Seven questions for Church of Christ.

1). Why wasn't Paul sent to baptize like John and Peter were?

John 1:33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

2). 1 Corinthians 15 says that the gospel message "whereby ye are saved" is the death burial and resurrection of Christ.

[1] Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
[2] By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
[3] For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
[4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Ephesians 1:13 says that when I believe the gospel and trust Christ I am "sealed with the Holy Spirit".

"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,"

In Romans 11:6 Paul taught the principle that something is either by grace or works, not both.

"And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work."

Water baptism could not fit into being part of Paul's gospel on that basis could it? If you have to work for salvation, wouldn't that contradict these scriptures?

Romans 4:
[2] For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
[3] For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
[4] Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
[5] But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
[6] Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
[7] Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
[8] Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

Ephesians 2:
[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
[9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.

3). Though Peter is talking about Israel's kingdom gospel where water baptism is necessary, doesn't it look like he did not believe that water washed away sins?
1 Peter 3:21
"The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:"

4). Would not water baptism contradict all of Romans 4? Paul said that we are justified by faith, and in regards to rightiousness, "But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead".

5.) Is not Romans 6, Galatians 3, and Colossians 2 talking about a baptism BY the Spirit into Christ?

1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Colossians 2:12  buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

6.) What baptism is Ephesians 4:5 talking about i.e. "one baptism"? Water baptism by a man (Matt.28:19), Holy Ghost baptism by Christ (Matt. 3:11), or Spirit baptism into Christ (1 Cor. 12:13)?

 

7.) Having to get baptized, having to join a church, having to show good works, etc, could not be part of the gospel. (as I see you agreed) A man is saved when he believes that Christ died, was buried, and rose again for his sins (1 Cor. 15:1-4, Eph. 1:13). It looks like the important thing to realize is that we get saved not by works (Eph. 1:13) but when we do get saved we are created in Christ unto good works.

Ephesians 2:

[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
[9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.

[10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

The good works are for those that are *already* saved.

Titus 3:

[5] Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;[6] Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
[7] That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
[8] This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

The good works are for those who are saved. A lost man *cannot* do good works according to the Bible.

Rom. 3:

[10] As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
[11] There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
[12] They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

[20] Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
[21] But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
[22] Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
[23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
[24] Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: