QUESTION: "IS BAPTISM NECESSARY FOR SALVATION? WHAT IS BAPTISMAL REGENERATION?"

Answer: Baptismal regeneration is the belief that a person must be baptized in order to be saved. It is our contention that baptism is an important step of obedience for a Christian, but we adamantly reject baptism as being required for salvation. We strongly believe that each and every Christian should be water baptized by immersion. Baptism illustrates a believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Romans 6:3-4 declares, “Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” The action of being immersed in the water illustrates dying and being buried with Christ. The action of coming out of the water pictures Christ’s resurrection.

Requiring anything in addition to faith in Jesus Christ for salvation is a works-based salvation. To add anything to the gospel is to say that Jesus' death on the cross was not sufficient to purchase our salvation. To say we must be baptized in order to be saved is to say we must add our own good works and obedience to Christ's death in order to make it sufficient for salvation. Jesus' death alone paid for our sins (Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus' payment for our sins is appropriated to our “account” by faith alone (John 3:16; Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:8-9). Therefore, baptism is an important step of obedience after salvation but cannot be a requirement for salvation.

Yes, there are some verses that seem to indicate baptism as a necessary requirement for salvation. However, since the Bible so clearly tells us that salvation is received by faith alone (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5), there must be a different interpretation of those verses. Scripture does not contradict Scripture. In Bible times, a person who converted from one religion to another was often baptized to identify conversion. Baptism was the means of making a decision public. Those who refused to be baptized were saying they did not truly believe. So, in the minds of the apostles and early disciples, the idea of an un-baptized believer was unheard of. When a person claimed to believe in Christ, yet was ashamed to proclaim his faith in public, it indicated that he did not have true faith.

If baptism is necessary for salvation, why would Paul have said, “I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius” (1 Corinthians 1:14)? Why would he have said, “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power” (1 Corinthians 1:17)? Granted, in this passage Paul is arguing against the divisions that plagued the Corinthian church. However, how could Paul possibly say, “I am thankful that I did not baptize…” or “For Christ did not send me to baptize…” if baptism were necessary for salvation? If baptism is necessary for salvation, Paul would literally be saying, “I am thankful that you were not saved…” and “For Christ did not send me to save…” That would be an unbelievably ridiculous statement for Paul to make. Further, when Paul gives a detailed outline of what he considers the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-8), why does he neglect to mention baptism? If baptism is a requirement for salvation, how could any presentation of the gospel lack a mention of baptism?

Does Acts 2:38 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?

Does Mark 16:16 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?

Does 1 Peter 3:21 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?

Does John 3:5 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?

Does Acts 22:16 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?

Does Galatians 3:27 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation? Baptismal regeneration is not a biblical concept. Baptism does not save from sin but from a bad conscience. In 1 Peter 3:21, Peter clearly taught that baptism was not a ceremonial act of physical purification, but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. Baptism is the symbol of what has already occurred in the heart and life of one who has trusted Christ as Savior (Romans 6:3-5; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12). Baptism is an important step of obedience that every Christian should take. Baptism cannot be a requirement for salvation. To make it such is an attack on the sufficiency of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Recommended Resources: Logos Bible Software and Believer's Baptism: Sign of the New Covenant in Christ by Schriener and Wright.

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While he is not the author of every article on GotQuestions.org, for citation purposes, you may reference our CEO, S. Michael Houdmann.

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Related Topics:

Does Galatians 3:27 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?

Does Acts 2:38 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?

Does Mark 16:16 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?

Does 1 Peter 3:21 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?

Does John 3:5 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?

Does Acts 22:16 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?

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Questions about Salvation

Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/baptism-salvation.html#ixzz2UFLYxEpF

THE TWO NATURES

From the book "Rightly Dividing the Word", by Clarence Larkin, 1920

It is very important that every Christian Believer should understand what the Scriptures teach as to the "Two Natures." Because of a lack of knowledge of the "Dual Nature" of the "New Born" Soul many a new convert, after rejoicing for a while in his new found hope and then suddenly awakening to the fact that his old fleshly inclinations are not dead, is led to believe that he was never converted, and disheartened and discouraged he begins to drift and finally backslides.

