Christians agree on a number of things. Things like:
The deity of Christ.
Salvation by grace.
Salvation through Jesus Christ alone.
The resurrection of Christ
The gospel
Monotheism (one God)
The Holy Trinity
However many Christian disagree on whether baptism is necessary, or a requirement for salvation. We agree that we are saved by God's grace and not by any works but does salvation occur before or after salvation.
The Christ Church Wednesday Bible Study Group discusses the question "Is baptism required for salvation. For an audio recording of the group session click on the YouTube link.
The deity of Christ.
Salvation by grace.
Salvation through Jesus Christ alone.
The resurrection of Christ
The gospel
Monotheism (one God)
The Holy Trinity
However many Christian disagree on whether baptism is necessary, or a requirement for salvation. We agree that we are saved by God's grace and not by any works but does salvation occur before or after salvation.
The Christ Church Wednesday Bible Study Group discusses the question "Is baptism required for salvation. For an audio recording of the group session click on the YouTube link.
Christ Brings New Life
Colossians 2:6-19 CEV You have accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord. Now keep on following him. Plant your roots in Christ and let him be the foundation for your life. Be strong in your faith, just as you were taught. And be grateful. Don't let anyone fool you by using senseless arguments. These arguments may sound wise, but they are only human teachings. They come from the powers of this world and not from Christ. God lives fully in Christ. And you are fully grown because you belong to Christ, who is over every power and authority. Christ has also taken away your selfish desires, just as circumcision removes flesh from the body. And when you were baptized, it was the same as being buried with Christ. Then you were raised to life because you had faith in the power of God, who raised Christ from death. You were dead, because you were sinful and were not God's people. But God let Christ make you alive, when he forgave all our sins. God wiped out the charges that were against us for disobeying the Law of Moses. He took them away and nailed them to the cross. There Christ defeated all powers and forces. He let the whole world see them being led away as prisoners when he celebrated his victory. Don't let anyone tell you what you must eat or drink. Don't let them say you must celebrate the New Moon festival, the Sabbath, or any other festival. These things are only a shadow of what was to come. But Christ is real! Don't be cheated by people who make a show of acting humble and who worship angels. They brag about seeing visions. But it is all nonsense, because their minds are filled with selfish desires. They are no longer part of Christ, who is the head of the whole body. Christ gives the body its strength, and he uses its joints and muscles to hold it together, as it grows by the power of God.
Verse 6 says that the Colossians had started their Christian life in the right way. They had accepted Jesus as Lord.
Now let's look at verse 7.
Colossians 2:7 CEV Plant your roots in Christ and let him be the foundation for your life. Be strong in your faith, just as you were taught. And be grateful.
The picture here is of a tree or plant whose roots fix it into the ground. You cannot pull up the tree. It is strong. When people become Christians, they fix their lives into Christ.
Colossians 2:9-10 CEV God lives fully in Christ. And you are fully grown because you belong to Christ, who is over every power and authority.
The Christians at Colossae did not need to get anything from the false teachers. Christians already have all that they need. Christ rules over every angel and spirit.
Colossians 1:16 CEV Everything was created by him, everything in heaven and on earth, everything seen and unseen, including all forces and powers, and all rulers and authorities. All things were created by God's Son, and everything was made for him.
Union with Christ alone is sufficient, for he is head of all other authorities; they can add nothing to holiness or to redemption.
John 1:1 CEV In the beginning was the one who is called the Word. The Word was with God and was truly God.
Colossians 2:11-13 CEV Christ has also taken away your selfish desires, just as circumcision removes flesh from the body. And when you were baptized, it was the same as being buried with Christ. Then you were raised to life because you had faith in the power of God, who raised Christ from death. You were dead, because you were sinful and were not God's people. But God let Christ make you alive, when he forgave all our sins.
