BAPTISM - NECESSARY FOR SALVATION?
INTRODUCTION
This paper will examine
the question, "Is the ordinance of water baptism a necessary part
of a persons salvation?" In others words, is baptism mandatory
and without it salvation, spending eternity with God, is not possible.
Is it needed for the remission of sins?
I do not discuss the
age for water baptism nor if baptism means full immersion or by sprinkling.
I also do not address who has authority to baptize.
SUMMARY
First let me say that water
baptism is a commandment of God and is probably one of the easiest commandments
to obey. I believe that all people that accept Jesus Christ as their Savior
should be baptized as an act of obedience and as a public statement that
Jesus Christ is their Savior and Lord. It represents the re-birth of the
"born again" person. But, we go down into the water a sinner and we come
out of the water a sinner. Baptism is not a part of our salvation, Jesus
Christ and our faith in Him, already did all that was needed for this.
Our righteousness comes from Him.
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ
unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: (Romans
3:22)
How could we possibly add to what our Savior did for us?
WORKS
The Bible is clear that
we are not saved by our works. We are saved only because of our faith in
Jesus Christ, and that faith is a gift of God. Our salvation is not based
upon anything we can do except respond to God's gift of eternal life (Eph
2:8; Gal 2:16-21 John 3:14-16, 36, 10:9; Rom 10:12-13; Rev 3:20; 1 Tim
2:4). We know that God draws us to Him and will lead us (Matt 16:17; John
6:44, 65; Is 42:16). It is also clear that our faith will allow God to
work in us to produce what He wants (Eph 2:10; Phil 2:13).
In Matthew 3:13-15 Jesus
says baptism was "to fulfil all righteousness." But in Titus 3:5 we learn
that works of righteousness do not save us.,
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but
according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and
renewing of the Holy Ghost; (Titus 3:5)
Baptism is an activity, a works, and this is one of the reasons it
is not a part of our salvation.
BAPTISM FOR REMISSION OF SINS?
Some, like the Mormon Church,
will use Acts 2:38 to show why baptism is mandatory. It has,
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 2:38) [There is more about
"the gift of the Holy Ghost" below under "More Biblical Verses."]
They use the term "for the remission of sins" to support their position.
One biblical commentator said the following about Acts 2:38.
This baptism would also be for (eis) the forgiveness of sins. Eis here
means "because of" or "with a view toward" just as it does in Matthew 3:11
where John baptized "because of" repentance. Rather, he demanded works
demonstrating true repentance. ("The New Testament Study Bible - Acts",
Complete Biblical Library, Springfield, MO, page 61).
I realize that by itself, without additional support, this argument may
not seem very convincing, but more will be coming. Helping us to understand
what Peter had in mind can come from Acts 10:43 where we learn that the
he also taught that those with faith in Jesus Christ shall receive remission
of sins (The NRSV says "forgiveness of sin").
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever
believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. (Acts 10:43)
We also know from Matthew 26:28 that our Lord Jesus' blood was shed for
the remission of our sins. Nothing is said about baptism.
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for
the remission of sins. (Matthew 26:28)
And in Apostle Paul's epistle to the Romans we learn that our righteousness
is from God.
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto
all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: (Romans
3:22)
Why do we need to do something ourselves? We could not, in any way, add
to what our Savior has done for us.
FROM MORMON SCRIPTURES
For LDS I point to several
of their Scriptures which have the same ideas as the commentary I quoted
above, that baptism is "because of remission of sin", not "for remission
of sins."
And again, by way of commandment to the church concerning the manner
of baptism--All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be
baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness
before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and
are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination
to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have
received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins,
shall be received by baptism into his church. (Doctrine & Covenants
[ D&C] 20:37)
Note what is necessary for baptism - "that they have received of the Spirit
of Christ unto the remission of their sins." Then they are baptized. In
this next verse note who are being baptized.
And now I speak concerning baptism. Behold, elders, priests, and
teachers were baptized; and they were not baptized save they brought
forth fruit meet that they were worthy of it. (Moroni 6:1)
Within to days Mormon Church these people should be an obvious contradiction,
as Mormon men cannot hold the priesthood without first being baptized and
having the remission of their sins. Three more references define LDS doctrine.
For, behold, I will gather them as a hen gathereth her chickens under
her wings, if they will not harden their hearts; Yea, if they will come,
they may, and partake of the waters of life freely. 67 Behold, this
is my doctrine--whosoever repenteth and cometh unto me, the same is my
church. 68 Whosoever declareth more or less than this, the same is not
of me, but is against me; therefore he is not of my church. (D&C
10:65-68, summer 1828)
Note that nothing is said about remission of sins or baptism being part
of the doctrine. Also note that "more or less than this" (adding or removing
from the message), is against Jesus Christ. The following D&C verse
has a similar idea.
Say nothing but repentance unto this generation; keep my commandments,
and assist to bring forth my work, according to my commandments, and you
shall be blessed. (D&C 6:9, April 1829)
The following from the Book of Mormon, while it calls for baptism says
nothing about the remission of sins coming from it.
Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, I will declare unto you
my doctrine. 32 And this is my doctrine, and it is the doctrine which
the Father hath given unto me; and I bear record of the Father, and the
Father beareth record of me, and the Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father
and me; and I bear record that the Father commandeth all men, everywhere,
to repent and believe in me. 33 And whoso believeth in me, and
is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they who shall inherit
the kingdom of God. 34 And whoso believeth not in me, and is not baptized,
shall be damned. 35 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine,
and..... 39 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and
whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall
not prevail against them.(3 Nephi 11: 31-35, 39)
In the following LDS Scripture note what little children must do.