When Nicodemus made his night visit to Jesus, Jesus said unto him, "Except a man be born of water (the Word of God, 1Pe 1:23; Jas 1:18), and of the SPIRIT (Holy Spirit), he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God." Joh 3:5. And He gave the reason why. For "that which is born of FLESH is FLESH; and that which is born of SPIRIT is SPIRIT." Joh 3:6. Here we see two lines of HEREDITY. The "Flesh" line, and the "Spirit" line. The Scriptures speak of the first as the "Natural Man," and the second as the "Spiritual Man."

I. THE NATURAL MAN
Of the "Natural Man" the Scriptures say, "That his understanding is darkened." Eph 4:18. That he cannot receive (perceive) the things of the Spirit of God, for they only can be spiritually discerned. 1Co 2:14. That he is the child of wrath. Eph 2:3. That he is at enmity with God, and cannot please Him. Ro 8:7-8. That his heart is deceitful and desperately wicked (Jer 17:9), and out of it proceedeth "evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride and foolishness." Mr 7:21-22. That he is spiritually dead in trespasses and sins. Eph 2:1. That there is no good thing in him. Ro 7:18. That as the Ethiopian cannot change his skin, or the Leopard his spots, so the "Natural Man" without supernatural help cannot change his character. Jer 13:23.

Now God does not say in this description of the "Natural Man" that none are refined, or cultured, or sweet-tempered, or generous, or charitable, or honest, or truthful, or religious, but that none are RIGHTEOUS, for "ALL have sinned, and come short of the GLORY OF GOD." Ro 3:23.

II. THE SPIRITUAL MAN
While the "Natural Man" has a human parentage, the "Spiritual Man" has a DIVINE parentage. All life must come from "pre-existing life." There is no such thing as "Spontaneous Generation" of life. No life can come without parentage. There must be a father and a mother. In the "Spiritual World" the Holy Spirit is the FATHER, and the "Human Heart" is the WOMB (Mother) into which the "SEED" of the "Word of God" is dropped. 1Pe 1:23. If seed in the Natural World is lifeless no plant will spring from it, and if the "Seed of the Word" is not VITALIZED by the "Holy Spirit" when it falls into the human heart there will be no "New Life." This explains how men and women can read and study the Scriptures and not be converted.

This "New Birth" imparts a "NEW NATURE." This Nature is SPIRITUAL. "That which is born of the Spirit (Holy Spirit) is SPIRIT." Joh 3:6. This New Nature CANNOT SIN. "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for His Seed (Life) remaineth in him; and he cannot sin, because he is BORN OF GOD." 1Jo 3:9. This new "Spiritual Nature" is called "CHRIST IN YOU " (Col 1:27), and imparts ETERNAL LIFE. "He that hath the Son (Christ in you) hath LIFE." 1Jo 5:11-12. This "Life" is HID WITH CHRIST IN GOD. Therefore we cannot lose it, and "when Christ who is OUR LIFE shall appear, then shall we also appear with Him IN GLORY." Col 3:3-4. The "Fruit" of the "Spiritual Life" is-"love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness faith, meekness and temperance." Ga 5:22-23. The Spiritual Man is SPIRITUALLY ENLIGHTENED. "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man (the natural man) the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. But God hath revealed them unto us (the Spiritual Man) by His SPIRIT (Holy Spirit): for the SPIRIT searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." 1Co 2:9-10.

We see from this description of the "Spiritual Man" that he is not an Evolution or Development of the "Natural Man," but a "New Creature" or "CREATION." 2Co 5:17. When the profligate Augustine sat under a Numidian Fig-tree thinking over his past life, there flashed into his memory, vitalized by the Holy Spirit, the words of Ro 13:12-14, "The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But PUT YE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND MAKE NOT PROVISION FOR THE FLESH, TO FULFIL THE LUSTS THEREOF," and at once the "Seed of the Word" thus dropped into the "Womb of His Heart," created a "new life," and the profligate arose from the ground a "New Creature" known thereafter as Saint Augustine.

