(A) He that believeth and is saved shall be baptized.
(B) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.
(See Mark 16:16 ).
(A) Baptism is not for remission of sins.
(B) Baptism is for remission of sins.
(See Acts 2:38).
(A) Baptism does not also now save us.
(B) Baptism does also now save us.
(See 1 Pet. 3:21 ).
(A) One does not wash away his sins in baptism.
(B) One washes away his sins in baptism.
(See Acts 22:16).
(A) God does not operate (work) in baptism in removing sins.
(B) God operates (works) in baptism in removing sins.
(See Col. 2:11-12).
(A) One has the new life before baptism.
(B) One is raised from baptism to the new life.
(See Rom. 6:3-4).
(A) One puts on Christ before he is baptized into Christ.
(B) One puts on Christ when he is baptized into Christ.
(See Gal. 3:26-27).
Which of the above do you believe? Both A and B in each section cannot be correct for they plainly contradict one another. One of them is truth and the other is error. One will save and the other will condemn. We ask you to put away any pre-conceived ideas and make an honest investigation of the passages given. If you turn to the passages with your mind already made up, chances are your pre-judgment will blind you from the plain truth taught in them. If you turn to them with the view that they can only teach what you have already been taught, most likely you will pervert them to fit the position you already have. However, we ask you to lay aside what you already think and feel about it, and simply take the Word itself to determine the truth. There could never be a more important undertaking; anything which concerns the soul is vitally important. Wherefore, "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves." (2 Cor. 13:5). "Test all things; hold fast what is good." (1 Thess. 5:21). "Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure..." (2 Pet. 1:10).