There are some preachers who will try to change what God has said by "what-if" situations. A classic example is the "faith only" preacher who in his effort to DENY that, as the Bible says, "baptism now saves you" (1 Peter 3:21), asks, 'What if a man is struck and killed by a falling tree limb while on his way to the creek to be baptized? Is he lost?' By that fabricated event he SUPPOSES that baptism becomes and is therefore UNnecessary for your salvation. Have you heard this or a similar devised scene where you worship? If so, then ask your preacher to read and comment on the following "what-if" situation.

       What if a man while on his way to hear the gospel preached for the first time is struck and killed by a falling tree limb before he hears and believes the gospel? Is he lost?

   Now, what about that? Does the falling tree limb now make faith unnecessary for salvation as it made, at least in the mind the "faith only" preacher, baptism unnecessary for salvation? And if not, WHY not?

   Jesus said, "the word I SPOKE is what judges man in the last day" (John 12:48). So any and all "what-if" situations are useless. And dangerous too! The Bible plainly teaches that every man's eternal destiny is determined by what he has done, NOT what he may or might have done had he lived longer (see 2 Corinthians 5:10). Jesus said that "he who HAS believed and HAS BEEN baptized SHALL BE saved" (Mark 16:16). Do you believe Him? Have you obeyed Him?