The Spiritual man then is a "New Creation," and entirely different from the Natural man, and opposed to him in character, temperament and disposition. So far all is clear, but here we are brought face to face with the PARADOX, that while there are TWO SEPARATE MEN spoken of in the Scriptures, the "Natural Man" and the "Spiritual Man," these two men make up in the Believer but one PERSONALITY, known as--

III. THE REGENERATED MAN
When the "New Man" is born in the heart of the Believer the "Old Man" does not die. He is still there and very much alive. There are now two natures, diametrically opposed, fighting for the possession of the same body, like two tenants fighting for the possession of the same dwelling house. Paul graphically describes it in Ga 5:17. "For the FLESH (the Old Man) lusteth against the SPIRIT, and the SPIRIT (the New Man) against the FLESH; and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would." See the Chart The Two Natures. This explains the "SPIRITUAL WARFARE" so vividly portrayed by the Apostle Paul in Ro 7:14-25. This was the Apostle's own experience after his conversion and before he learned how THROUGH JESUS CHRIST (verses 24-25) to overcome the flesh, and let the Holy Spirit reign in his life. Read Ro 8:1-39.

It is not until we have been "Born Again" that we awake to a knowledge of the depravity of our heart and discover tendencies that we never knew we possessed, and realize the power of sin over us. It is this awakening that startles and dumbfounds us, and makes us doubt our conversion and salvation.

HOW IS THIS WARFARE BETWEEN THE TWO NATURES TO BE CONDUCTED?
1. We must remember that we cannot get rid of the "Old Nature" until the death of our body of "Flesh." Therefore the warfare must continue until death.

2. We must not try to improve or make a fair showing of the "Flesh." Ga 6:12. We are to have NO CONFIDENCE in it. Php 3:4.

3. We must STARVE the "Flesh," and make no provision for it to fulfill the lusts thereof. Ro 13:14.

4. We must FEED the "New Nature." The "New Nature" at first is but a "babe," and must be fed with the "Sincere Milk of the Word." 1Pe 2:2. It must also be fed regularly. The best human literature ever written will not feed and nourish the new nature of the Child of God. We must remember that while we may starve the Old Man, and he may become very feeble and cause little trouble, and we may reckon him dead, he is not dead, and if we begin to feed him again he will revive and recover his strength and give us trouble. This accounts for how some Christians who have lived for years a consecrated spiritual life suddenly fall, having yielded in an unguarded moment to some former habit of their old nature. We must not forget that we cannot feed both Natures at the same time. We cannot be studying the Scriptures and listening to music, or a conversation that gratifies the Flesh, at the same time. Neither must we forget that what feeds one nature will starve the other. The "Spiritual Nature" will starve on novels, and the "Flesh Nature" on the Scriptures.

5. We must "WALK IN THE SPIRIT." "Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the Flesh." Ga 5:16.

The Scriptures mention three ways in which the Believer can overcome the "Flesh."

1. BY AMPUTATION.

"If thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off." Mt 18:8-9. Not literally, but if thy hand causes thee to steal, stop at once, don't taper off. If thy foot causeth thee to go to the haunts of sin, stop short as if you were footless. "If thine eye offend thee," causeth thee to look upon a woman to lust after her, it were better if you were suddenly to lose the power of sight.

2. BY MORTIFICATION.

"Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness," etc. Col 3:5-10; Ro 8:13. To mortify is to cause some part of a living body to die. There are some things we cannot amputate, they must be removed in some other way. So there are things in our lives that take time to overcome, as weak nerves, impatience, pride, etc., these we must destroy by mortification. This treatment is more "medical" than "surgical," and is INTERNAL rather than external. It is not by our own effort, but by letting GOD "work in us." Php 2:12-13.

3. BY LIMITATION.

"Lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us." Heb 12:1.

There is a difference between "Weights" and "Sins." All "weights" are not "sins," though all "sins" are "weights." It is not a sin to be a slave to your business, nor to be so absorbed in social service as to neglect other important duties, but these things are "weights" and prevent the proper cultivation of the Spiritual life and should be limited. On the other hand every sin is a "weight" for it loads us down and interferes with our running the Christian race.

WHAT DOES GOD EXPECT AFTER YOU BECOME A CHRISTIAN

What Are the Duties of One Who Has Been Baptized?

Being a Christian requires a lifetime commitment to serve God faithfully. Baptism places us in a covenant relationship as Disciples of Jesus. What responsibilities and duties do we accept when we receive forgiveness of sins?

