John's pre-Baptism Condition

John Gentry's condition when he physically entered the waters of baptism. By his own admission. If the experience of water baptism is salvation, then John's condition, when he walked into the water, was...

1. An "enemy to God in his mind by wicked works" for this is the state of the unsaved, and according to John, one is not saved till baptism. (See Col. 1: 21)

2. Possessed a "dead faith," for faith is dead before baptism, according to John. (See James 2: 17-26)

3. Possessed a "disobedient faith," for faith is not obedient till baptism, according to John.

4. Not "converted" in his heart to the Lord, for baptism is conversion, according to John.

5. One who had not yet "called upon the name of the Lord," for baptism is such calling, according to John.

6. One who had not yet "received" Christ by faith, for this occurs in baptism, according to John.

7. One who had not yet "died to" sin, the law, the world, or to self, for this is the condition of the saved, and one is not saved before baptism, according to John.

8. One who did not know nor had heard the voice of Christ, for this is salvation, and no one is saved before baptism, according to John.

9. One who still had a carnal mind, and impenitent heart, and who had not received the "new heart" and "new spirit" promised by God, for this does not occur till baptism, according to John.

10. One who had not as yet "received the atonement" for this is done in baptism, according to John. (See Rom. 5: 11)

11. One who had "uncircumcised" and "stiffnecked" heart and ears, for these are removed when one is saved, and one is not saved before baptism, according to John.

12. One who had not yet "come to Jesus," for this is done when one is saved, and one is not saved before baptism, according to John.

13. One who had nothing "old passing away" and nothing "becoming new" till he was baptized, for this occurs in salvation, and one is not saved before baptism, according to John. (See II Cor. 5: 17)

14. One who had an "evil conscience" for a "good conscience" is not created till one is saved, and one is not saved till baptized, according to John. (See Hebrews 10:22)

15. One who had not the "love of God shed abroad in his heart" because this occurs when one is saved, and one is not saved before baptism, according to John. (See Rom. 5: 5)

16. One who had not yet "justified God" or "accepted the counsel of God" or "set to himself that God is true," for this occurs in salvation, and one is not saved before baptism, according to John. (See Luke 7: 29, 30; John 3: 33)

17. One who had not yet "confessed" sins for cleansing and forgiveness, for this occurs in baptism, according to John. (See I John 1: 9, 10)

18. One who had not the "word of God written upon his heart," for this occurs when one is saved, and one is not saved till baptism, according to John. (See Jer. 31: 33)

19. One who was not yet spiritually "enlightened," for this is salvation, and one is not saved before baptism, according to John. (See Eph. 1: 18)

20. One who was not "spiritually minded," but "carnally minded," for the former is salvation, and salvation is not experienced before baptism, according to John. (See Romans. 8: 6)

21. One who did not love God's begotten people, for this occurs in salvation, and salvation does not occur till baptism, according to John. (See I John 5: 1)

22. One who had a filthy mind, for the mind is cleansed in salvation, and one is not saved till baptism, according to John.

23. One who was posessed solely of the "spirit that now works in the children of disobedience" for this is the state of the lost, and John was lost till baptism. (See Eph. 2: 2)

24. One who was not "led of the Spirit of God," for this is the condition of the saved, and one is not saved, before baptism, according to John. (See Romans 8: 14)

25. One who was "alive to sin" before baptism, because one does not "die to sin" till one is baptized.

26. One who was "under wrath" and "condemnation," for justification and pardon do not occur till baptism, according to John. (See John 3: 36)

27. One who had not yet "found" the Lord, for finding the Lord is salvation, and one is not saved till baptism, according to John.

28. One who was "hateful" and "hating others," for this is the condition of the lost, and John was lost till baptized in water. (See Titus 3: 3-5)

29. One who had not yet "looked" to Christ, for this is salvation, and one is not saved till baptized in water, according to John. (See Isa. 45: 22; John 3: 15, 16)

30. One who had not yet "laid hold of eternal life," which is salvation, for this does not occur till baptism, according to John. (See I Tim. 6: 12, 19)

31. One who was not yet a disciple or follower of Christ, for one does not become such, according to John, till baptized.

32. One who was not a "sheep," for one does not hear and follow the voice of the Shepherd till one is baptized, according to John.

33. One who was not attached in heart to Christ, which is salvation, for one is not saved till baptism, according to John.