There is no direct analogy between Christian baptism and the 'old age' rite of circumcision. Other than they are both signs or marks of covenant;
Genesis 17:1-10 (NLT2)1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life.2 I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.”3 At this, Abram fell face down on the ground. Then God said to him,4 “This is my covenant with you: I will make you the father of a multitude of nations!5 What’s more, I am changing your name. It will no longer be Abram. Instead, you will be called Abraham, for you will be the father of many nations.6 I will make you extremely fruitful. Your descendants will become many nations, and kings will be among them!7 “I will confirm my covenant with you and your descendants after you, from generation to generation. This is the everlasting covenant: I will always be your God and the God of your descendants after you.8 And I will give the entire land of Canaan, where you now live as a foreigner, to you and your descendants. It will be their possession forever, and I will be their God.”9 Then God said to Abraham, “Your responsibility is to obey the terms of the covenant. You and all your descendants have this continual responsibility.10 This is the covenant that you and your descendants must keep: Each male among you must be circumcised.
Circumcision here is the death of Christ, by which he wrought severance from the old age, cleansing of sin, and reconciliation to God Jesus is the mediator of the New Covenant.
Hebrews 9:11-16 (NKJV)11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.
12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh,
14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.16 For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
Paul is seeking to unlock some critical doctrines of the faith that often get confused and skewed. The Colossae church was adding Jewish legalism, mixing it with Greek philosophy, and thus demanding that men have a legalistic circumcision in order to become a Christian. Circumcision is not wrong; the demanding of it is wrong, because it becomes a power of the flesh and not Holy Spirit. Paul set out to show that we need no outward sign to have grace and faith. The only true sign will be the fruit we produce.
Galatians 5:22-23 CEV God's Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. There is no law against behaving in any of these ways.
Paul was not saying that either this or baptism were wrong, but because we have already been delivered from the "tomb" of sin and depravity, why seek to add to His grace? Paul's point was that it is wrong to demand we have power in the flesh and say we must add it to our faith as the sign of being a Christian.
Question: "What are the essentials of the Christian faith?"
The deity of Christ.
Salvation by grace.
Salvation through Jesus Christ alone.
The resurrection of Christ
The gospel. In 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Paul spells out what the gospel is and how important it is to embrace it and share it with others. He reminds the Corinthians of the gospel he preached among them: “That Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” This is the essence of the gospel.
Monotheism. Quite simply, there is only one God.
The Holy Trinity. While the concept of a “three-in-one God” is not represented by a single verse or passage, it is described frequently throughout Scripture. If we look at Matthew 28:19, we see the verse calling out the Trinity: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, we see how this comes together: “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.” Again, we see all three Persons being represented but not titled the Holy Trinity.
Finally, the essentials of Christianity would not be complete without the ingredient that binds everything together—faith. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).
Colossians 2:6-19 CEV You have accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord. Now keep on following him. Plant your roots in Christ and let him be the foundation for your life. Be strong in your faith, just as you were taught. And be grateful. Don't let anyone fool you by using senseless arguments. These arguments may sound wise, but they are only human teachings. They come from the powers of this world and not from Christ. God lives fully in Christ. And you are fully grown because you belong to Christ, who is over every power and authority. Christ has also taken away your selfish desires, just as circumcision removes flesh from the body. And when you were baptized, it was the same as being buried with Christ. Then you were raised to life because you had faith in the power of God, who raised Christ from death. You were dead, because you were sinful and were not God's people. But God let Christ make you alive, when he forgave all our sins. God wiped out the charges that were against us for disobeying the Law of Moses. He took them away and nailed them to the cross. There Christ defeated all powers and forces. He let the whole world see them being led away as prisoners when he celebrated his victory. Don't let anyone tell you what you must eat or drink. Don't let them say you must celebrate the New Moon festival, the Sabbath, or any other festival. These things are only a shadow of what was to come. But Christ is real! Don't be cheated by people who make a show of acting humble and who worship angels. They brag about seeing visions. But it is all nonsense, because their minds are filled with selfish desires. They are no longer part of Christ, who is the head of the whole body. Christ gives the body its strength, and he uses its joints and muscles to hold it together, as it grows by the power of God.
Verse 6 says that the Colossians had started their Christian life in the right way. They had accepted Jesus as Lord.
Now let's look at verse 7.
Colossians 2:7 CEV Plant your roots in Christ and let him be the foundation for your life. Be strong in your faith, just as you were taught. And be grateful.
