Apr 04 2008
Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation? An Introduction
Many years ago I wrote an article about baptism.
I’ve received countless emails inquiring why I’d write such an article. Am I trying to mislead people? Am I trying to avoid being baptized myself? Am I making excuses for family members or friends who haven’t been baptized? Why write such a divisive article?
Hopefully this simple answer will suffice. Some time ago, someone tried convincing me that achieving salvation meant following strict procedures and rules. First I had to read these verses, then pray this, then do that, then this, then that, and so on. If I rejected the prescription, then I lacked genuine faith. If I didn’t accept the routine, then God didn’t accept me.
One of the steps in the recipe involved baptism by immersion. Without it, I’d never make it to heaven. The emphasis always lay in the procedures, not on the relationship.
My problem with the above is that I don’t find it in the Bible. I find strong evidence to the contrary. Jesus broke the rules. He established relationships. He baptized none. Paul baptized few. The thief on the cross went to be in Paradise with Jesus without baptism. Jesus told the rich young ruler in Luke 18
to “follow Me.” He wanted the man to forsake all and to be with Him. He told Martha in John 11 that “everyone who believes in Me will never die.” He asked her if she believed that. Do you believe it? I do. Nowhere does the Bible say, “Be baptized and you will be saved.” The closest you’ll find to that is Mark 16:16.
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (ESV)
What does this verse say? It says that anyone who does not believe will be condemned. And that’s what I affirm.
Does this mean baptism should be avoided? Not at all. Jesus began His ministry by being baptized (Matthew 3); He ended His ministry by commanding his disciples to go into all the world and baptize (Matthew 28:19). Peter tells us in Acts to be baptized. In the New Testament, when people came to a saving faith in Jesus Christ, baptism followed. This pattern should be a model for us. I’d worry if someone opposed baptism.
Please read this article knowing that I have been baptized. I am convinced God wants all believers to be baptized. But that does not negate the point of the article; belief in the Jesus of the Bible opens heaven’s doors for us; baptism doesn’t.
Stumble it!
Excellent response. I think people are always looking to judge motives. We do it sometimes ourselves. But the simple truth is that salvation is either by faith or by works. If it is by works, then circumcision, keeping the law, baptism, and other rituals can be argued to be “necessary.” Everyone will have their own set of works that need to be done, either by others (as in the case of circumcision and baptism) or by themselves (as in keeping the law).
But if salvation is truly by faith, then works are the product of salvation (Ephesians 2:10
), not the necessary prerequisite. Romans 3:39-4
:5. Titus 3:5
instructs us that works of righteousness do not save us. This would include baptism, as it is a work as much as circumcision is, another work that Scripture is clear does nothing to effect our salvation (Galatians 5:2-6
).
Baptism is important as a Christian, not to become a Christian. In the great didactic passages on salvation, baptism is never mentioned (John 3:3-21
(unless someone takes the “born of water” as being a symbolic reference to baptism); John 5:24
; John 11:25-26
borRomans 10
; Galatians 2:16-21
; Ephesians 1:4-14
; 2:1-10; 1John 5:11-13
. Each of these passage miss a critical element, if baptism is necessary for salvation. And those who follow the instructions of these passages do not have eternal live, even though God said that they did. I side with God on this matter. Faith in the crucified, risen Jesus of the Bible is the only basis for salvation. Upon faith, our great God and Savior removes our sins, places us in Himself, sends His Spirit to regenerate us, seals us, and presents us blameless before the eyes of our Father.
Baptism links us to Jesus. We follow Him in baptism. He was not baptized for His salvation. Neither are we. Like Him, we are baptized to fulfill part of what it means to live a life of righteousness in following our dear Savior.
Though this is an often cited example, if baptism was necessary for salvation, the poor thief on the cross never stood a chance!
While I applaud your zeal, you are yet lacking in knowledge. The thief on the cross was not under the NEW Covenant as Jesus had not yet died and been resurrected. In addition, every instance of conversion in the Book of Acts includes baptism: The 3,000 in Acts 2
, Cornelius, the jailer, the Ethiopian eunuch, Paul himself, and others. Finally, may I recommend you examine the following:
http://oldpaths.master.com/texis/master/search/mysite.html?q=baptism
It is a grave matter to incorrectly teach the Word of God. May God help you in your study.
I always think one should be careful of stating that those who disagree with a certain position are lacking in knowledge. Fortunately, God accepts His children, although most of us do not have our theology completely correct. At least, I expect that my theology will be modified when I meet God; though that does not prevent me from trying to get as close to the truth as I can while living life on this earth.
