By
Robert G. Ingersoll (1833-1899) was an American lawyer, politician and writer who often lectured on his creed of agnosticism, and in other ways displayed animosity toward orthodox Christian beliefs.
While traveling in England, he was staying in a small hotel at the same time as a noted denominational preacher who had often written him. The preacher asked for an interview and sat down to talk with the unbeliever. The preacher asked, “Mr. Ingersoll, some months ago I wrote to challenge you to a debate concerning the truthfulness of the Bible. Why did you not respond?”
Ingersoll asked, “I heard you in a debate one time, and I now ask you if you believe that baptism is necessary for salvation?” The preacher replied that he did not believe it was required. Mr. Ingersoll asked for the preacher’s own copy of the Bible and opened it to Mark 16:16, and read, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
Mr. Ingersoll then explained, “Why should I debate the Bible with you? You don’t believe it either.”
It is interesting that an antagonistic, non-believer can see the necessity of a believer believing and obeying ALL the commands of God, when so many so-called believers cannot see the same thing.