Originally Posted by Cyclonian Candidus

I believe I am quite late in entering this discussion, however, it was an interesting one. I have always been fascinated by those who say "baptism is a work" and "Christ's blood is the salvation not any work that we do". Those are very valid points let me remind you, however, we need not allow emotionalism play into our search for truth.

Here are a few facts:

1. If we say that salvation was complete on the Cross by Jesus and that ANY action by man to have part in salvation is a work we have huge theological problems. The first problem is Ephesians 2:10 which states that we are created for good works. The second problem is that the Bible says we will be judged by our works in many places (look at the churches Jesus rebukes in the first three chapters of Revelation). Also, specifically Revelation 20:12 says that they would be judged according to what they had done.

2. To say all man has to do is believe in order to be saved is a work based doctrine. Believing is a work. Work is defined by man as "exertion or effort directed to produce or accomplish something; labor; toil."--www.dictionary.com. In order to believe you must put forth effort (mentally) in order to accomplish faith in someone or something. That my friends is work.

3. Put these two thoughts together then. If someone says, "Salvation is not works based but is only by Grace"...then their salvation does not come at the point of their belief, but at the point of the cross and NO ONE can do anything to bring on that salvation or lose that salvation. This includes baptism and belief or repentance or confession. So all mankind is automatically saved from the cross forward regardless of how they behave or what they believe if we take this logic to it's extreme.

4. Of course everyone knows this is simply not true. John 14:15 says, "if you love me keep my commandments". Acts 2:38 states, "And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Mark 16:16, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved, he who does not believe will be condemned". We could go on and on forever verse after verse and we see that God demands that mankind DO something for salvation to be earned. Yep I said it. We must earn our salvation. If we meet the conditions that God has set forth then he will grant salvation to us because of the grace which he freely gave us at the cross. That my friends is earning something. It is free to be given, but you must do something for it. Adam and Eve had salvation but they had to do something for it. Noah had to enter the boat in order to earn his salvation. Go through every example in the Bible and see where God grants grace and mankind must earn that grace that is freely given.

I hope this post wasn't too complicated or lengthly. Just wanted to impart my thoughts on this subject.