Today’s question is, "Is baptism necessary for salvation?"
In this video I’ll answer that question from a biblical perspective.
Afterwards, as always, I’ll share some helpful resources, so stick around until the end.
The belief that baptism is necessary for salvation is also known as "baptismal regeneration."
It is our contention that baptism is an important step of obedience for a Christian, but we
adamantly reject baptism as being required for salvation.
We strongly believe that each and every Christian should be water baptized by immersion.
Baptism illustrates a believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.
Romans 6:3-4 declares, “Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ
Jesus were baptized into His death?
We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as
Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."
The action of being immersed in the water illustrates dying and being buried with Christ.
The action of coming out of the water pictures Christ’s resurrection.
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.
Jesus' payment for our sins is appropriated to our “account” by faith alone (see Ephesians
2:8-9).
Therefore, baptism is an important step of obedience after salvation but cannot be a
requirement for salvation.
Yes, there are some verses that seem to indicate baptism as a requirement for salvation.
However, since the Bible so clearly tells us that salvation is received by faith alone
(John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5), there must be a different interpretation of those
verses.
Scripture does not contradict Scripture.
In Bible times, a person who converted from one religion to another was often baptized
to identify conversion.
Baptism was the means of making a decision public.
Those who refused to be baptized were saying they did not truly believe.
So, in the minds of the apostles and early disciples, the idea of an un-baptized believer
was unheard of.
When a person claimed to believe in Christ, yet was ashamed to proclaim his faith in public,
it indicated that he did not have true faith.
If baptism is necessary for salvation, why would Paul have said, “I am thankful that
I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius” (1 Corinthians 1:14)?
Why would he have said, “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the
gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power”
(1 Corinthians 1:17)?
Granted, in this passage Paul is arguing against the divisions that plagued the Corinthian
church.
However, how could Paul possibly say, “I am thankful that I did not baptize…” or
“For Christ did not send me to baptize…” if baptism were necessary for salvation?
If baptism is necessary for salvation, Paul would literally be saying, “I am thankful
that you were not saved…” and “For Christ did not send me to save…”
That would be an unbelievably ridiculous statement for Paul to make.
Further, when Paul gives a detailed outline of what he considers the gospel (1 Corinthians
15:1-8), why does he neglect to mention baptism?
If baptism is a requirement for salvation, how could any presentation of the gospel lack
a mention of baptism?
Baptism is not necessary for salvation.
Baptism does not save from sin but from a bad conscience.
In 1 Peter 3:21, Peter clearly taught that baptism was not a ceremonial act of physical
purification, but the pledge of a good conscience toward God.
Baptism is the symbol of what has already occurred in the heart and life of one who
has trusted Christ as Savior (Romans 6:3-5).
Baptism is an important step of obedience that every Christian should take.
Baptism cannot be a requirement for salvation.
To make it such is an attack on the sufficiency of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Want to learn more?
Subscribe so you don’t miss the next video!
Visit GotQuestions.org for more great content.
And check out the details section below this video, there is one book I recommend, along
with several related articles.
If you’d like to learn about Bible Munch, or if you’re interested in Bite-sized devotionals,
subscribe to Bible Munch on YouTube, it’s linked right here.
Now remember, Got questions?
The Bible has answers, and we’ll help you find them!