Subject: Is baptism a work? |
Bible Note: Greetings Cyclist! Are you still riding or is it too cold where you live? :-) May I address the issue of why some view baptism as a 'work'? There isn't any question that believers are commanded to be baptized in the New Testament. There also isn't any question that believers in the early Church tended to be baptized as quickly as possible. The question involved in this debate is simply this: 1) Am I to be baptized because I am saved? or 2) Am I saved because I have been baptized? In the first case, baptism is not a 'work'. In the second case, baptism is a 'work'. Something has been added that I must do to 'earn' my salvation. Scripture totally teaches against this concept. In fact, it is the same exact debate that Paul had with the Judaizers in Galatians. Many tried to argue that one must also be circumsized in order to be saved. The arguments which Paul made against them apply also to those who teach baptismal regeneration. We are saved by faith alone! We don't have to do anything. Christ did it all. The moment we begin to add requirements to salvation, we have begun to preach another gospel. It is extremely important that we are clear on this issue. No one on this forum has argued that Christians should not be baptized. We must be because Christ commanded us to be baptized. But, the act of baptism plays no role in our salvation. It is an act of obedience done after one has been saved, not a work done in order to earn salvation. I hope that this post will be helpful to many, because this question keeps getting asked anew every few days. We need to be clear that our salvation was, is, and always will be entirely based upon faith in Christ's finished work on the cross, not upon our obedience and or works. Keep on riding and praising my friend! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |