Significant differences exist in the religious world concerning baptism’s role in salvation. Some claiming to follow Christ do not consider water baptism necessary for salvation, while others do. Both sides cannot be right. God’s Word must be examined to determine the truth.
If we search the scriptures for the words “baptize(d)” and “baptism” (i.e. “immerse” or “immersion” – see Acts 8:38-39), we find the following commands and examples taught about water baptism:
Jesus’ “Great Commission”: Matt. 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: and Mark 16:16: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Peter’s words when asked by sinners what to do: 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.
The penitent believers’ response to this: Acts 2:41a: Then they that gladly received his word were baptized:
Believers’ response to Philip teaching the Gospel: Acts 8:12: But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
The eunuch’s response to hearing Jesus preached: Acts 8:36: And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, “See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?”
Example of the Corinthians: Acts 18:8: And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
Ananias to Paul: Acts 22:16: And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
The apostle Paul to the Romans: Romans 6:3-4: Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
The apostle Paul to the churches in Galatia: Galatians 3:27: For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
The apostle Peter: 1 Peter 3:21: The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
These passages only scratch the surface of biblical evidence that baptism is necessary for salvation. God is not ambiguous on the topic.
Many objections to God’s teaching on baptism result from a misuse of His statement “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” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
These verses teach that we do not earn or deserve salvation. Salvation is a gift of God (cf. Romans 6:23) given to those who walk by faith. What the verses do NOT say is that (1) God cannot require works from us to receive salvation (cf. Phil. 2:12), or (2) man is saved by faith only.
To know what God thinks of “faith only,” we can turn to the scripture where He uses this phrase, James 2:24: Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. We are saved by grace through faith, but we are NOT saved by faith only or faith alone, just as we are not saved by bapstim alone.
If we look at the “complete picture” of God’s Word, we will see that God’s grace and our faith in Christ are among things essential for salvation, as is baptism.
Baptism is how we can get into Christ (Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27), and is necessary for remission of sins (Acts 2:38).
– Michael Hickox