Spiritual Truths Bible Answers Wearing A Ring and Baptism

Can The Saved Wear A Ring

After a recent conversation with a religious person, who considered herself to be a holiness woman, the issue of wearing a wedding ring, or not, for salvation came up! Since we were already acquainted with the congregation she attends and their position on this, as well as another group (Mennonites) this subject should be mentioned. To such people a Christian can't wear a ring and have salvation too, but that is NOT Scriptural. How can we be sure? Here is a powerfully clear New Testament Scripture. When the Prodigal Son turned from wicked living to salvation again, the Father gave him a ring to wear!

But the father said to his servants, “Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” So they began to celebrate. (Luke 15:22-24)

Liberal Church and Their Water Baptism

If wearing a ring would make a person unsaved, then the Father got his repentant son unsaved again upon his return by giving him one! That makes as much sense as saying a person can't wear a wedding ring and have salvation too.

Furthermore, what about a wrist watch? A wrist watch is a ring in a sense, but it is worn on one's wrist and not his finger. Why do some oppose a ring, but not a wrist watch?

When she was asked what Scripture shows a Christian can't wear a wedding ring, her only reply was that Scripture mentions the wearing of jewelry, but she didn't know what it said or where it was. The passage she might have had in mind reads:

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. (1 Pet 3:3,4)

Peter mentions a wife's beauty should be inward (a gentle and quiet spirit) and not outward (braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes). That is all. His emphasis is on the inward over the outward! There is nothing there which forbids wearing a ring. Paul similarly mentions a woman's dress. He wrote this:

I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. (1 Tim 2:9,10)

Paul stated a Christian woman is to have modest dress with good deeds. Such magnifies the inward the opposite being outward—braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes.

In light of other Scriptures, about lustful adultery and being the cause of stumbling another into sin, modest wearing apparel for a male or female Christian must include clothing which will not stumble another into lusting (adultery) after their own body by being form fitting or having little clothing on, like a bathing suit, etc.!

People, like that so-called holiness woman, stress the outward to the pinnacle and de-emphasize the inward. Rather than being concerned with heart purity and avoiding things like lust, greed, hate, pride, unforgiveness, etc., she and others super magnify the outward. She is a victim of a church tradition to her own harm and the harm of others. Don't let that happen to you.

Does Baptism Save You

Many people have been snared by the idea that one must be water baptized to become a Christian, but have not thought this out! The truth is: one is saved at the same point when he is set free from his sin addictions. That is also when he contacts the blood of Jesus. In light of those truths, ask the person who wrongly thinks one must be water baptized to get born again this question:

Are you saying you personally experienced being set free from your sin addictions immediately after you were water baptized, but were still bound, as a slave to sin, immediately before you were baptized?

That simple question should help snap some people out of the false concept that one must be water baptized to come to initial salvation. That is especially true with people who were previously saved before they were confronted with such a false concept.

The Biblical truth is: one is saved at the point of a trusting and submitting faith in Jesus, when he repents (turns from his sin) to serve God. That is when he instantly becomes a new creation in Christ. After that point, he gets water baptized by immersion. Hence, don't be deceived by groups like the Church of Christ, Oneness Pentecostals, followers of David Bercot scroll publishing, etc. who teach that one is saved at baptism.