I am interested in the statement that the thief on the cross was not under the New Covenant. Do you have any Scriptural support for this position? It seems in my reading of Scripture that the death of Christ inaugurated the New Covenant. At least Hebrews talks about the blood of the covenant, and Christ tells us to celebrate the blood of the covenant. As I understand the chronology, Jesus stopped shedding blood long before the thief died. Scripture tells us that Pilate commanded the legs of those on the cross to be broken, and the soldiers did this to the two thieves to hasten their death. But they did not do this to Jesus because He had died already.
And, if it is not the death of Christ that began the New Covenant, what event was it? I think the better view is that the thief may be the first of the believers to die under the New Covenant.
In any event, your statement that every instance of conversion in the Book of Acts includes baptism is not supported by the language of Acts. What we can say is that those who were converted in Acts when baptism was mentioned were baptized. There are conversions where it is never said whether or not they were baptized. We presume they were baptized because of the command of our Lord.
Paul, however, makes the strong statement in 1 Corinthians 1
that Christ did not send him to baptize, but to preach; and Paul states personally that he baptized very few of the Corinthians.
In any event, I am not sure the point you are seeking to establish. I assume that there is something that you believe is incorrectly taught, as you set forth a warning about incorrectly teaching the Word of God. I simply am not able to discern what you believe is incorrect, so I am unable to respond fully.
But, as with all differences in position on these matters, I am reminded of Saint Paul, who under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, tells us that knowledge puffs up but love edifies. While truth is important, it always takes a second seat to love in God’s great kingdom. Jesus taught us that people would know that we are Christians, not by our doctrinal purity, but by our love for one another. Love remains the greatest thing.
May God lead us all both in the knowledge of the Word and in love one for another.
“May God lead us all both in the knowledge of the Word and in love one for another.”
:
Amen!
“While truth is important, it always takes a second seat to love in God’s great kingdom.”
Actually the Bible says the opposite in many verses such as Ephesians 4
14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.”
Many People Believe Lies about Baptism
Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6
). He tells His followers: “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31,32
).
The devil is a liar and the father of lies (John 3:44
). He lied to Eve in the garden (Genesis 3:4
), and he fills the world with lies today.
Jesus brought grace and truth (John 1:17
).
The devil brings lies and destruction. Jesus said: “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10
).
So, the choice is ours. Will we believe the truth of the Lord, or the lies of the devil?
We who love the truth, must find the truth among all the lies.
People believe the devil’s lies and are lost because they do not love the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12
). Paul told Timothy: “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Timothy 4:2-4
).
Some of the devil’s most destructive lies relate to baptism. Millions of pious people will be lost because they believed the devil’s lies about baptism.
How can we know they are lies? By comparing them with the word of God. Jesus said: “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed” (John 8:31
). The bright light of God’s word can expose the devil’s dark lies about baptism.
Lie number one:
Infant baptism is valid.
Because of this lie, many people think they have been baptized because someone else decided to have them christened when they were babies. What happened to them, however, bears no resemblance to the baptism we read about in the New Testament.
Jesus said: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16
). When the Ethiopian asked Philip, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may” (Acts 8:36,37
). Baptism must be based on personal faith. A baby is not yet able to believe or to make a personal decision to follow Christ.
Peter said: “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38
). A baby cannot repent. He has committed no sins of which he needs to repent. Nor can he be baptized for the remission of sins, since he has committed no sins.
If you have only been christened as a baby, you have been deceived. You have not been baptized at all.
Lie number two:
Sprinkling and pouring are valid forms of baptism.
The word “baptism” is a transliteration of a Greek word meaning “immersion”. The context also makes this clear. “Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there” (John 3:23
). Baptism requires much water. Paul writes: “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death” (Romans 6:4
). We are “buried with Him in baptism” (Colossians 2:12
). Baptism is an immersion, a burial in water.
If you have never been immersed, you have been deceived. You have not experienced Christian baptism at all.
Lie number three:
Baptism is not for the forgiveness of sins.
How do we know this is a lie? Because we are commanded to be baptized for the remission of sins. Listen to what happened on the Day of Pentecost. “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’ 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’” (Acts 2:37,38
).
Many people refuse to obey this simple command because they have believed another lie, namely, that one is saved by faith only. How do I know this is a lie? Again, because the Bible says exactly the opposite! “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” (James 2:24
). Who shall we believe, God or man? God says we are not saved by faith only. Evangelicals say we are saved by faith only. And because they have been deceived on this point, they also refuse to obey the command of Peter: “Be baptized … for the remission of sins.” As a consequence, Evangelical baptism, although immersion, is invalid because it is not done for the commanded purpose. It is an ineffectual ritual.
Even if you have been immersed, if you were not baptized for the remission of sins, you did not obey the command Peter gave on the Day of Pentecost. You have been deceived. You have believed a lie. You have not been baptized at all.
