I am not saying specifically that one is not saved until being baptized. I am saying that one is not saved until their sins are forgiven. And the Bible says that the purpose of baptism is for the forgiveness of sins. It also brings the gift of the Holy Spirit. I think it is foolish to hope that God doesn't really expect the sinner to go all the way to being baptized.Can one really believe in Christ Jesus and then reject what he has said about baptism? Personally, I do not think so.Most credible scholars will admit that the gift is not faith; rather the gift is being saved by grace through faith.For one who has heard the gospel, believed, repented, and has been baptized, even disobedience does not cause a loss of fellowship. The saint does not pop into and out of fellowship with each sin/repentance incident.
Eph 1:13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, NKJV
I noticed that you did not commit on the above. Paul states quite clearly that the Spirit of Jesus is given when one believes. If one has the Spirit of Jesus they are saved. To be saved one is justified or forgiven.
I hope the order corresponds to your reply. First.
Acts 10:43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins." NKJV
The testimony of all the OT prophets is if you believe in Him ( Jesus) you will be forgiven.
Acts 13:38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; 39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. NKJV
Paul's preaching in Antioch Pisidia.
All of the above testify that to be forgiven all one has to do is believe in Jesus.
Second order of your post:
I reject the doctrine that we have to be baptized to be justified or forgiven. If by your doctrine that makes me unforgivable then I believe that your faith is divided between your work of being baptized and Jesus. Faith should be in Jesus alone and not shared with any work of ours.
Third order of your post.
Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, NKJV
The following are some who agree that faith is a gift. The Abbotts' Illustrated New Testament. ESV Study Bible, Holman Bible Handbook, John Gill's Exposition of the Old and New Testaments, Barnes notes on the new testament,Matthew Henry.
I have no knowledge if you consider them to be credible.
Last order of your post:
1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. NKJV
John is writing to a church of believers. He is warning them of losing fellowship. . Yes we do not go in and out of fellowship. But if we remain in disobedience and don't respond to correction we lose fellowship. Paul turned two believers over to Satan. I really don't know what that means but I not sure I would not feel in fellowship
in such a situation.
Reply to e.r.m
As to accepting the gift here is the defination of accept:
1. To receive with a consenting mind (something offered); as, to accept a gift;
Syn. — To receive; take; admit.
(from Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, PC Study Bible formatted electronic database Copyright © 2011 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)
If grace and righteousness (Ro 5:17) is a gift as stated in the bible and we accept the gift then we receive the gift with a consenting mind. I ask you: What happens if we do not accept the gift? If you did not accept His gift then how did you receive it?
John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: NKJV
A synonym of receive is accept. As many as accepted Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God.