instead we reject meritorious human action as the means by which God is spurred to act with grace.
Baptism does not save. If the act/ceremony of baptism saved, then salvation is not by God's grace. Salvation would be caused by human works. Such a thought is anathema to the person who was chosen by God by no merit of his own doing.
Maryson, there is much at stake by refuting your false interpretation of John 3:5.
The very nature of God's grace being the sole means of salvation (Ephesians 2:1-10) is undermined and abandoned by your view. Your view teaches a legalistic works salvation, which Paul says is anathema in his letter to the Galatians.

 

Then, why don't YOU present the verses in Modern layman's English for us?

 

It's not legalistic works.
This false idea that we do absolutely NOTHING for our salvation is anti-Scriptural.

God’s grace is what saves us – but His grace has NO AFFECT on us without our cooperation. The Scriptures are CLEAR on this fact.

This is why of ALL of the Christian virtues we possess – LOVE is the greatest – not faith. Love requires our cooperation.

Galatians 5:6 clearly states:

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

 

Works, legalism, in your own statement.
Grace is only grace when God does it regardless of our agreement to it or not. We don't control God. If we did, we would be supreme and God would be our genie.
Second, the Bible is very clear that humans, by nature are rebels against God. We will never cooperate with God when he demands to be supreme and we demand to be supreme. (Read Romans 3 as a primer) We will not seek God. We will hide like Adam and Eve. We will not cooperate. God must choose to give us life in Christ. We can do nothing to stop God's supreme choice. The Bible is clear.
Your post that I am quoting shows you view salvation by works, which cannot be by grace.

 

Let’s take Infant Baptism.

Virtually EVERY Early Church Father who has written on the subject states that this was a Tradition handed down to them by the Apostles themselves, yet MOST Protestant sects reject Infant Baptism.



WHY is that?

 

You are espousing is the unbiblical Calvinist view of Unconditional Election.

We are NOT forced to comply with God’s grace. It is a gift that is freely accepted – or freely rejected.

Picking up our cross daily requires our cooperation.
You don't get to sneak into Heaven without doing His will.

Matt. 7:21
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but ONLY the one who DOES THE WILL of my Father in heaven.