Lie number four:
Baptism does not wash away sins.
How do we know this is a lie? Because the Bible says exactly the opposite! Ananias told the penitent Paul, who had been praying and fasting for three days: “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16
).
If you were deceived by the doctrine of salvation by faith only, thinking that you were already saved before baptism, you were not baptized to wash away your sins! What you experienced, although it was immersion, was not the same baptism Paul experienced. You have been deceived. You have not been baptized at all.
Lie number five:
One does not have to be baptized to be saved.
How do we know this is a lie? Because Jesus said: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16
), and Peter wrote: “There is also an antitype which now saves us, namely 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” (1 Peter 3:21
).
Baptism saves because of its relation to the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is not a cleansing of the body, it is a cleansing of the soul, a cleansing of the conscience by the power of Christ’s resurrection. “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection” (Romans 6:3-5
).
Baptism is essential for salvation because God has ordained that our union with the death, burial and resurrection of Christ is accomplished through baptism.
When someone asserts that salvation is possible through faith in Christ without baptism, he is lying because he thereby proves that he does not believe Christ. Jesus said: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved,” but he does not believe what Jesus said.
If you were immersed thinking you were saved before baptism, or that baptism was not necessary for salvation, you have not experienced the baptism we read about in the Bible. You have been deceived.
Lie number six:
The rebirth is separate from baptism. Water baptism is not essential.
We know this is a lie because Paul wrote that there is “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5
), and because Jesus told Nicodemus: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5
). Both the water and the Spirit are involved in the one baptism commanded by Christ. The rebirth is realized by the Spirit of God when a penitent believer is immersed into the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. From the watery grave of baptism, he rises to walk in newness of life.
If you think you were baptized by the Spirit, separate from, or without, baptism in water, you have dismembered the one baptism. You have been deceived. What you experienced was not the baptism Christ commanded.
What is true baptism?
If we simply preach and obey what Jesus and His apostles said about baptism, our baptism will be valid.
There is “one baptism” (Ephesians 4:4
). “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19
). “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16
). “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38
). “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16
).
Roy Davison
The Scripture quotations in this article are from The New King James Version. ©1979,1980,1982, Thomas Nelson Inc., Publishers.
Permission for reference use has been granted.
Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)
May God lead us all both in the knowledge of the Word and in love one for another.
Greetings!
Thanks for your comments. Many of your arguments above have been addressed in the article here.
I also find a lack of Scriptural support for infant baptism or sprinkling.
The majority of your arguments you support with one or two verses. I am loathe to formulate a theology based upon one or two verses. I prefer to look at Scripture in its context, and when I do so, I find overwhelming support for the simple truth that God wants us to believe in Him and to love Him. If we truly love Him, Scripture tells us, our lives will be radically different. So, true belief, Scriptural belief, involves repentance, or an about-face in our lifestyle.
Baptism is a work. We obtain salvation through faith.
Eph 2:8
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Eph 2:9
Regarding the thief on the cross, Wayne Jackson has written at his website
http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/739-the-last-will-and-testament-of-jesus-christ
“The denominational community vigorously protests the idea that water baptism is a requirement for the forgiveness of sins – in spite of several clear passages that so affirm (Mk. 16:16
; Acts 2:38
; 22;16; Eph. 5:26
; 1 Pet. 3:21
). Almost invariably, in attempting to negate the force of these texts, they will appeal to the example of the “thief on the cross,” who supposedly received pardon without baptism. A respected theologian, Wayne Grudem, attempts to argue this very point. He writes:
“The thief could not have been baptized before he died on the cross, but he was certainly saved that day. Moreover, the force of the point cannot be evaded by arguing that the thief was saved under the old covenant (under which baptism was not necessary to salvation), because the new covenant took effect at the death of Jesus (see Heb. 9:17
), and Jesus died before either of the two thieves who were crucified with him (see John 19:32-33
)” (981).
It is distressing that a man of considerable ability would make such a colossal mistake. Pardon was granted to the penitent thief before the Savior died; the man’s forgiveness, therefore, was not upon the basis of the terms of the testament that became efficacious after the Lord’s death! In addition, no one can prove that the thief had not been immersed at some time in the past – either by John the baptizer, or by one of the Lord’s disciples (Mk. 1:4
; Jn. 4:1-2
). {glossSub (“What about the Thief on the Cross?”,”Elsewhere”)} see our article on “The Thief on the Cross.”
