stovebolts
Member
Answer this: Could anyone under the old law be saved by the blood of animals (Heb.10:4)?? I know of only ONE ( 1 ) way any could but I shall leave it to you to discover it, if you can.
God bless
Webb, if we look at Heb. 10:4, we see that the sacrifices in and of themselves have no saving power, and that's the point. I believe this is why scripture states, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice". Why? Because sin is a condition of the heart and the sacrifices, although the law says clearly that they are able to forgive sins I do not believe that the law should be looked at as a legal transaction.
In the same way, the act of Baptism does not save in and of it self. Peter put it this way,
1 Peter 3:21 which also after a true likeness doth now save you, even baptism, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the interrogation of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ;
It is "the interrogation of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" that is the catalyst for baptism. If this were not the case, then everyone who was put into the baptismal pool and parroted the "right" words at the right time would be saved. But we both know that this is not true.
Paul makes the point over and over and over that it's about faith just as the Hebrew writer brings to mind in chapter 11 and we both know that if one comes to the baptismal pool without faith, they are just getting wet and they are not saved.
So I see the same thing with the sacrificial system. Scripture clearly states that the sacrifices are for the forgiveness of sins and I know that you stated that the baptism in Acts was for the remission of sins, but so was John's a baptism for the remissions of sins and for those baptized by John with a clean conscience that maybe died before they knew of Jesus, I'm sure they were saved too. Why? Because it's about faith.
But here is a thought. Maybe I'm assuming that your think that because John wasn't baptized with the baptism of Jesus because scripture is silent, then I'm taking it as if one is saved, then they will have a share in the world to come. If they are not saved, then they are bound to hell.
To clarify, where do you say John will spend the world to come? Heaven or Hell. Why?
Now then, maybe you think he's in Abraham's boosum waiting for the resurrection of the dead. That's surely an alternate view.
But anyway, I think if we got the heaven, hell, abraham's boosum question answered, it might leave more ground because until I really thought about it, I took it initally as you saying John was in hell, and I don't think that's what your saying.
Thanks Brother.