What is the purpose of baptism for sola fide adherents?
score:11
Speaking as an adherent of the belief that salvation is by faith alone, and not of works (lest any man should boast - Ephesians 2:8-10):
Baptism is an external symbol of obedience. It doesn't gain you anything. It is an outward show and demonstration that symbolizes our death to our old selves, and resurrection into the new life as a Christian.
Consider a secular comparison - graduating from school. The graduation ceremony does not educate us. Receiving the diploma does not educate us. Both are a sign that we have completed our education and are moving on to the next step, and both are largely ceremonial and serve as a rite of passage.
To those of us that believe in sola fide believe that (obviously) only the saving grace of God is responsible for our salvation, and baptism no more saves us than a diploma educates us.
As a side note, for those of us that believe in baptism by immersion, rather than sprinkling, this is a part of why we believe in this form of baptism. In addition to it being how John the Baptist did it, we also see the going under water as symbolic of Christs death, and coming back out of the water as symbolic of His resurrection.
To those of us who hold my views, baptism is not necessary for salvation. However, we also realize that there are plenty of opposing views. It all hinges on whether or not you count baptism as a "work". I've seen arguments for both sides, and all seem to have merit but for me, personally, and most of the people in my Church it comes down to one verse - Ephesians 2:10, not of works lest any man should boast. (emphasis mine)
In giving all glory to God, we refuse to try to take any credit for our own salvation. Even the tiniest hint of pride in the matter is not acceptable to us, and whether baptism is a "work" or not, if we feel that we have contributed to our salvation in obedience, then it is not of God alone, and the glory is not His.
Again, I know there are opposing views, but the question appears to be geared to how those with this particular view see the issue.
I would say that baptism is necessary on some level, though -not as an act of salvation, but as an outward sign that we're really "giving up our cross to follow Him". If we can't obey such a simple thing, how on earth would we expect to claim that we live for Him?
More post
- 📝 What does 'orthodox' mean, in practice?
- 📝 What are Lutheran teachings on salutary effects of communion?
- 📝 Does the Catholic Church still stand behind Deuteronomy 22:28-29?
- 📝 Are Matthew, Mark and Luke the same book in different version?
- 📝 How do different eschatological views interpret Isaiah 65:17-25?
- 📝 How literally do you take and universally apply what Jesus said?
- 📝 Does the Catholic church teach that sin is "transmitted" by the father?
- 📝 Did Athanasius and the Nicene Fathers draw the conclusion that Arius worshipped the Entity called ‘the Devil’?
- 📝 Is it against the LDS Word of Wisdom to use marijuana as medicine?
- 📝 According to the LDS Doctrine of Exaltation, where did the Father live as a man?
- 📝 Does the Roman Catholic Church consider other religions evil, demonic, and satanic?
- 📝 Why is 'putting to death' condoned in the Bible?
- 📝 How do Christians argue about Jewish objections against Jesus being the Messiah
- 📝 What is an overview of Christian arguments against the "unconscious violinist" analogy used to support abortion in the case of rape?
- 📝 How does Christianity view gaslighting?
- 📝 What is depicted on this small piece of artwork with Mary and the Apostles?
- 📝 Are Christians allowed to practice Eastern martial arts?
- 📝 According to the Mormon Doctrine, when God said, "let there be light," was He talking about the Light of Christ?
- 📝 According to Catholicism, what is the original intent of the term “virgin” in Lk 1:26-27?
- 📝 Is the term 'word of God' in the New Testament equal in authority to the designation 'scripture'?
- 📝 What is Reasoning behind the Inquisition and Separation of Holy days to be separate from the Israeli Sabbath
- 📝 Why do churches often have altars?
- 📝 What is the Orthodox canon?
- 📝 If I underwent baptism when I was an adult, but If now I am no longer certain that Jesus revived, then am I still a Christian?
- 📝 What is a mission trip?
- 📝 Why is smoking a sin?
- 📝 What were the editions to the KJV since 1611 and who did them and when?
- 📝 Has a notable militant non-Christian ever converted to Christianity due to a "Road to Damascus" experience?
- 📝 If existence is greater than nonexistence, how could it have been better for Judas not to have been born (Mt. 26:24)?
- 📝 According to Catholic sources, what is the "Leviathan" in the Bible?
Source: stackoverflow.com
Search Posts
Related post
- 📝 What is the purpose of baptism for sola fide adherents?
- 📝 What constitutes a "serious" crime for the purpose of LDS baptism preparation?
- 📝 What is the basis for not believing sola scriptura?
- 📝 What is the basis that some Protestants teach the non-necessity of baptism for salvation?
- 📝 What is the biblical basis for baptism by sprinkling?
- 📝 What is the purpose and basis for the special garments issued to temple-going Mormons?
- 📝 What is the significance of Jesus' baptism for a theology of baptism?
- 📝 What is the Biblical Basis for Sola Scriptura?
- 📝 How do sola fide adherents explain The Parable of the Ten Virgins?
- 📝 What did the early church fathers (pre-5th c.) teach with regards to the doctrine of baptism as a necessity for salvation?
- 📝 What is the biblical basis for baptism by immersion?
- 📝 What is the biblical basis against Sola Fide (salvation by faith alone, apart from works)?
- 📝 For what purpose were the "Chosen People" chosen?
- 📝 What is the baptism requirement for becoming a Mennonite?
- 📝 What arguments do adherents of a global flood give for how water was able to cover the entire earth?
- 📝 According to the LDS Church, what is the purpose or result of proxy baptisms for those who have already died?
- 📝 What is the Biblical basis for the Catholic teaching that infant baptism cleanses from original sin?
- 📝 What does the Catholic Church require for a parent's name to appear on the child's baptism certificate?
- 📝 What is the purpose of offering a mass for someone?
- 📝 What is the basis for baptism being the new circumcision?
- 📝 According to Catholicism, what is the purpose of praying for the dead?
- 📝 What is purpose of being ready for the End Times?
- 📝 In light of the many changes in regulations, what is the purpose of the Roman Catholic altar and is it neccessary for a valid Mass?
- 📝 What is the Biblical basis for the doctrine of the Trinity?
- 📝 What is the biblical basis for the claim that abortion is immoral?
- 📝 What is the basis for saying Christians and Muslims worship the same God?
- 📝 What is the Biblical basis for the concept that Jesus spent time in Hell?
- 📝 What is the biblical justification for permitting female pastors?
- 📝 What is the biblical basis for Jesus being God incarnate?
- 📝 What is the Biblical basis for Total Depravity?