The picture here is of a tree or plant whose roots fix it into the ground. You cannot pull up the tree. It is strong. When people become Christians, they fix their lives into Christ.
Colossians 2:9-10 CEV God lives fully in Christ. And you are fully grown because you belong to Christ, who is over every power and authority.
The Christians at Colossae did not need to get anything from the false teachers. Christians already have all that they need. Christ rules over every angel and spirit.
Colossians 1:16 CEV Everything was created by him, everything in heaven and on earth, everything seen and unseen, including all forces and powers, and all rulers and authorities. All things were created by God's Son, and everything was made for him.
Union with Christ alone is sufficient, for he is head of all other authorities; they can add nothing to holiness or to redemption.
John 1:1 CEV In the beginning was the one who is called the Word. The Word was with God and was truly God.
Colossians 2:11-13 CEV Christ has also taken away your selfish desires, just as circumcision removes flesh from the body. And when you were baptized, it was the same as being buried with Christ. Then you were raised to life because you had faith in the power of God, who raised Christ from death. You were dead, because you were sinful and were not God's people. But God let Christ make you alive, when he forgave all our sins.
There is no direct analogy between Christian baptism and the 'old age' rite of circumcision. Other than they are both signs or marks of covenant;
Genesis 17:1-10 (NLT2)1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life.2 I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.”3 At this, Abram fell face down on the ground. Then God said to him,4 “This is my covenant with you: I will make you the father of a multitude of nations!5 What’s more, I am changing your name. It will no longer be Abram. Instead, you will be called Abraham, for you will be the father of many nations.6 I will make you extremely fruitful. Your descendants will become many nations, and kings will be among them!7 “I will confirm my covenant with you and your descendants after you, from generation to generation. This is the everlasting covenant: I will always be your God and the God of your descendants after you.8 And I will give the entire land of Canaan, where you now live as a foreigner, to you and your descendants. It will be their possession forever, and I will be their God.”9 Then God said to Abraham, “Your responsibility is to obey the terms of the covenant. You and all your descendants have this continual responsibility.10 This is the covenant that you and your descendants must keep: Each male among you must be circumcised.
Circumcision here is the death of Christ, by which he wrought severance from the old age, cleansing of sin, and reconciliation to God Jesus is the mediator of the New Covenant.
Hebrews 9:11-16 (NKJV)11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.
12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh,
14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.16 For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
Paul is seeking to unlock some critical doctrines of the faith that often get confused and skewed. The Colossae church was adding Jewish legalism, mixing it with Greek philosophy, and thus demanding that men have a legalistic circumcision in order to become a Christian. Circumcision is not wrong; the demanding of it is wrong, because it becomes a power of the flesh and not Holy Spirit. Paul set out to show that we need no outward sign to have grace and faith. The only true sign will be the fruit we produce.
Galatians 5:22-23 CEV God's Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. There is no law against behaving in any of these ways.
Paul was not saying that either this or baptism were wrong, but because we have already been delivered from the "tomb" of sin and depravity, why seek to add to His grace? Paul's point was that it is wrong to demand we have power in the flesh and say we must add it to our faith as the sign of being a Christian.
Question: "What are the essentials of the Christian faith?"
The deity of Christ.
Salvation by grace.
Salvation through Jesus Christ alone.
The resurrection of Christ
The gospel. In 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Paul spells out what the gospel is and how important it is to embrace it and share it with others. He reminds the Corinthians of the gospel he preached among them: “That Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” This is the essence of the gospel.
Monotheism. Quite simply, there is only one God.
The Holy Trinity. While the concept of a “three-in-one God” is not represented by a single verse or passage, it is described frequently throughout Scripture. If we look at Matthew 28:19, we see the verse calling out the Trinity: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, we see how this comes together: “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.” Again, we see all three Persons being represented but not titled the Holy Trinity.
Finally, the essentials of Christianity would not be complete without the ingredient that binds everything together—faith. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).
The Bible is clear that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works of any kind, and that includes baptism. Now I’m not saying that baptism isn’t necessary in the life of a Christian but I am saying that baptism is not a requirement of salvation.
