I am very well aware of what it DOES INDEED MEAN TO BE SAVED and HOW that actually transpires.

As to Baptism, if it is required FOR salvation, as in order to get saved, than why was Jesus baptized; he did not require salvation? Baptism does not save you it is an obedient response to God's command (John 14:15) . See the ¨for¨, in the instance from Mark 16:16, does NOT mean ¨to get¨ but rather means ¨because of¨, as in I take an aspirin FOR a headache; it means because I have one already NOT because I want to get one. Further there are several other verses that state that ONLY belief is needed for salvation; John 3:18; John 5:24; John 12:44; John 20:31; 1 John 5:13, Act 16:31.


As to the Apostolic gifts that produce signs and wonders and also addressing tongues: The Apostles were given the ability to speak in tongues (known languages they were not learned in) so that they could reach the masses with the Gospel Message before the cannon of Holy Writ was closed, as in God had given His FULL revelation to mankind. Jesus tells Thomas he is blessed for having seen and believed but that others would be more blessed to believe without seeing (John 20:29).

¨A question often posed is, 'Can others do miracles like the apostles, since Mark 16:17-18 describes "and these signs will follow those who believe in my name they will cast out demons they will speak in other tongues and… will heal the sick." ( Note: these particular verses are not found in the majority of the manuscripts. Lets grant that it probably is.) The answer is found in a careful examination of the text. Where we find in the Mark 16:14 narrative that Jesus is speaking to the 11 and commissions them to preach the Gospel first then baptizing the believers. So we find that the Lord is in fact speaking directly to the apostles just before he is taken up into Heaven (verse 19). Afterward, the apostles went out and preached, and the Lord was working with them confirming His Word through accompanying signs. The "them" is referring to the apostles, therefore, there is no evidence that all believers can do what the apostles did. What did occur is the word was first preached and the signs and wonders followed to validate the new leadership for the Church. In much the same way Jesus’ miracles were to validate his person and message. Signs and wonders were to follow those who believe, not the believer following after the signs. Acts14:3 shows their focus was to build people up in the objective word, not looking for the power to do miracles. Mark 16:20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Signs and wonders, miracles are not for the Christians who already believe, they accompanied the Gospel and were done in the presence of the unbelievers to have them believe in the message¨. Let Us Reason Ministries.

Further regarding tongues; nowhere does Jesus say the Church would speak in tongues neither does He say tongues are a verification of salvation. On the contrary 1 Cor 12 says that the Holy Spirit gives gifts to each believer according to His will and that not all will be given the same gifts, Paul clarifies that everyone will NOT be given the gift of tongues so how can tongues then possibly be verification of salvation when the Holy Spirit Himself chooses not to gift them to some?

As to Is 28, Isa.28:11 “For with another tongue will he speak to this people.” This is referencing the coming Babylonian captivity which would occur in 586 B.C. It is a message of judgment that they will be, snared, and taken captive by Babylon into their land.

When Israel hears a people of a “strange tongue” which were the Babylonians who came to conquer destroy Judah and take them captive. By hearing those who spoke in another language then the people would know that God's judgment had arrived upon them ! Isaiah 28:12, “To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.”

Rather than responding to this message with repentance and faith, the backslidden leaders ignored the message of Isaiah as they did the other prophets and the nation following the leaders rebellion was taken captive! The prophet said Those who went along with the captivity would live, those who did not would die.

This is what Paul meant in 1 Corinthians 14 that “tongues are a sign to the unbelievers, tongues are a sign of God's judgment to unbelievers - for the sin of unbelief¨. Let Us Reason Ministries

As to works, ¨For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God... ¨"Eph 2:8. James tells us though that a fith without works is dead (Ref James 2), but those works are an expression f fsith in obedience to the Lord NOT in order to gain or keep salvation; if they are anything else than Jesus is a liar as he said, in John 10:27-28, ¨My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will #$%$ them out of my hand¨. Likewise, in John 6:37, ¨ All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out¨.

Of those who seem to lose salvation it is said, ¨They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us¨. 1 John 2:19

Right from scripture you have your answers; praying divine discernment and wisdom for you.