Baptism is not the end of our service to God, but is the beginning of a lifetime commitment of total dedication to Him. Here is a brief list of a few of the responsibilities Christians should fulfill. One who is considering baptism needs to be aware of what God will expect of Him after he becomes a Christian (for more specific information about these duties, see the links at the end of this study):

I. Study the Bible Regularly

Diligent Bible study is our only way of learning God's will and avoiding error. Acts 17:11; Psa. 1:2; 2 Tim. 2:15; 3:16,17.

Are you willing to study the Bible diligently?

II. Pray Frequently

Prayer is our means of thanking God, praising Him, and making known our needs. Phil. 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:7; Matt. 6:9-13; 1 Thess. 5:17.

Are you willing to pray regularly?

III. Commit Yourself to the Local Church

New Testament Christians always were recognized as part of a local church. They committed themselves to be involved and actively participate in the work  of that church. See Acts 9:26-28; 11:26; Heb. 13:17; 1 Cor. 1:2; Eph. 4:16 (cf. next point).

This church must be scriptural in worship, name, organization, salvation, etc.

IV. Attend All the Assemblies of the Local Church

We should come on the first day to commune and give -- Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1,2.

We should come whenever the church meets to study, sing, & pray -- Heb. 3:12,13; 10:24,25; John 4:24; Eph. 4:16; 1 Thess. 5:11; Acts 11:26; 2:42; 1 Cor. 14.

Are you willing to regularly attend whenever the church meets?

V. Practice Proper Relations with Other People

* In our family -- Eph. 5:22-6:4; Col. 3:18-21; Tit. 2:4,5.
* To those who are in need -- Luke 10:25-37; Acts 20:35; Jas. 1:27; Matt. 25:34-40.
* To civil government -- Rom. 13:1-5; 1 Pet. 2:13,14; Matt. 22:17-21.
* In business -- Eph. 6:5-9; Tit. 2:9,10; Col. 3:22-4:1; Psa. 37:21.

Are you willing to learn & follow Bible teaching about how to treat others?

VI. Help Others Learn the Gospel

All Christians should work to learn how to lead others to Jesus -- Acts 8:4; Prov. 11:30; 2 Tim. 2:2,24-26; John 4:28-30,39; 1:40-46; Heb. 5:12.

Are you willing to share the message of Jesus with others?

VII. Live an Upright Moral Life

Mark 7:20-23; Rom. 1:26-32; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; Gal. 5:19-21; etc.

Are you willing to correct any sins in your life as you learn of them?

VIII. Honor Church Discipline

We hope no members would practice sin. But if they do and refuse to repent, then the church must cease association and companionship with them - 1 Cor. 5; Matt. 18:15-17; 2 Thess. 3:6,14,15; Rom. 16:17,18; Tit. 3:10,11.

Are you willing to honor church disciplinary actions when needed?

VIII. Do All God's Will

Luke 14:26-33; Matt. 28:18-20; 16:24-27; 6:19-33; Rom. 12:1,2; 6:1-18.

Are you willing to forsake all your desires and give your whole life to Jesus?

What should a person do if he sins after baptism? -- Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:9.

Are you willing to repent of any sins you commit after baptism?

THE DOCTRINE OF BAPTISM

By Dr. Martin R. DeHann (1891-1965)

       The following information is quoted from pages 28-34 of the excellent work by Dr. M.R. DeHann, titled 508 ANSWERS TO BIBLE QUESTIONS (copyright 1952)...

• Is Water Baptism Necessary for Salvation?
• Should All Believers Be Baptized?
• Do You Believe That Infants Should Be Baptized?
• Is Infant Baptism Taught in the Bible?
• Is the Doctrine of Baptismal Regeneration Scriptural?
• Does the Word “Water” in John 3:5 Mean Baptism?
• Is the Lutheran Teaching of Baptism Scriptural?
• Who Should Be Baptized?
• Who Can Perform Baptism?
• I Was Sprinkled As an Infant. Is it All Right for Me to Be Re-Baptized by Immersion?
• Is the Gift of Tongues for This Age?
• Did the Signs and Gifts By Laying On of Hands Cease with the Apostolic Age?
• Please Explain the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and Tongues To Me.
• Why Was Christ Baptized?

