Eternal Approach

Many denominations today clearly teach that Baptism (water immersion or sprinkling) is a necessary component of salvation.

In fact, most of the mainline Protestant denominations, let alone Catholicism, teach this.

Baptism, they say, is the “doorway” to Christ. Or the door by which a person enters into salvation. In Catholicism’s case, they believe this is the first step to enter into the “Church” – without which, they believe, there is no salvation.

Even as they preach about the importance of faith, they also require that one must be baptized in order to be saved. And then they add “good works” to the required mix.

Many groups add more “sacraments” such as the Lord’s Table (Communion according to most Protestants) or the Eucharist or the Eucharistic Celebration (according to Catholics, Episcopalians, etc.).

And although there are some differences in the ways that these sacraments are observed, they share the common heresy in teaching that there is some efficacy for forgiveness, cleansing, and salvation in these practices.

And while we’re at it, don’t forget about those who believe that the “confession of sins” to a priest (or an elder or some other authority), penance, good works, acts of contrition, tithing, church membership, confirmation, and a host of other things are also considered sacraments. Or are considered efficacious in cleansing from sin or in confirming one’s salvation.

So, what this all means is that salvation, according to them, is NOT simply by faith alone in Christ alone according to the Bible alone. But is actually based on a process of observing the sacraments.

Or “faith” in a kind of salvation through multiple installments.