Bible Question: I hear so much debate about baptism. Is it a work? Is it a requirement for salvation? Are we saved before baptism? On, and on, and on... My question is, with so much that is said about baptism in the bible, the examples of conversion, the answers Peter and Paul give to the questions, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" and "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" (Acts 2:37, 16:30 respectively) can someone explain to me scripturally whether baptism is necessary or not for salvation? If it is, why? If it is not, why? |
Bible Answer: Romans 6:3-5 is often quoted as proof that baptism is necessary for salvation. "3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection," So, does this mean baptism is NECESSARY for salvation? No, for several reasons: First, we know from other verses in Scripture that salvation is by FAITH, not by faith and anything we do. Rom.3:28-30 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.. Next, we learn from other verses that baptism FOLLOWS faith. For example, in Acts 16:30-33 where the Jailer specifically asks what he must do to be saved and where baptism fits in: "...and after he brought them out, he said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31 And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you and your household." 32And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house. 33And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household," (Acts 16:30-33, NASB). If baptism was REQUIRED to achieve salvation, then Paul should have said, "Believe and be baptized and you will be saved." But, he didn't. Also, in Acts 10:44-46 Gentiles were saved, received the Holy Spirit and began speaking in tongues BEFORE they were baptized. So what Romans 6:3-5 means is that: To be baptized "into Christ," is to be publicly identified with Christ. The focus is not the baptism itself, but on what baptism represents. Being baptized into Christ is a public statement of belief in Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, AND IT IS THAT BELIEF which saves us. Baptism by immersion is a perfect symbol and public profession of faith but it is not required for salvation. If a person is saved, but not yet baptized, and is killed in a car wreck on his way home from church, that person is still saved. He is still going to Heaven. |