Here is the point that so many are missing. During his earthly ministry, Christ could grant pardon directly – as he did, for example, on behalf of the palsied man whose healing is recorded in Mark 2:1
ff. While still on earth, the Lord had the “authority” to dispense blessings as he willed. After his death, however, his determination of salvation’s conditions was to be expressed in his “Last Will and Testament.” And in that document, immersion is stipulated as a requirement of pardon (Acts 2:38
; 22:16).”
Thank you for letting me contribute to the discussion.
On a lighter note, here are 2 poems which address the issue of baptism, from http://southside-churchofchrist.com/basics/docs/prcoffee.htm
THE PREACHER’S COFFEE
Ben M. Bogard
“I have a pleasant story, which I wish to tell in rhyme,
About a circuit preacher, who lived in recent time.
He was a circuit rider, for good John Wesley’s brand,
And rode the finest circuit, in all the blessed land.
At one of his good charges, some members, not a few,
Became quite sorely troubled, about the word ‘INTO.’
The good Book says quite plainly, in Acts in chapter eight,
‘They went down into the water,’ as Baptist people state.
The preacher preached a sermon, of extra zeal and might,
And to his satisfaction, he set the passage right.
‘Into’ does not mean ‘into’, but only ‘at’ or ‘near by,’
They went down to the water, and got a small supply.
But near the place of worship, there lived a sister Brown,
And for her splendid cooking, she’d gained a great renown.
Her yellow-legged chickens, her luscious cakes and pies,
Had often made that preacher, roll up his weeping eyes.
And her delicious coffee, In all the circuit round,
The preacher oft admitted, its like could not be found.
So when he preached his sermon, with extra power and length,
He loved, at the Brown’s table, to revive his ebbing strength.
But sister Brown was a Baptist, the strongest in the land;
She oft reproved the Methodists, for changing God’s command.
She heard the preacher’s sermon, and thought the subject o’er;
Then asked him home for dinner, as she oft had done before.
She ground her good brown coffee, her kettle steaming hot,
And she put it ‘at’ or ‘near by’, the famous coffee pot.
She poured her guest a cupful, (I think it was no sin);
‘But you forgot, dear sister, to put the coffee in.’
‘No, no, dear sir, that’s coffee; I ground a good supply,
And put it ‘at’ the kettle, (’into’ is ‘at’ or ‘near by.’)
By the logic of your sermon; (I thought it rather thin),
If ‘at’ or ‘near by’ is ‘into’, I put the coffee IN.
So if you will truly promise, no more such stuff to teach,
I’ll go and make some coffee, in line with Bible speech.
And this time I will follow, instructions to the dot,
And put the coffee ‘into’, not ‘at’ or ‘near by’ the pot!
SEQUEL TO THE PREACHER’S COFFEE
W. Curtis Porter
“Just then in stepped a preacher, who wears a Bible name;
The simple name of ‘Christian’, of apostolic fame.
God put into the Bible, no human names to wear,
And hence he was contented, the inspired mark to wear.
Then Mrs. Brown he questioned, if surely she’d admit,
Whether ‘into’ had the meaning, she had given it.
She said she would most surely, and who would dare say not?
‘No coffee’s in the vessel, till put ‘into’ the pot!’
Then gently spoke the preacher; ‘Don’t censure preacher Jones;
You have spoken condemnation, to yourself in strongest tones.
No need to hold tradition; such never did suffice;
The Bible says that baptism, puts people ‘into’ Christ!’
‘No, no,’ replied the hostess; Such preaching is a sin;
Sir, the preacher gives baptism, to those already in.’
‘Well, well,’ then spoke the preacher, ‘it surely gives me fun,
To see this faithful Baptist, throw down her Baptist gun.
If ‘into’ has the meaning, you have given it at last,
Your shot at circuit riders, has gone into a blast!
Then Philip and the eunuch, went not ‘into’ the creek,
For they were ‘in’ already, and had been for a week!’
‘When Christians are invited, ‘into’ that heavenly clime,
They’ll really not go ‘into’, they were in it all the time.
And when the Lord will banish, the wicked ‘into’ hell;
They’ll merely stay ‘in’ pleasures, on earth they love so well.’
‘You thought you put the coffee, ‘into’ the coffee pot;
But it was ‘in’ already, and really boiling hot.
Now, Mrs. Brown, please promise, that you’ll not have the gall,
To hit folks with the Bible, unless you take it all.
The Bible says so plainly (to which you have referred),
‘They went down ‘into’ the water,’ I trust its every word.
It tells us that the righteous, go ‘into’ mansions fair;
It tells us that the wicked, go down ‘into’ despair.
It tells us just as surely, not only once, but twice;
That that which is called ‘baptism’, puts people ‘into’ Christ.
Now take it all, dear lady; false preachers you can rout,
Or else just raise the window, and throw the Bible out!”