The Holy Spirit teaches that baptism is necessary to get “into Christ.”
Romans 6:3: Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?
Galatians 3:27: For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
The Holy Spirit teaches that baptism is necessary for remission of sins.
Acts 2:38: Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 22:16 [Ananias to Saul]: And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
Jesus taught His disciples to baptize.
Matthew 28:19: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mark 16:15-16: And [Jesus] said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Despite these and other passages that teach the need for baptism, challenges to baptism’s necessity abound.
One question that sometimes arises pertaining to this subject is, “Isn’t binding baptism for salvation teaching ‘salvation by works?’”
The bases for this question are passages like Ephesians 2:8-9: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
The Bible teaches that we do not earn, or deserve, salvation. It is a gift of God and He deserves the credit. We have no reason to boast about what we do to receive God’s unmerited gift.
One thing Ephesians never says, though, is that we do not have responsibilities to meet to receive God’s gift of salvation. Works of obedience, including baptism, are part of what God requires of us (cf. Phil. 2:12; Jas. 2:14,17).
Salvation by grace through faith is a Bible doctrine. Salvation by grace alone through faith alone, with no works required on our part, is a manmade doctrine.
None of us deserve salvation, but we must do what God requires to receive the gift of salvation. One thing He requires is baptism in the name of Christ for the forgiveness of sins.
May we accept and follow what God commands on this and all biblical subjects.
– Michael Hickox