Romans 10:8-11 NIV But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
So, any interpretation which comes to the conclusion that baptism, or any other act, is necessary for salvation, is a faulty interpretation.
Well what about this scripture you ask?
Acts 2:38 NIV Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
If Peter believed that baptism is a requirement for salvation why didn’t he mention it in his sermon from in the Temple later. In his sermon he links forgiveness of sin to repentance but he didn’t mention baptism in this sermon.
Acts 3:19-20 NIV Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.
The discussion of whether or not this passage teaches baptism is required for salvation revolves around the word "for". The Greek word translated "for" here is eis (ice). Those who believe that baptism is required for salvation point out that to the fact that it says “be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins,” assuming that the word translated “for” in this verse means “in order to get.” However, in both Greek and English, there are many possible usages of the word “for.”
For example, when someone says “Take two aspirin for your headache,” it is obvious that it does not mean “take two aspirin in order to get your headache,” everyone understands it to mean to “take two aspirin because you already have a headache.”
There are three possible meanings of the word “for” that might fit the context of Acts 2:38: 1) “in order to be, become, get, have, keep,” 2) “because of, as the result of,” or 3) “with regard to.” Since any one of the three meanings could fit the context of this passage, we have to take a closer look to look in order to determine which meaning is correct.
To do this we must go to the Greek, which is the original language of this verse of scripture. The Greek word translated "for" is eis. Like the English word “for” it can have several different meanings.
One example is how eis is used is here where it communicates the result of an action
Matthew 12:41 NIV The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here.
Clearly, the meaning of this passage is that they repented “because of’” or “as the result of” Jonah’s preaching. In the same way, it would be possible that Acts 2:38 is communicating the fact that they were to be baptized “as the result of” or “because” they already had believed and in doing so had already received forgiveness of their sins.
John 1:12-13 NIV Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
Romans 10:9 NIV If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Paul again
Acts 13:38-39 NIV “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.
In addition to Acts 2:38, there are three other verses where the Greek word eis is used in conjunction with the word “baptize” or “baptism.”
1.Matthew 3:11 NIV“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (emphasis mine)
Clearly the Greek word eis cannot mean “in order to get” in this passage. They were not baptized “in order to get repentance,” but were “baptized because they had repented.”
2.Romans 6:3 NIV Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into (eis) Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? (emphasis mine).
The phrase “baptized into (eis) His death.” fits with the meaning “because of” or in "regard to."
3.1 Corinthians 10:2 NIV They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.
The phrase “baptized into (eis) Moses in the cloud and in the sea.” cannot mean “in order to get” in this passage because the Israelites were not baptized in order to get Moses to be their leader, but because he was their leader and had led them out of Egypt.
If one is consistent with the way that eis is used in conjunction with baptism, we must conclude that Acts 2:38 is referring to their being baptized “because” they had received forgiveness of their sins. Therefore, Acts 2:38, when interpreted correctly, does not teach that baptism is required for salvation.
The grammatical evidence surrounding this verse and the preposition eis are clear that while both views on this verse are well within the context and the range of possible meanings of the passage, the majority of the evidence is in favor that the best possible definition of the word “for” in this context is either “because of” or “in regard to” and not “in order to get.”
Romans 10:8-11 NIV But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
So, any interpretation which comes to the conclusion that baptism, or any other act, is necessary for salvation, is a faulty interpretation.
Well what about this scripture you ask?
Acts 2:38 NIV Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
If Peter believed that baptism is a requirement for salvation why didn’t he mention it in his sermon from in the Temple later. In his sermon he links forgiveness of sin to repentance but he didn’t mention baptism in this sermon.
Acts 3:19-20 NIV Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.
The discussion of whether or not this passage teaches baptism is required for salvation revolves around the word "for". The Greek word translated "for" here is eis (ice). Those who believe that baptism is required for salvation point out that to the fact that it says “be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins,” assuming that the word translated “for” in this verse means “in order to get.” However, in both Greek and English, there are many possible usages of the word “for.”
For example, when someone says “Take two aspirin for your headache,” it is obvious that it does not mean “take two aspirin in order to get your headache,” everyone understands it to mean to “take two aspirin because you already have a headache.”
