Questions for those who say that baptism is necessary for salvation

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Matt Slick of www.carm.org discusses some of the questions that demonstrate baptism is not necessary for salvation. For example, was Abraham in a state of damnation even when he believed God and he was declared righteous even though he had not been circumcised?

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Alright, this is questions for those who believe that baptism is necessary for salvation. I'm going to ask you, was
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Abraham still in a state of damnation when he believed God and was declared righteous, even though he hadn't been circumcised?
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Let's take a look at Romans chapter 4, verses 1 -5. It says this, What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, according to the flesh, has found?
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For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
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For what does the scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.
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Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due.
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But to the one who does not work, but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.
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Let's also look at Galatians chapter 3, verses 5 -6. Does he then who provides you with the
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Spirit and works miracles among you do it by the works of the law, or by hearing with faith?
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Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are the sons of Abraham.
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Note, those who believe in the New Testament times are to believe in the person of Christ, his work on the cross, his resurrection, etc.
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Likewise, when a person believes God, is he declared righteous? Think about this.
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Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness by his belief.
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This is what Romans 4, verses 1 -5 says. There was no ritual, no ceremony in anything that he was doing, but he was declared righteous by his faith.
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And Paul says in Romans 4, verses 1 -5, particularly in verse 5, that anyone who believes in God, his faith is credited as righteousness.
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If a person who believes is not declared righteous, then why isn't he? If a person who believes is declared righteous, then is he righteous without baptism?
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Of course he is. Is a sinner who has prayed and asked the Lord Jesus to forgive him of his sins actually forgiven or is he still in a state of damnation until he gets baptized?
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Is it biblical for someone to ask Jesus to forgive him of his sins, and if he does so, is he forgiven or not?
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I've got some other questions I want to ask you. Jesus said in John 14, 14, If you ask me anything in my name,
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I will do it. A ritual is a set of forms or practices.
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It is a ceremony. Baptism is a ritual. It's a ceremony where one person administers baptism to another person.
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Therefore, if you maintain that baptism is necessary for salvation, aren't you saying that salvation is by faith and a ritual?
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Can you please tell us if such a man who has believed in Christ and received him, yet dies without being baptized, goes to eternal damnation, simply because he hasn't performed the additional ritual?
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If you say no, then baptism is not necessary for salvation. If you say yes, then he's not declared righteous by faith, is he?