Can a Man Be Saved By Doing Nothing?

Mark 1:1-11

Introduction

1.      Catholics versus Evangelicals

2.      For us, it is not a matter of choosing sides, but of deciding what the Bible really teaches

3.      The baptism of Jesus is a problem for most religious groups!  

Discussion

1.      The case against the absolute sovereignty of God

a.       Gen 1:28  

b.      James 5:16  

c.       2 Kings 24:1-4  

d.      2 Peter 3:9  

e.       God is the pitcher and God is the umpire, but we still stand at bat  

2.      The case for obedience

a.       Adam and Eve in the garden  - their future was in their hands  

b.      Noah was told to build an ark – his salvation lay in his obedience to God’s command  

c.       Abraham was told to leave his country – his blessings were contingent  

d.      Hebrews 5:8-9 – here the matter is plainly stated  

e.       Faith and disobedience are opposites – John 3:36  

f.       Unbelief and disobedience are synonyms – Heb 3:19 and Heb 4:6  

g.       James discusses the matter in some detail and draws a conclusion – James 2:24  

3.      The case for baptism

a.       Did the Jews have to submit to John’s baptism?  

b.      Did Jesus have to submit to John’s baptism?  

c.       The same question may be asked over and over again without ever getting a different answer

                                                            i.      Acts 2:38

                                                          ii.      Acts 10:48

                                                        iii.      Acts 22:16  

Conclusion

1.       There has to be a middle ground between “baptism is not necessary” and “all that matters is that one gets baptism right.”

2.      Salvation begins with what God has done

3.      Salvation is finished when God has judged