I received a question on the value of the New Living Translation. Don't use it. It is synergistic, promoting works righteousness. It is not a translation but an agenda driven twisting of Scripture.
Here are passages on Baptism in the NLT with comparison with NKJV. Baptism is made into a work to show God sincerity and dedication, faith is separated from Baptism.
Mark 1:4
NKJV
John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
NLT
This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven.
Mark 1:5
NKJV
Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.
NLT
All of Judea, including all the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.
Mark 16:16
NKJV
He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
NLT
Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.
Lk 3:3
NKJV
And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins
NLT
Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven.
Acts 2:38
NKJV
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
NLT
Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 13:24 24
NKJV
after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
NLT
Before he came, John the Baptist preached that all the people of Israel needed to repent of their sins and turn to God and be baptized.
Acts 18:8
NKJV
Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.
NLT
Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, and everyone in his household believed in the Lord. Many others in Corinth also heard Paul, became believers, and were baptized.
Acts 19:4
NKJV
Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.”
NLT
Paul said, “John’s baptism called for repentance from sin. But John himself told the people to believe in the one who would come later, meaning Jesus.”
Acts 22:16
NKJV
And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’
NLT
What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.’
1 Corinthians 10:2
NKJV
all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,
NLT
In the cloud and in the sea, all of them were baptized as followers of Moses.
1 Peter 3:21
NKJV
There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
NLT
And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
