Also I would like to add, Paul whom is one of my favorites. Where did he come from, who was he before? This to me clearly shows us that we all have the opportunity for salvation and to be a minister for Christ. But again, it is the entirety of the scriptures, not just segments. Also what is put on your heart when you read, do you ask for discernment for clarification for questions to be raised to look to references?

The ONE constant with God is FAITH. Read Hebrews 11 and look at ALL the miracles of Jesus. It is FAITH in God alone that is counted as righteousness. The only thing that has changed is the OBJECT of that faith. Abraham believed God would give him a son and an inheritance BEFORE the law was given. It was counted to him as righteousness. Paul talks about this in Romans. Noah believed God when it had NEVER rained. Everyone Jesus healed had faith that He could heal them. Paul's message is all about faith. It isn't the action of being baptized that is key. It is the action of FAITH, believing what God has said is true and can be trusted above all else. The problem with too many people is they want to DO something to be saved. Jesus FINISHED the job. We only need to have faith in the finished work of Christ. If you want to be baptized, feel free. But it doesn't save you. It can't save you. Only Faith saves. That is all that has EVER been required by God.

No where in the Bible does it say that baptism is an outward expression of your faith. No where. That is what man says to convince others to be baptized. I profess Jesus as Lord verbally. That is my outward expression. A person looking at me ten years post baptism has NO IDEA that I've been baptized. NONE So how can that be an outward expression on any day but the day of baptism. It all sounds great, but the fact is, confess with your mouth before men is scriptural. Boldness about your faith is more important than being dunked under water and having your pastor say pretty words at a ceremony. Most of those in attendance are already saved. So who are you witnessing to?

A lot of times scriptures are taken out of context, you need to read the entire passage to know where the reverence of what is being said is placed. So may I ask if you choose just one scripture saying like this...how do you or what do you do with the many scriptures that state being baptized with water. When we are immersed, we are buried with Christ, we are raised from the water, a new babe in Christ and our journey begins. I mean no malice by this, but more of a question process, We have to put all the scriptures together so to speak. Taking out of context again is mans way to justify their own thinking rather than taking the full context of God's word and what he implied.

I did and I have read it. If you read ALL of Paul's writings you will see there is a different tone than in the ministry of Christ. Jesus always said he came ONLY to the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel. He did NOT come for the Gentiles. At one point he refused to help the gentile woman whose child was possessed. He helped her after she displayed great faith. It isn't me that is taking things out of context. The ENTIRE scripture needs to be seen in the light of dispensations. Research the Mystery of the Body of Christ that Paul talks about. Find out why he keeps talking about the Mystery given to Him (not Peter, not James or John). That mystery is that the Gentiles would be brought into the Body of Christ. Even Peter and the others acknowledged that Paul was given a special dispensation from Jesus. Water baptism is for the Nation of Israel because it follows Rabinnical law and all their purification rites. That's a fact & quite obvious.