My Proposition: The Scriptures teach that the alien sinner is forgiven of his past sins by faith only, before and without water baptism My Proposition: The Scriptures teach that the alien sinner is forgiven of his past sins by faith only, before and without water baptism P a s t o r G e n e C o o k J r. 1

Alien sinner > A sinner alienated from God Forgiven > Justified before God Made righteous before God Past sins > The condemnation that Adam brought upon the whole human race His own personal transgressions of God’s Law Before > In relationship to time, that is, before water baptism Without > in relationship to the moment of faith 2

P a s t o r G e n e C o o k J r. This debate will center around the issue of justification, namely, how does God justify a sinner? How is a sinner made acceptable In God’s sight? 3

In order to thoroughly answer this question we will need to Examine what the bible says about the following subjects: “Faith” “Salvation” or the term “Saved” “Righteousness” “Justification” and how all these doctrines relate to Water Baptism P a s t o r G e n e C o o k J r. 4

“Faith” P a s t o r G e n e C o o k J r. Faith is a Gift from God Rom 12:3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. NASU 5

“Faith” P a s t o r G e n e C o o k J r. Faith is a the ANTITHESIS of works Eph 2: For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. NASU 6

“Faith” P a s t o r G e n e C o o k J r. Faith is a the ANTITHESIS of works John 6: Therefore they said to Him, "What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?" 29 Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent." NASU 7

“Faith” P a s t o r G e n e C o o k J r. Not all men have faith 2 Thess. 3:2-3 2 and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith. NASU 8

“Saved” P a s t o r G e n e C o o k J r. Can be spoken of in the past tense. As something that is already accomplished Luke 7:50 50 And He said to the woman, " Your faith has saved you; go in peace.“ NASU Eph 2:4-5 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ ( by grace you have been saved), NASU Titus 3:5 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, NASU 9

“Saved” P a s t o r G e n e C o o k J r. Can be spoken of in the present tense. As something that is being accomplished 1 Cor. 1:18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. NASU Peter 3:21 21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you-- NASU 10

“Saved” P a s t o r G e n e C o o k J r. Can be spoken of in the future tense. As something that will be accomplished Rom 5: Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. NASU 1 Cor 3:15 15 If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. NASU 11

“Righteousness” P a s t o r G e n e C o o k J r. Rom 10:1-4 Brethren, my heart's desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. 2 For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. 3 For not knowing about God's righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. NASU 12

“Righteousness” P a s t o r G e n e C o o k J r. Rom 9: What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith; 31 but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law. 32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33 just as it is written, "BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.“ NASU 13

“Justification” P a s t o r G e n e C o o k J r. Rom 3:21-24 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; NASU 14

“Justification” P a s t o r G e n e C o o k J r. Rom 3: For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. NASU 15

“Justification” P a s t o r G e n e C o o k J r. Rom 3:20 20 because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. NASU 16

“Justification” P a s t o r G e n e C o o k J r. Rom 4:1-4 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? "ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS." NASU Gen 15:6-7 6 Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness. NASU 17

“Justification” P a s t o r G e n e C o o k J r. But what did Abraham believe? Gen 15:4-5 4 Then behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, "This man will not be your heir; but one who will come forth from your own body, he shall be your heir." 5 And He took him outside and said, "Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." And He said to him, " So shall your descendants be.“ NASU 18

“Justification” P a s t o r G e n e C o o k J r. But what about James? James 2: But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works." 19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? 19

“Justification” P a s t o r G e n e C o o k J r. But what about James? James 2: You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. NASU 20

“Justification” P a s t o r G e n e C o o k J r. How old was Isaac? Romans 4:3 James 2:21 Genesis 15:6___________________________Genesis 22:9 (Isaac not Born) (Isaac a young man) 21

Conclusion P a s t o r G e n e C o o k J r. Faith is a gift from God Faith is not a “work” Salvation can be spoken of in past, present or future aspects Therefore “saved” can be used in a very narrow sense speaking of the new birth or in the broad sense speaking of the Christian life from the new birth until Christ’s return Righteousness is something that is received at the point of saving faith Justification is not by obedience to the law of God but by faith in Jesus Christ 22