Did you say baptism only?

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What’s Your Question? April 30

A letter to the editor accused me of teaching salvation by baptism only. Evidently he did not read the whole article. I did quote Acts 2:38 "repent and be baptized" at the end of that article. But he introduced a misconception about what to say when one is baptized. Peter healed a lame man "in the name of Christ" (Acts 3:6), which means "not by our own power" (3:12), but "by the power (authority) of Christ" (4:7). Acts 2:38 does not quote the great commission, but says "baptized in the name of Christ." When a person is baptized by the authority of Christ, it is for remission of sins, and into a relationship with the Godhead. There is no formula to be spoken, but Scriptural baptism is by the authority of Christ and for the purpose He gave (Mk. 16:16).