Is Water Baptism Necessary for Salvation?
We do not believe that water baptism adds one thing to our salvation. We are saved by grace and grace alone. It is the command of the Lord for us to testify to our identification in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ by being baptized. It is, as far as salvation is concerned, entirely a matter of personal light. if one believes that he should not be baptized, he would, of course, be a hypocrite if he submitted to it. However, if we believe it is for us, we would be displeasing the Lord if we did not do it. The important thing is that we can continue to love one another even though we do not agree on all points in this matter.

Should All Believers Be Baptized?
Yes, we believe it is the duty of every believer to submit to baptism, not as a matter of salvation, but as a matter of obedience. There is no baptism by sprinkling in the Bible. It is always (as the original Greek indicates) by immersion. Water baptism has nothing to do with our salvation, but I do believe it becomes the Christian's duty to submit to it.

Do You Believe That Infants Should Be Baptized?
We believe that baptism must follow conversion. Regarding children, I believe it is good to dedicate infants and children to the Lord, but dedication is not baptism. Dedication is the act of the parent, in which he presents his child to God and assumes responsibility for the training of that child for Him. Baptism, however, is the act of the believer himself, in which he confesses faith in the Lord Jesus who “died for ours sins and rose again for our justification.” ...

Is Infant Baptism Taught in the Bible?
I was born and raised in a church which taught and practiced infant baptism and was the pastor of such a church for four years. Carefully studying my Bible, I found that infant baptism is nowhere taught or even suggested in the Scriptures. It is a doctrine of the church which is certainly not founded upon the Word of God, but is a remnant of Roman Catholicism. There is not a single clear instance of it in the Bible, and no trace of it until three hundred years after Pentecost. It is a wholly unscriptural doctrine of man. I would suggest that you limit your studies more to the Scriptures rather than the doctrinal standards of the church.

Is the Doctrine of Baptismal Regeneration Scriptural?
Regarding your question, Acts 2:38 and Acts 22:16 do not teach baptismal regeneration. You will notice in Acts 2:38 that repentance is mentioned first. Christ and His apostles taught that baptism with water is an ordinance to be obeyed as an outward testimony of an inward change of heart, but they did not teach that one must be baptized in order to be saved. In Acts 22:16 that passage has nothing to do with the matter of water taking away sin. The testimony of Paul is here to give witness to the fact that his sins have been washed away. The literal rendering of this passage is generally accepted as “Now why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptized as thy sins are washed away, calling on the Name of the Lord.” The thief on the cross never was baptized. Please note Mark 16:16. This text does not say, “He that is not baptized shall be damned (or condemned),” but only “He that believeth not.”

Does the Word “Water” in John 3:5 Mean Baptism? (see note below)
The word, “water,” in John 3:5 refers to the Word of God. This is very clear from the following Scriptures: I Peter 1:23-24; Ephesians 5:26; John 17:17; and Titus 3:5. Symbolically in Scripture “water” speaks of the “Word of God,” and the teaching of John 3:5 is that we are saved by the Spirit's application of the Word of God to our hearts. See I John 5:10. The same is true of John 19:34.

[Note by David J. Stewart, webservant of Jesus-is-Savior.com: I tremendously respect Dr. DeHaan's knowledge of the Bible, but I differ with his opinion about the meaning of “water” in John 3:5. I want to give the reader both opinions so you can pray in your heart and decide for yourself. I believe that the word “water” refers to the physical birth, that is, the flesh. I think this is very clear from what Jesus said in John 3:6, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” The Lord contrasts the physical birth to the spiritual birth, which I think clearly evidences the meaning of “water” in John 3:5.]

Is the Lutheran Teaching of Baptism Scriptural?
I have read very carefully what you had to say concerning the Lutheran teaching of baptism. The teaching of baptismal regeneration as taught by the Catholic and Lutheran churches is a denial of the doctrine of salvation by grace.

Who Should Be Baptized?
In regard to your question concerning baptism, let me repeat that water baptism is not a saving ordinance, but rather a blessed privilege on the part of God's children as a testimony for Him. It is a privilege rather than a command. In regard to I Corinthians 1:14, please note that Paul definitely states that he did baptize some of the Corinthians, but because they made it such an issue, he was thankful that he did not baptize any more of them. I believe that a man must follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in these matters. If God convicts us of the need of baptism, we are disobedient if we refuse. However, I do not believe that anyone should be baptized who does not fully desire in this way to witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. Throughout the book of Acts, both Jews and Gentiles were baptized as a testimony to their identification to Christ. One can be saved without baptism, but to refuse to be baptized makes one a disobedient believer.