Therefore I give unto you a commandment, to teach these things freely
unto your children, saying: 59 That by reason of transgression cometh the
fall, which fall bringeth death, and inasmuch as ye were born into the
world by water, and blood, and the spirit, which I have made, and so became
of dust a living soul, even so ye must be born again into the kingdom of
heaven, of water, and of the Spirit, and be cleansed by blood, even
the blood of mine Only Begotten; that ye might be sanctified from all
sin, and enjoy the words of eternal life in this world, and eternal life
in the world to come, even immortal glory; 60 For by the water ye keep
the commandment; by the Spirit ye are justified, and by the blood ye are
sanctified; (Moses 6:58-60)
Note what baptism does - "by the water ye keep the commandment". Note again
that nothing is said about remission of sins.
MORE BIBLICAL VERSES
Many will use the following
from the Gospel of John to support their position about baptism.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee,
Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he
enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus
answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of
water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the
Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be
born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound
thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so
is every one that is born of the Spirit. (John 3:3-8)
Some say that "born of water" means baptism. But they are obviously reading
this into the text, as baptism is not mentioned. In verse 3 we learn that
being "born again" is necessary to see the kingdom of God. And in verse
5 it says being "born of water and the spirit" is necessary to enter the
kingdom of God. To me these are the same thing, they are one in the same.
"Born again" is the same as "born of water and the sprit." We also
know from Romans 3:22 that our righteousness comes from Jesus Christ. We
do not have to do anything and could not do anything, except for our heart
felt faith in Him.
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto
all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: (Romans
3:22)
And from the following we hear how we are born again.
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God:
and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten
of him. (1 John 5:1)
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons
of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born,
not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man,
but of God. (John 1:12-13)
These make it clear that we are "born of God" by our faith in Jesus Christ
and not from water baptism. Water baptism results from being "born again,"
and not the opposite.
The term "born of water" can also be
looked at in other ways. Some say it mean the fluid that is around us in
our mothers womb, that ‘born of water" is our first birth. In our second
birth we become a new person, "born again." After our physical birth
the Spirit then guides us to Christ (Matt 16:17; John 6:44, 65). A second
possible understanding of "born of water" says that this phrase is referring
to the word of God, as in Ephesians 5:26; James 1:18 and 1 Peter
1:23. We are born of the word of God, we are washed by the word.
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water
by the word, (Ephesians 5:26)
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible,
by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (1 Peter
1:23)
In other words, "born of water and the spirt" means "born again....by the
word of God" and "washing of water by the word." There are more biblical
verses with a similar message.
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel
to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;
but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16:15-16)
While this verse is saying we should be baptized, we are damned only by
unbelief. In the following note that the Apostle Paul says he is glad he
didn't baptize but two. What kind of an apostle would he be if baptism
were necessary for salvation.
I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and
Gaius; (1 Corinthians 1:14)
The following is a summary of the gospel - note that nothing is said that
baptism is part of it.
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached
unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By
which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you,
unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first
of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins
according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose
again the third day according to the scriptures: (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)
>From Romans 1:16 we find that the gospel, which does not include baptism,
"is the power of God unto salvation to every one the believeth."
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power
of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first,
and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)
Note that believing (faith) is all that is required. In Acts 10:24-48 we
find the example of Cornelius and his associates. They had the Holy Ghost
fall on them and received the gift of the Holy Ghost before they were baptized.
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them
which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were
astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles
also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them
speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid
water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy
Ghost as well as we? (Acts 10:44-47)
In Acts 11:16-17 Peter adds more to what this means when he recalls the
apostles experience (Acts 1:5-8, 2:1-4; John 20:22).
Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed
baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch
then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed
on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
(Acts 11:16-17)
Three more examples can be found in Luke 1:35, 41, 67. In Luke 1:35 we
learn that Mary had the Holy Ghost came upon her and she was overshadowed
by the Highest. In 1:41 and 67 Elizabeth and Zacharias are filled with
the Holy Ghost. None of these had baptism for the remission of their
sins at this time in their lives.
ONLY FAITH IS NEEDED
There are many verses that
tell that only our faith is needed for salvation. Here are some of them.
And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
(Luke 7:50)
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ,
the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
(John 20:31)
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten
Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting
life...18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he
that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in
the name of the only begotten Son of God....36 He that believeth on
the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall
not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:16, 18,
36)
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and
shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou
shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9-11)
Are we to ignore the many many verses that are very clear that only heart
felt faith in Jesus Christ is all that is needed for our eternal salvation,
that is spending eternity with God, so we can accept Acts 2:38 and John
3:2-7 which are not clear .
SOME MORE ISSUES:
If baptism is a mandatory
ordinance for salvation and remission of sins then there are some real
life problems to consider. For example, what happens to one who has accepted
Christ, but through no fault of their own die before they are baptized?
Or a person that is in a place with no or insufficient water? Or a location
with no "qualified" person (for those that require this) to do the baptism?
These worldly problems would take salvation, which is only between God
and man, and now inject a third party.
If baptism is for the remission
of sins then why is it not administered every time a person sins?
Some will say that we must
be baptized because Jesus Christ was. They say we must follow His example.
And this is correct, but this is not a reason to say that baptism is needed
for salvation. Did Jesus need baptism for the remission of His sins and
for His salvation? Jesus was not baptized because He was a sinner, He was
without sin. He was baptized as an example for us (Matt 3:15-16; John 1:30-34).
IN CLOSING
We obtain our righteous by our faith in Jesus Christ (Rom 3:22),
not from baptism. But, we should be baptized as a public sign of our faith
in Jesus Christ and as an act of obedience.
John Farkas
Berean Christian Ministries, P.O. Box 1091, Webster, NY 14580
E-mail: bcmmin@frontiernet.net
Web page: http://www.bcmmin.org
art/baptism2 3-13-98