There are three possible meanings of the word “for” that might fit the context of Acts 2:38: 1) “in order to be, become, get, have, keep,” 2) “because of, as the result of,” or 3) “with regard to.” Since any one of the three meanings could fit the context of this passage, we have to take a closer look to look in order to determine which meaning is correct.
To do this we must go to the Greek, which is the original language of this verse of scripture. The Greek word translated "for" is eis. Like the English word “for” it can have several different meanings.
One example is how eis is used is here where it communicates the result of an action
Matthew 12:41 NIV The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here.
Clearly, the meaning of this passage is that they repented “because of’” or “as the result of” Jonah’s preaching. In the same way, it would be possible that Acts 2:38 is communicating the fact that they were to be baptized “as the result of” or “because” they already had believed and in doing so had already received forgiveness of their sins.
John 1:12-13 NIV Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
Romans 10:9 NIV If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Paul again
Acts 13:38-39 NIV “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.
In addition to Acts 2:38, there are three other verses where the Greek word eis is used in conjunction with the word “baptize” or “baptism.”
1.Matthew 3:11 NIV“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (emphasis mine)
Clearly the Greek word eis cannot mean “in order to get” in this passage. They were not baptized “in order to get repentance,” but were “baptized because they had repented.”
2.Romans 6:3 NIV Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into (eis) Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? (emphasis mine).
The phrase “baptized into (eis) His death.” fits with the meaning “because of” or in "regard to."
3.1 Corinthians 10:2 NIV They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.
The phrase “baptized into (eis) Moses in the cloud and in the sea.” cannot mean “in order to get” in this passage because the Israelites were not baptized in order to get Moses to be their leader, but because he was their leader and had led them out of Egypt.
If one is consistent with the way that eis is used in conjunction with baptism, we must conclude that Acts 2:38 is referring to their being baptized “because” they had received forgiveness of their sins. Therefore, Acts 2:38, when interpreted correctly, does not teach that baptism is required for salvation.
The grammatical evidence surrounding this verse and the preposition eis are clear that while both views on this verse are well within the context and the range of possible meanings of the passage, the majority of the evidence is in favor that the best possible definition of the word “for” in this context is either “because of” or “in regard to” and not “in order to get.”
There is an important difference between a condition of salvation and a requirement for salvation. The Bible is clear that belief is both a condition and a requirement, but the same cannot be said for baptism.
The Bible does not say that if a man is not baptized then he will not be saved.
One can add any number of conditions to faith (which is required for salvation), and the person can still be saved. For example, if a person believes, is baptized, goes to church, and gives to the poor he will be saved. These are all very good things but the problem comes when we assume all these other conditions, “baptism, going to church, giving to the poor,” are required for one to be saved. While they might be evidence of salvation, they are not a requirement for salvation.
Requiring anything in addition to faith in Jesus Christ for salvation is a works-based salvation. To add anything to the gospel is to say that Jesus' death on the cross was not sufficient to purchase our salvation. To say that baptism is necessary for salvation is to say we must add our own good works and obedience to Christ's death in order to make it sufficient for salvation. Jesus' death alone paid for our sins.
Romans 5:8 NIV But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Jesus' payment for our sins is appropriated to our “account” by faith alone.
John 3:16 NIV For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Baptism is an important step of obedience after salvation but cannot be a requirement for salvation.
We must look to the full counsel of God’s Word. Here is a summary of the evidence:
1—The Bible is clear that we are saved by faith alone. Abraham was saved by faith, and we are saved by faith.
Romans 4:1-3 NIV What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
Galatians 3:7-9 NIV Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
2—Throughout the Bible, in every dispensation, people have been saved without being baptized. Every believer in the Old Testament (e.g., Abraham, Jacob, David, Solomon) was saved but not baptized. The thief on the cross was saved but not baptized. Cornelius was saved before he was baptized.
Acts 10:44-48 NIV While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
3—Baptism is a testimony of our faith and a public declaration that we believe in Jesus Christ. The Scriptures tell us that we have eternal life the moment we believe
John 5:24 NIV “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.
Belief always comes before being baptized. Baptism does not save us any more than walking an aisle or saying a prayer saves us. We are saved when we believe.
