Occasionally I will respond to a particular comment posted on the blog.  I usually do so by just adding another comment of my own.  In this case, however, I have quite a bit to say and I am prayerful that the discussion may help inform us all.  Michael Gormley wrote the following:  “The Catholic Church has always held, being ‘born of water and the Spirit’ refers to baptism, and then it follows that being ‘born again’ or ‘born from above’ means being baptized.”  You can read his full comments posted in the comments section of the blog entry titled, “Thought Police.”  I would like to thank Mr. Gormley for reading the blog and offering his comment.  It is important that we discuss our various perspectives based upon Scripture.  This is how we all learn and grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior.

So, what is the act of salvation?  Does salvation take place when a person opens their life to Jesus Christ?  Or, does it take place when a minister or priest performs a religious act with or for a person?  What is needed for salvation to take place and who is it that actually saves someone?

Suppose a man who has never been to church picks up a Bible in a hotel room and hears the good news that he is in need of a savior and that Jesus is indeed that savior.  He chooses to say yes to the relationship offered him by believing in Christ.  Then, however, he is struck by a bus on the way out of the hotel and dies.  Where does he stand with God?  There are a number of Christians who may answer that question in the negative because the man never had a chance to be received by a church or follow through with the ordinances of Baptism and Communion.  Is it Baptism and Communion that saves or is it God who saves?  Or, does God only work through human intermediaries?

What does the Scripture say?  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:23-24)  It also says, “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10)  And again it says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

As I understand the Scripture, we are all in need of a Savior because we are all sinners.  God sent His only begotten Son who is “Emmanuel” or “God with us” or “in the very nature God.”  He is that “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”  Jesus, being perfect and not under the curse of sin, died on the cross paying the penalty of death for us.  He substituted Himself for us.  Then, He rose from the dead conquering sin and death.  We are saved when we believe with our heart and confess with our mouth.  We are saved by the grace of God through our faith in Him.  It is God who does the act of Salvation.  We merely say yes to the unmerited favor of God offered by the atonement of Christ.

Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:6, “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.”  The line in this passage, “born of water and the spirit,” is not talking about water baptism.  I believe the use of “water” here is referring to physical birth.  Jesus is telling Nicodemus that just like he was born physically, he also must be born spiritually.  Otherwise, Jesus would have told him that he must be baptized rather than he must be born again.  Water baptism is an act of obedience that symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.  It is an outer example of what has already taken place on the inside.  The baptism of the Holy Spirit takes place that moment we say yes to Jesus as Savior and Lord.  It is not a religious or physical act performed by a minister or priest.  It is a spiritual or supernatural act performed by the very Spirit of God Himself.  “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.”

The act of Salvation is done by God alone, through faith alone, the moment we say yes to Him alone.

Alan L. Thomas <><