• Introduction

    • Romans 5:1

    • Acts 16:31

    • John 3:16

    • We studied about baptism being required for salvation, but these verses all talk about belief only!

  • Something’s going on

    • What about repentance? (Acts 3:19; II Peter 3:9; Galatians 5:19-21)

    • … and the demons? (James 2:19)

    • … and these Jews? (John 12:42-43; Matthew 10:32-33)

    • … and Saul? (Acts 9; 22:16)

      • Saul believed, but still had sins until he was baptized!
    • … and these other Jews? (Acts 2:36-38)

  • Figurative language?

    • John 2:19-21; 6:51-52; Matthew 16:6, 12

    • Synecdoche – a figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole, or vice versa.

      • Example: “give me a hand”
    • A synecdoche would explain how ALL the passages about salvation are true and not contradictory.

    • If taking a statement literally forces it to contradict a known truth, then the statement is either wrong or figurative.

      • John 3:3; 10:9; Luke 13:32
    • “whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life”

      • But … repentance (Acts 3:19), confession (Romans 10:9), baptism (I Peter 3:21)
  • Synecdoches are commonly used in the Bible.

    • Genesis 3:19; Romans 10:15; Acts 11:21

    • Acts 16:31-34