4—The Bible never says that if one is not baptized then he is not saved.
5—If baptism were required for salvation, then no one could be saved without another party being present. Someone must be there to baptize a person before he can be saved. This effectively limits who can be saved and when he can be saved. The consequences of this doctrine, when carried to a logical conclusion, are devastating. For example, a soldier who believes on the battlefield but is killed before he can be baptized would go to hell.
6—Throughout the Bible we see that at the point of faith a believer possesses all the promises and blessings of salvation.
Acts 10:39-43 NIV “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (emphasis mine)
Acts 16:31-33 NIV They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.
When a person believes, they have eternal life, does not come under judgment, and has passed from death into life—all before he or she is baptized.
John 5:24 NIV “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.
Baptism is a symbolic act, but it should not be a cold ritual act. Baptism should be an act of obedience due to a new heart that loves God and wants to demonstrate to the world that one is committed to Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
One last thought: If someone maintains that baptism is necessary for salvation, is he adding a work, his own, to the finished work of Christ? If the answer is yes, then that person would be in terrible risk of not being saved. If the answer is no, then why is baptism maintained as being necessary the same way as the Jews maintained that works were necessary?
The Bible does not say that if a man is not baptized then he will not be saved.
One can add any number of conditions to faith (which is required for salvation), and the person can still be saved. For example, if a person believes, is baptized, goes to church, and gives to the poor he will be saved. These are all very good things but the problem comes when we assume all these other conditions, “baptism, going to church, giving to the poor,” are required for one to be saved. While they might be evidence of salvation, they are not a requirement for salvation.
Requiring anything in addition to faith in Jesus Christ for salvation is a works-based salvation. To add anything to the gospel is to say that Jesus' death on the cross was not sufficient to purchase our salvation. To say that baptism is necessary for salvation is to say we must add our own good works and obedience to Christ's death in order to make it sufficient for salvation. Jesus' death alone paid for our sins.
Romans 5:8 NIV But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Jesus' payment for our sins is appropriated to our “account” by faith alone.
John 3:16 NIV For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Baptism is an important step of obedience after salvation but cannot be a requirement for salvation.
We must look to the full counsel of God’s Word. Here is a summary of the evidence:
1—The Bible is clear that we are saved by faith alone. Abraham was saved by faith, and we are saved by faith.
Romans 4:1-3 NIV What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
Galatians 3:7-9 NIV Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
2—Throughout the Bible, in every dispensation, people have been saved without being baptized. Every believer in the Old Testament (e.g., Abraham, Jacob, David, Solomon) was saved but not baptized. The thief on the cross was saved but not baptized. Cornelius was saved before he was baptized.
Acts 10:44-48 NIV While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
3—Baptism is a testimony of our faith and a public declaration that we believe in Jesus Christ. The Scriptures tell us that we have eternal life the moment we believe
John 5:24 NIV “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.
Belief always comes before being baptized. Baptism does not save us any more than walking an aisle or saying a prayer saves us. We are saved when we believe.
4—The Bible never says that if one is not baptized then he is not saved.
5—If baptism were required for salvation, then no one could be saved without another party being present. Someone must be there to baptize a person before he can be saved. This effectively limits who can be saved and when he can be saved. The consequences of this doctrine, when carried to a logical conclusion, are devastating. For example, a soldier who believes on the battlefield but is killed before he can be baptized would go to hell.
6—Throughout the Bible we see that at the point of faith a believer possesses all the promises and blessings of salvation.
Acts 10:39-43 NIV “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (emphasis mine)
Acts 16:31-33 NIV They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.
When a person believes, they have eternal life, does not come under judgment, and has passed from death into life—all before he or she is baptized.
John 5:24 NIV “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.
Baptism is a symbolic act, but it should not be a cold ritual act. Baptism should be an act of obedience due to a new heart that loves God and wants to demonstrate to the world that one is committed to Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
One last thought: If someone maintains that baptism is necessary for salvation, is he adding a work, his own, to the finished work of Christ? If the answer is yes, then that person would be in terrible risk of not being saved. If the answer is no, then why is baptism maintained as being necessary the same way as the Jews maintained that works were necessary?
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