Dear Sir,
I have read your questions on the web page about baptism. I was approached by a man that had told me that baptize was the only way to heaven and kept bringing me tracts and tracts and tracts. I got the web and investigated. I found so much stuff.... what does one believe? I have been saved but I am still plagued with doubts.... The thought keeps
running through my head " I love the Lord so much and my only true goal in life is to be like Christ and to do the father's will but what happens when I die and I find out it is all in vain...." these are the thoughts that plague my head.... The verse in Matt. when Jesus is teaching the sermon on the mount " Lord, Lord, .... " I am sure you know the rest. I
feel that sometimes I am going crazy....

Can you help me, pray for me,  point me to someone that can help me... The proponents of this baptism salvation seemed to think that Satan has everyone deceived into believing some philosophical stuff about all it take to be saved is belief.

I would sincerely like your help..

Thanks

B
 

Dear B,

Thank you for your mail.

You are not alone in your dilemma. The teaching of baptismal regeneration comes out of the dark ages. It used by many of the modern churches and some Pentecostal groups.

Matt 8:11, says many will come from the east and west and sit down in the kingdom with Abraham Isaac and Jacob. These along with all the saved in the O.T. knew nothing about baptism.

Heb. 9:22, says "without shedding of blood there is no remission ."(forgiveness)

1 John 1:7, "...the blood of His Son cleanseth us from all sin."

Water baptism is a symbol, and has not real saving value. It is like a photograph. You can look at yours and say ,"that is me," but it really isn't real. It is just a piece of paper with your picture. This is what 1 Pet 3:21 is saying just a "figure."

The question is only asked once in the Bible, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?  The answer given was, "Believe on The Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:30,31

To believe means to "trust 100% in what He has provided for your at the Cross. Salvation is a finish work (John 19:30)  You cannot added anything to it.

Make sure you are trusting Christ 100% for salvation and God says you HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.  John 3:36; No baptism there or in John 3:15,16; 5:24; Eph 2:8,9.

Once a person is saved, then the should be baptized,  witness and serve the Lord, but this is not salvation it is service.  Salvation is what He has done FOR us. Service is what we DO FOR Him.  Never mix the two.

My wife is an excellent cook ,housekeeper and a good wife, but that doesn't make her any more my wife that one minute after we were married 53 years ago.

Brandon, I am sending you my "get acquainted quiz, along with my list of my email Bible Lessons.  I would suggest you enroll in God's Way.  This will help you to see clearly the Bible way of salvation.

As I wait to hear from you, for you. I will be praying

Harold

Here is my answers... thanks... I am so troubled... and I can't seem to find answers  ....

Yours  B
 

Dear Brandon;

Thank you for your questionnaire.  Sorry to be so long getting back to you. I can readily see that your problem is not doctrinal, as your answers were very good.

There are only two problem areas left:

Either you are living in some known sin and it is bothering you to the point that if you are really saved it is causing you to doubt OR you just do not believe God's promises.

Let me know which of the two it is and I might be able to help you.

In The Master's Service,

Your friend,

Harold

At 08:48 AM 6/2/97 -0500, you wrote:

I have sins... true and I confess them and I know that He will forgive 1 John)  I just seem to be tossed around by every wind of doctrine that appears... It is not that I believe them they just caused me to start to think if what I believe is wrong... everyone is busy condemning each other. They are to busy defending hell's gates instead of heaven's (does that make sense to you? It is not some strange doctrine or anything)

I am on my search for the truth and I know I shall find it ( as far a doctrinally) I know that God I will find the truth because I am diligently seeking it ( with all my heart and soul) I am sure that I will find that I have known it all along.

Dear B;

Thanks for your mail.

Your search for the truth can be and is found in the Living Word (Jesus John 14:6) and Written Word John 17:17)

I agree that there is much confusion, and if one would listen to it all it would be baffling. This is the reason one must get the "Thus saith the Lord."

In looking at truth in the word of God, one must consider all that the scriptures say about a subject and not just an isolated verse.

I got a tract from guy who left on my mother's car she wanted me to check it out. I started to read it. He says in this tract that " the lie of eternal security is sending many people to hell and that the one's that teach it are cursed." Reading this sends my mind into a tailspin... I start to think and pray Father I don't want to preach an untruth ....

Is this Satan..... ?

Also it is so funny that I have met you...  I have been praying for the Lord to send me a mentor... someone experienced , a seasoned saint, to teach me and pour there life into me. I wonder if you would be willing to teach me. I am sure that you are very busy, but I would feel honored if you would help me.

Could you tell me what scriptures they used to support such a rash statement?

Brandon, feel free to write me at any time as I want to be a help to you if I can.

In the meantime, browse the many questions I have on my home page at http://www.pages.ca.inter.net/inchrist

Consider doing my email Bible Course on "Straight Paths."  It has a variety of teaching.
Thanks... I will be praying for you.

In the Master's Service,

Harold