Who Can Perform Baptism?
From the Scripture, there is no reason whatsoever to believe that a special clergyman or preacher must perform baptism. Any born-again believer has the right to baptize another. For the sake of order, I suppose the other method, limiting the right to a certain class, was adopted. ...

I Was Sprinkled As an Infant. Is it All Right for Me to Be Re-Baptized by Immersion?
In regard to your question concerning your re-baptism, I can understand your predicament quite thoroughly, since I too was brought up with a similar church background. I too was sprinkled as an infant, and then later the Lord saved my soul and showed me the truth about Bible baptism. I was re-baptized by immersion as my testimony of personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Sprinkling is not baptism, and since I considered my so-called infant baptism as merely a dedication, I felt I must submit to immersion after I was saved. We do not believe that baptism adds to our salvation, or makes us fit for heaven. It is only our own personal testimony, and so all I can say is, you just follow the leading of the Lord and do as He convicts you. As far as I personally was concerned, I was re-baptized, but I am the last one to try to force my own convictions upon someone else. ...

Is the Gift of Tongues for This Age?
We believe that according to I Corinthians 13, these special signs ceased when Revelation (the Bible) was completed. It is not a matter of whether God is able to do these things, but entirely a matter of whether they are for this age and dispensation. Tongues together with other miracles were apostolic and ceased with the apostolic age.

Did the Signs and Gifts By Laying On of Hands Cease with the Apostolic Age?
We believe that the signs and gifts were committed by the Lord Jesus to the apostles and they were definitely apostolic gifts for the apostolic age only. In the New Testament, the apostles received these gifts by the laying on of hands to others as the Spirit directed. However, with them the signs and gifts ceased, and there is not a single instance in the Bible where anyone except the twelve apostles could transmit these gifts to others. Those upon whom they laid their hands could perform signs, but they were never able to give this to anyone else. It, therefore, passed with the death of the apostles, and so we believe that all who claim to have this apostolic gift today are frauds and deceivers.

Please Explain the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and Tongues To Me.
In regard to your question concerning the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we believe that every believer when he accepts the Lord Jesus Christ receives the baptism in the Holy Spirit and needs nothing more, except to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. I do not believe that the gift of tongues is for this present dispensation, and therefore, if we ask for more than just God's promise, we are asking for something with which the Lord is not pleased. I believe that there are many sincere people who believe in the work of “baptism” in the Holy Spirit and tongues, but I also believe that they are wrong, and not in harmony with the clear revelation of the Word of God.
The following information is quoted from page 53 of the excellent work by Dr. M.R. DeHann, titled 508 ANSWERS TO BIBLE QUESTIONS (copyright 1952)...

Why Was Christ Baptized?
In regard to your question concerning the baptism of Christ, the Scripture says this was done to fulfill all righteousness. It was to identify Himself with the people whom He came to save that Christ was baptized, although He had no sin. It was His declaration of willingness to go through death and resurrection for His people.

The Chemistry of the Blood (by Dr. M.R. DeHaan)

“There still has been no translation of the Bible which can exceed the King James Bible for accuracy.”

—M.R. De Hann (508 Answers to Bible Questions; Chapter 3, “BIBLE,” page 35, ©1952)

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Excellent Quotes by Martin R. DeHaan, M.D.

"Before an individual can be saved, he must first learn that he cannot save himself."

"We need not all agree, but if we disagree, let us not be disagreeable in our disagreements."

"Be on guard against any tampering with the Word, whether disguised as a search for truth, or a scholarly attempt at apparently hidden meanings; and beware of the confusion created by the senseless rash of new versions, translations, editions, and improvements upon the tried and tested Bible of our fathers and grandfathers."

"The true Church preaches REGENERATION; not reformation, not education, not legislation, but regeneration."

SOURCE: THE TABERNACLE, Pg. 101

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Jesus is Preparing A PLACE for Every Believer!

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

Amen, amen; amen and amen! What a glorious day that will be!

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John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”